In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of Marvel Comics, the 616 universe is a tapestry woven from countless storylines, each thread contributing to the grand narrative. Yet, amidst the myriad of tales, some stories, though captivating, never reach their intended conclusion. These unfinished narratives, though seemingly incomplete, hold immense potential and offer a fascinating glimpse into the possibilities that could have been. Today, we delve into five such storylines, each a testament to the creative prowess of Marvel's writers and the infinite possibilities that exist within the pages of their comics.
One storyline that stands out is the tale of Doc Green versus Red Leader and Gammon. In this narrative, Bruce Banner, transformed by Extremis, becomes Doc Green, a gamma mutate with enhanced intelligence. He creates an AI, Gammon, to ensure his transformation back to his human form. However, as Doc Green's intellect wanes, Gammon takes matters into his own hands, forming an alliance with Red Leader, one of Hulk's greatest foes. The stage is set for an epic battle between the world's smartest and strongest, but the storyline was abruptly cut short by the multiverse's end in Secret Wars (2015). The disappearance of Doc Green and Gammon leaves a void, a missed opportunity to witness the clash between these formidable adversaries. It is a shame, as the potential for a climactic showdown between Doc Green and Red Leader was immense, offering a unique twist on the classic Hulk vs. Red Leader dynamic.
Another intriguing storyline that was left unfinished is the revelation that one of the X-Men isn't a mutant. This plot thread, set in motion in The Hunt for Wolverine: The Adamantium Agenda, hinted at a major character's true identity. Tony Stark, examining Mister Sinister's DNA files, discovers that one of the X-Men has been genetically altered to resemble a mutant but isn't one at all. This revelation, had it been pursued, could have had profound implications for the team's dynamics and the character in question. Jordan White's insight into the original idea behind this storyline adds a layer of intrigue. The potential for a shocking twist, where a beloved X-Man is revealed to be something more, is captivating. It raises questions about the nature of identity and the lengths characters will go to maintain their perceived personas. However, the storyline was dropped, leaving readers with a sense of curiosity and a desire to know more.
The Superior Iron Man storyline, though cut short by the multiverse's end, is another compelling narrative that was left unfinished. Tony Stark, after a morality inversion spell, becomes a villainous version of himself, living for greed and proving his intelligence. He infects San Francisco with Extremis 3.0 and creates an app that remakes people's bodies. The potential for a prolonged exploration of Tony's descent into villainy and the consequences of his actions is intriguing. The idea of a villainous Iron Man, requiring an entire Avengers team to defeat, offers a fresh perspective on the classic hero. However, the abrupt end to his story leaves readers with a sense of incompleteness, a desire to see Tony's redemption or further descent into evil. The opportunity to explore the complexities of a morally ambiguous Tony Stark was missed, leaving a void in the narrative.
The Krakoa saga, a major reinvention of the X-Men, was also left unfinished, with the closing act being more of a convoluted fizzle than a grand narrative explosion. Jonathan Hickman, the architect of the Krakoa saga, planned three acts, but his departure left other writers to navigate the narrative. The potential for a grand epic that would shake the X-Men to their core was immense. However, the messy conclusion and the ignoring of plot threads set up by Hickman left readers with a sense of disappointment. The nation of Krakoa, portrayed as a dark, morally ambiguous place, was instead presented as a utopia, ignoring the nuance and complexity Hickman had established. The unfinished nature of the Krakoa saga leaves a void, a desire to see the grand epic Hickman envisioned, and a reflection on the challenges of maintaining a cohesive narrative across multiple writers.
Finally, the Quicksilver storyline, following House of M, offers a compelling exploration of redemption and the consequences of betrayal. Quicksilver, a broken man after losing his powers and sister, inadvertently sets in motion a war between the United States and Attilan. The potential for a grand reinvention and redemption for Pietro is intriguing. The storyline, however, was left unfinished, with the next time we saw the Inhumans, Black Bolt was in charge with no explanation. The opportunity to explore the complexities of Quicksilver's situation and the potential for a climactic third chapter was missed. The unfinished nature of the Quicksilver storyline leaves readers with a sense of curiosity and a desire to know more, a reflection on the impact of betrayal and the potential for redemption. It is a shame, as the potential for an explosive conclusion to David Hine's epic reinvention was immense, offering a satisfying catharsis for readers.
In conclusion, these unfinished storylines serve as a reminder of the infinite possibilities that exist within the pages of Marvel Comics. Each narrative, though left incomplete, holds immense potential and offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative prowess of Marvel's writers. The absence of a conclusion leaves a void, a desire to know more, and a reflection on the impact of these stories on the larger Marvel universe. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring appeal of Marvel's characters, leaving readers with a sense of curiosity and a desire to explore the possibilities that could have been.
