Marvel’s Darkest Moments: Cheating, Breakups, and Betrayals Unveiled!

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Over the past several decades, Marvel Comics has gained renown for its grand battles and world-altering events. However, it’s not always the physical confrontations or property destruction that leave lasting impressions in Marvel’s rich history. Instead, some of the most memorable moments revolve around characters delivering witty, disrespectful comments or exhibiting underhanded behavior.

Shade, as defined by urban slang, is acting in a subtle yet dismissive manner towards someone or expressing disrespect towards a friend. The following instances, we believe, showcase Marvel’s finest examples of shade from recent years.

Jean Grey Discovers Cyclops and Emma Frost’s Psychic Affair

New X-Men #139, by Grant Morrison and Phil Jimenez (2003)

Scott Summers, often referred to as Cyclops, the head of the X-Men, has been in a relationship with Jean Grey, a powerful mutant with telepathic abilities, since their teenage years. After experiencing numerous highs and lows, they tied the knot in the ’90s. However, following his merger with the antagonist Apocalypse, Scott developed PTSD upon regaining consciousness. Instead of turning to his wife for psychic healing and counseling, he sought solace in Emma Frost, also known as the White Queen of the Hellfire Club. She had transitioned from a villain to an X-Man and educator at Xavier’s School, joining their ranks after hateful individuals murdered several of her students.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: During their intense psychic interactions, Scott and Emma’s connection heated up significantly, leading to an emotional affair that stopped just short of physical intimacy. In New X-Men issue #139, penned by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, Jean Grey caught them in the act, and in response, she summoned the Phoenix Force to torment Emma’s mind. Seeking answers about their secret relationship, Jean compelled Emma to revisit her most harrowing memories, causing deep humiliation. In a chilling threat, Jean told Emma, “Reveal to me what transpired between you and Scott, Emma… or I’ll make you relive every single child you failed to save.” Ouch. That’s some hardcore retribution, even for Jean, who once annihilated an entire planet and consumed it.

Namor Kisses Sue Storm in Front of Reed Richards

Ultimate Fantastic Four #26, by Mark Millar and Greg Land (2006)

Since 1939, Namor the Sub-Mariner, ruler of Atlantis, has been a complex character in the Marvel Universe, alternating between heroic deeds and villainous acts. However, to members of the Fantastic Four, he’s more often than not a persistent nuisance. The Atlantic king has long harbored an unrequited affection for Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, despite her being in a committed relationship with Reed Richards, AKA Mr. Fantastic. This infatuation reached its peak in the 2004 series ‘Ultimate Fantastic Four’ by Mark Millar and Greg Land.

In the 616 universe, Namor has persistently attempted to win Sue away from Reed for many years. However, it was in the Ultimate Marvel Universe where Namor displayed his most underhanded actions. Facing the threat of flooding New York City, Namor promised to halt his attack if Sue would kiss him. Not a simple peck on the cheek, but a passionate one, and in full view of her boyfriend Reed. Susan reluctantly agreed, to save the city. With a smirk on his face, the arrogant Atlantean then declared, “She meant it,” before flying off. This instance stands out as a peak example of Namor’s unparalleled jerkishness.

Black Panther Divorces Storm in Public

Avengers vs. X-Men #9 by Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert (2012)

For several years, King T’Challa from Wakanda and Ororo Monroe, a member of the X-Men, had an intermittent romantic relationship that dated back to their teenage years. As adults, they both became renowned superheroes and rekindled their romance, eventually getting married in a grand ceremony. Their marriage, uniting the Wakandan Avenger with the mutant mistress of elements, was a cause for great celebration. However, during the Avengers vs. X-Men conflict, when the Phoenix Force returned to Earth, the King and Queen found themselves on opposite sides of the war. T’Challa stood with the Avengers, aiming to halt the Phoenix, while Storm remained faithful to her X-Men family, who welcomed the Phoenix onto Earth.

As I witnessed the turmoil unfold, it was Namor, empowered by the Phoenix, who submerged Wakanda, causing great loss among my people. Angered by my wife’s allegiance with the X-Men over her fellow Wakandans, I was forced to declare that the High Priest of the Panther Clan had nullified our marriage. This meant she was no longer my queen. Initially, Storm seemed bewildered. She retorted, “Only the High Priest of the Panther Clan holds the authority to annul a royal union.” As her eyes met mine, she swiftly comprehended that in my role as Black Panther, I myself am the High Priest of the Panther Clan. By merely speaking those words aloud, and in public no less, I had brought our marriage to an end. A chill ran down my spine as I coldly added, “Kindly refrain from returning here.” Indeed, T’Challa, your icy demeanor was evident.

Wanda Maximoff Says “No More Mutants”

House of M #7, by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel (2005)

Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch, has experienced a tumultuous history. As a young girl, she was controlled by her father, Magneto. Later, she wedded the android Vision and had twins with him, only to tragically lose them both. Her life was filled with sorrow and hardship. The breaking point came in 2004 during the story Avengers Disassembled, which dismantled the Avengers as a team. In an attempt to save herself from her ongoing torment, she reshaped reality, creating a realm where mutants were dominant, called House of M, with Magneto as its leader. In this fictional world, everyone around her lived out their dreams. However, it was all an illusion.

In the moment when the veil of our perceived world crumbles, the Avengers and X-Men attempt to apprehend Wanda. However, instead of falling prey to their actions, she retaliates by softly speaking three words that would irrevocably change everything: “No more mutants.” With this subtle utterance, she rewrote existence, stripping nearly all mutants on Earth of their powers. This cataclysmic act brought the mutant species close to extinction, leaving them struggling for several years. Notably, she didn’t resort to a grand demonstration of her abilities; instead, she wielded her power through a mere three words spoken with a hint of disdain and scorn.

Spider-Man Tells Tobey Maguire That He Sucks

Ultimate Spider-Man #54, by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley (2004)

In the comic book series “Ultimate Spider-Man” by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, there was some inspiration for Sam Raimi’s movie “Spider-Man.” Marvel decided to subtly reference the film franchise within the comics. In “Ultimate Spider-Man” #44 from 2004, Peter Parker learns that a Spider-Man film is being made starring Tobey Maguire, similar to real life. He’s not too pleased about a movie version of his story being produced without his involvement. So he visits the set and tells producer Avi Arad and actor Tobey Maguire, “You both stink!” However, he does spare director Sam Raimi, complimenting him on “Evil Dead 2” and saying that everyone else stinks. Since “Evil Dead 2” is well-liked, we can agree with Peter here. Yet, it’s still amusing to see Spider-Man telling Tobey Maguire he stinks in a self-referential jab.

Magneto Tells Humans “You Have New Gods Now.”

House of X #1, by Jonathan Hickman and Pepe Larraz

Starting from years of oppression and being close to extinction, the year 2019 marked a fresh era for mutantkind in the comic series House of X/Powers of X by Jonathan Hickman. In this storyline, a new era of prosperity kicked off for mutants, with Charles Xavier and his long-time adversary Magneto at the helm. Together, they established a self-governing mutant nation on an island inhabited by living mutants, Krakoa. The vegetation of Krakoa held cures for numerous human diseases, which mutants then utilized to negotiate their long-awaited recognition as a sovereign entity by humans.

In the first issue of House of X, when Magneto convenes with human politicians in Jerusalem, he deliberately selects this location as a statement. Given humanity’s strong attachment to religious symbolism, it carries significant weight. As the final panel unfolds, Magneto looks back at the human leaders and declares calmly, “You have new gods now.” With that single sentence, Magneto subtly criticizes humanity’s predominant religion and exits dramatically into the sunset, showcasing a diva-like assertiveness.

Cyclops and Emma Frost Make Out Over Jean Grey’s Gravesite

New X-Men #154 by Grant Morrison and Marc Silvestri (2004)

We find ourselves back at the starting point, with Scott, Jean, and Emma Frost. Their connection has endured through life, death, reincarnation, and even Scott Summers’ psychic indiscretions. However, it was during Jean Grey’s second demise in ‘New X-Men’ that Scott was discovered to be involved psychically with another telepath, Emma Frost (as previously mentioned on this list). Following her second death, Jean returned 150 years into the future as the White Phoenix and discovered that a heartbroken Scott had disbanded the X-Men following her passing. This led to a grim, dystopian reality on Earth.

Recognizing that Scott’s sadness threatened their shared future, she used psychic abilities to send a message from the past, enabling Scott to find solace with Emma. However, things took an unsettling turn when, right beside Jean’s newly-buried grave, Scott and Emma passionately declared their love and made plans to continue the X-Men. This act, even if prompted by Jean’s psychic influence, seems highly inappropriate given the recent loss. It’s safe to say that Scott has earned the title of Marvel’s most questionable husband, an accolade considering he shares a universe with Reed Richards.

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2025-03-26 16:04