8 Most Confusing Marvel Origin Stories, Ranked

In superhero comics, there’s nothing quite like diving into the backstory of our favorite heroes and villains, where we discover their origins. Origins can vary greatly, ranging from straightforward to intricately complex. Generally speaking, a simpler origin tale contributes positively to the reading experience. However, sometimes simplicity eludes us, and some Marvel characters find themselves ensnared in retcons, making their backstory convoluted and hard to follow. Regrettably, certain Marvel heroes and villains have suffered from this issue, and even when you believe you’ve found the most puzzling origin, another one might take its place as the most perplexing.

Exploring the most complex backstories in the Marvel Universe isn’t an easy feat, especially when some characters have been part of the scene for over half a century. Given their long history, it’s only natural that their origins get revised to fit contemporary times. Yet, despite these adjustments, there are certain histories that have undergone numerous transformations, featuring outlandish concepts and retcons that significantly alter the characters – at least until the next significant change comes along. Therefore, let us delve into which Marvel characters possess the most intricate and puzzling origins.

8) Captain Marvel Is Half-Kree

For many years, Captain Marvel has been linked with the Kree race, teaming up with Captain Mar-Vell and acquiring her powers from a Kree device known as Psyche-Magnitron. Previously known as Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers’ background was revised in 2018 by Marvel Studios to reflect her dual human and Kree heritage.

In a five-issue limited series called “The Life of Captain Marvel,” it’s revealed that Carol Danvers had been half-Kree all along, without her knowledge. This secret was kept from her by her parents, although she had displayed powers as an infant. The story goes that a Kree’s abilities usually manifest around adolescence, but in Carol’s case, they didn’t. Instead, when she was exposed to the Psyche-Magnitron, it triggered those hidden Kree abilities. Captain Marvel also has a sister named Lauri-Ell who is Kree as well.

7) The Many Identities of Xorn

During their tenure on the X-Men, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely brought in a fresh character, Xorn, shrouded in mystery. Distinctive features included a metallic skull-shaped helmet concealing his head and a celestial brain inside, necessitating the helmet’s constant use. The X-Men welcomed this enigmatic figure who could miraculously heal Professor Charles Xavier, enabling him to walk once more.

The joyful sensations abruptly dissipate when it’s disclosed that Xorn, who was initially thought to be an ally, is actually the X-Men’s arch nemesis, Magneto. In the ensuing conflict, the X-Men clashed with Magneto, culminating in Wolverine avenging Jean Grey by fatally striking Magneto in a moment of fury. However, Marvel comics enthusiasts took a liking to the Xorn character, leading the creators to alter his backstory, ensuring that Magneto was never actually Xorn and that Xorn had been an independent entity all along.

6) The Legendary Star-Lord

In simpler terms, Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy team, wasn’t always the dashing hero we recognize today. Many Marvel fans are aware of Star-Lord’s backstory from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but originally, he journeyed into space after witnessing his mother being taken by an alien. Dedicating himself to becoming an astronaut, Peter earned the title “Master of the Sun” when a mysterious entity visited him on a NASA space station.

Due to the immense success of the Guardians of the Galaxy films, it was decided to alter Star-Lord’s backstory. Originally, he was abducted into space as a child by Yondu. However, things grew more intricate when Al Ewing reexplored Star-Lord’s connection with the Master of the Sun. This led Peter Quill, Star-Lord, into an alternate reality where he stayed for countless centuries, entered into relationships with extraterrestrial beings, and acquired the abilities associated with the Master of the Sun.

5) Who Is the Third Summers Brother?

In the comics, it’s common for the X-Men to uncover long-hidden secrets, such as the true identity of the third Summers brother. This mystery was gradually hinted at over time, leading many readers to speculate that Adam X was actually the long-lost sibling of Cyclops and Havok. However, Marvel chose a different route in the X-Men: Deadly Genesis miniseries, ultimately revealing that Vulcan was the missing brother instead.

4) Venom

As a movie enthusiast, I must confess that Venom is far more complex than it initially appears. This intriguing character started off as a sentient alien symbiote from Battleworld, which Spider-Man accidentally acquired during Marvel’s first Secret Wars. However, things took a dramatic turn with the release of a new Venom series by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman. The Lethal Protector’s past was shrouded in even more mystery with the introduction of Knull, the King in Black. And let me tell you, even before that revelation, fans had already discovered that the symbiote species were known as Klyntar!

In the early days of the Marvel Universe, Knull and symbiotes have roots that stretch far back, even connecting with cosmic figures like Galactus and the Silver Surfer. As for Venom, it initially bound with a Kree explorer called Tel-Kar, but has had complex relationships – both friend and foe – with Spider-Man. Currently, it’s linked to Mary Jane Watson.

3) Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver

Initially, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver were portrayed as Marvel antagonists before they became part of the Avengers team. It was initially established that they are Magneto’s offspring, alongside X-Man Polaris. However, this is no longer accurate, presumably to align more closely with their origins in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

In an effort to make movies and comics more cohesive, it was decided to alter the origin of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. Instead of having mutant powers, they now owe their abilities to the High Evolutionary. After this transformation, they were taken in as part of a family. Magneto continues to have Polaris as his daughter, and he maintains a strong bond with Scarlet Witch.

2) Cable

Nathan Summers’ origin is complex and circuitous, tracing back to when he was merely a newborn baby boy. Birthed as a child of Cyclops and Jean Grey’s clone, Madelyne Pryor, the infant later known as Cable was afflicted with the techno-organic virus. His chance at life persisted only in the future, which led to Cyclops making the decision to send his son forward in time. In the future, he was brought up by a group headed by his sister, Rachel Summers, who herself hails from an alternate timeline.

In the future, a duplicate of Cable was created as well, leading to a time period during which it was unclear whether Cable or Stryfe was authentic. Meanwhile, Cyclops and Jean Grey were transported to the future where they contributed to raising Cable into the man he is today. It’s quite perplexing when time travel factors in.

1) Iron Man

Tony Stark has often found his connection with his parents intricate, and this complexity deepens upon discovering he’s adopted. Yet, this is far from the only peculiar aspect in his life. Tony Stark possesses a sibling named Arno Stark, who was envisioned as the ideal child by Howard and Maria Stark following their agreement with an extraterrestrial robot to alter Arno genetically to perfection. However, Recorder 451 wasn’t entirely truthful about the modifications made to Arno, causing Howard to withdraw from the deal.

Arno was born with a terminal illness, so Howard and Maria placed him in a specialized care facility to keep him alive until someone could adopt him. To preserve their public image, they also adopted Tony Stark. Later, Tony encountered Recorder 451 as Iron Man, uncovering this unfortunate truth about Arno’s existence. From time to time, Arno has reappeared, even taking on the role of Iron Man in 2020.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/5-things-i-still-dont-understand-about-doctor-doom/embed/#

2025-06-16 18:12