I'm going to have to go with Marvel on this one. I am an avid comic book collector and have over 17,000 books. I've been collecting ever since I was 8 years old and still own every single comic book I ever bought.
Both companies have their high and low points. DC seems to want to reboot their universe too often instead of just sticking to straight storylines and good character interactions. Marvel lately just seems to absolutely LOVE the idea of having a major crossover every single month.
To me, Marvel has better characters you can relate to.
Who has crappy days that feels like you just can't get a leg up? All of us! That would be Spider-Man.
The Thing from the Fantastic Four always feels like a monster in a world where everybody else seems perfect. His best friend, Mr. Fantastic, is one of the smartest people in the universe, the Invisible Woman is supermodel material, and the Human Torch is a hotshot who could give any Hollywood leading man a run for his money.
How many of us hate our jobs, but we have to continue doing it because we can't find anything else. We are ordered around and sometimes do things that we do agree with, but have no other choice but to do them? That would be the Silver Surfer.
Sometimes life is good for us. We might have money. We might have an education. We might be in charge of wherever we work. But we can also struggle with an addiction, no matter what it can be. We might overcome it, but it's always there, nagging at us, being there in our face. That would be Iron Man.
Ever feel like an outcast? Living in a world were no one understands you because you are different? One of the biggest things Marvel has for them is the X-Men.
There are so many other examples of how the Marvel characters are so relatable. DC has some really well written books out right now. While I am really enjoying reading the Green Lantern, that's just it. I just really enjoy reading it. Aquaman is one of the best books DC has out right now. Another well written character!
I think the thing that hurts DC a lot of the times is their Big 3. The indestrutable Superman. Batman, who is always 100 steps in front of the action and is a billionare. Wonder Woman, the perfect Amazon. They have always been afraid to push the evenlope with these three characters. Kill off Superman? That to me was a joke and I didn't worry about it because I knew he would get better. Break Batman's back? He'll be okay! And what pivotal things have ever been done with Wonder Woman?
Don't get me wrong, there are pros and cons with both companies, but to me, Marvel stands out above and beyond DC.