Marvel Regrets The Avengers’ Most Controversial Story

Warning: contains mention of sexual assault

Marvel Comics’ most controversial moment in Avengers #200 was so bad, the person responsible for OKing the storyline later apologized and called it “heinous.” When it comes to Marvel’s worst comic book arcs, none are more awful and puzzling than the time Ms. Marvel gave birth to the man who would sexually assault her in the very same issue. The issue was disgusting and those involved in the story arc have since apologized for allowing it to exist.

Over the years, Marvel has published thousands of stories with some of them being engrossed in immediate (and long-term) controversy for very valid reasons. From the decision to turn Captain America into a Hydra Agent, to making Spider-Man killing Mary-Jane with his radioactive sperm, to putting Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch in a relationship (despite being siblings), not all story arcs have been winners. However, for Avengers #200, the creative team behind the comic made a horrid decision involving Ms. Marvel that is still remembered for being unforgivable, gross, and just plain bad.

In Avengers #200 by David Michelinie, Bob Layton, Jim Shooter, and George Perez, Ms. Marvel is about to give birth despite only being pregnant for a couple of days. The father isn’t immediately revealed. Ms. Marvel would deliver a baby who would rapidly age named Marcus. Marcus would sexually assault Carol leading to his own birth. It meant Marcus was his own father and made Carol a victim of abuse by her own son. You can read more about the story here.

Shooter, who was Editor in Chief of Marvel Comics at the time and also credited as a writer on the book, admitted more than two decades later (in 2011) that publishing the story was a mistake. Shooter said he did sign off on the book, although he didn’t remember doing so. However, Shooter said he regretted signing off on it and said the responsibility was on him than it ever was published. Shooter called Avengers #200 “a travesty.” Here’s part of his statement from his personal blog.

But, in those days, in any case, the buck stopped at my desk. I take full responsibility. I screwed up. My judgment failed, or maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention. Sorry. Avengers #200 is a travesty.

Marvel Comics really messed up publishing Avengers #200 as is, as it took a very serious subject and made a mockery of it – even if unintentionally – through a convoluted and appalling story. The issue was memorable for the wrong reason and has no redeemable qualities. It is a travesty. Shooter may dodge claims to have written the book, but his apology speaks volumes, even decades after the infamous Avengers story was published.

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Liam McGuire
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Lead writer for Screen Rant’s comic team. [email protected]. Find me on Twitter @LiamRMcGuire for comic news and reporting.

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