It indicates a worrying lack of inventiveness that may become more of a problem as time passes. They’ve resorted to shock value for the sake of shock value, a lazy move that so far has proved to be a hit with both fans and critics. In Secret Empire #2, released earlier this month, it’s revealed that Hydra Rogers may not even really be Actual Rogers. A bearded traveler approaches the group of heroes, claims he’s Steve Rogers, and single-handedly softens whatever impact this story may have had on the Marvel Universe. These days, superhero comics are all about big, heavily hyped events that amount to nothing beyond immediate gratification. No lasting consequences. No emotional resonance. No real reason to keep reading.
Recent events like Fear Itself, Avengers Vs. X-Men, and Civil War II serve as perfect examples of cash-grabbing at its absolute finest. Marvel has settled into a place caught between good and middling; the company’s commitment to “okay” has finally begun to catch up to it. The latter hit shelves around the time Captain America: Civil War hit stores in May 2016. In terms of marketing, the ploy worked beautifully. In terms of story, not so much. Brian Michael Bendis has written some truly captivating stories, but the sequel to 2006’s popular event series doesn’t even scrape his top ten, or even twenty, works.
Instead of completely altering the essence of these heroes, it’s more fun and more inventive to work with what already exists than to create timelines and alternate realities that add nothing to Marvel lore. Play with themes, not history. Work with characters as they are, not as they could or should be. Definitely push and expand these characters in ways that haven’t been done before, but don’t attempt to change who they have always been. Even better, don’t change the core of a character only to slam the brakes and scream, “Just kidding!” The waffling we’ve seen from Marvel must stop if quality is to return and be maintained. If Marvel is going to commit to an idea, they need to stick to that commitment, even if the idea itself sucks.
One of Marvel’s last great stories was Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye. Its small, simple tale, coupled with its far-reaching themes and ideas, made it an instant success and solidified it as one of the company’s finest titles. Hawkeye the bachelor? Yes, please! Hawkeye the Avenger? Fun, but far less interesting. Marvel needs more of these unconventional approaches. It needs to start listening to what fans want because they ultimately are at the mercy of those who buy their books.
All that being said, Marvel can absolutely return to greatness, and it’s important to stick with it as it fights to regain its footing. The publisher has given us so many endearing, enduring stories that at this point, it would be foolish and unfair to dismiss the company completely.