Family structures come in all shapes and sizes, be they biological or families of choice. Throughout the years, Marvel Comics has presented some interesting family dynamics — from adoption, to cloning, to the more traditional methods of making a family.
The greatest families Marvel has to offer have some vital elements in common: they’re supportive, they’re full of love, and most of all, they would do anything for each other. Regardless of DNA or the more convoluted ways these tight-knit groups came into existence, these families truly showcase the best family units in Marvel Comics.
10/10 The Wolverine Family Is As Tough As Nails
Featured In: All New Wolverine by Tom Taylor and David Lopez
Logan has garnered a reputation as a loner over the years, but with the introductions of Laura Kinney and Daken Akihiro, he found himself a father. Despite his penchant for adopting lost kids over the years (including Jubilee and Kitty Pryde), it was with Laura that Logan found the heart of his family.
Laura single-handedly reunited her father and brother and began raising her cloned younger sister, Gabby Kinney. Logan even chose Laura as his successor to be the next Wolverine. Logan’s hands are full with three kids and all those he’s unofficially adopted over the years, but the Wolverine family is primarily filled with love and support.
9/10 The Richards Family Became Marvel’s First Family Of Heroes
Featured In: FF (2012) by Matt Fraction and Mike Allred
The Fantastic Four have always been a family unit, comprising Reed Richards, Sue Storm and her brother Johnny, and the lovable Ben Grimm. With the addition of Sue and Reed’s children, Franklin and Valeria, the family grew. Despite some complicated storylines impeding their family unit, they’ve remained happy.
Johnny Storm loves his role as uncle to Franklin and Valeria, and Sue and Reed are loving parents. Franklin is hyper-intelligent and Valeria has a wicked sense of humor, making the two children a fantastic addition to The Fantastic Four’s family.
8/10 The Lang Family Comprises A Strong Father-Daughter Duo
Featured In: The Astonishing Ant-Man by Nick Spencer and Ramon Rosanas
Scott and Cassie Lang are an undeniably adorable father-daughter duo, and one of the greatest families in the Marvel universe. From Scott’s early days as a criminal seeking a cure for Cassie’s congenital heart defect to sharing both powers and Pym Particles, Scott and Cassie are a fantastic team.
Scott has always tried to do the right thing for his daughter, even going so far as trying to protect her from the superhero world. Cassie is famously known for saying that with Ant-Man as her father, her life could never be normal. Thankfully, despite their tribulations, they remain a tight-knit family.
7/10 The Maximoff Family Has A Complicated History
Featured In: Avengers: The Children’s Crusade by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung
Readers might find that the Maximoff family’s story is one of the more convoluted in comics history. Comprising Wanda Maximoff, her brother Pietro, his daughter Luna, and Wanda’s sons Billy Kaplan and Tommy Shepherd, the Maximoffs present a complicated story involving demons, madness, magic and resurrection.
Despite all that, the Maximoffs have a strong love for their family. The bond between Wanda and her son Billy is particularly special, given they share similar powers and skill sets. Wanda has also been completely accepting of Billy’s sexuality, welcoming his husband, Teddy Altman, into the family without question.
6/10 The Runaways Forged A New Family After Fleeing From Their Parents
Featured In: Runaways by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona
The Runaways aren’t a family in the traditional sense of the word. They are a family of choice comprising six teenagers on the run from both the law and their parents. Over the years, readers have seen the line-up and dynamics of the family change, with Chase Stein taking on more responsibility and Nico Minoru becoming a maternal figure to the younger kids.
Facing many challenges such as capture, death, and interference from the authorities, the Runaways have stood together through thick and thin. They always have each other’s backs and deeply care for each other.
5/10 The Jones-Cage Family Stands Together, No Matter What
Featured In: Jessica Jones by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos
Jessica Jones and Luke Cage are one of the great love stories of modern comics. Their union produced a daughter, Danielle – and created one of the greatest families in Marvel Comics history. Characterized by their strength and refusal to back down from any challenge, Jessica, Luke, and Danielle are a strong unit.
Even when faced with villains from Jessica’s past, Luke never wavers in his dedication to his wife and daughter. This kind of positive male influence has become more common in comics but isn’t any less refreshing to see.
4/10 The Hulk Family Has Some Volatile Members
Featured In: Skaar: Son of Hulk by Greg Pak and Ron Garney
The son of Bruce Banner, Skaar has been welcomed into the Hulk family. While the Hulks are some of the more explosive characters in Marvel, they make for a dynamic family unit. Hulk, his cousin She-Hulk, and son Skaar are together some of the strongest in the 616 universe.
Skaar’s introduction into the popular television series She-Hulk gave him newfound popularity. As such, readers have hopes that the Hulk family dynamics will be explored further by the capable writers at Marvel.
3/10 The Khan Family Is Incredibly Loving
Featured In: Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona
Kamala Khan has one of the most loving, supportive families in the Marvel universe. This steadfast devotion to their daughter is what makes the Khan family great. Yusuf and Muneeba are unfailingly supportive of their daughter, even in her superhero career as Ms. Marvel.
Kamala’s older brother Aamir is just as encouraging, and their extended family embraces both her and her heroic endeavors. The Ms. Marvel comics prominently feature Kamala’s family and the important role they play in her life. Kamala’s family has also been shown to prioritize her wellbeing.
2/10 The Parker Family Has Members From Across The Multiverse
Featured In: The Amazing Spider-Man by Nick Spencer and Humberto Ramos
Original Spider-Man Peter Parker certainly didn’t set out to mentor several other spider-powered people, but that is the position he’s found himself in. Thankfully, other members of the Parker family, including Aunt May and Mary Jane, are just as empathetic to their cause.
Anya Corazon, Miles Morales, and Gwen Stacy have all been taken under Peter’s wing at one point or another. In some futures, the Parker family even features Peter and Mary Jane’s children, Benji and future Spider-Girl herself, Mayday Parker. Peter’s protective nature of his kids, both biological and mentored, makes the Parkers one of the greats.
1/10 The Summers Family Features Marvel’s Most Powerful Mutants
Featured In: Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr.
Featuring time travel, cloning, resurrection, and the savior of all mutantkind, the Summers family has had a twisted story over the past several decades they have appeared in Marvel Comics. Scott Summers and Jean Grey have produced a veritable X-Men family dynasty — the most recent member being their adoptive granddaughter, Hope Summers.
Several members of the Summers family boast having Omega-level mutant status, and some are even wielders of the Phoenix Force. Without question, the Summers family is a force to be reckoned with. Whenever trouble seems to find the X-Men, it’s almost a sure bet one of the Summers members will be involved.
