The Marvel Universe is one of the most prolific superhero landscapes in comic book history. As such, they have leaned into and created many of the tropes and traits that have come to define the medium. However, Marvel has sometimes relied on these familiar beats a little too often.
Tropes can become tired, especially when Marvel publishes so many ongoing titles every month. There are ways for these character beats and narrative arcs to be refreshed though. Tropes can be rejuvenated with the right creative talent. In doing so, readers engage with the comics in new ways, finding opportunities to relate or interact with a story in a way they never have before thanks to the changing use of these comic tools.
10 Superhero Secret Identity
Secret identities are truly valuable in the cornucopia of superhero storytelling techniques. It's vital that the world doesn't know who's beneath the mask. If a hero's villains were made aware of their second lives, then their family and friends would be in severe danger. However, too many heroes hide their extracurricular activities from those closest to them.
The parents who could find out at any moment. The lover who is fed up with their partner always disappearing. Regardless of its form, the identity trope is becoming tired. However, this can be fixed by shifting who the secret identity is hidden from. It would be refreshing for a partner, family, and friends to immediately know of the secret and then to trace the consequences of that decision. It's an interesting narrative risk that could be tested on an obscure Marvel character first.
9 Super Soldiers
Captain America is one of Marvel's most significant characters. He's often considered to be the most respected hero in the community and has always been looked to as a leader in desperate times. It's no surprise that many have tried to replicate the Super Soldier Serum to create their own Cap. But the trope is overused, with so many characters tracing their origins back to the miracle of Steve Rogers.
With so many stories featuring different iterations of Super Soldiers, the trope has even carried over to the MCU. The race is still on to create that perfect weapon, but maybe the focus can be changed to the personality of the potential soldier, rather than the serum itself. Steve Rogers was chosen for his heart. Maybe the narrative focus moving forward should be on the merit of the candidates and not just the method of their transformations. Marvel has started exploring the concept of powerless Captain Americas and that's a wise path to follow.
8 The Drawn-Out Origin Story
Origins are a key part of the Marvel brand of storytelling. Audiences need to know where characters have come from, how they gained their powers and what tragedy likely defines them. But with new heroes and villains always being introduced, the origin story has become old hat.
Quite a few origin stories have been drawn out for far too long, with a hero testing their powers repeatedly. Miles Morales is a great example of an origin story done well, but there have been too many characters tracing similar beats. Marvel should find a way to succinctly introduce characters that don't copy-and-paste the formula. Ensemble pieces focused on the likes of the Young Avengers or Strange Academy is a great way to do so.
7 A Familiar Villain Reveal
Far too often, a Marvel hero faces an unknown threat whose identity has been hidden until a final reveal. When they do eventually emerge from the shadows, with their mask removed, they are revealed to be someone close to the hero. The revelation that Norman Osborn was the Green Goblin is a classic example.
But this trope is overused and not that compelling anymore. In fact, fans often attempt to predict who will end up becoming the antagonist in a hero's life. Marvel should subvert expectations and go in new directions with the reveals. Sometimes it's okay for the villain to actually be a nobody, creating a new relationship based on that tumultuous dynamic.
6 Arch Enemies With Similar Power Sets
It has become a bit of a running joke, that Marvel is always pitting its vigilantes against themselves. Whether it's Iron Man and Iron Monger, Black Panther and Killmonger, or Scarlet Witch and Agatha Harkness, heroes are so often paired with villains that have the same power sets.
That is a trope that's become more common, but things can change. After all, the Mandarin is one of Iron Man's main nemeses and their power contrast makes for much more entertaining conflicts. Marvel needs to tell stories of characters that are completely opposed to one another, clashing styles and abilities in unexpected ways. Why not cross the supernatural with the cosmic or the street-level with mythology.
5 Marvel Legacy Heroes
Marvel loves the notion that the heroes of yesterday will pass the torch on to the heroes of tomorrow. Iron Man to Ironheart, Captain Marvel to Ms. Marvel, and Hawkeye to Hawkeye. However, so often these moments happen and then the original heroes continue to operate, overshadowing their protegees.
It's time for change and Marvel needs to fully embrace the next generation. It's become tiring to see two very similar heroes partner and then move off in different directions as if one has been given permission to emulate the other. If the original Marvel vigilantes are not going to retire, then it's perhaps more prudent to establish completely different heroes who are not inspired by nostalgia.
4 The Status Quo
While continuing to keep the same characters in major titles is one trope that demonstrates the wider problem, Marvel as a whole is scared of changing the status quo. Indeed, it has become a major trope to finish a significant event by reversing everything that had occurred.
For new creators to play in the Marvel sandbox there have to be plenty of options on the table. The status quo allows for those stories to be told. But fewer risks are taken this way, as readers know that by the end everything will probably be the same. Marvel can escape this trope by making a few key decisions that surprise readers, irreversibly setting up a new status quo to explore. It doesn't have to be often, but it has to be noticeable.
3 Heroes Going Rogue
The protagonist going rogue is a trope that extends past the realm of comic books and into cinema. However, Marvel hasn't been left behind with this narrative trend. A hero going off-grid, against the government, their friends, and other superhero organizations in order to do the right thing, is a very common arc.
Nick Fury seems to spend more time going rogue than actually doing his job, and events like Civil War were built around the notion that not all the superhero community wants to do things the same way. The trope can be refreshed by simply using it less often. However, it can also be fixed by changing the reaction to someone going off-grid. Often they are hunted down, but it would be intriguing to see others allow it and perhaps even follow suit to dismantle a corrupt system.
2 New York
New York City is the primary location of most Marvel comics. That's becoming quite boring considering the world is so much wider. The distinguished competition, DC Comics, utilizes a range of fictional cities to create some differentiation among the backdrops. Marvel seems hellbent on this trope though.
Occasionally there are examples of locales like the Savage Land or Otherworld taking the focus and some real-world spaces like New Orleans have made for a refreshing change of pace. But if Marvel is going to continue using New York, then they have to make it unique. It should begin to transform into a New York, unlike the real world, so that the effects of the superhero universe are apparent. The Krakoan Treehouse is a perfect example of that.
1 Peter Parker's Unhappiness
Spider-Man is integral to Marvel's success, and he is known for his quick-wit and never-say-die attitude. But for some reason, it's become a major trope to never allow Spider-Man to be happy.
Fans are livid that Marvel doesn't just give Peter Parker his happy ending. He absolutely deserves it, but surely there's an end game as to why he has to struggle in every situation both in his vigilante career and his life. Marvel needs to switch up the trope and begin peppering the tragedy with some moments of happiness to continue reeling in readers.