Marvel Comics' Worst Ever Couples | Screen Rant
From the Avengers to X-Men, these team's favorite couples can sometimes just be the WORST. Some couples in comics represent the epitome of love and respect while others embody abuse and manipulation. They can blur the line separating these characters from fiction, making them feel all too real. Sometimes a character's actions knock them off their superhero pedestal landing them in the same realm as real and flawed human beings.
For every "Reed Richards and Sue Storm" you also get a "Joker and Harley Quinn." These volatile relationships extend beyond the boundary of villains and can be found amongst the superheroes of the comics as well. Physical violence, mental manipulation, and infidelity are just a few of the actions taken by these characters to land them in the category of Marvel's Worst Couples.
Long before the notion of "Team Edward" and "Team Jacob" was a thing, the X-Men reigned supreme in the world of love triangles. Scott Summers' marriage to fellow X-Man, Jean Grey, was often put into turmoil by the bruting and savage Wolverine. Scott and Jean's relationship was often put to the test due to Wolverine's constant flirtation with Jean. The title of worst X-Men relationship then goes to Scott Summers and other fellow X-Man Emma Frost. The two mutants began their relationship when Scott was still married to Jean and even did it while donning Jean's iconic Dark Phoenix costume. After Jean died, Scott immediately married Emma, who also just happened to be Jean's worst enemy. It was just messed up, even if Dawn of X would make their relationship a bit more palpable.
If infidelity is reason enough to win characters a spot amongst the worst couples, then spousal abuse definitely fits the bill as well. Fellow shrinking Avengers Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne aka "Ant-Man and the Wasp," were among the founding members of the superhero squad and spent a good amount of that time as husband and wife. However, in The Avengers #213, Hank commits the ultimate heinous act against one's partner and hits Janet clear across her face while she tried pleading with him to not build an Avenger killing murder-bot. The fault in this relationship clearly lies with Pym and he bears the burden of that decision to this day.
If being married to a robot wasn't bad enough, starting a relationship with your own brother is even worse. Scarlet Witch did just this in a run in the Ultimate Universe, when it was heavily implied that she was in a romantic relationship with her twin brother and mutant speedster, Quicksilver. This of course takes place in an alternate universe not connected to the main Marvel timeline but is still creepy nonetheless. It's hard to think of the worst couple than these siblings.
These controversial comic's storylines often have consequences for their characters. After the events of Avengers #213, Hank Pym was never quite able to shake the label of a wife-beater. Scarlet Witch was killed at the end of her Ultimate run and Scott Summers and Emma frost saw an end to their relationship. These events, although controversial in nature, often lead to a change in the status quo and it is through these character's actions and choices that we are reminded of how perfection is an impossible feat even among the most beloved of our comic book superheroes.