Games based on Marvel andDC Comicshave appeared exponentially throughout the 21st century. From the critically acclaimedBatman: Arkhamseries to the upcomingMarvel Rivalshero shooter, the worlds of both comic book properties have been heavily adapted in video game form. Despite these numerous games, not every aspect of either property has been properly showcased via a video game, especially the more mystical parts of the Marvel and DC universes. With DC having a much more robust magic nature thanks to groups like the Justice League Dark and lines such as the Sandman Universe,DC Comicscould be the first of the two to release an action game truly dedicated to magic characters.
DC Comics’ Magic Explained
Since the Golden Age of comics in the 1930s, magic has remained an integral part of the DC universe with magical characters such asThe Spectre and Green Lantern Alan Scott. While the powers of these characters were not fully explained back then, their magic natures would be expanded upon over several decades worth of complex stories and the addition of new characters. Not every magical character in DC gets their power from the same source. For example, Shazam gets his powers from five Greek gods and one king, while Swamp Thing is the elemental avatar of The Green, the all-powerful force of plant life found on Earth.
While magic Marvel characters are primarily headlined by Ghost Rider, the Scarlet Witch, and Doctor Strange, DC is filled with a multitude of rich magic-themed heroes and villains. Some of these include characters like:
Most of these characters typically work solo but occasionally jointeams in the DC universe, including the Justice Society, Justice League, Teen Titans, Legion of Doom, and the magic-focused Justice League Dark. Magic isn’t limited to being only a power for characters to wield, as it also forms the basis for locations and other realms such as the Rock of Eternity and the Dreaming.
In the sequel toWatchmen,Doomsday Clock, Doctor Manhattan claims that magic in the DC universe is “scraps of creation” from the universe.
The Potential of a Magic-Focused DC Action Game
Magical characters have appeared in DC games before, but primarily as side or DLC characters, such as Zatanna inInjustice: Gods Among UsandDoctor Fate inInjustice 2. Many magic characters have appeared inLEGO BatmanandLEGO DC Super-Villians, but they were never the focus of either campaign. Very few Marvel games have featured magic characters either, withMarvel’s Midnight Sunsbeing of note and only a few appearing in team-oriented games such asMarvel vs. CapcomandMarvel: Ultimate Alliance. Based on this lack of appearances and spotlight, DC Comics could easily fill this vacancy with a new magic-focused action game.
There’s lots of potential for a magic-focused DC game. It could be a game based on the Justice League Dark and be structured similarly toMarvel’s Guardians of the Galaxywith Zatanna as the possible lead. To boost player appeal, a Justice League Dark game could be based on James Tynion IV’s run on the title, with the team being made up of Zatanna, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Detective Chimp, and Man-Bat. Likewise, this game could focus on only one character, similar to theBatman: Arkhamgames, with Doctor Fate or Shazam being possible protagonists. DC could additionally take a risk with a more horror-oriented magic action game with Swamp Thing and Constantine as leads akin to games likeThe DarknessorAlan Wake.
The Gameplay of a Magic-Focused DC Game
Depending on whom the protagonists are in a potential magic-focused DC game, the gameplay could vary dramatically. If Zatanna is the protagonist, the game could be first-person as her spells hardly ever require tools like wands to complete. In this instance, Zatanna’s gameplay could function similarly toSkyrim’s magic and shoutsin first-person. Likewise, if the game has Doctor Fate or Swamp Thing as leads, they could be played in third-person, since Doctor Fate can fly and use complex spells, while Swamp Thing can use large tendrils and the environment to his advantage. While it may be a while for magicalDC Comicscharacters to get the spotlight on film once again, they can easily shine in their own games.
