The 10 Most Controversial Marvel Couples

Marvel has never hesitated to showcase the ups and downs of relationships through characters like Reed and Sue Richards, Peter Parker, and Mary Jane. The company is also known for pairing various characters over time, creating some truly unconventional and peculiar couples. From abusive relationships to unsettling age differences, Marvel has certainly produced some couples that are hard to view as romantic and seem almost disturbing. When such questionable pairs appear, fans often express their disapproval due to their sickening nature. With so many instances like these, one can’t help but wonder, “What were they thinking?!

This list compiles the ten Marvel couples that sparked the most fan outcry and controversy.

10) Colossus and Shadowcat

The romantic relationship between Piotr Rasputin, also known as Colossus, and Kitty Pryde, or Shadowcat, is one of the most enduring in X-Men lore. However, the beginning of their attraction was rather unsettling due to a significant age gap – Piotr was 19 while Kitty was only 14 when they first met. Over the following years, as Kitty grew older, they often flirted, but it’s important to note that Kitty was still a minor and Piotr an adult during this time. They officially started dating once Kitty reached legal age and even became engaged. Such a scenario is generally a cause for concern when one must wait for their partner to become of age. Fortunately, they have since parted ways and are now in much healthier relationships with other individuals.

9) Havok and Madelyne Pryor

In the 1980s, Scott Summers, known as Cyclops, was married to Jean Grey, and they had a son named Nathan. However, their happy family life took an unexpected turn when the real Jean Grey broke free from Mr. Sinister’s imprisonment, exposing that Scott’s wife was actually a clone. The clone, named Madelyne Pryor, lost her sanity as she realized she was a manufactured being and left Scott to be with his brother Alex, who became Havok. This was already a controversial move, but things worsened when Alex started having doubts about their relationship. Using her telepathic abilities, Madelyne manipulated Alex, brainwashing him to remain loyal to her. This manipulation marked a boundary that should never be crossed, trapping Alex in a damaging and abusive relationship.

8) Mary Jane Watson and Paul

In my opinion, the introduction of Paul as Mary Jane’s husband in the latest Spider-Man series was a creative misstep that left many fans, myself included, feeling disappointed. The infamous “One More Day” storyline had left a bitter taste in our mouths when it erased Peter and Mary Jane’s marriage, sparking a clamor for their reunion.

However, just as it seemed like the stars were aligning for Peter and MJ to reunite, Paul suddenly appeared on the scene as her new spouse. The suddenness of his arrival and the lack of development left him feeling one-dimensional and uninteresting.

The backstory surrounding Paul’s introduction is that he and MJ met while stranded in another dimension. After weeks of effort, Peter managed to save them both, only to discover that they had spent years together in this alternate reality, having fallen in love and adopted two children. Unfortunately, Paul’s presence has been met with widespread criticism because he feels more like a prop than a character. He seems to exist solely to create obstacles and prevent MJ and Peter from ever getting back together again, embodying Marvel’s ongoing reluctance to let Peter – or his fans – find happiness.

7) Aunt May and Richard Parker

Following the tragic loss of his birth parents, young Peter Parker was raised by his Aunt May. However, in a surprising turn of events, a prequel series by Marvel revealed that Aunt May was actually Peter’s biological mother. In the controversial limited series “Trouble”, May is depicted as a vivacious and flirtatious woman who has an affair with Ben Parker’s brother, Richard Parker (also known as Richie). As a result of this indiscretion, May becomes pregnant. To shield her from the disapproval of her conservative and religious parents, Richie’s girlfriend Mary adopts the baby, whom they name Peter. This alternative origin story for Spider-Man was met with criticism by fans due to its questionable and illogical alteration of the original narrative. Fortunately, this controversial tale has since been revised or “retconned”.

6) Ant-Man and Wasp

Initially, Ant-Man (Hank Pym) and Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) were among Marvel’s earliest superhero pairings, beloved by readers for about 20 years. As original Avengers members, their relationship was a highlight of the comics. However, Hank’s mental instability triggered by guilt over creating Ultron drastically altered his character. Adopting the name Yellowjacket, Hank developed an angry and aggressive demeanor, leading to a violent altercation with Janet, which he regrettably struck her in. This one panel of domestic violence severely damaged Hank’s reputation within Marvel Comics. Shortly after, Janet filed for divorce from Hank, with no signs of reconciliation in sight. In an extreme case of character degradation, Marvel transformed one of its most respected superheroes and undoubtedly one of its longest-lasting loving couples into a disgraced figure.

5) Wolverine and Jean Grey

The romantic entanglement involving Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Wolverine in the X-Men comics often stirs up dramatic romantic tension. However, a man’s affection for a woman significantly younger than him, in this case, Logan being over a century old, still feels unsettling. Throughout his life, he has been with many women, but it was Jean who saw his hidden kindness when few others did, which sparked his interest. This attraction led him to try and break up Scott and Jean on multiple occasions. Jean sometimes returned Logan’s affections, engaging in infidelity with him. Fans are divided over whether they admire or dislike the relationship between Logan and Jean. However, the substantial age difference and Logan’s persistent behavior towards Jean make their relationship appear toxic.

4) Rogue and Magneto

As a die-hard movie buff, I’ve always been captivated by the complex characters in the X-Men universe. Take Rogue, for instance, whose unique mutant ability drains life from those she touches, limiting her romantic prospects significantly. Yet, the idea of her dating an older man, not just any man, but a supervillain, raises eyebrows at best.

In the Savage Lands, Rogue was left stranded and fatefully crossed paths with Magneto, the X-Men’s arch-nemesis. Together, they navigated the treacherous prehistoric terrain and found an unusual bond emerging between them. The allure Rogue felt towards Magneto stemmed from his magnetic powers, which neutralized her lethal touch, enabling intimacy in a way she had rarely experienced before.

However, the age gap between them is undeniable. It’s baffling to understand why the creators of ‘X-Men ’97’ chose to portray this contentious relationship on screen. Nonetheless, it adds another layer of intrigue to the already captivating X-Men saga.

3) Green Goblin and Gwen Stacy

In the annals of Spider-Man lore, the demise of Peter’s girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, at the hands of Norman Osborn, better known as the Green Goblin, is a deeply moving and pivotal moment. However, Marvel writers took creative liberties that many found questionable by introducing an extramarital affair between Norman and Gwen before her death. This affair resulted in the birth of twins named Gabriel and Sarah Stacy. The motivation behind this affair remains unexplored, leading some to perceive it as a sensational attempt to intensify Gwen’s death.

Moreover, due to Norman being significantly older than Gwen and her supervisor at work during their alleged relationship, fans were quick to express disapproval, finding the storyline out of character for Gwen and disturbing, to say the least. It is often argued that a compelling narrative should be allowed to stand on its own merits without resorting to shock value for dramatic effect.

2) Ultimate Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver

In the fictional universe of Marvel Comics, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are well-loved superhero siblings. However, in an alternate reality called the Ultimate Universe, their romantic relationship was portrayed as incestuous, which understandably upset many fans. Initially, this relationship was subtly hinted at, but eventually, it became openly acknowledged by most characters. What added to the discomfort was the graphic depiction of intimate moments between the twins. This controversial pairing not only lacked justification but also led to questionable creative decisions that ultimately contributed to the decline of the Ultimate Universe brand.

1) Ms. Marvel and Marcus Immortus

In a notoriously disturbing tale penned by Marvel, the character Carol Danvers, also known as Ms. Marvel, found herself involved with Marcus Immortus, who later revealed to be her abuser. One morning, Carol suddenly discovered she was nine months pregnant, giving birth to a boy named Marcus who grew into an adult man by day’s end. Under Marcus’ control, Carol was brainwashed and forced to love him, leading to their relationship. To compound matters, it is later disclosed that Marcus can travel through time, creating a vile time loop paradox by impregnating Carol with himself. Throughout this harrowing ordeal, Carol’s fellow Avengers team members surprisingly supported this toxic relationship. The story’s panels only grow more disturbing as they progress, making it one of the most repugnant romantic entanglements ever depicted in comic book lore.

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2025-08-11 23:16