Marvel comics have had a long history of memorable characters and storylines. From legendary heroes like Iron Man and Captain America to infamous super villains like Dr. Doom and Magneto, Marvel keeps making iconic names. Throughout the long list of characters at Marvel, there are a few who make no mistake when it comes to doing the right thing.
These characters are often filled with good morality, heroism, and most of all optimism. Optimism is an important trait for anyone when it comes to success and happiness, but some heroes' optimism can blind them. Here's a look at a few characters who are so optimistic that it can sometimes lead to misguidance or even trouble.
4 Daredevil
Matt Murdock is a blind and mild-mannered lawyer who always wants to do the right thing. While working hard during the day to bring criminals to justice in the courtroom, he also spends his nights as Daredevil, the vigilante of Hell's Kitchen. Daredevil pulls no punches when it comes to stopping the thugs, ninjas, or crime lords he so often comes in contact with. However, one thing he makes sure not to do is kill them.
He believes that killing evil doers would make him just as guilty as them, and he makes an effort to keep them alive most of the time. This is a very noble thing to do and isn't uncommon in the superhero world. However, sometimes allowing pure evil to live leads to more evil acts being committed. Punisher makes a good point in front of Daredevil both on screen and in the comics when he explains how putting criminals in the ground may be the safer option. Daredevil's hope for the world won't let him cross that line though, and this is why villains like Kingpin always come back.
3 Spider-Man
One of the most popular superheroes of all time is Spider-Man, also known as Peter Parker. Peter was gifted his incredible powers by a radioactive spider bite when he was only a teenager. The fact that he inherited his abilities at such a young age has shaped him into a true hero with a very positive outlook on the world. Sometimes Peter's optimism can make him seem a little naive though. A good example of this is in the most recent Spider-Man film trilogy.
There are multiple instances in these films where Peter puts his trust in people who don't deserve it. He gives Mysterio incredibly powerful technology after being around him for only a day. He also endangers everyone and even gets Aunt May killed by trusting that Green Goblin and the other villains can be saved. These grave mistakes are all due to his hope that people aren't really evil and everyone has a redeemable side. They're very optimistic qualities to have but can also be dangerous.
2 Mr. Fantastic
The leader of Marvel's first major team is Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. Sometimes simply called Mr. Fantastic, Richards was gifted with elastic skin able to morph into any shape after he and his colleagues were involved in a radioactive accident in space. Richards is credited as being the smartest man on Earth, but even he makes mistakes sometimes. Like other heroes, his morals and optimism usually result in lives being saved, but sometimes it can backfire.
During Jonathan Hickman's famous comic book run on the Fantastic Four, Reed is approached through the multiverse by other versions of himself. They call themselves the Council of Reeds and have dedicated their lives to solving every problem that could possibly occur in the multiverse. The catch is that they all had to abandon their families to pursue this ultimate goal. The real Richards eventually turns them away because he believes he can still be a hero while also being a loving friend, husband, and father. While this was very honorable, he almost doomed their entire universe by turning a very powerful group against them. His optimistic look on family is relatable but did manage to give up the chance to solve world hunger and other important issues on his Earth.
1 Captain America
When people think of heroes filled with optimism and hope, the first that comes to mind is probably Captain America. The World War 2 soldier was turned into Captain America after being injected with a super serum that gave him incredible strength and speed. Steve Rogers was chosen to be the world's first super-soldier and Avenger because of his unmatchable heroism and selflessness. Like the other heroes on this list, his optimism can sometimes be unrealistic.
This is something that he and other famous Avengers like Iron Man clash over. Iron Man has a much more realistic and cynical view of the world. In Marvel's most famous hero vs hero story, Civil War, Cap, and Iron Man disagree over super humans being registered. Iron Man believes heroes need to be put in check and regulated because no one knows what they're truly capable of.
Cap believes that Avengers and other heroes are good enough to continue working independently. This conflict is the core of their characters and whether someone agrees with Cap or not, it's safe to say his choices are formed by his optimism for the superhero community.