10 best friendships from Marvel Comics
Even superheroes need friends. Not all the superpowers in the world can mend a lonely heart, and after a long day fighting crime and vanquishing baddies, who doesn’t want to kick back and relax with a close friend and confidante? Indeed, superheroes might need friendship even more than any ordinary human.
Marvel superheroes are no exception to this rule. Over the years, many of Marvel’s best and brightest have made long-standing friendships that have grown unbreakable over time. These partnerships have stood the test of time, becoming almost as iconic as the superheroes who made the company an industry titan.
ten Professor X & Magneto
Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr have one of the most complex dynamics in American comics. Sometimes friends, sometimes enemies, the rivalry between Professor X and Magneto is the stuff of Shakespearean dreams and nightmares. They respect each other and enjoy each other’s company, it’s true. In fact, Xavier might be the only person Magneto trusts.
And yet, they are constantly at odds with each other. Their worldview couldn’t be more different, and their fundamental differences make their interactions all the more chaotic. Yet they find common ground when the situation calls for it, and throughout their history they have been friends as many times as they have been rivals.
9 Wolverine & Nightcrawler
Comic book fans know Wolverine isn’t the most outgoing person. He has serious trust issues and prefers the comfort of solitude. On the other hand, the happy and lucky Nightcrawler is friendly with everyone and values human relationships. The two joined the second generation of the X-Men and, after a rough start, became training partners and ultimately best friends.
Logan refers to Kurt as “Elf,” and the two like to tease each other, knowing the other can take it. Throughout the X-Men’s many missions, these two still support each other. Their bond is so strong that Logan even feels comfortable declaring his love for Kurt. And for a character as lonely as Logan, that says a lot.
8 Captain America and Bucky Barnes
Cap and Bucky have been one of Marvel’s most enduring partnerships since the heyday of comics. However, the MCU went above and beyond and made their friendship even more compelling. Indeed, the connection between Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes predates their identity as superheroes, being childhood friends who literally grew up together.
Their friendship has survived wars, intergalactic battles, SHIELD, HYDRA, and everything in between. Some view their bond as romantic, and many fans enjoy exploring a potential “Stucky” relationship through fanart and fanfiction. However, whether romantic or platonic, Steve and Bucky share an undeniable bond that will likely never break.
7 Captain Marvel & Spider-Woman
Comics, in general, have a glaring lack of female friendships. However, the ones that do exist are nothing short of spectacular, like the bond between Carol Danvers and Jessica Drew. The two met when Jess took a dying Carol to the hospital after the latter met Snape. From there, a beautiful friendship blossomed, a friendship that continues to this day.
Avengers Annual # 10 is the couple’s definitive story, but their bond has evolved over the years. Together, they entered new chapters in their lives, knowing that they could count on each other if the situation called for it. At some point in Jess’s pregnancy, Carol even makes her date with “one of the best maternity hospitals in the galaxy.” Now, this is friendship
6 Misty Knight & Colleen Wing
Known collectively as the Daughters of the Dragon, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing are one of Marvel Comics’ most famous duos. Wing, a Japanese martial artist, and Knight, a former NYPD cop with a bionic arm, formed a friendship that has lasted for over forty years.
Together, they founded Knightwing Restorations, an agency specializing in the search for missing persons. They also fought criminal figures such as Ricadonna and Steel Serpent. Misty and Colleen don’t have overly sentimental attachments; instead, they have immense empathy and truly understand each other, not to mention their continued support for the efforts of others. And in the end, that’s what real friends do.
5 Racoon & Groot Arugula
As it did with Bucky and Steve, the MCU also developed another enduring comic book friendship, Groot and Rocket. These two scoundrels have one of the most chaotic and layered relationships ever, despite one being a genetically improved raccoon and the other literally a talking tree with limited vocabulary.
Yet their bond is genuine and surprisingly sweet. They weren’t instant friends, but rather learned to be comfortable with each other, developing their connection until it formed the bond that everyone knows and loves today. , and their attachment is all the better because of it.
4 Spider-Man and the Human Torch
Spider-Man maintains close relationships with many personalities in the Marvel Universe. After all, he is their friendly neighborhood. Fans are familiar with his connection to Deadpool and his doomed friendship with future Green Goblin, Harry Osborn. However, his partnership with Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch, remains most memorable.
Their connection dates back to the 1960s. They hated each other when they first met because Peter broke into the Baxter building trying to impress Marvel’s First Family. However, they quickly found common ground, and by the 70s they were two peas in a pot. Johnny even helped Peter build the Spider-Mobile and then taught him how to drive the thing. They’ve had their ups and downs, but their bond has only grown stronger over the years.
3 Mr. fantastic and the thing
Marvel’s First Family holds a special place in comic book history. Their layered and messy dynamic was a first for the medium, establishing them as four of comics’ most relevant heroes.
One of the foundations of this imperfect family was the previously established bond between Reed Richards and Ben Grimm. Their odd torque dynamics were noticeable from day one, but an undeniable spark between the two formed in those early days. The two became professional partners, sharing a friendship rooted in mutual respect and admiration.
2 Luke Cage & Iron Fist
Comic book fans know Iron Fist as a jovial, open-minded guy who happens to be a hero. In contrast, Luke Cage is more stoic and methodical but just as caring. Together, they formed one of the most intriguing partnerships of the 1970s. Their stories emphasized humor and character development over action, creating a unique formula for success.
Since their first adventures together as Heroes for Hire, Luke and Danny have remained closely associated. They never got to a point where they would literally do something for each other. Simply put, they complement each other perfectly and the Marvel Universe is all the better for being part of them.
1 Matt Murdock & Foggy Nelson
Many Marvel Friendships feature two heroes who find common ground due to their similar situations. However, few focus on a great, ordinary human who still manages to make things work, which makes Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson’s partnership all the more special.
Foggy’s character has undergone tremendous changes since its introduction. These days he’s often reduced to being comedic relief unlike his overly pessimistic friend, but Foggy and Matt shared a very complex dynamic during the Bronze Age. They still managed to be close and faithful to each other despite their many differences, which sums up their friendship perfectly. Foggy and Matt put their differences aside for the sake of their bond, understanding that the bond between them is more important than any difference they might have.
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