Top 10 Things You Should NEVER Say to a Marvel Fan
#10: “Marvel Movies Are Overrated”
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This is a popular refrain and an easy one to voice. After all, not every MCU product is critically beloved. But while some Marvel fans will concede that some parts of the franchise might receive too much praise, the universe has pulled off some impressive feats. The MCU weaves multiple films, shows and other media into one (mostly) cohesive world. It also features stories and characters that no one thought would be well-received. Who thought the Guardians of the Galaxy would become box office hits and household names! And it did all this while maintaining a fairly consistent level of quality in production and writing. While not every project will be a home run, the universe as a whole is still strong.
#9: “Superman is Better Than Captain America”
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When DC and Marvel’s patriotic heroes are compared, some will tout Superman as the superior superhero. If we’re talking pure physical strength, Marvel fans can acknowledge that yes, Superman is vastly more powerful. But better? That’s debatable. Both heroes are characterized by their forthright nature, innate sense of decency, and the hope they inspire in others. But Captain America’s underdog story of starting powerless before courageously accepting responsibility gives him an extra relatable dimension. And the star spangled man has also gotten more time to shine on screen than the blue boy scout in the 2010s. Ironically, if both met, they probably wouldn’t care who’s better. They’d probably save some schoolkids and then see a baseball game together.
#8: “What Happened to Wanda’s Accent?”
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Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. Scarlet Witch, began her time in the MCU with a strong Sokovian accent. However, it gradually goes away over the course of the storyline. It’s a seeming continuity error with the MCU that critics are quick to point out. But not only are Marvel fans aware of the accent change, but the franchise even acknowledged it in “WandaVision.” Even if the writers hadn’t addressed it, the vocal change didn’t make the character less enjoyable. And hey, people’s accents change all the time in real life from something as simple as performing a role. Any naysayers who still weren’t satisfied were probably happy to see the Sokovian voice return in full force in “Multiverse of Madness”.
#7: “Marvel Has Weak Villains”
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Ragging on Marvel’s villains has become a cliché at this point. If people aren’t pointing out how the villains mirror the heroes, [xref] they’re decrying how underdeveloped they are. And, to be fair, they’re not completely wrong. While Marvel has top shelf villains in its roster, a lot of them, particularly in the films, don’t get enough time to develop as characters in their own right. The fact that a lot are killed off in their first appearances probably doesn’t help. However, Marvel fans will point to newer villains like Kilmonger to show how the franchise has improved on that flaw. Additionally, along with tentpole villains like Loki and Thanos, the TV series have amazing villains that aren’t given nearly enough credit.
#6: “The MCU Movies Are All the Same”
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The MCU is often criticized for having movies that are “all the same.” If you look at surface level details, “Iron Man,” “Ant-Man,” and “Doctor Strange” have very similar structures. Several other MCU movies have elements in common, like final battles against CGI foes of some kind. But these structural similarities don’t prevent each new film from bringing unique elements to the MCU. Every film does its part to expand the lore and highlight new characters. And spy thrillers like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” and the kung-fu action of “Shang-Chi” shake things up by blending genres while still feeling connected to the bigger story. We feel like Brennan Lee Mulligan said it best: “insert brollhere)
#5: “The Movies Have Too Much Humor”
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Tonal whiplash is a real thing, we know. And the MCU does have some humor that lands like Bruce Banner on the rainbow bridge. Still, for every awkwardly placed joke in the MCU, there are about 10 or 20 that land. Plus, sometimes a joke can help relieve the tension. Despite their reputation for being funny, there’s still plenty of grim events that happen in Marvel movies. Fans feel like the too funny critique ignores the weightier projects that greatly tone down the humor. It’s understandable that not every viewer wants a ton of jokes in every movie. However, saying that something was too humorous still feels like a funny criticism to many Marvel fans.
#4: “Anyone Who Reads the Comics is Dumb. Just Watch the Movies!”
Whenever anything gets a popular adaptation, some newer fans will look at the version onscreen as the definitive version. But those who experienced the original consider the opposite to be true. In the end, both the Marvel movies and the comics are worthy stories. Marvel Comics has been around for decades, and the sheer volume and quality of the stories is impressive. They also provide completely different takes on characters like Hawkeye and Mantis to name just a couple. There’s no reason to attack someone just for liking their favorite version of a particular story. While hardcore comic collectors might spend more on a rare issue than a movie ticket, they’re not any less of a fan for doing so.
#3: “Stan Lee Cameos Are Stupid”
Why wouldn’t you love Stan Lee cameos? Lee was a legend who helped bring many Marvel characters to life during his career in Marvel Comics. His cameos always used to get a laugh or a cheer from the audience. However, some people claim his appearances take them out of the experience by drawing attention to the fact that it’s a movie. But none of the cameos are really all that long! Stan Lee’s appearances were just a fun nod and wink to the audience and to the celebrated comics creator. Anyone who’s got a problem with that could probably be described as whatever the opposite of excelsior is.
#2: “DC is Better Than Marvel”
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For years, DC and Marvel fans of all ages have argued over which comics, TV shows, cartoons, and movies featuring their favorite heroes are better. Marvel fans naturally prefer Marvel heroes and properties and will defend them the most vocally. And certainly, if you look at hard box office receipts for the cinematic universes, they would come out on top. But at the end of the day, DC still has plenty of exciting heroes and great films. We doubt Marvel fans skipped “The Batman” or that DC diehards ignored “Infinity War” What someone prefers all comes down to which great universe they prefer. But whoever trashes Marvel should be prepared for defenders to smash them verbally in a comments section.
#1: “The Movies Aren’t Art”
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Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. But even so, for people to dismiss the MCU as not being art feels more than a little condescending and reductive. It’s no secret that the movies love their spectacle and fight scenes. But the Marvel films also have complex heroes, beautiful cinematography and heartbreaking drama. And a few have also been seen as milestones for representation in Hollywood by uplifting different cultures and heroes. The people who dismiss it as not art disregard the hard work the filmmakers and actors did to make beautiful stories. And even if all those factors aren’t enough to convince someone that there’s art in the MCU, fans will always find the art in this shared universe.
