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Ever since it really got its start back in the 1960s, the Marvel comic book universe has been a comparatively more realistic place than that of the DC Universe. Part of this has been the way in which the heroes themselves act, particularly to each other, and it’s not always a cordial affair. Starting with the many feuds of the Fantastic Four, the Marvel Universe would be defined by flawed, human heroes that fought among each other as much as they did villains.
Strangely enough, this isn’t as common in the Marvel Universe nowadays. Many of the iconic rivalries among heroes have dissipated over the years, and the characters are in much different places. There are several potential reasons for this, but it seems odd that Marvel has strayed so far away from having its heroes at odds with each other. Here’s a closer look at why everyone seems to get along without a problem in current Marvel books, and what might be influencing these developments.
Feuds Between Heroes Is a Big Part of the Marvel Universe
Some of the biggest family feuds in the Marvel Universe start with the Fantastic Four, with Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm constantly coming to blows over the others’ antics. Likewise, the Thing would many times be the near violent voice of reason whenever Reed went into his common flights of fancy. These relationships, though they’ve matured, have mostly stayed the same over the years, namely because Marvel truly treats them as a family with relational quirks.
One relationship that’s definitely changed, however, is that of Wolverine and Cyclops. From the Silver and Bronze Age comics to the cartoons and movies, these two just never seemed to get along. This was mainly due to how gruff, rebellious and cynical Wolverine was, with Cyclops instead being a by-the-books authoritarian stick in the mud. In the Post-House of X comics, however, their feud has cooled considerably, allowing them to engage in a… rather interesting romantic arrangement with Jean Grey.
This can be tied to two things: for one, the mutants on Krakoa are in general fairly chill with each other, with Apocalypse and even Mr. Sinister working painlessly alongside Professor Xavier. Secondly, a lot of Wolverine’s beef with Cyclops back in the day could be traced back to his savage rage. This has also cooled in general, and that itself could be due to having his adamantium restored.
A lesser know battle among heroes was the antagonism between Captain America and Hawkeye. Hawkeye initially joined the Avengers simply for fame and glory, and upon joining, he quickly tried to make his claim for leadership. This didn’t engender him to the good graces of Captain America, who he constantly gave lip to. It was only after seeing how heroic and forgiving Cap was that Hawkeye dropped this rivalry, and it hasn’t really been revived since the Silver Age.
Why Are Marvel’s Heroes So Nice to Each Other Now?
Part of why these feuds have softened over the years is because of the passage of time itself. It’s only logical that these heroes, after having saved the world together countless times over, would finally bury the hatchet and start seeing more eye to eye. This is especially the case for characters like the Avengers and X-Men, who all lived together in sprawling mansions.
Another big reason may be marketing. For one, many fans have expressed their tiredness in seeing big events and stories where heroes battle each other instead of villains. Perhaps in listening to this, Marvel editorial has made the characters more affable to each other in order to stave off these types of storylines. Secondly, since, Captain America: Civil War notwithstanding, the versions of the heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe would rather make jokes than war, Marvel is simply adapting these friendlier, more “marketable” versions of their interactions. After all, the comic book version of Civil War made Iron Man into a villain, something which it took the popularity of the movies to help erase.
It could also ironically be in reverse of the DC Universe. When the Marvel Universe first started, the Silver Age DC books were pedestrian at best in comparison, with the bland and white bread heroes being all but interchangeable sans powers. This all changed in the Bronze and Dark Ages, with DC going so far as to end the friendship between Superman and Batman. This saw other feuds grow between heroes, such as the liberal Green Arrow disliking more conservative characters like Barry Allen and Hawkman, as well as former duo Aquaman and Tempest drifting apart amongst dueling egos. Thus, it seems that to match the changing mood at the this distinguished competition, Marvel’s made their own heroes a lot cheerier and brighter.
Are Some of Marvel’s Heroes Becoming Villains?
Amidst all these changes are cases where some heroes have actually become more antagonistic. For their brief minutes of focus, the Inhumans unwittingly became an object of disdain by mutants due to their Terrigen Mists being toxic to the mutant species. Ironically, since relocating to the island of Krakoa, the X-Men and mutants in general have become a seemingly more amoral presence, with most of them uninterested in the approval of the wider superhero community. Captain America has bemoaned this, noting that he had always hoped that the wonders mutants had achieved on Krakoa would be done alongside humanity. Their relative disinterest in his feelings on the matter make it clear, however, that the X-Men have no interest in playing clubhouse anymore.
The Incredible Hulk has also cast off the traditional superhero role, especially in his current book. During the Immortal Hulk series, he was much more of a monstrous, dangerous force, with Banner having ideas and ambitions that rubbed the Avengers (who he casually beat up) and his other close allies the wrong way. In his current book, Banner is arguably a villainous mad scientist, showing his own disinterest in playing nice with the others. These seeming extremes may be in reaction to how nice every other major superhero in the Marvel Universe has become, with a few classic icons having to buck the trend of everyone else going so soft on one another.
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