Roku’s Slugfest, the docuseries about the rivalry between comic book companies Marvel and DC, is finally coming. The premiere date is set to be December 24, via Deadline. Roku also released the 1-minute trailer sharing the first looks of the series.
The series contains ten parts. It was originally commissioned by Quibi in November 2019, and was set to launch on the short-form service last year but got shut down before it could. Kevin Smith (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob) will narrate the series.
The docuseries is inspired by Reed Tucker’s book Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-year Battle Between Marvel and DC. It features a history of the rivalry via interviews and re-enactments. In each episode, viewers get to learn about details and background stories of the creations of the superheroes. In the trailer, we see interviews from both Marvel and DC creators, as they discussed the importance of each other. We also see a few iconic characters such as Batman and Spiderman.
Anthony Russo and Joe Russo serve as the executive producers. The Russo brothers are known for their works such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Infinity War. They are thrilled to introduce fans to some behind the scene stories and unique histories in the upcoming project. “Audiences will leave Slugfest with a whole new understanding of how the rivalry between two creative powerhouses shaped the iconic storylines and characters that fans around the world have come to know and love,” said the Russo Brothers. “We’re thrilled to partner with The Roku Channel to unpack the fascinating, but the untold, history behind the most well-known competition in comics.”
Don Argott (Last Days Here) and Sheena M. Joyce (Bill Mauldin: If It’s Big, Hit It) served as directors. Both expressed excitement for this upcoming project along with Roku’s Head of Alternative Originals, Brian Tannenbaum. According to Tannenbaum, “Collaborating with the Russo Brothers to tell the backstory behind one of the most epic creative battles in the history of Hollywood was an incredible experience and we can’t wait to share this story with audiences on The Roku Channel.”