Tough question!

I *think* I had more of a fondness for DC than Marvel as I grew up. Then in the mid-80s, I think I liked them both (and please don't ask me to choose between Kenner's Super Powers collection or Mattel's Secret Wars collection!).

In the 90s, I preferred Marvel over DC. In the 90s, a lot of DC storylines weren't enjoyable for me (with the exception of the Batman books).

It's hard to say. If I absolutely had to choose, it would be DC. Just more of a fondness really, nothing I can put my finger on.

in general I've always liked both companies -- tho' certainly leaning more towards one company or the other at differant times, currently I got alot of DC and almost no Marvel (and feel a bit dirty when I do buy those few marvels) -- but I still expect, despite the past seven or eight years of diminishing Marvel prospects, my collection is probably closed to balanced between the two companies.

DC. 

The original company, insofar as any aspect of super-hero comics can be said to be original. No character at Marvel has the iconic value of Superman or Batman.  Even Wonder Woman, ill-defined as she is, holds a superior position in the hearts and minds of the general public. (She and Mickey Mouse are similar in this respect. Everyone seems to think they know who the character is, even though the character's status quo has constantly been in flux over the decades.) DC's cast of characters are simply better conceived, more recognizable, and more meaningful.  Marvel's were invented largely in contrast to the DC stable and liberally seasoned with large dollops of angst and soap opera to enhance their appeal.  The approach was incredibly successful, and the Marvel cast is a phenomenonally imaginative group of concepts.  It has no element as powerful, however, as the sheer wish-fufillment factor of a Superman or a Green Lantern.

From a personal standpoint, as a young reader, the on-going story, the two-parter or three-parter was a genuine turn-off to me.  The DC story might be gimmicky, but at least the writer had an idea about all aspects of the story he was putting forth; beginning, middle, and end.  Marvel comics always seemed to open in the middle of a story, with the heroes trapped in a corridor illogically wallpapered with machinery.  Anonymous armies of minions would attack.  The villain would gloat over a television monitor.  Heroes would be captured.  They'd escape.  A big robot would appear.  To be continued--!  Next issue, we open in a corridor, illogically wallpapered with machinery...
There are Marvel stories from the Eighties that still don't have endings, and the plot threads are still running... Over the years, as DC has grown more and more like their competition, the identifying characteristics have largely disappeared, but I still prefer the associations my memory has formed with the DC crowd.  I enjoy the stuffings out of any number of Marvel comics, but DC's characters work for me in a way Marvel's don't.

DC

Overall, I guess I like the characters better (though my favorite character of Spider-Man would be a notable exception).

TODAY'S TOSS-UP (1/4):

Batman or Superman?