(Warning: Nerd-post ahead.)
Growing up, I was always more fond of Marvel than DC. Sure, I enjoyed Batman as a concept but I had a hard time getting into the books: I was a Spider-Man sort of kid. I followed the Marvel crossover events—Infinity Gauntlet, Age of Apocalypse, the dreadful Clone Saga—but didn't have much time for the DC equivalents.
When it comes to their respective cinematic universes, however, I have almost the exact opposite feelings. The Marvel films are light and entertaining but don't do a ton for me (Sam Raimi's first two Spider-Man films being a prominent exception). DC is far more uneven—Catwoman and Green Lantern, anyone?—but its peaks, as represented by the three Batman films and one Superman film that comprise the Nolanverse, obliterate anything Marvel has done. In part, that's because there are actual ideas at the core of these pictures that transcend the simple impulse to save America or the Earth or the universe from destruction. I understand that some people aren't terribly interested in grappling with a post-9/11 America through the lens of Bruce Wayne, and that's fine. But I found it fascinating.
That being said, you really have to give Marvel credit for just putting it all out there. I remember being skeptical when they announced a hugely budgeted Thor movie. "Thor? The lightning god? Who's going to want to watch that." And then it made all the money. Twice! Similarly, when they announced a hugely budgeted Guardians of the Galaxy movie, I thought "Yeah, sure, a cosmic intergalactic adventure starring a raccoon and a tree, sounds brilliant." But then you see something like this and you can't help but think "Well, okay. Money in the bank":
You have to give Marvel credit for just going for it. I can't imagine Guardians of the Galaxy, coming to a theater near you this August, will be as emotionally satisfying as, say, The Dark Knight, or as philosophically interesting as Man of Steel. But it will have a psychopathic raccoon laying down suppressing fire while perched on the back of a screaming tree. So, you know, it's got that going for it.