Controversial comic book storylines are a dime a dozen today. Controversy always sells, especially in comic books. However, controversy was almost an art form back in the 2000s. Publishers and creators would sometimes court readers with controversial stories for their own sake. Some comics and stories are controversial organically as a way to push the narrative.
Did you know that Dora Milaje were originally wives in training for the King of Wakanda? Or that the original Ultimates universe would de-evolve in a storyline full of cartoonish deaths before a reboot. Sometimes controversy sells, and sometimes it is an eye-rolling spectacle.
Here are eight of the most controversial comic book storylines of the 2000s.
1. The Dora Milaje Debut in Black Panther
Although they technically made their debut in Black Panther #1 in 1998, the debut of the Dora Milaje is one of the most controversial comic book storylines of the 2000s. The Dora Milaje are drawn as teenage female warriors to the King. Additionally, the King could choose any of them as potential wives, although T’Challa never treated them as such.
It must also be noted that the Dora Milaje were drawn as grown women in the 1998 comic, but that is beside the point. This controversial point has been lost to history. 1998’s Black Panther would feature the introduction of the Dora Milaje, and particularly Nakia and Okoye, who would later become household names in the MCU
2. Superboy Prime Punches Reality
DC Comics is laughingly notorious for creating and piling up continuity errors in its canon. For example, characters like Donna Troy and Hawkman have several confusing and conflicting origin stories. No one knows for sure how Jason Todd came back or became the Red Hood canonically.
Earth-2 human Clark Kent makes his debut in DC Comics Presents #87 in 1985 after the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths. The character reappears in 2005’s Infinite Crisis as a narrative metaphor for toxic fandom. Earth-2 Kent survives the original Crisis in a pocket universe and watches the aftermath.
Enraged, Kent creates a power suit and travels to space to punch the Source Wall. It’s a celestial construct and a mausoleum for cosmic beings and a border between realities. Kent, now calling himself Superboy Prime, punches the Source Wall, an event that retroactively changes DC history, like the origins of Jason Todd, Hawkman, and so on.
It is one of the most controversial DC story moments ever, one that fanboys still laugh or shake their heads at.
3. All Star Batman and Robin
In 2005, the All Star imprint was an initiative by DC Comics to allow legendary creators to retell well-known stories. Frank Miller wrote a new origin of Batman called All Star Batman and Robin with art by Jim Lee. Unfortunately, fans and critics were not kind to the new retelling.
Only 10 of the 12 issues saw publication. The comic saw heavy criticism for the dark and psychotic characterization of Batman. Batman was often verbally abusive to Robin, perhaps to toughen him up and stop him dwelling on being an often. Batman also did not care for the safety of the public; during a fight, he throws a Molotov Cocktail into a crowd during a battle.
It’s one of the weirdest and most controversial comics ever made.
4. The Rape and Murder of Sue Digby in Identity Crisis
2004’s Identity Crisis is a major event comic of its era. It is also one of the most controversial comic book storylines ever, for all the wrong reasons. Sue Dibny is a minor character in DC Comics; she is the wife of Ralph Digby, the Elongated Man, a rip-off of Marvel’s Mr. Fantastic. However, Sue’s violation and murder are the focal point of the event.
Sue is the victim of sexual assault by the villain Dr. Light. Then, Sue is killed and burned beyond recognition by the main killer of the story. The victimization of Sue Digby is done for its own sake, and not for the sake of the story. Her suffering is for pure shock value, a fact that reinforces itself with every re-reading.
5. Marvel’s Civil War
2006’s Civil War is one of the most controversial comic book storylines of the Marvel Era. Comic book characters start acting out of character relative to previous stories of the era, like Decimation, Disassembled, and House of M. For example, characters like Mr. Fantastic, Tony Stark, and Ms. Marvel suddenly became authoritarian proxies for the government.
They defend the Registration Act, which mandates that all superheroes register their secret identities or go to prison. The Act becomes law after a supervillain destroys a city. Stark enables Peter Parker to publicly reveal his alter ego. Stark also uses a clone of Thor to kill Goliath. Captain America becomes the rebel leader for the heroes against the Registration Act.
While the comic is still a good read, it is jarring to see characters pick sides and develop staunch political beliefs overnight.
6. The Walking Dead “Made to Suffer”
The Walking Dead comic book made its debut in 2003; its TV adaptation made its debut in 2010. 2008’s “Made to Suffer,” from issues #43 through #48, is one of the most controversial comic book storylines ever. It is poignant, sad, and tragic. It features violent death and suffering in service as a horror story, not for its own sake.
In the world of TWD, zombies have overtaken the world. However, “The Walking Dead” could be a euphemism for human beings who now act like savages to survive. In this storyline, the Governor has one of his minions kill Lori Grimes and her newborn child in retaliation for the war with Rick Grimes’ group. The event was also loosely adapted for the popular TV show.
The Walking Dead: Compendium One is a 1,088-page paperback that collects the first 48 issues of the legendary series. Buy it now at Amazon for $51.
7. Ultimatum
2002’s The Ultimates was a modern retelling of Marvel superheroes for modern audiences. That comic was part of the creative inspiration for the MCU. However, the quality of storytelling would erode; 2009’s Ultimatum was an event that was supposed to act as a soft reboot. It became one of the most controversial comic book storylines ever.
Instead of telling engaging stories, the event was mainly a string of shock deaths meant to shock readers. Magneto loses his mind after his kids, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, die. Magneto then engages in villainous actions like a cartoonish horror film villain. He shifts Earth’s poles, creating tsunamis that kill billions.
Magneto then breaks Prof. X’s neck and pulverizes Wolverine’s body by ripping out his adamantium. Dormammu uses his power to squeeze Dr. Strange to death. Cyclops uses his concussive optic blasts to blow off Magneto’s head. There are many more cartoonish deaths in the story; Ultimatum is all about spectacle, and almost no one remembers the story.
8. Bucky Barnes Becomes the Winter Soldier
It’s easy to take the MCU and the MCU Winter Soldier for granted today. What many casuals don’t realize is that the reveal of Bucky Barnes as the Winter Soldier goes all the way back to 2005. The shocking reemergence of Bucky Barnes as a former Soviet super assassin in Captain America #6 was a mind-blowing reveal in 2005.
I still remember it and have the original run of that series. The concept of reimaging older characters in such a way was revolutionary in 2005, although it is done all the time today.
Controversial Comic Book Storylines
I don’t recommend that you read controversial comic books for their own sake. However, comic book collectors are eccentric. While I do not think All Star Batman and Robin is Frank Miller’s best work, Jim Lee’s artwork is incredible. It’s also interesting to see the jarring characterization of Batman compared to the traditional version.
“Controversy” is a subjective term, so I recommend that you find out if such comics deserve such critiques on your own terms.
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