The Rivalry Rises: In the Face of Nasty Superheroes, The Marvels Strive to Maintain Invincibility

Next week, "The Marvels" will make its debut in theaters, aiming to revive a challenging year for superhero movies at the box office. Both Marvel ("Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania") and DC ("The Flash," "Blue Beetle") have faced disappointing setbacks. This can be attributed to several factors, such as the enduring impact of the pandemic, lackluster projects, and the rise of streaming platforms like Disney+ and Max, which have resulted in an abundance of similar content. However, one less obvious reason for this decline in popularity may be the emergence of morally questionable and immensely flawed "heroes" in recent adaptations. Amazon's "The Boys" spinoff, "Gen V," has just concluded its first season, while the animated series "Invincible" is entering its second season.

However, these edgy shows, such as the popular drama "The Boys," are clearly not suitable for everyone. They showcase high levels of violence and sexuality that are beyond what responsible parents would want to expose their younger children to. This is in stark contrast to the family-friendly appeal of traditional superhero movies. However, for younger men, these daring shows have managed to captivate a devoted audience. They have successfully pushed boundaries and injected a sense of novelty into a genre that, after 15 years of Marvel's dominance since the release of "Iron Man," may have started to feel somewhat dull and predictable.

Similar to "The Boys," "Gen V" delves into the corruptible side of superheroes. Set at Godolkin University (or God U for short), the story follows college-age characters who aspire to be part of the Seven, a group of morally compromised heroes introduced to the world by a secretive corporation more concerned with public image and profits than with the greater good.

While "Invincible" is an animated series, it shares the same dark tone. It features a Superman-like stranger named Omni-Man who hails from another planet. However, Omni-Man's true purpose on Earth is to prepare the way for an alien invasion and conquest. This leaves his son, who is half-human and half-alien, as humanity's last line of defense.

Lizze Broadway, Jaz Sinclair and Maddie Phillips in "Gen V," the spinoff to Amazon's "The Boys."

The shows are excessively violent, providing visceral thrills that their more restrained counterparts cannot compete with. While DC has ventured into R-rated content with "The Suicide Squad" and Marvel has an upcoming "Deadpool" sequel, the Amazon shows embrace their rudeness to an extent that is unparalleled.

Streaming has created a demand for genre-friendly franchises, and the inclusion of shows like "The Boys," "Gen V," and "Invincible" on Prime Video only strengthens this trend. This also opens up opportunities for more explicit content, as seen in Max's "Peacemaker." These additions contribute to the overwhelming number of options available for viewers interested in superheroes wearing capes and masks.

It should be noted that the upcoming sequel to "Captain Marvel" draws its title from two characters introduced in Disney+ series. Monica Rambeau, who obtained her powers in "WandaVision" in 2021, and "Ms. Marvel," which follows a teenager with an obsession with superheroes. These shows have kept the Captain Marvel universe alive during the four and a half year gap between movies.

Marvel reached its peak with the highly anticipated release of "Avengers: Endgame" in 2019. Despite facing challenges such as the rise of streaming services and the ongoing pandemic, a slight disappointment was bound to occur. While some corners of the internet are already predicting the downfall of the company, it is too early to make such declarations considering Marvel's track record and the potential of incorporating new additions like the X-Men and Fantastic Four acquired from Fox. The success of "The Marvels" will play a role in shaping these discussions.

However, creating a sense of uniqueness and excitement around superhero movies has become increasingly difficult. The emergence of darker and more daring shows like Amazon's "The Boys" presents an additional hurdle, as it not only competes with the comforts of home entertainment but also introduces formidable characters like Homelander.

"Gen V" concludes and "Invincible" begins its second season November 3 on Amazons Prime Video.

"The Marvels" premieres in US theaters on November 10.