History GoodIsNotSoft / MarvelUniverse

** [[Characters/MCUNatashaRomanoff Thor]], a BoisterousBruiser who's pure-hearted to the core, is still an incredibly violent BloodKnight who will go on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge against those who have hurt his loved ones. He even takes his time making [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar Thanos]] hurt in revenge [[spoiler: after he killed his brother Loki.]]

** Spidey is an example in that he does want to help because it's his responsibility. That responsibility does not extend to his fighting style, which is fairly brutal. Some storylines revolve around him becoming more vicious, usually after donning the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide black suit]].

* ''ComicBook/{{X 23}}'': Laura Kinney demonstrates even from her first appearance in ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'' that she's this: first going on an utterly understandable RoaringRampageOfRevenge due to her abuse by forcing Logan into a confrontation, then realizing Hydra is her real target she foregoes NonLethalKO and attempts to drive off Wolverine so he won't be caught in the crossfire. She puts up with the abuse Zebra Daddy deals out to her and his girls and it's only when she is gunned down and he tries to kill her friends that she acts. Bred to be a LivingWeapon Laura exhausts every other option first, no matter how inane it may be. Trying to buy one of her old pimp's girls so she won't be abused anymore for example, then when the issue is forced not only kill him and his goons, but everyone linked to said abuse.

** Nightcrawler is one the kindest, most compassionate X-Men (alongside Jean Grey), but he is not a pacifist and is perfectly willing to fight to protect his friends.
** Storm's one of the nicest members of the X-Men. However, if she is pushed too far, either by [[MamaBear her friends being threatened]] or the arising of a situation that her ethics will not stand for, she will go to extreme lengths in retaliation. Two instances were her first battle with [[TheRival Callisto]], and years later, her battle with [[AxCrazy Marrow]], Callisto's extremist protégé.
** Part of the reason everyone was so concerned about Sunspot potentially turning evil starts very early on in the ''New Mutant'' days when, during the gang's first run-in with Selene, Sunspot kicks her into a lava pit. Everyone else is horrified, but he simply points out A: she ''really'' deserved it, and B: she'll likely be back anyway. And he was right on the bean.

** Steve Rogers aka ComicBook/CaptainAmerica is shown to be one of the nicest, sweetest people you would meet. However, when fighting HYDRA and the invading Chitauri, he is merciless, including throwing HYDRA soldiers off airborne aircraft, hacking off Chitauri arms and even throwing a knife into a mook's hand as he tries to signal for help, which is straight out the Punisher's playbook. Steve does dip into the more extreme GoodIsNotNice end of the scale in later films, to the point of being a borderline WellIntentionedExtremist in ''[[Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar Civil War]]'' and in ''[[Film/AvengersEndgame Endgame]]'', is willingly to cruelly exploit his past self's grief over Bucky just to get away from him.
** Natasha Romanov aka ComicBook/BlackWidow is capable of showing great kindness and affection (in particular to Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, and [[spoiler:the Barton family]]) and jokes with Steve about setting him up on a date while at the same time coldly killing mercenaries and HYDRA mooks. Played with slightly in that she is [[NoodleIncident legitimately disturbed by some of her past kills]].
** Tony Stark aka ComicBook/IronMan at his best (i.e. not being an egotistical jerk) is a FriendToAllChildren who's more than willing to sacrifice himself for his team and for the sake of humanity on several occasions as the BigGood. But even when saving innocent villagers, he mows down terrorists like a ruthless killing machine, though he will spare surrendering mooks, as seen in ''Film/IronMan3''.
** [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]], a BoisterousBruiser who's pure-hearted to the core, is still an incredibly violent BloodKnight who will go on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge against those who have hurt his loved ones. He even takes his time making [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar Thanos]] hurt in revenge [[spoiler: after he killed his brother Loki.]]
** Peter Parker aka ComicBook/SpiderMan manages to be more kind-hearted than even Captain America, but when pissed off, can be extremely ruthless. He's got quite the body count by the time of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', thanks to Instant-Kill mode, and [[spoiler:[[Film/SpiderManFarFromHome Mysterio]] and [[Film/SpiderManNoWayHome Green Goblin]]]] both discovered the hard way what happens if you push him past his [[RageBreakingPoint breaking point]].
** ComicBook/TheVision is a BenevolentAI and unlike other heroes, is willing and able to [[BattleOfWits talk his opponents down]] rather than just overpower or kill them. Push him, however, and he'll show you how powerful of a FlyingBrick he is. He's also okay with stabbing his foes InTheBack as seen in ''Infinity War''.

** Bruce Banner aka [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk The Hulk]], when not a green rage monster, is an unfailing polite NonActionGuy who is definitely a more kindly ScienceHero than his best friend Tony Stark. Although even then, Bruce is perfectly willing to choke a young woman out, admittedly one who had performed a MindRape on him a few days ago. Bruce also manages to (unintentionally) kill pursuers even as his mild-mannered alter ego in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''.
** Scott Lang aka ComicBook/AntMan II is a goofy, kind-hearted man and a devoted and loving father. He's also perfectly willing to horrifically crush a man by breaking his shrinking suit [[PapaWolf to protect his daughter]] and will literally kill an enemy by casually stepping on him as Giant-Man.
** ComicBook/{{Groot}} from ''Film/{{Guardians of the Galaxy|2014}}'' is easily the TokenGoodTeammate of the team, being an AllLovingHero and FriendToAllChildren. But even then he's still willing to rip an alien thug's nose off and be a MookHorrorShow who flashes a carefree smile to his friends after brutally killing an army of foes.

** The titular character himself counts. He goes for bone breaks to incapacitate his opponents and can be quite brusque when dealing with civilians as Daredevil. But he's as gentle as possible when dealing with victims, especially children. A good example of this is "Cut Man", where he tears through a small army of human traffickers, then takes his mask off so the little boy he's rescuing won't be scared.

* ''Franchise/SpiderMan'':
** Spidey is an example in that he does want to help because it's his responsibility. That responsibility does not extend to his fighting style, which is fairly brutal. Some storylines revolve around him becoming more vicious, usually after donning the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide black suit]].
** Though it's often mentioned that when dealing with people like Kingpin or Doctor Octopus or just everyday criminals, he has to decrease his strength considerably as he could kill someone with little effort. The events that lead to ''ComicBook/EndsOfTheEarth'', and later, ''ComicBook/SuperiorSpiderMan'', started because even holding back, constantly engaging in physical combat with Spider-Man over the course of years had damaged Octopus' body so much that it eventually just started shutting down completely.
** Then came the day that he explained to Kingpin that his web-shooters in fact do have lethal applications, and he's been using them as non-lethal tools for his entire career entirely conscious of the fact. There is a remarkable difference between a faceful of webbing and a ''lungful of webbing''.
* Some members of the ComicBook/XMen fall into this category; those who are firmly idealistic or genuinely want to do good also use their mutant powers to shoot EyeBeams or MindRape.

* ComicBook/{{Nova}}: Richard Rider is one of the most idealistic heroes Marvel has, and a very firm believer of ThouShaltNotKill, for example when dealing with a violent assassin who is trying to catch him and re-[[BrainwashedAndCrazy assimilate]] him, he refuses to kill her, instead just knocking her out. However, he is not above killing when there is literally no other option, as [[OmnicidalManiac Annihilus]] learned the hard way.
* ComicBook/TheAvengers, as a whole, strictly practice ThouShaltNotKill, ''not'' [[LoopholeAbuse Thou Shalt Not Maim]]. During his stint as Captain America, ComicBook/BuckyBarnes's preferred tactic for dealing with {{Mooks}} was {{Kneecapping}}. ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}} once [[ImprobableAimingSkills ricocheted an arrow so it hit a villain in the back of the neck, paralyzing him]].
-->'''Hawkeye''': "He'll live. Not ''well'', but he'll live."
* Believe it or not, when in the general public or just interacting with people who aren't criminals or scumbags, ComicBook/ThePunisher, Frank Castle, can be fairly civil and even polite. It seems he only goes full on scary, nightmare vigilante with the people he's either shaking for information or actively hunting. Honestly, outside of his Punisher work, Frank is actually a pretty decent guy.
* [[ComicBook/{{X23}} Laura Kinney]] demonstrates even from her first appearance in ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'' that she's this: first going on a utterly understandable RoaringRampageOfRevenge due to her abuse by forcing Logan into a confrontation, then realizing Hydra is her real target she foregoes NonLethalKO and attempts to drive off Wolverine so he won't be caught in the crossfire. She puts up with the abuse Zebra Daddy deals out to her and his girls and it's only when she is gunned down and he tries to kill her friends that she acts. Bred to be a LivingWeapon Laura exhausts every other option first, no matter how inane it may be. Trying to buy one of her old pimp's girls so she won't be abused anymore for example, then when the issue is forced not only kill him and his goons, but everyone linked to said abuse.
** ''ComicBook/AllNewWolverine'' has her as more or less the moral center of the Marvel universe, with even the likes of Strange and Steve Rogers being antagonistic, as well as for the most part a complete softie to the point when Fin Fang Foom attacks her solution is to use herself as DistractedByTheSexy. ''For the most part'' Laura is a complete softie: when attacked her beating the Alchemix soldiers after her to near death is her holding back. She slices the Taskmaster's hand off. She wipes the floor with Old Man Logan. And has no problem fighting Cap, Fury, SHIELD, or anyone else that threatens her.

** [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Steve Rogers]] in the films is shown to be one of the nicest, sweetest people you would meet. However, when fighting HYDRA and the invading Chitauri, he is merciless, including throwing HYDRA soldiers off airborne aircraft, hacking off Chitauri arms and even throwing a knife into a mook’s hand as he tries to signal for help, which is straight out the Punisher’s playbook. Steve does dip into the more extreme GoodIsNotNice end of the scale in later films, to point of being a borderline WellIntentionedExtremist in ''[[Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar Civil War]]'' and in ''[[Film/AvengersEndgame Endgame]]'', is willingly to cruelly exploit his past self's grief over Bucky just to get away from him.
** Also Natasha Romanov aka ComicBook/BlackWidow, who is capable of showing great kindness and affection (in particular to Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, and [[spoiler:the Barton family]]) and jokes with Steve about setting him up on a date while at the same time coldly killing mercenaries and HYDRA mooks. Played with slightly in that she is [[NoodleIncident legitimately disturbed by some of her past kills]].
** Tony Stark aka ComicBook/IronMan at his best (i.e not being an egotistical jerk) is a FriendToAllChildren who’s more than willing to sacrifice himself for his team and for the sake of humanity on several occasions as the BigGood. But even when saving innocent villagers, he mows down terrorists like a ruthless killing machine, though he will spare surrendering mooks, as seen in ''Film/IronMan3''.
** [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]] a BoisterousBruiser who’s pure hearted to the core, is still an incredibly violent BloodKnight who will go on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge against those who have hurt his loved ones. He even takes his time making [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar Thanos]] hurt in revenge [[spoiler: after he killed his brother Loki.]]
** Peter Parker aka ComicBook/SpiderMan manages to be more kind-hearted than even Captain America, but when pissed off, can be extremely ruthless. He’s got quite the bodycount by the time of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', thanks to Instant-Kill mode, and [[spoiler:[[Film/SpiderManFarFromHome Mysterio]] and [[Film/SpiderManNoWayHome Green Goblin]]]] both discovered the hard way what happens if you push him past his [[RageBreakingPoint breaking point]].
** ComicBook/TheVision is a BenevolentAI and unlike other heroes, is willing and able to [[BattleOfWits talk his opponents down]] rather just overpower or kill them. Push him, however, and he’ll show you how powerful of a FlyingBrick he is. He’s also okay with stabbing his foes InTheBack as seen in '' Infinity War''.

** Bruce Banner aka [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk The Hulk]], when not a green rage monster, is an unfailing polite NonActionGuy who is definitely a more kindly ScienceHero than his best friend Tony Stark. Although even then, Bruce is perfectly willingly to choke a young woman out, admittedly one whom had performed a MindRape on him a few days ago. Bruce also manages to (unintentionally) kill pursuers even as his mild-mannered alter ego in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''.

** Adult Groot from ''Film/{{Guardians of the Galaxy|2014}}'' is easily the TokenGoodTeammate of the team, being an AllLovingHero and FriendToAllChildren. But even then he’s still willing to rip an alien thug’s nose off and be a MookHorrorShow who flashes a carefree smile to his friends after brutally killing an army of foes.

* ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'': pretty much applies to all the main characters, save Ward. They're nice, kind-hearted folks as long as you're not a HYDRA mook or head -- or [[spoiler: Grant Ward]] -- in which case they'll kill you in cold-blood or order same. Coulson, May, Skye (especially [[spoiler: after she gets her superpowers, though she is later shown slaughtering a group of HYDRA soldiers using a regular gun]]), Bobbi, Hunter (a close-to-comic-relief character who midway through Season 2 [[spoiler: commits an unambiguous cold-blooded murder of a HYDRA leader on Coulson's orders, with Bobbi watching]]), and even Simmons, [[spoiler: who attempts to murder Ward and spends most of Season 2 devising ways to kill people with superpowers]].
* Claire Temple from ''Series/{{Daredevil|2015}}'' is an ER nurse who first met the eponymous hero when she hauled him bleeding from a dumpster and tended his wounds when he refused to be taken to a hospital, and she continues to stitch him up on occasion, as well as have a minor [[LoveInterest romantic subplot]]. You'd expect a nurse to be nurturing, gentle, meek, and generally an AllLovingHero, right? As it happens, while Matt[=/=]Daredevil is interrogating a {{Mook|s}} in order to find a kidnapped child in a human smuggling ring, she goes from too horrified to speak to instructing Matt precisely how best to make him ''[[ColdBloodedTorture hurt]].'' She is brisk, calm and will not accept Matt nearly dying in her apartment and then leaving without explaining how he's any better than the people he goes after. A reason she helped him in the first place is that she believes the scum of Hell's Kitchen deserve punishment, having seen the pain they cause on a daily basis in the ER.

** ComicBook/{{Thor}} a BoisterousBruiser who’s pure hearted to the core, is still an incredibly violent BloodKnight who will go on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge against those who have hurt his loved ones. He even takes his time making [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar Thanos]] hurt in revenge [[spoiler: after he killed his brother Loki.]]

** [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk Bruce Banner]], when not a green rage monster, is an unfailing polite NonActionGuy who is definitely a more kindly ScienceHero than his best friend Tony Stark. Although even then, Bruce is perfectly willingly to choke a young woman out, admittedly one whom had performed a MindRape on him a few days ago. Bruce also manages to (unintentionally) kill pursuers even as his mild-mannered alter ego in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''.

** [[ComicBook/TheHulk Bruce Banner]], when not a green rage monster, is an unfailing polite NonActionGuy who is definitely a more kindly ScienceHero than his best friend Tony Stark. Although even then, Bruce is perfectly willingly to choke a young woman out, admittedly one whom had performed a MindRape on him a few days ago. Bruce also manages to (unintentionally) kill pursuers even as his mild-mannered alter ego in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''.

** Adult Groot from ''Film/{{Guardians of the Galaxy|2015}}'' is easily the TokenGoodTeammate of the team, being an AllLovingHero and FriendToAllChildren. But even then he’s still willing to rip an alien thug’s nose off and be a MookHorrorShow who flashes a carefree smile to his friends after brutally killing an army of foes.

** T’Challa aka ComicBook/BlackPanther, a charismatic NiceGuy and noble king of his country, will go full [[ImplacableMan Terminator]] on anyone who hurts his family and [[spoiler: [[Film/BlackPanther even kills his own cousin]] when the latter usurps his throne and tries to take over the world.]]

** Adult Groot from ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'' is easily the TokenGoodTeammate of the team, being an AllLovingHero and FriendToAllChildren. But even then he’s still willing to rip an alien thug’s nose off and be a MookHorrorShow who flashes a carefree smile to his friends after brutally killing an army of foes.

** ComicBook/TheVision a Benevolent AI and unlike other heroes, is willing and able to [[BattleOfWits talk his opponents down]] rather just overpower or kill them. Push him, however, and he’ll show you how powerful of a FlyingBrick he is. He’s also okay with stabbing his foes InTheBack as seen in '' Infinity War''.

** Peter Parker aka ComicBook/SpiderMan manages to be more kind-hearted than even Captain America, but when pissed off, can be extremely ruthless. He’s got quite the bodycount by the time of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', thanks to Instant-Kill mode, and [[Film/SpiderManFarFromHome Mysterio]] and [[Film/SpiderManNoWayHome Green Goblin]] both discovered the hard way what happens if you push him past his [[RageBreakingPoint breaking point]].

* In ''Film/MirrorMirror'', the sweet Snow White convinces the Evil Queen to [[spoiler: accept defeat by eating the poisoned apple that was meant for Snow, essentially committing suicide.]]
* ''Film/ThePlatform:'' Brambang favors kindness and diplomacy over force and intimidation, but doesn't advocate giving up when force and intimidation are all that works.
--> '''Brambang:''' Convince them, instead of threatening them.
--> '''Goreng:''' But what if they won't listen?
--> '''Brambang:''' ''(without a seconds pause)'' You smack 'em. But first of all, dialogue.

** [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Steve Rogers]] in the is shown to be one of the nicest, sweetest people you would meet. However, when fighting HYDRA and the invading Chitauri he is merciless, including throwing HYDRA soldiers off airborne aircraft, hacking off Chitauri arms and even throws a knife into a mook’s hand as he tries to signal for help which is straight out the Punisher’s playbook. Steve does dip into the more extreme GoodIsNotNice end of the scale in later films, to point of being a borderline WellIntentionedExtremist in ''[[Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar Civil War]]'' and in ''[[Film/AvengersEndgame Endgame]]'' is willingly to cruelly exploit his past self grief over Bucky just to defeat him.
** Also Natasha Romanov aka ComicBook/BlackWidow, who is capable of showing great kindness and affection (in particular to Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, and [[spoiler:the]] Barton [[spoiler: family]]) and is capable of joking with Steve about setting him up on a date while at the same time mercilessly killing mercenaries and HYDRA mooks. Played with slightly in that she is [[NoodleIncident legitimately disturbed by some of her past kills]].
** Tony Stark aka ComicBook/IronMan at his best (i.e not being a egotistical jerk) is a FriendToAllChildren who’s more than willingly to sacrifice himself for his team and for the sake of humanity on several occasions as BigGood. But even when saving innocent villagers, he mows down terrorists like a ruthless killing machine, though he is willingly to spare surrendering mooks as seen in ''Film/IronMan3''.

** Peter Parker aka ComicBook/SpiderMan manages to be more kind hearted than even Captain America, but when pissed off can be extremely ruthless as [[Film/SpiderManFarFromHome Mysterio]] discovered the hard way. He’s got quite the bodycount by the time of ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', thanks to Instant-Kill mode.
** ComicBook/TheVision a Benevolent AI unlike other heroes is willingly and able [[BattleOfWits talk his opponents down]] rather just overpower or kill them, push him however and he’ll show you how powerful of a FlyingBrick he is. He’s also okay with stabbing his foes InTheBack as seen in '' Infinity War''.
** T’challa aka ComicBook/BlackPanther polite NiceGuy and noble king of his country, will go full [[ImplacableMan Terminator]] to anyone who’s hurt his family and [[spoiler: [[Film/BlackPanther is willingly to kill his own cousin]] when the latter usurps his throne and tries to take over the world.]]
** [[ComicBook/TheHulk Bruce Banner]] when not a green rage monster, is a unfailing polite NonActionGuy who is definitely a more kindly ScienceHero than his best friend Tony Stark. Although even then, Bruce is perfectly willingly to choke a young woman out, admittedly one whom had performed a MindRape on him a few days ago. Bruce also manages (unintentionally) kill pursuers even as he’s mild mannered alter ego in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''.
** Scott Lang aka ComicBook/AntMan II is goofy, kind hearted man who’s also devoted and loving father. Yet he’s still perfectly willing to horrifically crush a man by breaking his shrinking suit [[PapaWolf to protect his daughter]] and will literally kill an enemy by casually stepping on him as Giant-Man.
** Adult Groot from ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'' is easily the TokenGoodTeammate of the team being a AllLovingHero and FriendToAllChildren. But even then he’s still willing to rip an alien thug’s nose off and be a MookHorrorShow who flashes a carefree smile to his friends after brutally killing an army of foes.

!!Franchise/MarvelUniverse

** ''ComicBook/AllNewWolverine'' has her as more or less the moral center of the Marvel universe, with even the likes of Strange and Steve Rogers being antagonistic, as well as for the most part a complete softie to the point when Fin Fang Foom attacks her solution is to use herself as DistractedByTheSexy. ''For the most part'' Laura is a complete softie: when attacked her beating the Alchemix soldiers after her to near death is her holding back. She slices the Taskmaster's hand off. She wipes the floor with Old Man Logan. And has no problem fighting Cap, Fury, SHIELD, or anyone else that threatens her.