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The worst death in Marvel Comics history has finally been addressed. The Marvel Universe has housed some of the most devastating deaths to take place in superhero comics. When readers think about the biggest deaths (and inevitable resurrections) that shook the comic book community, it’s hard to leave Marvel out of the conversation. Death can make for some incredible moments, but some deaths go too far.
In the Secret Invasion omnibus, the event’s writer, Brian Michael Bendis, suggests that Marvel’s worst death was Mockingbird’s. Bobbi Morse was a scientist turned spy, superhero, and arguably the Avengers’ best Super-Soldier, whose legacy may have been diminished after her death. When asked if being allowed to bring back Mockingbird was Marvel’s reward for Hawkeye, Bendis says:
It was my reward for Marvel publicity man Jim McCann, who’s been a very good friend and a big Mockingbiard lover. (Laughter.) But it really came from the first ship that crashed and had all of the retro characters in it. When we included Hawkeye, we knew we had to have Mockingbird. Then, you do the Mockingbird research and realize she had the worst death in the history of Marvel Comics, maybe in all of literature. (Laughter.) And she’s in hell; it’s just terrible. I’m sorry, you can yell at me online, but I stand by it. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s good. So here was a great reason and chance to bring her back. It was also a trade-off because we, um, we took someone away, so we thought it would be good karma to bring someone back. And with the renewed interest in Hawkeye it would be good to bring back his most exciting “supporting player.”
To truly understand what made this death more egregious than anyone else’s in the history of Marvel, it’s important to first break down how Mockingbird died, how she returned, and why her resurrection was so necessary following such a blasphemous fall from grace.
Mockingbird Is Marvel Comics’ Worst Death … But Why?
Avengers West Coast #100 by Roy Thomas, David Ross, Tim Dzon, Steve Dutro, and Bob Sharen
During their time with the West Coast Avengers, Mockingbird built a romantic relationship with Hawkeye, but their marriage fell apart in the midst of one of Marvel’s most controversial moments. Mockingbird was kidnapped by the Phantom Rider, who, by using mind-altering drugs, was able to convince Mockingbird that he was her husband, allowing him to sexually assault her. When she comes to her senses, she kills Phantom Rider, and murder is a crime that Clint Barton can’t forgive.
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In due time, Mockingbird and Hawkeye try to patch things up, but in a final battle with Mephisto, a blast meant for Hawkeye is sent to Mockingbird, killing her instantly. However, Secret Invasion #8 by Bendis, Leinil Francis Yu, Mark Morales, Laura Martin and Chris Eliopoulos reveals that not only is Mockingbird alive, but that the Mockingbird who died was actually a Skrull. The Skrull was the one rekindling a relationship with Hawkeye, and the Skrull was unaware that the real Mockingbird was ready to file for divorce from him. During this time, the real Bobbi Morse was held prisoner on a Skrull planet.
How Did the Key Marvel Event Secret Invasion Save Mockingbird?
What Was Disrespectful About Her Death
In the original iteration of her death, Mockingbird lacked agency as a character. She fell victim physically to Phantom Rider, and upon reclaiming her power by killing him, she falls victim emotionally to a husband who wasn’t sympathetic to her pain. Even worse, her death was framed less as a moment about Mockingbird and more about Hawkeye and the guilt he felt for her sacrifice after never properly reuniting before her death. Mockingbird’s death was something that Hawkeye had to overcome, all while Mockingbird stayed dead.
Bendis’ retcon saved the character, fixed a problematic death, and gave Marvel Comics an opportunity to give Mockingbird a real character arc that treated her like a character worth respecting.
In returning to Earth and, ultimately, the Marvel Universe, Mockingbird is finally able to reclaim the agency that was denied her. Mockingbird essentially fell victim to the famous Women in Refrigerators trope, but Bendis recontextualizes Mockingbird’s turmoil for the modern era in a way that allows her a story for her to grow from instead and, ultimately, become empowered by. Bendis’ retcon saved the character, fixed a problematic death, and gave Marvel Comics an opportunity to give Mockingbird a real character arc that treated her like a character worth respecting.
Secret Invasion by Brian Michael Bendis is available now in an omnibus edition from Marvel Comics.
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