A single narrative can indelibly mark a character, leaving an enduring blemish on their image in both the eyes of readers and those who create them. Later authors may strive to restore these tarnished characters, but with varying results. The continuous unfolding of superhero stories ensures that such harmful narratives are deeply interwoven into their histories. Even if a negative storyline is revised or retconned, the hero will continue to be linked to what initially brought about their downfall. Marvel has gained notoriety for publishing storylines that have adversely affected characters, and fans remain unforgiving to this day.
As a devoted Marvel enthusiast, I’ve observed an intriguing phenomenon: some characters continue to captivate audiences despite perceived damage to their stories, while others struggle to regain their former glory. It seems fans possess an uncanny ability to remember and hold onto past narratives, making it challenging for the comics to move beyond a damaging storyline.
Honorable Mention: Spider-Man/Peter Parker
Though fans persistently voice their disapproval towards the “One More Day” storyline, which erased Spider-Man’s marriage from continuity, it’s important to note that the character has adapted well since then. Comic books such as “Brand New Day” have proven to be underappreciated gems, with numerous memorable storylines published post-“One More Day,” including “Superior Spider-Man” and “Hunted“. Granted, these narratives may have been more impactful had Peter Parker remained married, but the argument against a married Spider-Man holds little water today as it did in 2007. Despite this, Spider-Man remains one of Marvel’s top-tier characters.
5) Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel
In 2016, Marvel Comics capitalized on the popularity of Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) by featuring her prominently alongside Iron Man during their “Civil War II” event. However, instead of portraying her as a rational character, they positioned her as the one more prone to irrational decisions, edging closer to the controversial side of the conflict. Carol employed an Inhuman’s precognitive abilities to prevent crimes before they occurred, which led to a form of quasi-fascist policing. The larger Marvel Universe has generally overlooked the events of “Civil War II,” with the main consequences being Tony Stark falling into a coma and Riri Williams (Ironheart) taking over. Nonetheless, fans haven’t forgotten Carol’s abrupt shift in allegiance.
4) Cyclops/Scott Summer
It could be said that Marvel may have given Cyclops a less than favorable portrayal on two occasions. The first instance was when he left Madelyne Pryor and their newborn son, Nathan, to reunite with Jean Grey, who had just returned from being thought dead. Leaving one’s family, especially in such circumstances, is generally viewed as unacceptable behavior. However, Marvel seems to have added to Cyclops’ negative image by having him cheat on Jean Grey with Emma Frost. Although there are still fans who support the idea of Scott with Emma, being unfaithful only serves to reinforce the impression that Scott is not a very admirable character.
3) Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver
One of the most annoying aspects of contemporary comic books is when publishers attempt to synchronize with the more successful and widely-loved movie versions. When the Marvel Cinematic Universe started, Marvel Studios didn’t possess the rights for mutants or X-Men characters, causing a problem when adapting Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, who are well-known mutants and longtime Avengers, into the MCU. The films chose not to depict either of them as mutants, a choice that would have repercussions in the comics. Marvel Comics subsequently followed this trend by changing Quicksilver’s and Scarlet Witch’s mutant status through retconning.
In a move that has left many fans disgruntled, Marvel Comics decided against making either Scarlet Witch or Quicksilver the child of Magneto. Despite subsequent comic book developments that have connected them to Magneto in non-biological ways, writers and editors persist in their decision to present these characters as non-mutants. This is surprising given that they were initially introduced as mutants in X-Men #4.
2) Donald Blake
Originally, the character we know as Thor was actually Donald Blake, a disabled doctor. He gained the powers of Thor when he struck his cane on the ground. However, Marvel later decided to make Thor a distinct individual. J. Michael Straczynski reintroduced the Blake persona during his tenure with Thor, but again, Thor was separated from his Blake identity. Instead of being forgotten into obscurity, Marvel gave Blake a tough time. As the world forgot him, Blake descended into madness and transformed into a supervillain, eventually becoming the new God of Deception.
I’ve always admired Blake as a noble and even heroic figure, particularly in the early years of Thor comics. It’s truly heartbreaking to witness his descent from grace. In the closing issue of Al Ewing’s Immortal Thor, he made another valiant attempt to challenge Thor, but ultimately lost his soul and was transformed into a serpent as a result. It seems that Marvel writers are inadvertently pushing Blake towards villainy when his past heroics suggest he deserves more. We fervently hope for his redemption.
1) Hank Pym
Reflecting on it now, it wasn’t just a single issue that tarnished the character; it was a series of events that culminated in an unforgettable turning point. In the Avengers comic books, Hank Pym, a character I admire deeply, started making irrational and aggressive choices. This eventually led him to create a malevolent robot foe for the Avengers, a villain only he could vanquish. That alone would have been disastrous for any hero, but Marvel took it a step further.
Pym’s wife, Janet Van Dyne, saw through his actions and tried to reason with him. Unfortunately, their argument escalated into the infamous slap – Hank striking Janet during a heated dispute. The visual of her black eye was stark, mirroring real-world domestic abuse in a startlingly accurate way.
Initially, Pym’s actions would lead to his dismissal from the Avengers and a divorce with Janet. Over time, he undergoes several redemption arcs, aiming to mend his relationship with Janet, rejoin the Avengers, defeat Egghead, establish the Avengers Academy for future heroes, and address his bipolar disorder. Despite his efforts, the memory of his past mistake (the slap) lingers. Some authors and characters continue to view him suspiciously, calling him “evil” or a “wife-beater.” This negative perception may persist throughout Marvel’s continuity, which is unfortunate given Pym’s intricate character development.
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2025-07-10 16:13