Why are the Origins of Comicbook Villainy Always “Childhood Trauma”?

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The findings from a recent study suggest that there is no direct link between having a difficult upbringing and becoming a villain.

A research on Marvel and DC comic book heroes and villains revealed no link between difficult childhoods and their heroic or villainous nature. Although this topic might initially seem trivial, the researchers emphasize that these characters can significantly affect readers, particularly young ones. Earlier studies have suggested that “the intricate portrayals of superheroes dealing with trauma could potentially shape the views of children who are likewise going through similar experiences.

In their investigation, the researchers focused solely on characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Expanded Universe as the comic books present diverse and conflicting versions of these characters’ origins and roles. Moreover, they mentioned, “In this specific research, no superheroes or villains were included. If we could establish contacts to reach them, we would gladly expand our study to include such characters in a future investigation.

Honestly, it seems like they’re only focusing on movies without delving deeper, which leaves me questioning the point of studying them at all if they don’t put in the effort. After all, understanding history is crucial and can lead to significant findings, even in the realm of film studies. Frankly, I have my doubts about their commitment to their work, but perhaps that’s just a reflection of our times where cost-cutting is king.

The research aimed to clarify the following points: Does having a difficult childhood increase the likelihood of becoming a villain? Is there a noticeable distinction in results between Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and DC Extended Universe (DCEU)? Are there any discernible differences between male and female characters within these universes?

They determined that the response to the initial query was negative. Black Widow serves as an illustration of a character who endured severe childhood abuse but eventually turned away from wickedness and joined the Avengers. Their research revealed no substantial distinction between the MCU and DCEU, or between male and female characters; however, the limited number of female characters casts some doubt on the latter conclusion.

In discussing this topic, I must point out that it’s questionable and potentially unproductive for authors to consistently base villainous characters on childhood traumas alone. For instance, Geoff Johns, among others, arguably didn’t aid the situation with his portrayal of the new Reverse-Flash in the early 2000s Flash comics. The character’s origins shared similarities to those mentioned in this study, and there were more instances like these.

While a flawed education in a villain’s youth provides a more complex narrative, it’s unlikely that current writers and publishers are willing or able to explore this fully due to the challenges associated with such themes. For example, one might wonder if they would dare to create premises where villains were influenced by violent media as children, especially given their past reluctance, perhaps due to fear of industry backlash. It’s unfortunate, though not entirely unexpected, that this trend persists.

Indeed, could early life hardships make compelling foundations for heroic characters? Absolutely, and I believe Alpha Flight’s Aurora, introduced in 1984, serves as a prime example. However, whether writers and publishers embrace this concept as a legitimate form of storytelling is uncertain. With the craft of scriptwriting often trivialized nowadays, it remains to be seen if they could handle such sensitive themes skillfully in mainstream media.

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2025-01-28 17:30