Marvel

The Superhero Movie That Actually Pulls Off Blockbuster Magic

Xochitl Gonzalez’s culture picks include Yellowjackets, the Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd, and Black Panther

• Kelli María Korducki
• January 1, 2023

Melville. Faulkner. Spider-Man.

With Penguin Classics’ editions of Marvel superhero comics featuring Captain America and Black Panther, an American genre goes for highbrow recognition.

• Jeremy Dauber
• July 27, 2022

Maybe Ridding the World of Superheroes Isn’t Such a Bad Idea

Though Thor’s muscles are resplendent in Marvel’s latest film, his heart isn’t in it.

• David Sims
• July 5, 2022

How Far Can Marvel Keep Pushing Its Own Success?

“There are moments that had me tearing up, and yet, I understand if people want to say this is the end of cinema.”

• Kevin Townsend, David Sims, Shirley Li, and Spencer Kornhaber
• December 23, 2021

The Least Exciting Avenger

Hawkeye’s normalcy is what makes him interesting.

• Shirley Li
• November 23, 2021

The Most Poetic Marvel Film Yet

Chloé Zhao, the director of Eternals, prioritizes humanism over action. The result is a soulful, refreshing superhero tale.

• Shirley Li
• October 24, 2021

Disney’s Black Widow Gamble Didn’t Pay Off

Putting brand-new movies on streaming services might seem great for viewers. But in the long run, it’s bad for everyone.

• David Sims
• July 20, 2021

A Marvel Series That Cares Little for Marvel’s Universe

For more than a decade, the studio’s films and shows have been paragons of careful continuity. So far, Loki does away with that.

• Shirley Li
• June 9, 2021

The Final Scene of Avengers: Endgame Is More Than Worthy

The film’s last moments may be polarizing audiences, but they fit Captain America’s journey perfectly.

• Shirley Li
• May 1, 2019

Avengers: Endgame Is a Perfect Goodbye

Marvel has given the series a barnstorming, and surprisingly moving, finale.

• David Sims
• April 23, 2019

Avengers: Infinity War Is an Extraordinary Juggling Act

Marvel’s latest—and largest—production is far from perfect, but it melds its many, many elements into an impressive mix of humor and sorrow.

• Christopher Orr
• April 26, 2018

How Marvel Is Rewriting Its World Order

Ahead of Avengers: Infinity War, the extended cinematic universe has been sweeping away its status quo—and questioning the very nature of superheroism.

• David Sims
• April 24, 2018

The Real Reasons for Marvel Comics’ Woes

A recent push for diversity has been blamed for weak print sales, but the company’s decades-old business practices are the true culprit.

• Asher Elbein
• May 24, 2017