What if Paramount Acquired DC Comics Instead of Warner Bros. in 1967?

It's an intriguing question to consider how the landscape of superhero media might be different today if Paramount had acquired DC Comics in 1967 instead of Warner Bros. Let's dive into the details and explore the potential outcomes.

The Real Timeline of the Acquisition

The truth is, Warner Bros did not buy DC Comics in 1967. At that time, DC was owned by National Periodicals, which was part of the Kinney National Company. In 1969, Kinney bought Warner Bros' parent company Warner Bros-Seven Arts. After spinning off non-entertainment assets, the remaining company, including Warner Bros and DC Comics, was renamed Warner Communications in 1972.

Paramount and GulfWestern's Focus

Had Paramount acquired National Periodicals, it would have become one of the many entities in the larger GulfWestern conglomerate. GulfWestern was heavily focused on manufacturing chemicals and real estate. In 1967, acquiring a comic publisher wouldn't have aligned well with their core business model.

The Likely Outcome

It's highly probable that DC Comics would have been folded into GulfWestern, and some of its characters might have found a home in cartoons, similar to Nickelodeon's Looney Tunes. However, it's unlikely that Paramount would have nurtured the comics as a standalone medium or kept them going. Fans would remember the characters, but they would not be part of a thriving DC Comics.

Impact on DC Universe and Streaming

Let's explore how this shift might have affected the DC Universe and streaming platforms.

The DC Universe and CBS All Access

Without Warner Bros, DC's original content would have been split across CBS All Access and ViacomCBS cable channels like Showtime and MTV. Because ViacomCBS doesn't have a video game division, video games based on its properties would likely be sublicensed to Square Enix.

Corporate Culture and Brand Identity

Corporate culture plays a crucial role in shaping how a company develops its intellectual properties. Warner Bros has a distinct wised-up, cynical worldview, embodied by its stars like Humphrey Bogart and Jimmy Cagney. In contrast, Paramount's approach was more about horror, youthful authenticity, and transgressive entertainment, as seen with films like Psycho and the SNL-derived Minions.

IP Adaptation and Streaming

Warner Bros has adapted DC properties into successful franchises. Characters like Batman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash fit well within their established templates. If Paramount had acquired DC, several of these properties might not have seen the same success. For example, there likely would be no Timmverse Batman or Chris Nolan's Joker and Harley Quinn. The DCAU would be gone, and characters like John Stewart GL and animated Teen Titans would be no more.

On the other hand, Universal Studios, with its rich history of horror and monster movies, might have taken a different approach—viewing superheroes as monsters. This could have led to unique adaptations, such as a Superman film with Nicolas Cage and Wonder Woman as a golem. However, even this approach would not last forever, as the streaming era would ultimately push these properties towards more traditional adaptations.

Conclusion

A Paramount acquisition of DC Comics in 1967 would have significantly altered the landscape. While it's entertaining to speculate, the reality is that Warner Bros' corporate culture and successful template for adapting these characters are deeply ingrained. Marvel, with its own unique DNA, would have been the better acquisition for Universal if they were to venture into the superhero genre.

Ultimately, the shift to streaming and the changing tastes in the entertainment industry will continue to influence how these properties are developed and adapted.