Top 5 Characters That Should Have Stayed Dead

   

Salutations Bored Web-Browsers

Death is a funny thing in the comic book world. In most entertainment the heroes death is a tragic end to the glorious champion whose final breath were in battle for his/her people or in the attempts to save a small child. In the comic book world it’s more like getting suspended from work, because you know he’ll return someday. However there are characters within this world that did us a great service with leaving and their return is not welcomed at all. So here are my top 5 characters that should have stayed dead.

 

 

 

 

 

#5) Scott Lang (a.k.a Ant Man)

 

Was there really a calling in the comic book world to bring this guy back? For those of you who don’t know Scott Lang met his end in the first issue of Avengers: Disassembled. Where the Scarlet Witch has a mental breakdown and her reality warping powers begin to create scenarios that cause the death or near death of all of her friends. The first being Scott Lang whose death is not only unsuspected, but is in no way glorious. He becomes collateral damage due to an explosion, his charred body displayed in front of his friends sets the reader into the mindset that any one of their favorite heroes can die. This was a brilliant change of pace from the standard formula we have been spoon fed countless times; villain shows up, hero fights, and hero wins… not this time.

 

 

 

 

 

(Avengers: Disassembled Vol. 1)

However, in the recent issues of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, Scott Lang returns, due to his child and her friend messing around in the past. And all I have to say is… WHY???? Did you really need to bring back Ant Man Number 2… I’m still waiting for you to kill Ant Man Number One. Gertrude from the Runaways dies and stays dead but Scott Lang gets another shot… that’s just not fair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4) Jason Todd (a.k.a Red Hood)

Now Jason just barely makes this list. Mostly due to the fact that I actually like what DC has done to him since he has returned. For those of you who don’t know Jason Todd is the second Robin, who dies at the hands of the Joker, he later comes back to life because Superboy-Prime alters reality (just go with it) and after having a dip into the Lazarus Pit becomes a vigilante who kills criminals and is incredibly infuriated by how Batman hasn’t killed the Joker yet. Now I actually have to applaud this character change. It not only possesses the question if this mindset of Jason is due to the trauma of his resurrection? Or is it the inevitable conclusion that he would have come to? And because of this story arc we received one of DC’s best animated movies Batman: Under The Red Hood… that hyper link I just did… click on it and watch that scene… it’s awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Batman: Death in the Family)

But despite what they’ve done with Jason. They took away what his death symbolized: Batman’s failure. Something he will never live down, something that he was in a couple of ways outright responsible for. Unlike his parents death, where he couldn’t do anything. This was a situation he could’ve prevented and it is his fault that Jason met his end at such a young age.

 

 

 

 

 

#3) Batman (a.k.a Bruce Wayne)

 

Now I know that DC’s new 52 would like us to forgive and forget The Final Crisis… But no, you sit there and you take it. Now if you’ve never read the crisis, one of the most pivotal moments of the story arc is Batman having a confrontation with Darkseid. Where not only has Batman figured out the whole grand scheme (as he always does) but has brought with him one of the only weapons that can kill Darkseid. Batman uses the weapon and mortally wounds Darkseid, but loses his life in the process. Now understand what just happen. Batman… one of the very few heroes with absolutely no powers, just skill, brains, and a will that is second to none…battles one of the most powerful villains in the DC world ( one that kicked Superman’s ass) and not only fights him but proceeds to kill Darkseid with a gun… LIKE A BOSS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Final Crisis Issue 6)
But like always DC put a quick spin on this story and simply threw Batman in the past. This way he can eventually come back and continue his life as the Dark Knight. The status quo remained and everything we experienced didn’t even matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#2) Aunt May

Now you’re probably wondering why sweet old Aunt May is on this list. Well you may not know this but Aunt May died three times in the comics, and has never actually been killed… Confusing? Yes it is. Am I going to explain that? Absolutely not. Why? Because I don’t have that kind of time and you don’t have that kind of patience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Amazing Spiderman #538)

Now I know having a civilian side character on this list seems overly harsh but Aunt May does a lot more harm than good. She maintains that status quo of Spiderman’s life: The consistent scenarios of either Peter running around keeping his secret from his aunt or always having to rely on her when his life breaks him down. This all prevents Peter from any type of growth.
The sad truth is if we want Peter Parker to truly grow up the old broad has gotta go.
And not for nothing, if they did truly kill off Aunt May the One More Day story arc would have never happened… Sigh, one can dream

 

 

 

 

 

 

#1) Captain America (a.k.a Steven Rogers)

 

One of the oldest and greatest characters in comic book history is Steven Rogers. Not only is he a walking symbol, but his character is one that is so impressive, the other heroes feel inadequate around him. He is not what America is, but what America is supposed to be, what we should strive to become as a country. So when Steve Rogers died at the end of the civil war story arc it literally shook the comic book world and ours. This shocking development in comics appeared on numerous news channels because it was so powerful and symbolic.

His death was done in a fashion that paralleled JFK assassination and the situation that brought him there was a parallel to America’s reaction to President Bush’s Patriot Act. So the death of CAPTAIN AMERICA was one of multiple meaning. So much so that when it happened I had to applaud the boldness and beauty of all the writers and artist involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Civil War: Epilogue)

And what excuse did they give to bring him back?

It wasn’t a normal gun, but a weapon that trapped Steve Roger’s soul in a type of purgatory.
…
…
WHAT???????

How dare you give me such a beautiful and meaningful end to one of the greatest heroes ever invented in comic book history and your best explanation is “It wasn’t a real gun”. REALLY?!?! REALLY?!?! NO ONE AROUND THE OFFICE HAD A BETTER IDEA….NO ONE? THERE WAS BETTER STORYTELLING IN THE SUPERMAN RETURNS MOVIE THAN THIS PLOT THREAD.
I guess all I’m saying is if you’re going to write off a character and then bring him back then their return should be just as elaborate and unique as their end. Most of these character resurrections are done very haphazardly giving the impression that the writers involved would rather rehash older, established characters without taking the time or effort to try something new.

Well that’s my top 5 list of characters that should have stayed dead. Hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Your Equally as Obsessed and Cynical nerd
Eric Bell

 

Eric Bell is a comedian and screenwriter based out of Los Angeles. He is the producer for the animated series, 24 Frames. Follow his blog at bellcomedy.com, and on Twitter at @bellcomedy.

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