The MCU & Marvel Comics Both Wasted the Same Incredibly Powerful Mutant

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe often fails to utilize compelling characters effectively, either to highlight its main heroes or due to weak creative choices. It’s disappointing whenever this happens, but with one character in particular, the decision to sideline him felt particularly intentional. When Aaron Taylor-Johnson played Pietro/Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron as a supporting antagonist, he was never given a chance to fully develop, ultimately meeting a surprisingly definitive end. And this isn’t a new pattern – Marvel Comics has been repeating this same mistake for years.

As a huge Marvel fan, I’ve always been fascinated by Quicksilver. He’s such a complex character – he began as a villain alongside Magneto in the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, but eventually became a true Avenger. I think his time with the Avengers, especially alongside Scarlet Witch and Hawkeye, really shifted the team’s dynamic. It wasn’t just about assembling the most powerful heroes anymore; it was about offering *anyone* the opportunity to rise to greatness. While his relationship with Magneto and Scarlet Witch is definitely what most people remember him for, there’s always been so much more depth to Quicksilver. He was key in building the bridge between the X-Men and the Avengers, and honestly, he has one of the most compelling backstories in the entire Marvel Universe. It’s just frustrating because, in my opinion, Marvel hasn’t really done his story justice – they’ve wasted so much potential.

What comes to mind when you think of Quicksilver? He’s often remembered as one half of Marvel’s famous brother-sister pair, but there’s a lot more to his story than that. People rarely think of Quicksilver as an individual character; he’s usually seen as Scarlet Witch’s brother, defined by his powers (often drawing comparisons to the Flash, though he isn’t nearly as strong or well-known), or simply as another face in the Avengers. There’s significant untapped potential within the character, and it’s unfortunate that Marvel has, frankly, mismanaged and wasted so much of it.

Quicksilver Is a Character With More Potential Than Marvel Ever Acknowledged

I believe a major weakness for the character Quicksilver lies in his connections to other heroes. He often feels secondary to both Magneto and Scarlet Witch. The debate over whether Magneto is a force for good or evil is a long-running and central theme in Marvel history, influencing storylines for many years. Similarly, Scarlet Witch’s struggles with her abilities and personal life have formed the core of numerous narratives; she was a particularly significant figure in the Marvel Universe for a considerable period.

It’s ironic that Quicksilver was actually the cause of one of Scarlet Witch’s most famous moments – altering reality in House of M – yet he ended up in a poorly received storyline after House of M that didn’t go anywhere. He’s largely remembered for a single story – X-Factor #87, which explored how his speed makes him perceive the world in slow motion, frustrating him and explaining his negative attitude – and that’s been the core of his character development ever since. Every Quicksilver story since then has, in some way, returned to that single idea. This overlooks many of the qualities that make Quicksilver a compelling character.

As a huge Marvel fan, I’ve always been puzzled by how Quicksilver is treated compared to his sister, Scarlet Witch. He went through so much of the same trauma as she did, yet nobody ever seems to acknowledge it, or use it to explain why he sometimes made questionable choices. Honestly, he’s always felt like the less popular of the Maximoff twins – even his “father,” Magneto, and the Avengers seem to favor Scarlet Witch, and that feeling is definitely shared by most Marvel fans. He did try to build connections; he married Crystal, an Inhuman, and they had a child, which tied him to that group. He’s worked with both the X-Men and X-Factor, but he never quite became a defining member of either team. I really don’t get why writers consistently focus on Scarlet Witch’s backstory and experiences instead of exploring Quicksilver’s. It feels like a missed opportunity.

In many respects, Quicksilver is a more compelling character than Scarlet Witch. He experiences time at an incredibly slow pace, but he’s consistently avoided returning to a life of villainy. It makes you wonder: what motivates him? How does Magneto’s disapproval impact him? And why does he still feel the way he does about Scarlet Witch? There are numerous unexplored facets of Quicksilver’s personality and history. While we’ve seen several Scarlet Witch series recently (and, frankly, they haven’t been huge commercial successes, despite her popularity in the MCU), Quicksilver hasn’t been the focus of any dedicated series.

Watching Quicksilver’s story unfold always feels a little tragic to me. He’s suffered so much loss – his wife, Crystal, left him, and he’s been separated from his daughter for what feels like forever. It’s heartbreaking when you remember he was essentially raised as a weapon by Magneto, a man who consistently overlooked and dismissed him. Despite all of that, he’s proven himself time and time again, earning the respect of the Avengers and even helping save the world on multiple occasions. For years, he’s been a vital link between the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Inhumans, but oddly enough, he wasn’t really *there* during the Inhumans’ big moment. It’s frustrating because Marvel really created something special with Quicksilver, a genuinely compelling character, but they just haven’t figured out how to give him the spotlight he deserves and make him truly connect with audiences. It’s a missed opportunity, honestly.

Will Marvel Even Let Quicksilver Live Up to His Potential?

A popular meme is circulating that highlights characters from comics, films, anime/manga, TV shows, and other media who are set up for greatness but ultimately fall short of their potential. Quicksilver could easily be the subject of one of these memes, as Marvel frequently limits his storylines to connections with his sister or Magneto. He truly embodies the idea of a character whose potential is never realized. He’s a wasted character, plain and simple.

To be honest, Scarlet Witch’s popularity stems largely from her success in the MCU. While she and Quicksilver share similar character traits, she consistently receives more focus. Quicksilver is a compelling character, but Marvel hasn’t really given him a chance to shine. I’d even argue he’s more interesting than Scarlet Witch. Scarlet Witch is a fan favorite, and people often try to justify her choices and see the good in her. Quicksilver doesn’t get the same benefit, and I believe that actually makes him a more compelling character to develop. Hopefully, Marvel will recognize this soon. It’s time to give him the attention he deserves.

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2025-09-30 17:43