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This thread's for talking about the Marvel Comics line, whether the comics are decades old or brand new.

As well as the superhero tales of the Marvel Universe, that also includes all the other things Marvel's done (Epic Comics, Icon Comics, Star Comics and all the rest), as well as the older stories by Atlas and Timely, the companies that later became Marvel.

Acquisitions like Malibu Comics and Miracleman are also on-topic, as are the licensed 20th Century Studios titles, the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Zoids and Transformers comics, and all of the comics created locally by regional imprints like Marvel UK and Marvel Italia.

  • We have dedicated threads for some groups of titles (such as Spider-Man and the X-Men). You can still discuss them here, but you might want to use the more specific threads.
  • We also have threads for Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Predator and some of the other franchises. Sometimes it may be more useful to discuss the comics there rather than here — but they're still on-topic and there's no hard rule.

Technically, Marvel's Infinity Comics (and their predecessors, Infinite Comics) are webcomics, not comic books, but it's fine to talk about them here.

Discussions that are only about Marvel adaptations in other media (films, video games etc.) are off-topic, but discussing the differences between the adaptations and the original comics is fine - as long as spoilers for the adaptations are tagged.

Please follow the spoiler policy rules - tag spoilers for the latest issues, for any previews or content leaks, and for off-topic comics (e.g. if comparing Marvel to a DC story). When including spoiler tags, try to write so that tropers can make an informed decision before viewing them (e.g. which series and issue will they spoil?).

    Original text of OP 
A thread for all the miscellaneous Marvel discussion that doesn't have its own thread.

So apparently, they're making a Black Panther movie. Let's hope Hudlin is kept as far away as possible. On a related note, anyone think that the whole 'Super Hero that is also a King/Ruler' is kind of ridiculous? I mean where do heroes like Aquaman and T'Challa find the time to both lead a nation and go gallavanting on the other side of the globe?

Edited by Mrph1 on Sep 1st 2024 at 8:36:28 PM

Mrph1 he/him from Mercia (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: This is not my beautiful wife!
he/him
#72451: Jul 23rd 2025 at 7:17:40 AM

That's got me thinking...

How many long-running Marvel solo heroes don't have their own 616-continuity title right now?

Ghost Rider

Black Panther

Iron Man

Captain Marvel

Doctor Strange

...have I missed anyone?

(Have they announced anything new for any of them?)

On the plus side, sounds like Moon Knight is continuing well past #10 and the Achilles Fairchild finale.

Edited by Mrph1 on Jul 23rd 2025 at 3:18:45 PM

Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#72452: Jul 23rd 2025 at 7:21:35 AM

Captain Marvel is an especially sad case

Although I’m sure something will come soon, for trademark squatting reasons

Edited by Bocaj on Jul 23rd 2025 at 7:22:02 AM

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#72453: Jul 23rd 2025 at 8:04:30 AM

One day there will be a good Iron Man comic again. This I believe

So what do we think a good Iron Man Comic would entail?

Like, I know what a good Spider-Man comic would be (married to Mary Jane, allowed to be successful and happy, etc, etc), but what makes a good Iron Man comic.

One Strip! One Strip!
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#72454: Jul 23rd 2025 at 8:58:35 AM

Would that make a good Spidey comic though?

It’s good for Peter of course. But there has to be more to it than just undoing OMD.

Disgusted, but not surprised
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#72455: Jul 23rd 2025 at 9:01:26 AM

[up][up][up][up] Moon Knight is still going yeah.

The latest issue is pretty great. Just nonstop aura-farming from everyone. Develyn Pramanik is such a fantastic artist its like Cappucio never left. For real their art-styles are incredibly similar.

It also ended on the return of Zodiac.

Edited by slimcoder on Jul 23rd 2025 at 9:02:05 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
HalfFaust Since: Jan, 2019
#72456: Jul 23rd 2025 at 9:14:26 AM

I think we've had enough stories to show that Peter as more of a family man certainly can work. Plus their attempts at giving MJ 'solo' plotlines just keep being weird and not great (I don't want her to be just a love interest, but being with Peter still opens new plot options).


For a potential Marvel reboot, I'd certainly be tempted to get weird with it in one way or another. Granted I think both Ultimate universes tried that in their own ways, but to varying degrees of success. I think some kind of anthology book for more minor characters would definitely be nice. Maybe a bit more focus on other countries, establish that super-stuff regularly happens all over the world.

Nailing down a more concrete timeline would be nice, but they seem to consistently fail at that when they do try to do it (consequence of a large shared universe I guess).

Mrph1 he/him from Mercia (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: This is not my beautiful wife!
he/him
#72457: Jul 23rd 2025 at 9:17:17 AM

[up][up] The scene in the latest issue with Cubist watching TV was wonderful. Very much (paraphrasing) "Fairchild didn't think this through and he's screwed, and he paid me up front anyway... so I have no incentive to fight you guys".

I'm not sure anyone actually cared about Cubist prior to this run. But now I'm enjoying his appearances.


As for Iron Man...

It needs to acknowledge that Tony's flawed without making him a total asshole. It also has to allow for character growth, not just trap him in the usual 'Stark industries is hijacked or fails, Tony rebuilds' loop.

It needs a supporting cast. It needs Tony out of armour and interacting with people in a work context, in the glamorous social scene of the mega-rich, and with normal people once in a while. Possibly even a girlfriend who's not a mutant or supervillain.

It should acknowledge that he's an alcoholic. Especially in the context of the boozy social scene of the mega-rich. It shouldn't see him relapse.

If he's owning and running the company, we should see a little of that. Not necessarily loads of dry boardroom scenes, but an acknowledgment that he actually works with other humans and it takes time.

It needs a range of interesting tech and armor, as Tony's always working on something new. Ideally some things that aren't thrown away at the end of the arc.

It needs to acknowledge that billionaires, corporations and the defence industry are problematic in various ways without becoming misery porn. Which is a balancing act.

If it takes him to space or other dimensions, that should be the exception.

He should never feel like a guest/supporting character in his own book, but seeing him from other people's perspective would be good.

And if there's a big arc villain, that's fine. But several runs have opened with "here's the big villain, this series is going to be all about how Tony beats them", and that gets old fast.

(Moon Knight is actually a pretty good model in that regard for reviving old villains while mixing in new characters)

Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#72458: Jul 23rd 2025 at 9:42:33 AM

I agree with this

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#72459: Jul 23rd 2025 at 9:51:47 AM

Editorial should also really do their job and actually kibbosh certain story ideas.

Cause it feels like they allow every writer to do the same exact IM story right after the other.

Duggan at least had the novelty of the Emma Frost marriage but Ackerman is a painfully simple "brutal exploration of the compromises Tony has to make in life."

Edited by slimcoder on Jul 23rd 2025 at 9:51:59 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#72460: Jul 23rd 2025 at 9:54:35 AM

Both the recent two runs felt built to be vehicles for event tie ins

Which fits into the point that Tony shouldn’t feel like a guest star in his own book.

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#72461: Jul 23rd 2025 at 9:56:37 AM

To be fair that wasn't a problem with Ackerman's run.

It's just kind of mediocre. Which hey what can you expect from a non-comic guy.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Blueace Surrounded by weirdoes from The End Of the World Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Surrounded by weirdoes
#72462: Jul 23rd 2025 at 10:08:44 AM

So many books have that issue. Still trying to chase prestige?

Wake me up at your own risk.
Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#72463: Jul 23rd 2025 at 10:33:42 AM

Ackerman Iron Man feels both like it was designed to tie into One World Under Doom AND like its clout chasing Absolute Wonder Woman for some reason

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#72464: Jul 23rd 2025 at 10:38:21 AM

It feels like its trying to be modern or socially aware so we have Tony saying lines about how he's developing a betting app for superhero battles.

And how his AI assistant has gpt in its name.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Blueace Surrounded by weirdoes from The End Of the World Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Surrounded by weirdoes
#72465: Jul 23rd 2025 at 10:39:38 AM

Treating superhero battles as some sporting event sounds like... a complete dick move from Tony, really.

Wake me up at your own risk.
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#72466: Jul 23rd 2025 at 10:47:24 AM

The best written Tony is currently Ultimates Teen Tony who is practicing social revolution by making how to do it yourself videos on making pipe bombs and how to start your own self-sustaining organic garden.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Bocaj Funny but not helpful from Here or thereabouts (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
Funny but not helpful
#72467: Jul 23rd 2025 at 10:49:22 AM

New ultimate universe is so good

Forever liveblogging the Avengers
Deadpoolrocks Since: Sep, 2010
#72468: Jul 23rd 2025 at 1:11:48 PM

I'm glad moon knight is continuing. This book made me care about 8-ball.

Mrph1 he/him from Mercia (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: This is not my beautiful wife!
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#72470: Jul 23rd 2025 at 3:51:26 PM

[up] Neat.

Also this is true love.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1000025644.jpg

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Deadpoolrocks Since: Sep, 2010
#72471: Jul 23rd 2025 at 3:54:11 PM

holy crap her tail is looooong

HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#72472: Jul 23rd 2025 at 5:25:38 PM

Tigra may be having a ball, but she does not seem to be playing with a full deck.

Or to put it another way, WHAT THE !@#$% HAPPENED TO HER, AND WHAT THE !@#$% DOES SHE LOOK SO INSANE!!!?

Also, it's nice that she and Marc are such good friends. As I understand it, she's one of the few heroes who can still call herself his friend, since he's burned most of his other bridges.

One Strip! One Strip!
Cortez from Parts Unknown (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#72473: Jul 23rd 2025 at 5:30:46 PM

How many long-running Marvel solo heroes don't have their own 616-continuity title right now?

Ghost Rider

That one is not too shocking, Ghost Rider tends to go years between runs.

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#72474: Jul 23rd 2025 at 5:39:14 PM

[up][up] She was just fighting Zaran and it got her blood pumping.

The whole issue is the gang splitting up and fighting supervillains, except for Reese and Soldier as Cubist prefered to just chill watching Magnum PI as Fairchild paid him up front so he has no reason to fight an impossible battle.

So everyone looks fairly worn by the end of the issue.

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1000025649_2.jpg

Edited by slimcoder on Jul 23rd 2025 at 5:40:23 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#72475: Jul 23rd 2025 at 5:42:20 PM

[up]Hah.

Yeah, he probably should have done the research on Shrike first.

As for Tigra, she looks like she's loving her work right now. Her business is Tiger mauling and business is absolutely good.cool

One Strip! One Strip!

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