History OOCIsSeriousBusiness / MarvelUniverse

* ''ComicBook/ArchieMeetsThePunisher'' ends with ComicBook/ThePunisher sparing the villain in an uncharacteristic display of mercy. He reasons that killing him would utterly destroy Riverdale's innocence, and he isn't willing to go that far.
* ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}, [[NoFourthWall the fourth-wall breaking]] WildCard to end all wild cards, has his speech bubbles and thought rectangles shaded yellow, to show that he's the one guy in the entire comicverse who knows he's in the comicverse and is perfectly okay with it. On the rare occasions where his speech bubbles go to the normal white shading, meaning he's taking things seriously, you know it's ''significant.'' The plot of ''ComicBook/DeadpoolKillsTheMarvelUniverse'' involves the yellow and white voices getting somehow killed... and the [[OmnicidalManiac red voice]] replacing it. Let's just say it doesn't go well for the world. Also anytime you don't see the yellow and white voice boxes, and Deadpool is [[TranquilFury acting calm]], you're going to die horribly, [[EvenEvilHasStandards because you did something even Deadpool thinks is monstrous]], and he's doing this job pro bono.
* In the original ''ComicBook/TheDeathOfJeanDeWolff'' storyline, Matt Murdock is talking to an old judge friend of his who he's known as a proud and decent man who shows no fear facing down crooks in his courtroom. When the Sin-Eater shows up, Matt has a split second to take him down even though it might jeopardize his secret identity as Daredevil. Before he can act, his judge friend suddenly [[AintTooProudToBeg falls to his knees and starts begging Sin-Eater for mercy]]. The sight of this dignified and respected friend turning into a blubbering coward jars Matt so much that he can't act before Sin-Eater pulls the trigger.
** Spider-Man gets his own moment in the storyline when he drops the jokes and straight up beats the Sin-Eater unconscious. Daredevil has to stop him from outright ''killing'' the man, and Sin-Eater still winds up with a permanent limp from it.
* In ''ComicBook/TheDeathOfDoctorStrange'', after Stephen Strange is killed, a group of investigators- which include a younger version of Strange- eventually trace the Cloak of Levitation and other personal artefacts of the Sorcerer Supreme to Baron Mordo's castle, which seems to make it clear that Mordo killed Strange. However, when Mordo continues to deny his guilt even when held at magical gunpoint by Ghost Strange and his allies, Strange concedes that Mordo must be innocent because his pride and ego mean he would gleefully admit his role in the deed with his last breath rather than continue denying it under these circumstances.

* During ''ComicBook/KravensLastHunt'', Spider-Man realizes something is decisively wrong when Kraven comes at him with a rifle after capturing him with a net.
* In the first issue of ''ComicBook/LokiAgentOfAsgard'' cases of Thor's [[TookALevelInJerkass increasingly rude and sexist behavior]] from his own book prompt the All-Mother to sent Loki to investigate. Turns out Thor has been infected and slowly corrupted by an evil entity, namely [[spoiler: another, older, Loki]]
* Here's a tip if you're a villain in the Franchise/MarvelUniverse. If Franchise/SpiderMan is fighting you and is not making [[YouFightLikeACow wisecracks, puns, and derisive comments about your intelligence, looks, or mama]], you're not going to have a good day. While the reason he constantly makes jokes [[DependingOnTheWriter depends on the writer]] [[note]]Some writers claim that part of the reason Spidey quips mid-battle is because his enhanced nerve conduction velocity (reflexes and spider-sense) actually allows him to think at superhuman speeds... which means that he can perceive in Bullet Time, and he fends off boredom by making jokes. If he's not making them, not only is it frightening that he's strong and angry, it's frightening that he's dedicating 100% of his genius intellect and enhanced processing power to deciding how he's going to hurt you in the most personally satisfying manner possible. Most writers, including Stan Lee, believe that the jokes started as a way to mask the fear he had during a fight, with the jokes becoming lamer as the threat grows more terrifying. If he's not joking, it means that no matter how terrifying you are, any fear he might feel is blocked out by his desire to beat you unconscious.[[/note]], at the end of the day, you somehow did something to make Spidey ''very'' pissed off at you, and you ''will'' notice you are fighting a super-strong [[BigCreepyCrawlies Big Creepy Crawly]] in human form who can bench press buildings and rip apart concrete with his bare hands. And if he's in the black costume, you might as well write your will right then and there.

* In the ''Marvel vs. DC'' crossover, there comes a moment when the universe genuinely looks like it's going to end. The sky is ''bleeding''. Spider-Man turns to J. Jonah Jameson, and says,

* In ''ComicBook/TheAvengersJonathanHickman'', Doctor Doom isn't his usual prideful hammy self when he embarks on his attempt [[spoiler:to foil the Beyonders' attempts to wipe out the multiverse.]] He's serious, surprisingly humble, and all too aware of the stakes.
* In the Ultimate Universe, JJ snaps at young Parker and fires him after Parker calls him on his BS. But, after a thorough chewing-out by Aunt May, he shows up later on and ''apologizes'' to Peter for his behavior and goes on to explain calmly and sensibly what his problems are with Spider-Man. And then asks Peter never to have his Aunt call him again.
* Most times, ComicBook/{{X 23}} is TheStoic. Even while slaughtering mooks by the dozens she does it with complete, emotionless, and automatic detachment. If she's ever ''visibly'' angry when she comes after you, however, you better run. ''Fast''.

* Uatu, TheWatcher, whose duty is to observe the known universe (and ''only'' [[AlienNonInterferenceClause to observe]]). Any moment where he actually intervenes could be considered one of these.
** There is also the moment where he converses with ComicBook/{{Beast|MarvelComics}} about his [[ComicBook/AllNewXMen time-destroying shenanigans]]. Uatu, usually impartial, tells Hank that he will ''not'' break his vow of non-interference for his sake, not only out of principle, but because Hank simply ''disgusts'' him.

* In the original "Death of Jean [=DeWolff=]" storyline, Matt Murdock is talking to an old judge friend of his who he's known as a proud and decent man who shows no fear facing down crooks in his courtroom. When the Sin-Eater shows up, Matt has a split second to take him down even though it might jeopardize his secret identity as Daredevil. Before he can act, his judge friend suddenly [[AintTooProudToBeg falls to his knees and starts begging Sin-Eater for mercy]]. The sight of this dignified and respected friend turning into a blubbering coward jars Matt so much that he can't act before Sin-Eater pulls the trigger.

* Here's a tip if you're a villain in the Franchise/MarvelUniverse. If Franchise/SpiderMan is fighting you and is not making [[YouFightLikeACow wisecracks, puns, and derisive comments about your intelligence, looks, or mama]], you're not going to have a good day. While the reason he constantly makes jokes [[DependingOnTheWriter depends on the writer]] [[note]]Some writers claim that part of the reason Spidey quips mid-battle is because his enhanced nerve conduction velocity (reflexes and spider-sense) actually allows him to think at superhuman speeds... which means that he can perceive in Bullet Time, and he fends off boredom by making jokes. If he's not making them, not only is it frightening that he's strong and angry, it's frightening that he's dedicating 100% of his genius intellect and enhanced processing power to deciding how he's going to hurt you in the most personally satisfying manner possible. Most writers, including Stan Lee, believe that the jokes started as a way to mask the fear he had during a fight, with the jokes becoming lamer as the threat grows more terrifying.[[/note]], at the end of the day, you somehow did something to make Spidey ''very'' pissed off at you, and you ''will'' notice you are fighting a super-strong [[BigCreepyCrawlies Big Creepy Crawly]] in human form who can bench press buildings and rip apart concrete with his bare hands. And if he's in the black costume, you might as well write your will right then and there.

* In ''ComicBook/NewAvengers'', Doctor Doom isn't his usual prideful hammy self when he embarks on his attempt [[spoiler:to foil the Beyonders' attempts to wipe out the multiverse.]] He's serious, surprisingly humble, and all too aware of the stakes.

** Subverted in [[http://littlemissonewhoisall.tumblr.com/post/177891953299 one bonus story]] where Spidey is shown silently staring down a group of villains (The Headmen) who were talking about this very trope just minutes prior. All of them question his uncharacteristic silence -- except Ruby Thursday, who just says [[ThisIsGonnaSuck "Uh-oh"]]. The punch-line is that [[spoiler:he actually just has laryngitis]].

** There is also the moment where he converses with ComicBook/{{Beast}} about his [[ComicBook/AllNewXMen time-destroying shenanigans]]. Uatu, usually impartial, tells Hank that he will ''not'' break his vow of non-interference for his sake, not only out of principle, but because Hank simply ''disgusts'' him.

* ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}, [[NoFourthWall the fourth-wall breaking]] WildCard to end all wild cards, has his speech bubbles and thought rectangles shaded yellow, to show that he's the one guy in the entire comicverse who knows he's in the comicverse and is perfectly okay with it. On the rare occasions where his speech bubbles go to the normal white shading, meaning he's taking things seriously, you know it's ''significant.'' The plot of ''ComicBook/DeadpoolKillsTheMarvelUniverse'' involves the yellow and white voices getting somehow killed... and the [[OmnicidalManiac red voice]] replacing it. Let's just say it doesn't go well for the world. Also anytime you don't see the yellow and white voice boxes, and Deadpool is acting calm, you're going to die horribly, [[EvenEvilHasStandards because you did something even Deadpool thinks is monstrous]], and he's doing this job pro bono.

** There is also the moment where he converses with ComicBook/{{Beast}} about his [[ComicBook/AllNewXMen time-destroying shenanigans]]. Uatu, usually impartial, tells Hank that he will ''not'' break his vow of non-interference for his sake, not only out of principle, but because Hank simply ''disgusts'' him.