5 Marvel Characters From The ’80s Who Are Totally Cringe Now
The 1980s were a golden era for Marvel comics, marked by soaring popularity and creative breakthroughs. Uncanny X-Men became the top-selling comic, introducing an expansive new world of mutants. Spider-Man titles flourished with writers like Peter David, J.M. DeMatteis, and Christopher Priest. Avengers maintained strong momentum under Roger Stern and John Buscema. Meanwhile, the Epic line offered a platform for creator-owned stories that pushed superhero comics’ boundaries.
Despite this success, the decade also produced some characters that now feel outdated or awkward. While many evolved positively over time, their early portrayals often reflect the era's trends in ways that feel cringe-worthy today. The following five Marvel characters capture that '80s cringe perfectly.
The Impact of X-Men Diversification
The expansion of diverse mutant characters was central to Marvel's triumph in the ’80s. Though the era birthed many memorable mutants, not all debuted smoothly.
Frenzy
Currently a fan-favorite mutant, Frenzy initially appeared in X-Factor as a character clearly modeled after Grace Jones. Her early representation lacked subtlety and felt more like a trendy imitation than a fully realized character.
“Frenzy is a beloved mutant nowadays, but back when she first appeared in X-Factor, she was just a Grace Jones wannabe.”
Despite this awkward start, she has since grown into a more complex and respected figure in the Marvel universe.
Author’s summary: Marvel’s ’80s era combined landmark successes with a few characters whose initial concepts now seem dated and awkward, reflecting the styles and trends of their time.