1. Retconning and Continuity: Marvel's long history and ever-changing storylines mean that marriages have often been retconned or undone. This has led to some fans feeling like marriage isn't taken seriously in the Marvel Universe.
Examples:
* Spider-Man: Peter Parker and Mary Jane's marriage was a major event in the comics, but it was later undone by the "One More Day" storyline.
* The Fantastic Four: The marriage of Reed and Sue Richards has been a constant source of drama and conflict, with their relationship being tested and even broken at times.
* The X-Men: Cyclops and Jean Grey's marriage, while a major part of their stories, also experienced periods of separation and eventual tragedy.
2. Superheroes and Relationships: The nature of superhero comics often revolves around constant threats and conflicts. This can lead to a focus on action and adventure, potentially making character relationships (including marriage) feel less central.
3. The "Status Quo" and "Crisis" Events: Marvel's stories often strive to return to a certain "status quo," even after major events. This can lead to the undoing of major changes like marriages, especially if they're seen as hindering future storylines.
4. The "Marvel Universe" vs. "Real Life": Marvel Comics exists in a fictional world with its own rules and logic. Some characters' marriages may be more symbolic or thematic than literal representations of real-life relationships.
5. The "Modern" Marvel Universe: In recent years, Marvel Comics has been embracing more diverse and complex relationships, including same-sex couples and non-traditional family structures. While marriage remains a part of their storytelling, it's not always the central focus.
It's important to note: Marvel Comics hasn't actively sought to erase marriage from history. However, their focus on action, adventure, and constant change can lead to the perception that marriage is less central to their stories compared to other aspects of the Marvel Universe.