[[quoteright:335:[[Comicbook/CivilWar http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/marvel-universe.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:335:Not pictured: [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters Beast, Blade, Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, the Incredible Hulk, the Silver Surfer, Thor]]...]]

->''"None of this is really happening. There is [[Creator/StanLee a man]]. With a typewriter. This is all part of his crazy imagination."''
-->-- '''{{SelfDemonstrating/Deadpool}}'''

The world as portrayed in Creator/MarvelComics, especially under Creator/StanLee, SteveDitko and Creator/JackKirby. As in Franchise/TheDCU, Marvel heroes form teams and CrossOver occurs frequently, with many [[ContinuityNod Continuity Nods]]. (In fact, you could argue that Marvel ''invented'' the ContinuityNod.) Many of these comic books have been the basis for movies, TV series or both.

Many TV series and movies set in the Marvel Universe take place in and around New York. The original architects of the world put most of the heroes there, as a subversion of the then-dominant trope of NoCommunitiesWereHarmed and as an excuse for {{Cross Over}}s.

The Marvel Universe's defining characteristics include a general trend toward [[SlidingScaleOfRealisticVersusFantastic realism mixed with the fantastic]], a little more CivvieSpandex than The DCU, and a strong undercurrent of [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism cynicism]] among the local populace who are anything from skeptical to distrustful of superpowered beings aside from charismatic mega-celebrities like Iron Man and the Fantastic Four. Of course, it varies from writer to writer; in some eras Marvel have more explicitly tried to root their Universe in 'the real world', while at other times there have been entire mutant ghettos covering large areas of New York City.
You can find a timeline of its major events [[TimelineOfTheMarvelUniverse here]].

Currently owned by {{Creator/Disney}}; a striking parallel to Disney's old [[ClassicDisneyShorts animated]] [[WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes shorts]] rival Creator/WarnerBros owning the DCU.

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Major Franchises in this universe:]]
* ''ComicBook/TheAvengers''
** ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersUnitedTheyStand'', a 1999 cartoon that barely featured any of its three [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica most]] [[ComicBook/IronMan famous]] [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor members]].
** ''WesternAnimation/AvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'', a animated series from 2010-2012 features the "classic" roster - Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Ant-Man and Wasp - with more superheroes added over the course of the series.
** A big-budget [[Film/TheAvengers feature film]], and centerpiece of the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, released in 2012.
** ''WesternAnimation/AvengersAssemble'', a 2013 cartoon with a roster and tone similar to the live-action movie.

* ''{{Blade}}''
** ''Comicbook/TheTombOfDracula'', a comic which involved the first appearance of the character.
** ''Film/{{Blade}}'', the movie trilogy which featured Wesley Snipes as the titular VampireHunter in the late '90s and early '00s:
*** ''Blade'', in 1998
*** ''Blade II'', in 2002
*** ''Blade Trinity'', in 2004.
** ''BladeTheSeries'', a short-lived 2006 TV adaption, was based on these films.
** ''Anime/{{Blade}}'', a 2011 12-episode anime series.

* ''Comicbook/CaptainAmerica''
** A 1944 theater serial.
** ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelSuperHeroes'', a 1966 animated anthology.
** A pair of 1970s {{Made For TV Movie}}s, featuring a LegacyCharacter version who rides a motorcycle.
** A 1990 [[http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0103923/combined theatrical movie]] so bad the production company never released it and denied it existed. It was finally released on home video in 1992.
** A 2011 big-budget film version called CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger, starring Chris Evans in the role of the Star-Spangled Avenger. A sequel is set to be release in 2014.

* ''The Comicbook/FantasticFour''
** ''WesternAnimation/TheFantasticFour1967'', a 1967 cartoon produced by HannaBarbera.
** ''WesternAnimation/TheFantasticFour1978'', a 1978 cartoon with the Human Torch replaced by the robot H.E.R.B.I.E.
** Additionally, the Thing got his own [[ThreeShorts mini-show]] as part of ''FredAndBarneyMeetTheThing''.
** ''WesternAnimation/FantasticFour'', a 1994 cartoon shown with the contemporary ''Iron Man'' cartoon as part of the "Marvel Action Hour".
** ''The Fantastic Four'', an unreleased 1994 RogerCorman film, infamous around the fandom for its low quality.
** ''Film/FantasticFour'', a 2004 big-budget movie with a 2007 sequel, ''Fantastic Four: Rise of the SilverSurfer''.
** ''WesternAnimation/FantasticFourWorldsGreatestHeroes'', A 2006 cartoon version with heavily French-influenced art, based loosely off the movie continuity.

* ''Comicbook/IncredibleHulk''
** ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelSuperHeroes'', a 1966 animated anthology.
** ''TheIncredibleHulk'', a 1978 TV series with a WalkingTheEarth[=/=]SternChase plot, and three {{Made For TV Movie}}s based on it.
** A 1982 cartoon version.
** A [[WesternAnimation/TheIncredibleHulk 1996 cartoon version]].
** ''Film/{{Hulk}}'', a big-budget 2003 movie, which polarized critics and viewers alike.
** ''Film/TheIncredibleHulk'', a 2008 do-over with much better results. Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
** ''HulkVs'', a 2009 {{OVA}} wherein he causes numerous headache for Wolverine and Thor.
** ''PlanetHulk'', a 2010 {{OVA}} adaptation of the popular Hulk story line of the same name.

* ''Comicbook/IronMan''
** ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelSuperHeroes'', a 1966 animated anthology.
** A [[WesternAnimation/IronMan 1994 cartoon version]], shown with the contemporary ''Fantastic Four'' cartoon as part of the "Marvel Action Hour." Season 1 saw Shellhead leading Force Works, but a massive ReTool for Season 2 saw - among other changes - more solo hero action.
** A 2007 {{OAV}}, ''WesternAnimation/TheInvincibleIronMan''.
** ''Film/IronMan'', a 2008 big-budget movie, that spawned two sequels in 2010 and 2013, which featured Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. The first film was notable for having a [[TheStinger post-credits scene]] that kickstarted the shared MarvelCinematicUniverse.
** ''IronManArmoredAdventures'', a 2009 CGI animated TV show which has a sassy teen Stark as quipping Spidermanesque incarnation of Iron Man.
** An [[Anime/IronMan anime]] version with 12 episodes.
** ''[[IronManRiseOfTechnovore Iron Man: Rise of Technovore]]'' - An {{anime}} film produced as part of the MarvelAnime line. ** ''[[WesternAnimation/IronManAndHulkHeroesUnited Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United]]'' animated psuedo tie-in to ''Iron Man 3''.

* ''Comicbook/TheMightyThor''
** ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelSuperHeroes'', a 1966 animated anthology.
** A [[Film/{{Thor}} Live Action Adaptation]], directed by [[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000110 Kenneth Branagh]] and featuring Chris Hemsworth ([[Film/StarTrek Captain Kirk's dad]]) as Thor. '''[+[[BrianBlessed BRIAN BLESSED!!]]+] was originally tapped to play Odin, but quickly replaced by Anthony Hopkins, released in 2011. A sequel, Film/ThorTheDarkWorld is set to be released in 2013

* ''Comicbook/{{Spider-Man}}''
** ''WesternAnimation/SpiderMan1967'', a 1967 [[AnimatedAdaptation cartoon version]], with an ExpositoryThemeTune that many baby-boomers can still sing from memory.
** ''The Amazing {{Spider-Man}}'', a 1977 live-action series, cancelled due to ExecutiveMeddling when Creator/{{CBS}} decided they were running too many SuperHero series.
** ''[[Series/SpiderManJapan Spider-Man]]'', a 1978 Japanese {{Toku}} series that featured Spider-Man piloting a HumongousMecha and was one of the inspirations for ''SuperSentai''/''PowerRangers''.
** ''Spider-Man'', a 1981 cartoon version with an early animated example of {{Story Arc}}s.
** ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManAndHisAmazingFriends'', a 1981 cartoon that teamed him up with Iceman of the Comicbook/{{X-Men}} and Firestar, an original character that eventually became a CanonImmigrant. Still considered as definitive as the 1960s series.
** ''[[WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries Spider-Man]]'', a 1994 cartoon with more focus on {{Story Arc}}s and CharacterDevelopment.
** ''Spider-Man Unlimited'', a short-lived 1999 cartoon where Spidey is transported to AnotherDimension. Originally intended to be based on ''Spider-Man 2099''... a comic book title many fans argue Bruce Timm ripped off when developing ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond''.
** ''Spider-Man: The New Animated Series'', a 2003 MTV computer-animated series based loosely on the movie continuity.
** ''[[Film/{{Spider-ManTrilogy}} Spider-Man]]'', a 2002 big-budget movie, considered to be (along with ''X-Men'') one of the causes of the current superhero movie boom. Has had two sequels, in 2004 and 2007. A ContinuityReboot called ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan'' came out in 2012.
** As well, he showed up in segments of ''TheElectricCompany'', where he taught reading to kids by having adventures while speaking only in word balloons.
** ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' a 2008-2010 series, featuring Peter Parker as a high-school student, which aired on Kids' WB and then DisneyXD for two seasons.
** ''WesternAnimation/{{Ultimate Spider-Man}}'', a animated series that premiered in 2012, where Peter, also a high-school student in this show, is being trained by ComicBook/{{SHIELD}} to be a professional superhero and teams up with a variety of other Marvel superheroes.

* ''Comicbook/{{X-Men}}''
** ''Pryde of the X-Men'', a failed 1989 PilotMovie.
** ''WesternAnimation/{{X-Men}}'', a 1992 cartoon version.
** ''Generation X'' was a failed PilotMovie from 1996, featuring the characters of the ''X-Men'' comic-book SpinOff who attended Xavier's mutant school.
** ''WesternAnimation/{{X-Men Evolution}}'', a 2000 cartoon with it's own continuity. X-23, a CanonImmigrant, originated here.
** ''[[Film/XMen1 X-Men]]'', a 2000 big-budget movie. Had two sequels, in [[Film/X2XMenUnited 2003]] and [[Film/XMenTheLastStand 2006]]. A 2009 ''[[Film/XMenOriginsWolverine Wolverine]]'' focused prequel has been released, and in 2011 another prequel called ''[[Film/XMenFirstClass X-Men: First Class]]'' set in the 1960s focused on younger days of Professor X and Magneto.
** ''WesternAnimation/{{Wolverine and the X-Men}}'', a 2008 cartoon series (which aired in 2009 in the US), is the latest adaptation. It dives straight into a spinoff of the comics continuity, so in tone it's closest to the 1992 cartoon (but in art it's more like ''Evolution''). Canceled after one season.
** Two {{anime}} shows, one based on Anime/{{Wolverine}}, and the other on the Anime/{{X-Men}}, were made in 2011.
** The "Astonishing X-men" quadrilogy, a quartet of motion comics adapting the "Breakworld" arc of Joss Whedon's run, ending on a cliffhanger with Kitty Pryde trapped inside a 7-mile long bullet that has just been fired at Earth.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Other heroes]]
* ''AdamWarlock''
* ''{{Ant-Man}}''
* ''TheAwesomeSlapstick''
* ''BetaRayBill''
* ''BlackPanther''
* ''ComicBook/BlackWidow''
* ''{{Captain Mar-Vell}}''
* ''CaptainUniverse''
* ''Comicbook/CloakAndDagger''
* ''{{Daredevil}}''
** The 2003 ''{{Daredevil}}'' movie, and the 2005 ''Film/{{Elektra}}'' movie spun off from it.
* ''{{Darkhawk}}''
* ''TheDefenders''
* ''Comicbook/DoctorStrange''
* ''Comicbook/{{Exiles}}''
* ''GreatLakesAvengers''
** ''SquirrelGirl''
* ''GuardiansOfTheGalaxy''
* ''Comicbook/HowardTheDuck''
* ''ComicBook/ImmortalIronFist''
* ''TheIncredibleHercules''
* ''TheInhumans''
* ''ComicBook/TheInvaders''
* ''[[LukeCageHeroForHire Luke Cage]]''
* ''{{Man-Thing}}''
* ''MoonKnight''
* ''MsMarvel''
* ''The NewWarriors''
* ''ComicBook/{{Nextwave}}''
* ''NickFury''
** None other than David Hasselhoff played the title character in ''Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D'', a 1998 MadeForTVMovie, and did a surprisingly credible job at it (though the movie failed in other respects).
** A new version of Nick Fury (this time played by SamuelLJackson) plays a key role in the MarvelCinematicUniverse, putting together the Avenger team.
* ''ComicBook/{{Nova}}''
* ''ComicBook/PowerPack''
* ''ComicBook/{{Quasar}}''
* ''RedHulk''
* ''ComicBook/{{Runaways}}''
** The film adaptation has been announced, though no date has been set. The series' original creator, BrianKVaughan, will write the screenplay.
* ''ComicBook/SecretWarriors''
* ''SheHulk''
* ''ComicBook/{{SHIELD}}''
* ''SilverSurfer''
* ''{{Sleepwalker}}''
* ''SpiderGirl''
* ''SpiderWoman''
* ''ComicBook/WerewolfByNight''
* ''YoungAvengers''
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Other anti-heroes:]]
* ''{{Deadpool}}''
** Appears in the 2009 ''X-Men Origins: Wolverine'' film, played by Ryan Reynolds [[spoiler:and Scott Adkins when he is converted into Weapon XI AKA Deadpool InNameOnly]]. A spin-off movie has been discussed. [[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1431045/ And is now apparently in the works.]]
* ''{{Elektra}}''
* ''Comicbook/GhostRider''
* ''{{ComicBook/Livewires}}''
* ''[[{{Sub-Mariner}} Namor the Sub-Mariner]]''
* ''Comicbook/ThePunisher''
* ''ComicBook/ScarletSpider''
* ''TheSentry''
* ''{{Thunderbolts}}'', or at least lets just call them that.
* ''[[BuckyBarnes Winter Soldier]]''
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Notable Antagonists]]
* ''DoctorDoom''
* {{Dracula}} existed in the MarvelUniverse; he ran into ComicBook/SpiderMan and the ComicBook/{{X-Men}} a few times, and had his own series, ''Comicbook/TheTombOfDracula''. He was one of many vampires, but (usually) the most powerful of them and their acknowledged leader.
* ''{{Galactus}}''
* ''TheHood''
* ''ComicBook/{{Loki}}''
* ''{{Magneto}}''
* ''{{MODOK}}''
* ''NormanOsborn''
* ''RedSkull''
* ''{{Taskmaster}}''
* ''{{Thanos}}''
* ''ComicBook/{{Venom}}''
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Other Marvel Universe comic series:]]
* ''ComicBook/{{Annihilation}}''
* ''ComicBook/{{AvengersVsX-Men}}''
* ''ComicBook/CivilWar''
* ''ComicBook/DarkReign''
** ''ComicBook/{{Siege}}''
* ''ComicBook/FearItself''
* ''HouseOfM''
* ''ComicBook/{{Inferno}}''
* ''ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet''
* ''{{Onslaught}}''
** ''HeroesReborn''
* ''SecretInvasion''
* ''SecretWars''
* ''ComicBook/{{Shadowland}}''
* ''TheThanosImperative''
* ''WarOfKings''
* ''WorldWarHulk''
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Other TV adaptations]]
* Marvel has announced plans to create shows for ABC and ABC Family based on Comicbook/JessicaJones, ComicBook/{{Mockingbird}}, and ComicBook/CloakAndDagger, but no actors are attached as of yet to any of the shows.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheMarvelSuperHeroes'' was a syndicated 1966 cartoon that was the first TV appearance of the Marvel Universe. It featured CaptainAmerica, IronMan, Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk, Thor, and [[{{Sub-Mariner}} Namor, the Sub-Mariner]] in ThreeShorts segments, with plots, dialogue and even [[ClipArtAnimation artwork]] often taken directly from the comic books.
* ''TheSuperHeroSquadShow'', a 2009 animated MassiveMultiplayerCrossover meant for small children, featuring SuperDeformed versions of the Marvel heroes and a LighterAndSofter storyline. Based on [[MerchandiseDriven the Marvel Super Hero Squad toy line]], except without Spider-Man, of whose TV rights Sony wouldn't let go.
* The ''SilverSurfer'' had a short-lived 1998 animated series, most notable for being cancelled right after a CliffHanger where the universe ceased to exist.
* A 2013 show, Marvel: Agents of SHIELD, set within the MCU continuity with Agent Coulson as the main character. It is developed by The Avengers writer/director Joss Whedon, with the help of Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Other movie adaptations:]]
* A big-budget ''Film/GhostRider'' film starring Nicholas Cage was released in early 2007. A sequel was released in 2012.
* A film version of ''{{Howard the Duck}}'', produced (not directed) by GeorgeLucas, was released in 1986.
* An animated ''BlackPanther'' TV series, done in the style of motion comics, was created for BET based on a previous storyline.
* As well, Marvel Entertainment has announced that they are planning future movie projects for Comicbook/TheAvengers, Nick Fury, Black Panther, Ant-Man, Cloak & Dagger, Dr. Strange, Hawkeye, Power Pack, and Shang-Chi.
** The set-up of Comicbook/TheAvengers movie in ''IronMan'' and Tony Stark's cameo in ''Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk'' suggest that Marvel may be trying to place the movies independently produced by Marvel Studios into their own continuity.
* ''Comicbook/DoctorStrange'' was made into a failed PilotMovie in 1978; its demonology content allegedly prompted outcries from Christian groups that made sponsors back off from the project.
** A direct-to-DVD animated movie was released in 2007.
* In 1991, a PilotMovie was made for ''PowerPack'', but was never aired. Even so, it still has an [[http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0271124/ IMDB entry]].
** Bootlegs of the pilot have caused some to assume it did get an actual broadcast in some markets, but as of yet there has been no proof.
* ''ThePunisher'' appeared in two different movies, both with no continuity to each other, made 15 years apart (1989 and 2004). They did it again in 2008, with ''Punisher: War Zone''.
* The ''UltimateAvengers'' {{OAV}}, based on the comic ''[[UltimateMarvel The Ultimates]]'', was released on DVD, February 21st, 2006. A sequel was released on August 8, 2006.
[[/folder]]
----
!!World tropes:
* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: First comic-book world to have widespread prejudice against a particular type of superhumans, the "anti-mutant paranoia".
* AllPowerfulBystander: The Living Tribunal is this until a multiversial threat arises. He tends to destroy the universe the threat is located in and then resume being a bystander.
** Arguably, the Watchers could fit the bill as well, though they are only "all-powerful" from mortals' perspectives.
* AlternateUniverse: A number of Marvel stories deal with and take place in these. Most prominent (and AlternateContinuity examples) are listed below. Notably, the main continuity is ''not'' Earth-1 or Earth-Prime, it's Earth-616
** AgeOfApocalypse (Earth-295)
** EarthX (Earth-9997)
** HouseOfM (Earth-58163)
** [[{{Marvel1602}} 1602]] (Earth-311)
** Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse (Earth-199999)
** MarvelComics2 (Earth-982)
** MarvelMangaverse (Earth-2301)
** VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom (Earth-96169)
** MarvelZombies (Earth-2149)
** SquadronSupreme (Earth-712)
** UltimateMarvel (Earth-1610)
*** Appearances of the heroes in other media also fall under this category.
* ArmsAndArmorThemeNaming: The covert organizations S.H.I.E.L.D., A.R.M.O.R., S.W.O.R.D. and H.A.M.M.E.R.
* BadassBookworm: High Evolutionary, Thanos, M.O.D.O.K., The Leader, Valeria and Reed Richards, Alyssa Moy, Beast, Mad Thinker, Hank Pym, Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, Maelstrom, Mr. Sinister, Bruce Banner and Spider-Man. Iron Man is actually an aversion: despite being brainy, he doesn't spend his time buried in books and studies.
* BaldWomen: Moondragon and Nebula (after her escape from Titan and a cybernetic operation)
* TheBerserker: Hulk, Juggernaut, Colossus, Thing, Thanos, Wolverine and Thor when he delves into the Warrior's Madness.
* BlessedWithSuck (One of Stan Lee's innovations was to write about "superheroes with problems." Characters like Spider-man, the Hulk, and the Thing were early results of this.)
** Iron Man was the first superhero with a substance abuse problem.
* BoltOfDivineRetribution: Anyone with power over electricity and a vengeful nature. Thor and Zeus are notable examples.
* BrainwashingForTheGreaterGood: Magneto a few times.
* BullyingADragon: It's like the civilians of the Marvel verse ''refuse'' to accept that pissing off a super-powered being is NOT a good idea.
* CityOfAdventure: Makes you wonder just how New York City hasn't gotten wiped out yet.
** They've got DamageControl. These guys are always there to make sure NY lives to see another day.
* ComicBookTime: When he revealed himself during ''Comicbook/CivilWar'', Peter Parker stated that he had been acting as Spider-Man since he was 15. Same goes for the first X-Men team, who started in heroics in their teens (sans Beast), and now almost 50 years later (in real time), they still seem to be 30-somethings.
** The Fantastic Four are among the first characters of the Marvel Universe. Reed and Sue quickly married and had a child, who is still a small child (and makes some people from the future flee in terror).
* ConquerorFromTheFuture: "Kang the Conqueror" is quite likely the UrExample.
* CosmicEntity: And how. Take a look at the page for a list.
* CrapsackWorld: Few comic book universes make life harder on its heroes than the Marvel Universe. At different times, either the public hates them, the government actively tries to kill mutants, the media paints them as evil, or laws have been passed making most of them wanted fugitives.
** And that only covers ''Earth'', which probably contains only a fraction of all the combined power in the universe. The Marvel Universe is crawling with [[CosmicEntity cosmic beings]] such as {{Galactus}} and countless others who have all been either indifferent to or outright wanted to massacre the Earth.
* CrossoverCosmology (Thor, Hercules, and Amaterasu all coexist with every other god EVER)
* CutLexLuthorACheck (The Trapster, the Ringer and many, many more. Occasionally subverted by villains like the Wizard, who became a zillionaire through legitimate means before getting bored and turning to crime, or 8-Ball, who only became a supervillain after he was fired from his job and blacklisted for being suspected of selling company secrets to pay his gambling debts.)
* {{Deconstruction}}: Arguably a founding father of the concept for superhero comics as it definitely helped popularized the idea of FantasticRacism for the genre. (People don't seem to notice as much due to how the earlier Marvel comics were not truly DarkerAndEdgier.) But still Marvel is definitely one of the reasons why being a super powered being (especially if you were born with super powers) might not get you respected.
* TheDreaded:
** The Void. And TheSentry by default, as everyone just ''knows'' he's going to snap one day. [[ComicBook/DarkReign Then he does.]]
** Most of Dr. Strange's antagonists qualify, but especially Dormammu.
** And for the cosmic storylines, Thanos and Annihilus, the later's attempted genocide against all life was so catastrophic that most of the remaining civilizations named their highest threat to the galaxy level after him.
* DyingLikeAnimals: If it isn't a Reindeer, its a Lemming, a Wasp, or a Jackal. The ''best'' you can hope for is that its a Bat. 99.9+% of this entire planet's population is either ready to join an anti-metahuman hate group or else so mind-bogglingly stupid that they should be put on suicide watch.
** Every once in a while a random preacher gives a pro mutant speech, or some cop mentions how much Spider-Man has done for the city, but such moments are sadly uncommon, and recent events are only making the whole thing worse. It makes one wonder if you shouldn't just let Galactus eat the place.
* EasilyConqueredWorld: When you look back at history, not so much. When one prospective conquering race heard about everything Marvel Earth has fought and beaten, they ran. ''Ran''.
* EasyRoadToHell: In both the [[TheDCU DC]] and [[MarvelUniverse Marvel]] 'verses there have been examples of people getting sent to Hell with magic, rather than through any fault of their own. Granted, in most such cases they were able to get out later.
* EldritchAbomination: Swarming hordes of them, whether of mystical or 'cosmic' origins.
* EnormousEngine: SHIELD helicarriers are usually shown with four enormous turbines.
* EveryoneIsRelated: Due to the Summers' TangledFamilyTree.
** There's also most of the gods. Gaea is the Mother-Goddess in most pantheons in Marvel and has birthed a child in just about all of them. Thus, you get wacky family connections like TheMightyThor being Comicbook/TheIncredibleHercules's great-uncle.
* FantasticRacism: Marvel is very well known for this; documentaries have suggested that one reason for Marvel's popularity in the 60's was its use of resonant contemporary themes like bigotry and the marginalization of minorities.
* FunWithAcronyms: Recurrent with any organization that uses an acronym (see ArmsAndArmorThemeNaming; another prominent example is Advanced Idea Mechanics, or simply A.I.M.); subverted with H.A.M.M.E.R. in which Norman Osborn first came up with the name without an acronym behind it and, even after he was arrested and broken out again, no one knows what it stands for.
** The crowner, though, may be the anarcho-terrorist organization ULTIMATUM (Underground Liberated Totally Integrated Mobile Army To Unite Mankind).
* GeniusBruiser: Many physically imposing characters also have massive intellects to back them up.
* AGodAmI: Thor, Hercules, Zeus and Odin make their godly heritage known to all who meet them.
* GoodIsNotNice: Wolverine and Iron Man might be under the flag of good, but they can be outright pricks at times.
* HealingFactor: A very common ability once you get to the bigger tiers. Wolverine, Deadpool and Hulk are the three most popular examples.
* HumansAreBastards: X-Men comics are the clearest example, but this trope shows up in other series as well.
* ILoveNuclearPower: A little radiation can be a wonderful thing in the Marvel Universe. Several of their heroes, including the Hulk, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and even Capatin America owe their origins in whole or in part to various forms of radiation, as do a corresponding number of villains, such as the Abomination, the Leader and the U-Foes.
* {{Immortality}}: Marvel has at least one character who embodies each subtrope.
* ImmortalityHurts: To his credit, Deadpool has fun when he gets mutilated, shot, stabbed, burned, decapitated, skinned and liquefied, mostly because of his habit of being a funny guy, but he still feels the pain.
* IndecisiveMedium: The movies set in the universe start with the Marvel logo with the [[StorybookOpening flipping comic book pages]].
* JokerImmunity: An endemic problem in any long-running comic book universe, but especially so here.
* LamarckWasRight
* LegacyCharacter
* LeotardOfPower
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters (for pretty much every long-running series)
* MadGod: '''Thanos'''. Thor as well when driven to Warrior's Madness.
* MegaManning: Rogue is a famous example. Protege to a much higher degree; not even Celestial beings were safe.
* MetaOrigin
* MicroMonarchy: The statelet of Latveria.
* NumberOfTheBeast: Fandom recurrently tends to call the primary Marvel Universe number ''616'', sometimes considered to be the original number of absolute evil. Writer Dave Thorpe allegedly deliberately came up with the designation, since he considered this what the superhero genre in essence had evolved into[[note]]The number actually comes from the date ''Fantastic Four #1'', the book that kickstarted the Marvel Universe as we know it, was released: June 1961 (61/6)[[/note]].
** Fandom considered designating the MarvelZombies universe as 666. It eventually ended up as 2149.
** In the end, Earth-666 became the native reality of the Undead Avengers. In context: said reality is populated by a FantasyKitchenSink of monsters, which includes the superheroes, like a vampire Wolverine, a werewolf Captain America, and another [[ThePunisher Frankencastle]].
* TheOmnipotent: It really depends on one's definition of omnipotent. The Living Tribunal has been called omnipotent by several different characters, yet multiple beings have surpassed his power (Beyonder, Thanos, Protege and Molecule Man) and defeated him. The Infinity Gauntlet grants the wearer omnipotence but every being who has ever worn it has had it forcibly taken from them.
** The only indisputable example of an omnipotent character is The-One-Above-All. [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Just as the name says]], he is above '''everyone''' in strength and is the higher power the Living Tribunal serves and answers to.
* OneSteveLimit: You better believe this trope is averted. There are easily half a dozen characters named James (Wolverine, War Machine, Bucky), a good few Henrys (the original Ant-Man/Giant-Man/Goliath/Yellowjacket [[IHaveManyNames and so on]], Beast), and plenty of Peters (Spider-Man, Trapster).
** There's a ''Henry Peter'', to boot (Gyrich).
* PersonalGainHurts: (Just ask Spidey)
* PhysicalGod: Dozens of them.
* ReedRichardsIsUseless: (Trope Namer)
* ReptilesAreAbhorrent: For the most part, with a few exceptions.
* SociopathicHero: Most prominently Deadpool, Wolverine, Punisher, and Moon Knight,.
* SuperHero
* SuperRegistrationAct: Has happened on more than one occasion, the most recent one being Comicbook/CivilWar.
* TakeThatKiss: [[spoiler: Hawkeye did this to [=DeathBird=] after defeating her.]]
* TokenMinorityCouple -- Black Panther was paired off with Storm because they were both African, and no other reason then that.
** Well also they both knew each other from past adventures, lost their virginity to each other, and are two very powerful people.
* TooDumbToLive: Many characters have had moments of this but it's hard to believe someone knows Bruce Banner can turn into the Hulk, yet they still try to piss him off.
** In recent years in a push to make the world DarkerAndEdgier, the civilian populace has shown a desire, nay, ''eagerness'' to emphatically embrace anything and everything that curtails their civil liberties and gives as much power as possible to megalomaniacal psychopaths. This is notable when Norman Osborn returns after the Siege of Asgard fiasco: the Avengers suddenly find themselves accosted by picket lines in front of Avengers Mansion and protesting their role in peacekeeping (never mind that ''the President of the U.S. himself put Steven Rogers in charge of American security and fully supports him''), thanks to Osborn manipulating the common people into thinking the Avengers are war criminals (which they apparently forgot he himself was).
** See also UltimateMarvel, TheNewUniverse, MarvelAdventures, CapcomVsWhatever, MarvelComics2.
* UngratefulBastard: No matter how many people the Marvel heroes save, there's always going to be at least one person who refuses to even say "thank you".
* TheVerse
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: The Sentry.
* WorldWarII: The GoldenAge. Marvel's history began during this time, so its original characters live in this setting. Some legacy heroes/villains are also based on characters published in this time (such as the Human Torch). Note that AdolfHitler was seemingly killed in his bunker by the original Human Torch, but actually survived for a while as the Hate-Monger.
** WWII Golden Age characters in present day: [[SubMariner Namor the Submariner]], CaptainAmerica (both Steve Rogers and BuckyBarnes), RedSkull, and many others.
** WWII {{Retcon}} characters in present day: NickFury, Dum Dum Dugan[[note]]And until recently, Gabriel Jones[[/note]], Spitfire, Baron Strucker, {{Magneto}}, {{Wolverine}}.

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