The Least Favorable Story Arcs in Marvel and DC Comics

Introduction

Comic book fans often have their favorite and least favorite story arcs, and these arcs can shape one's opinion on the entire universe they are set in. For those who love Marvel and DC, there have been numerous plot points that crossed a line, especially in the darker eras. In this article, we will explore some of the least favorable story arcs in both Marvel and DC comics, focusing on why they stood out as problematic or disappointing.

Marvel: The Alien Costume Arc (Venom)

One of the most controversial and poorly executed story arcs in Marvel Comics is the introduction of the alien costume for Venom. This plotline, which took place in the mid-90s, saw the iconic character of Spider-Man's arch-nemesis take on a bizarre and largely unexplainable transformation. The alien costume story arc made absolutely no sense and cheapened the character of Venom. It also massively tainted the potential for the character to reach full coolness, as his origin story lost its intrigue and depth.

The alien costume itself was a terrible idea that didn't fit the character's established lore. It was clumsy and forced, and its introduction felt like a cheap attempt to shock readers without providing any meaningful story progression or character development. Furthermore, the tale of how the alien costume came to be was written so poorly that it cheapened the entire character of Venom. For a character who, until this point, had a compelling and multifaceted origin story, the introduction of the alien costume was a disappointing and misguided decision.

DC: Identity Crisis

For a long time, I was a die-hard Marvel fan and rarely delved into DC's storylines. I was comfortable in my belief that Marvel's characters were more realistic and relatable. However, my world was turned upside down when I read "Identity Crisis." This DC storyline was a game-changer, but not in the way I had hoped. It was a plot that didn't shy away from the introspective nature of its characters. It explored their motivations and the complexities of being a hero. While this might seem positive, the reality of "Identity Crisis" was far from revelatory for me. It was a narrative that damaged the characters I held dear, leading to their deaths and causing irreparable damage to their legacy.

The "Identity Crisis" storyline delved into the personal lives and motivations of the Justice League characters. While it aimed to provide depth and authenticity, the execution was flawed. It introduced uncomfortable truths about the characters' pasts and forced them to confront aspects of their identity that were uncomfortable to explore. The narrative's intensity and the way it played out were too heavy for a story arc that should have been more focused on growth and introspection.

Marvel: Onslaught

Another exceptionally inconsistent and poorly executed plot arc in Marvel Comics is the arc surrounding "Onslaught." This storyline was supposed to be one of the most ambitious and eventful stories, but instead, it was riddled with paradoxes and plot holes. The writers were clear in their intent, but their execution was fraught with errors and contradictions.

One of the most glaring issues with "Onslaught" was the mismanagement of character powers and strengths. For example, the Juggernaut, a character known for his immense strength and resilience, is depicted as being severely weakened by Onslaught. This in itself is not necessarily a flaw, but the subsequent actions of Onslaught, such as pulling a gem out of his chest where it never existed, and telepathically attacking him while not telepathic, are major plot holes that render the story nonsensical.

The storyline also vastly underestimated the strength of certain characters. The Hulk, for instance, was made strong enough to crack Onslaught's armor, and he subsequently destroyed the armor that even the Avengers couldn't crack. However, the story's conclusion was a complete contradiction. The Hulk, who had just destroyed the armor, was then killed by Storm's lightning, which should, in no way, kill the Hulk. This plot point makes no logical sense and creates a significant disconnect with the established universe.

The "Onslaught" arc was supposed to be a fascinating exploration of a new villain and a powerful event that would shake the Marvel universe. However, the poorly executed plot holes and illogical narrative elements make it one of the most inconsistent and disappointing story arcs in recent Marvel history.