History StatusQuoIsGod / ComicBooks

** Marvel seems to think the concept of the X-Men doesn't work if mutants aren't feared and hated by everybody, so any progress they make is inevitably undone. Creator/GrantMorrison's run had mutants gaining some acceptance among the younger generations and developing their own culture. Then ''ComicBook/HouseOfM'' comes along and the mutant race is reduced to around 200 survivors. And then comes ''ComicBook/AvengersVsXMen'', where thanks to the actions of ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} and the Phoenix Five, mutants are once again repopulated. In a strange twist though, mutants are ''more'' accepted now, especially by leftwing college students (similar to how LGBT rights tend to be a sticking point for this crowd in real life) after Cyclops' actions, both during the decimated time and as a Phoenix avatar where, in the former, he did a lot to gain good press for mutants as well as reminding people how powerful the X-Men are and unwise it is to attack them, and in the latter, used his godlike power to better humanity and solve many third-world problems. But, government handling has now intensified with the renewed risk of omnipowerful mutants wrecking havoc, PoliceBrutality has became more common, and mutants who can't defend themselves and live in hostile areas are in serious risk. In general, things have gotten better but still have a long way to go, which [[TruthInTelevision is a reality for real life minorities]].

* In Comicbook/ArchieComicsSonicTheHedgehog, the Eggman that Sonic's been fighting is from another universe. When Sonic told Zonic the Zone Cop about this in #197, he didn't care, because "Sonic Prime has to fight a Robotnik.
** Weaponized by Sonic in a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Robotnik. Sonic points out to Eggman that he has utterly failed time and time again to really conquer the world and/or destroy Sonic while Sonic has beaten him over and over again. This drives Eggman into a complete mental breakdown because this trope ensures that it is true and will always be true despite the occasional minor victory for him.

* {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d in one ''Webcomic/{{Nodwick}}'' strip in ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'', in which Nodwick has been bouncing back and forth in time trying to save the universe from the Unnamable, and has [[TookALevelInBadass taken several levels in badass]] as a result, becoming a mutliclassed wizard-cleric-fighter. The strip ends with Artax reassuring Yeagar that once the Unnamable's been dealt with they can wipe his brain, because having him be better than them at everything is just embarrassing.

** Comicbook/BoosterGold underwent a DorkAge in the [[UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks 90's where he]] traded in his tights for a gaudy suit of PoweredArmor. It didn't last long.

* The Franchise/ArchieComics ''Love Showdown'' storyline promised that Archie would chose either Betty or Veronica once and for all. The four part story ends with him choosing ThirdOptionLoveInterest, but was followed up with a special that reset the situation back to normal.

* ComicBook/CaptainAmerica has often handed his shield and title to other people. [[AntiHeroSubstitute John Walker]], ComicBook/BuckyBarnes, and [[ComicBook/TheFalcon Sam Wilson]], respectively because Steve had became disenhearted with the role, was thought to be dead, or had been BroughtDownToNormal. Each of those has eventually end(ed) with them stepping down and handing the title back in order to return to their own personal identity. Almost subverted with Bucky, though, as Steve had believed that being Captain America was a good thing for Bucky, and when he returned, he opted to take a promotion to becoming the new top-dog of SHIELD, making him something of a general to the superhero populace, rather than the field leader of the Avengers. This, largely, was thanks to fan reaction towards [[BreakoutCharacter Bucky!Cap]] being so overwhelmingly positive that many fans ''didn't want'' Steve to come back to the role. In the end, he only returned to the role as it was in order to coincide with the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse.

* In Comicbook/ArchieComicsSonicTheHedgehog, the Eggman that Sonic's been fighting is from another universe. When Sonic told Zonic the Zone Cop about this in #197, he didn't care, because "Sonic Prime has to fight a Robotnik."

** There are stories where [[TheCommissionerGordon Jim Gordon]] is removed from the post of Commissioner only to end up back in the post. While naturally some of these are the result of ongoing subplots such as the early stuff with Hamilton Hill[[note]]replacing Gordon with fellow Rupert Thorne crony Peter Pauling and only reinstating Gordon after Thorne was busted and Pauling killed[[/note]] and the ''Batman'' comics between ''ComicBook/{{Knightfall}}'' (including Prodigal) and ''Contagion''[[note]]Gordon was pissed about Batman appointing ComicBook/{{Azrael}} and ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} to fill in without telling him, resulting in Gordon refusing to trust him further. Then Mayor Armand Krol, who'd been saved Batman and approved some of Azrael's actions as Batman demoted Gordon and appointed Gordon's then-wife Sarah Essen to replace him and rather than take it, Gordon quits. ''Contagion'' ends with Gordon regaining his trust in Batman and new Mayor Marion Grange reinstating Gordon[[/note]], others are done after other stories.\\\

** The Barbara Gordon incarnation of Batgirl eventually had this happen. In the well-acclaimed graphic novel ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'', she was shot in the spine by ComicBook/TheJoker, rendering her permanently paralyzed. Barbara then took on the persona of Oracle, working behind the scenes to aid the Bat-Family with her hacking skills and computer expertise, during which she became an inspiration and idol for many real life disabled readers, and led the ComicBook/BirdsOfPrey. Also, during that time there were [[LegacyCharacter two different Batgirls]]: [[ComicBook/Batgirl2000 Cassandra Cain]] and [[ComicBook/Batgirl2009 Stephanie Brown]], who became fan-favorites in their own right. But after the 2011 reboot Comicbook/{{New 52}}, Barbara was back on her legs as Batgirl, despite spending almost exactly ''half'' her publication history as Oracle.

* ''Comicbook/XMen''
** Charles Xavier was introduced as an invalid who uses a wheelchair. Several times during the comic's run, Xavier has regained the use of his legs. It's only a matter of time until something reverses this situation, either undoing whatever allowed his legs to heal or sustaining a new injury.
** Marvel seems to think the concept of the X-Men doesn't work if mutants aren't feared and hated by everybody, so any progress they make is inevitably undone. Creator/GrantMorrison's run had mutants gaining some acceptance among the younger generations and developing their own culture. Then ''ComicBook/HouseOfM'' comes along and the mutant race is reduced to around 200 survivors. And then comes ''ComicBook/AvengersVsXMen'', where thanks to the actions of ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} and the Phoenix Five, mutants are once again repopulated. In a strange twist though, mutants are ''more'' accepted now, especially by leftwing college students (similar to how LGBT rights tend to be a sticking point for this crowd in real life) after Cyclops' actions, both during the decimated time and as a Phoenix avatar where, in the former, he did a lot to gain good press for mutants as well as reminding people how powerful the X-Men are and unwise it is to attack them, and in the latter, used his godlike power to better humanity and solve many third-world problems. But, government handling has now intensified with the renewed risk of omnipowerful mutants wrecking havoc, PoliceBrutality has became more common, and mutants who can't defend themselves and live in hostile areas are in serious risk. In general, things have gotten better but still have a long way to go, which [[TruthInTelevision is a reality for real life minorities]].
** Speaking of X-Men, ComicBook/{{Rogue}} possesses the power to absorb the psyche and powers of those she touches. When she was first introduced, these powers were uncontrollable and this fact was often a source of angst for her. Her powers would frequently change and she would even occasionally lose them, only to have them inevitably return as uncontrollable as ever. Then, after nearly thirty years of publications, Rogue finally gained control over her powers during Messiah Complex with help from Professor Xavier. However, come 2014 and ComicBook/UncannyAvengers, Rogue has once again lost control over her powers and has permanently absorbed Comicbook/WonderMan's power and psyche, essentially reverting her to how she was when she was first introduced. She even goes on a crazed rant about how she'd been through the whole ordeal already and commented that she couldn't even stand the thought of having to do it again. Having Wonder Man in her head probably didn't help either.
** Creator/GrantMorrison created the villain John Sublime as meta commentary on this trope. Mutants are a natural threat to him, so he intentionally manipulates events to keep them in a constant state of cyclical fighting so they can't band together and stop him.
** ''{{ComicBook/Sabretooth}}'' is the newest case. He was [[HeelFaceBrainwashing inverted]] into a good guy during ''{{ComicBook/AXIS}}'' and decides to follow Logan's example by finding his own Wolverine. The first book he was in got cancelled due to ''{{ComicBook/SecretWars}}'', then he went to Bunn's [[ComicBook/UncannyXMen2015 Uncanny X-Men]]. He joins the team & continues his quest for redemption while developing [[BelligerentSexualTension budding]] [[ShipTease relationship]] with [[Characters/GenerationX Monet St. Croix]], whom he was very protective of. His inversion showed signs of slipping & he struggles to fight the reversion. Not wanting to be a monster again, he vows to become something different if he can not stay inverted. He also uses helping Monet as motivation, who was cursed by her brother and became a vampire. He eventually ran away with her at the end of the series. Cue ''ComicBook/ResurrXion'', and all of this has been ignored. His struggles with not wanting to be a monster haven't come up, and his entire relationship with Monet [[NoRomanticResolution was dropped]] without any explanation. He's back to wanting to kill stuff in Weapon X, with Logan & Warpath keep watch on him and being ready to kill him should he lose it, but trying to keep him sated by looking for monsters & villains he can fight. The Claws of A Killer mini also shows he's back wanting to kill Wolverine when he hears that he may be alive again. The end of ''ComicBook/WeaponX2017'' sees him driven insane in hell and returned to an almost-feral state, all semblance of positive character growth rendered completely null.
** In the Curse of the Mutants storyline, ComicBook/{{Jubilee}}, recently depowered, was turned into a vampire and stayed it for a while after. Can't have something as cool as inventive as a vampire x-man, can we?
* The cyclical nature of comics was {{lampshade|Hanging}}d in an issue of ''Comicbook/NewAvengers'', where ComicBook/WonderMan points out that the entire ''Comicbook/CivilWar'' crossover was utterly pointless since everything (more or less) went back to normal within just a few short years.

* A good example would be costumes. Most heroes and villains have gone through numerous costume changes, but usually return to their original, iconic outfit, [[MerchandiseDriven if for no other reason than branding]]. This obviously doesn't extend to film and TV adaptations, since most superhero costumes are [[MovieSuperheroesWearBlack altered for live-action]] due to practical reasons.
** There have been several attempts to give ComicBook/PowerGirl more modest outfits, starting in ''[[WestCoastTeam Justice League Europe]]'' in the 80's. The thing is, [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools regardless of gender, many fans genuinely like her original costume]] (CleavageWindow and all), so any attempt at a more conservative redesign is usually jettisoned very quickly. Most recently, they tried to give her a new costume in the Comicbook/{{New 52}} that ditched the cleavage window and gave her pants, but fan outrage eventually got her restored to [[LeotardOfPower her iconic look]].
** Comicbook/BoosterGold underwent a DorkAge in the [[UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks 90's where he]] traded in his tights for a gaudy suit of PoweredArmor. It didn't last long.
** ComicBook/BlackCanary famously had her own DorkAge in ''[[Comicbook/JusticeLeagueInternational JLI]]'', where she started wearing a more conservative costume that resembled a tracksuit. Fans hated it, so the writers eventually brought back her classic [[StockingFiller leather and fishnets]]. A cover of ''ComicBook/ActionComics'' even has Black Canary [[TakeThat proudly burning her]] ''JLI'' suit while wearing her iconic costume. History repeated itself in the ''New 52'', where she was initially redesigned to sport a more armored, tactical look. When Brendan Fletcher and Annie Wu launched the ''Black Canary'' solo series, they immediately ditched the body armor and brought back her classic costume.
** Along those lines, they tried to give ComicBook/{{Zatanna}} [[http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/13/130362/2830708-zatanna_new_52.jpg a more conservative outfit]] in ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueDark''. The fans complained, [[http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/3/39027/3149756-ztnnanw52cstmepic.jpg so DC gave her a new costume that was more in line with her original, iconic look]].
** As much as this is played straight, it's often subverted with some characters who start with one particular outfit, but eventually change to a variety of different outfits over time that. A good example is {{Wolverine}}, who has sported a variety of different looks over his career, very few of which are actively disliked. The reason for this is there's usually a shared set of aesthetics that are maintained in each outfit, and in the case of the exceptions, they tend to be well received for (usually) still fitting the character's personality.

* Batman/Spider-Man villains thrive on this policy. The Joker especially, who has a trope named after him. He can kill and destroy as many lives as he wants, and all Bats does is punch him a few times and send him back to [[CardboardPrison an easily escapable prison/asylum]]. He'll always be there to menace the Bat, and [[TheFarmerAndTheViper the ramifications]] of this continual (and destructive) cycle have now pretty much became a core aspect of their dynamic.
* Similar to Ben Grimm's situation further above, poor Bruce Banner will always be [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk the Hulk]]. He will never find a permanent cure, and because of that, he and ComicBook/BettyRoss will most likely always be StarCrossedLovers. Things might have changed with Betty Ross becoming the Red She-Hulk, but she permanently lost her powers.
* This was predicted by Creator/KieronGillen concerning ComicBook/{{Loki}}; he would eventually go back to his usual self after Gillen had him reverted to childhood with about half his memories, practically worshiping Comicbook/TheMightyThor. Much of the impact of the arc was not from wondering if the change would stick, but on the possible effects once things reverted to Status Quo. As writer of the Thor title (renamed ''ComicBook/JourneyIntoMystery'' thanks to the focus on Loki, rather than Thor), he indicated that Loki turning evil again WAS NOT a foregone conclusion, as Thor destroyed the Ragnarok cycle which contained the writings that decreed the destinies of the Asgardians, enabling all of them to ScrewDestiny, Loki included, but in the end, Loki's villainous side returned. The writer says he chose to end the story with Loki's return to evil because he knew that if he didn't, someone else would come along and do it anyway. And at least if Loki fell from grace under his pen, he could do it in a [[TearJerker suitably emotional manner]]. "So-and-so IS NOT a foregone conclusion" has been said numerous times (see Creator/JoeQuesada talking about the Franchise/SpiderMan identity reveal, saying "it won't [[Comicbook/OneMoreDay just be undone by magic a year later."]] So take any promise of permanence with [[LyingCreator a gigantic grain of salt.]]
** HOWEVER, this was ultimately subverted in the end. Loki's adventures were continued in Gillen's ''Comicbook/YoungAvengers'' run, with them now developing a massive GuiltComplex over his villainous' side returning, ultimately revealing that Loki's dark side hadn't returned; rather, their mind and memories had been restored but they retained the morality of their young self, and after they were restored to an older form (if albeit still younger than traditional, being now a 20s-something), they're now having a solid go at a HeelFaceTurn in ''Comicbook/LokiAgentOfAsgard'', with a big focus on how they're attempting to ScrewDestiny, with their future self, who had inevitably returned to villainy, playing the role of the BigBad.

* Comicbook/{{Cyborg}}, like the Hulk and the Thing, frequently falls victim to this. Anytime he regains his normal human appearance (or at least gets a sleeker, less monstrous form), it's always undone within a few years.
* Frequently used in ''Comicbook/TheBeano'' and similar comics (''Comicbook/TheBeezer'', ''Comicbook/WhizzerAndChips'', ''ComicBook/TheDandy'') when a strip ends with a major change to the characters occurring there is often a NoteFromEd acting as a ResetButton saying the character will be back to normal by next week.
* {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d in one ''Webcomic/{{Nodwick}}'' strip in ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'', in which Nodwick has been bouncing back and forth in time trying to save the universe from the Unnamable, and has [[TookALevelInBadass taken several levels in badass]] as a result, becoming a mutliclassed wizard-cleric-fighter. The strip ends with Artax reassuring Yeagar that once the Unnamable's been dealt with they can wipe his brain, because having him be better than them at everything is just embarrassing.
* ''ComicBook/{{Iznogoud}}'': Whatever happens to Iznogoud -- even being blasted into orbit -- he's back safe and sound in the next story. The album "The Returns of Iznogoud" adds via Retcon epilogues to many of the "bad endings" of past stories, explaining how Iznogoud each time manages to return to the normal status quo, with some exceptions; some of these epilogues have him trying to escape the bad situation and ending in a worse situation. For example, Iznogoud escapes the complex maze only to end up in the inescapable dungeons. Iznogoud has been there before (in a much older story) but doesn't remember the way out. While there he meets an older incarnation of himself, still searching for the way out after all these years.
* ComicBook/{{Morbius}} [[OurVampiresAredifferent the Living Vampire]] will always be a living vampire. Despite being cured of his pseudo-vampirism several times over the years, sooner or later he's always reverted back. He was once killed and brought back as an undead being, but, true to his name, [[UndeathAlwaysEnds ended up going back to 'living' about a year later]]. He's also worn several costumes over the years, including a leather outfit in his first solo series, but eventually always goes back to his signature outfit, the one he was introduced in.
* ComicBook/CaptainAmerica has often handed his shield and title to other people. [[AntiHeroSubstitute John Walker]], ComicBook/BuckyBarnes, and [[ComicBook/TheFalcon Sam Wilson]], respectively because Steve had became disenhearted with the role, was thought to be dead, or had been BroughtDownToNormal. Each of those has eventually end(ed) with them stepping down and handing the title back in order to return to their own personal identity. Almost subverted with Bucky, though, as Steve had believed that being Captain America was a good thing for Bucky, and when he returned, he opted to take a promotion to becoming the new top-dog of SHIELD, making him something of a general to the superhero populace, rather than the field leader of the Avengers. This, largely, was thanks to fan reaction towards [[BreakoutCharacter Bucky!Cap]] being so overwhelmingly positive that many fans ''didn't want'' Steve to come back to the role. In the end, he only returned to the role as it was in order to coincide with the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse.
** Sam Wilson became the official Captain America in ''Captain America: Sam Wilson''. In ''ComicBook/NickSpencersCaptainAmerica'', Steve Rogers returned to normal and subsequently shared the identity with Sam for a while, with both men using the Captain America name. This lasted until ''Comicbook/SecretEmpire'' and ''Generations'', which ended with Sam giving the shield back to Steve and returning to his original Falcon identity.
* This was actually lampshaded in the final issue of ''ComicBook/USAvengers'' as Sunspot, despite having bought out AIM and turned it into a force of good, noted there were always small pockets of the evil version ready to rise up and take their place.

** There are stories where [[TheCommissionerGordon Jim Gordon]] is removed from the post of Commissioner only to end up back in the post. While naturally some of these are the result of ongoing subplots such as the early stuff with Hamilton Hill[[note]]replacing Gordon with fellow Rupert Throne crony Peter Pauling and only reinstating Gordon after Throne was busted and Pauling killed[[/note]] and the ''Batman'' comics between ''ComicBook/{{Knightfall}}'' (including Prodigal) and ''Contagion''[[note]]Gordon was pissed about Batman appointing ComicBook/{{Azrael}} and ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} to fill in without telling him, resulting in Gordon refusing to trust him further. Then Mayor Armand Krol, who'd been saved Batman and approved some of Azrael's actions as Batman demoted Gordon and appointed Gordon's then-wife Sarah Essen to replace him and rather than take it, Gordon quits. ''Contagion'' ends with Gordon regaining his trust in Batman and new Mayor Marion Grange reinstating Gordon[[/note]], others are done after other stories.\\\

** Spider-Man seems to have gained two distinct Status Quos: He's either a single young adult living either alone, with his aunt, or a close friend, or he's married/in a committed relationship with Mary Jane Watson who he lives with, and appears to be growing up. This is the result of two parties RunningTheAsylum; in the former case, people who grew up with single young Spidey and/or cling onto him as a means to cling onto their own young adulthood, and so insist on keeping him this way, and in the latter case, people who grew up with Spidey when he was dating Mary Jane who, thanks to being the EnsembleDarkhorse, became a FanPreferredCouple with him, and so they make it canon and have them settle down since that's the logical path for a relationship to go, and likely similar to how the writer is currently. Because of this, Mary Jane has repeatedly been PutOnABus, often via a means to try and ensure that she doesn't come back (such as killing her off or {{Derailing|LoveInterests}} her), but every time this happens she always comes back (usually because whatever prompted her to leave, she [[CharacterDevelopment gets over]] and reunites with Peter because ultimately, they both love each other too much). This is similar with any prominent relationship in mainstream comics; Franchise/{{Superman}} and ComicBook/LoisLane, Franchise/{{Batman}} and ComicBook/{{Catwoman}}, ComicBook/GreenArrow and ComicBook/BlackCanary, [[ComicBook/AntMan Henry Pym]] and ComicBook/TheWasp, ComicBook/IronMan and ComicBook/PepperPotts, ComicBook/{{Hawkeye}} and ComicBook/{{Mockingbird}}, and many, many others are pretty much stuck in an endless cycle of being broken up by writers who prefer them single and reunited by those who prefer them together. Because of this, fans of either persuasion should be able to rest easy, because sooner or later, they're going to be the way they want them. For a while. (In practice, of course, whichever set of fans is currently not being served call loudly for the ResetButton to be pushed ''now''.)

* Both Creator/{{Marvel|Comics}} and Creator/DCComics live by this trope. The late-great Stan Lee referred to this as [[https://www.peterdavid.net/2012/12/24/the-illusion-of-change/ "the illusion of change"]]. The basic idea is to make it ''seem'' as if things were changing in the life of a character… but, in point of fact, have them remain exactly the same. They've really put themselves into a Catch-22 situation, they can change things around and kill off characters and whatnot, but [[JokerImmunity killing popular characters]] will cause an uproar among fans; if they pursue their current strategy of keeping things the way they are, then people get to come on this wiki and put them here in this trope for not changing anything.

''Officer Down'' saw Gordon resign after getting shot (though the decision was based more on his age and the fact he missed his second wife, Sarah Essen, than the fact that his shooter seemed to get away with it). That was the status quo for five years until ''Face the Face'', part of the ''One Year Later'' TimeSkip of ''ComicBook/InfiniteCrisis'', which saw Gordon return to the role of Police Commissioner, (as well as Harvey Bullock return to the force after being forced out by Gordon's successor Michael Akins when he got wind that Bullock sold out Gordon's shooter to the mob and Harvey Dent becoming Two-Face after his face was fixed in ''ComicBook/BatmanHush''). [[spoiler: Despite his name being cleared, Gordon wasn't reinstated in the end of ''ComicBook/BatmanEternal'' and even wonders what he'll do now, a SequelHook to ''Superheavy'', where he becomes Batman after Bruce's presumed death in ''ComicBook/BatmanEndgame''. ''Superheavy'' not only ends with Bruce once again as Batman, but Maggie Sawyer, who'd become Commissioner during the final issues of ''Eternal'', returning to the MCU and Gordon being reappointed Commissioner.]]

** There have been several attempts to give ComicBook/PowerGirl more modest outfits, starting in ''[[WestCoastTeam Justice League Europe]]'' in the 80's. The thing is, [[TropesAreNotBad regardless of gender, many fans genuinely like her original costume]] (CleavageWindow and all), so any attempt at a more conservative redesign is usually jettisoned very quickly. Most recently, they tried to give her a new costume in the Comicbook/{{New 52}} that ditched the cleavage window and gave her pants, but fan outrage eventually got her restored to [[LeotardOfPower her iconic look]].

* Both Creator/{{Marvel|Comics}} and Creator/DCComics live by this trope. The late-great Stan Lee referred to this as [[https://www.peterdavid.net/2012/12/24/the-illusion-of-change/ "the illusion of change"]]. The basic idea is to make it seem as if things
were changing in the life of a character… but, in point of fact, have them remain exactly the
same. They've really put themselves into a Catch-22 situation, they can change things around and kill off characters and whatnot, but [[JokerImmunity killing popular characters]] will cause an uproar among fans; if they pursue their current strategy of keeping things the way they are, then people get to come on this wiki and put them here in this trope for not changing anything.

* Both Creator/{{Marvel|Comics}} and Creator/DCComics live by this trope. They've really put themselves into a Catch-22 situation, they can change things around and kill off characters and whatnot, but [[JokerImmunity killing popular characters]] will cause an uproar among fans; if they pursue their current strategy of keeping things the way they are, then people get to come on this wiki and put them here in this trope for not changing anything.

* This was actually lampshaded in the final issue of ''ComicBook/USAvengers''

** Sam Wilson became the official Captain America in ''Captain America: Sam Wilson''. In ''ComicBook/NickSpencersCaptainAmerica'', Steve Rogers returned to normal and subsequently shared the identity with Sam for a while, with both men using the Captain America name. This lasted until ''Comicbook/SecretEmpire'' and ''Generations'', which ended with Sam giving the shield back to Steve and returning to his original Falcon identity.

** ''{{ComicBook/Sabretooth}}'' is the newest case. He was [[HeelFaceBrainwashing inverted]] into a good guy during ''{{ComicBook/AXIS}}'' and decides to follow Logan's example by finding his own Wolverine. The first book he was in got cancelled due to ''{{ComicBook/SecretWars}}'', then he went to Bunn's [[ComicBook/UncannyXMen2015 Uncanny X-Men]]. He joins the team & continues his quest for redemption while developing [[BelligerentSexualTension budding]] [[ShipTease relationship]] with [[Characters/GenerationX Monet St. Croix]], whom he was very protective of. His inversion showed signs of slipping & he struggles to fight the reversion. Not wanting to be a monster again, he vows to become something different if he can not stay inverted. He also uses helping Monet as motivation, who was cursed by her brother and became a vampire. He eventually ran away with her at the end of the series. Cue ''ComicBook/ResurrXion'', and all of this has been ignored. His struggles with not wanting to be a monster haven't come up, and his entire relationship with Monet [[NoRomanticResolution was dropped]] without any explanation. He's back to wanting to kill stuff in Weapon X, with Logan & Warpath keep watch on him and being ready to kill him should he lose it, but trying to keep him sated by looking for monsters & villains he can fight. The Claws of A Killer mini also shows he's back wanting to kill Wolverine when he hears that he may be alive again.

** ''{{ComicBook/Sabretooth}}'' is the newest case. He was [[HeelFaceBrainwashing inverted]] into a good guy during ''{{ComicBook/AXIS}}'' and decides to follow Logan's example by finding his own Wolverine. The first book he was in got cancelled due to ''{{ComicBook/SecretWars}}'', then he went to Bunn's [[ComicBook/UncannyXMen2015 Uncanny X-Men]]. He joins the team & continues his quest for redemption while developing [[BelligerentSexualTension budding]] [[ShipTease relationship]] with [[Characters/GenerationX Monet St. Croix]], whom he was very protective of. His inversion showed signs of slipping & he struggles to fight the reversion. Not wanting to be a monster again, he vows to become something different if he can not stay inverted. He also uses helping Monet as motivation, who was cursed by her brother and became a vampire. He eventually ran away with her at the end of the series. Cue ''ComicBook/ResurrXion'', and all of this has been ignored. His struggles with not wanting to be a monster haven't come up, and his entire relationship with Monet [[NoRomanticResolution was dropped]] without any explanation. He's back to being a sadistic killer, and stated as a villain in solicits for the ''Claws of A Killer'' mini.

** ''{{ComicBook/Sabretooth}}'' is the newest case. He was [[HeelFaceBrainwashing inverted]] into a good guy during ''{{ComicBook/AXIS}}'' and he decides to follow Logan's example, finding his own Wolverine. The first book he was in got cancelled due to ''{{ComicBook/SecretWars}}'', then he went to Bunn's [[ComicBook/UncannyXMen2015 Uncanny X-Men]]. Still inverted, he joins the team and continues his quest for redemption. WordOfGod says he's TheHeart of the team, and least likely to wanna use lethal force. [[WordOfGod Bunn]] mentioned Creed would have a lot of tragedy coming his way and even romance, which [[ShipTease seemed]] to be [[Characters/GenerationX Monet St. Croix]]. He stated the romance would not be with Psylocke, then later noted that he & Mystique were not on good terms. When asked about Creed returning to his villainous self, Bunn noted he was in no rush to make that happen, even stating prior that he was playing a long game with Sabretooth. The book was cancelled prematurely, so all of Bunn's plans for Sbaretooth got cut short, and we mostly got his relationship to Monet being set up. He was shown as early as chapter two to be very protective of her. We see the extent of it when she's cursed by Emplate. Needing to feed on mutants, Creed offers himself up to her. The feedings seem to wear down his inversion, since he shows signs of slipping one chapter after. His old ways are coming back, and he's already having thoughts of slaughtering his comrades. But he doesn't want to be a monster again, so he thinks he has to fight for something worth fighting for to stay grounded. Helping Monet becomes his motivation. He vows to become something different. Something other than the lie of his inverted self & other than the monster he was. Cue ''ComicBook/ResurrXion'', and all of this has been ignored. Sabretooth is evil again. He is back to hating Wolverine, doesn't wear his X-costume, and just wants to kill again. He's been referred to as a villain by Old Man Logan and stated as such in solicits for the ''Claws of A Killer'' mini. His struggles with not wanting to be a monster haven't come up, and his entire relationship with Monet [[NoRomanticResolution was dropped]] without any explanation. He's back to the monster he was, and not the "something different" he vowed to be.

* Creator/{{Marvel|Comics}}/Creator/DCComics live by this trope. They've really put themselves into a Catch-22 situation, they can change things around and kill off characters and whatnot, but [[JokerImmunity killing popular characters]] will cause an uproar among fans; if they pursue their current strategy of keeping things the way they are, then people get to come on this wiki and put them here in this trope for not changing anything.

** The Barbara Gordon incarnation of Batgirl eventually had this happen. In the well-acclaimed graphic novel ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'', she was shot in the spine by ComicBook/TheJoker, rendering her permanently paralyzed. Barbara then took on the persona of Oracle, working behind the scenes to aid the Bat-Family with her hacking skills and computer expertise, during which she became an inspiration and idol for many real life disabled readers, and led the ComicBook/BirdsOfPrey. But after the 2011 reboot Comicbook/{{New 52}}, Barbara was back on her legs as Batgirl, despite spending almost exactly ''half'' her publication history as Oracle.

** Sam Wilson became the official Captain America in ''Captain America: Sam Wilson''. In ''ComicBook/NickSpencersCaptainAmerica'', Steve Rogers is back to normal and resumes being Captain America. Now both are Captain America.

''Officer Down'' saw Gordon resign after getting shot (though the decision was based more of his age and the fact he missed his second wife, Sarah Essen, than the fact that his shooter seemed to get away with it). That was the status quo for five years until ''Face the Face'', part of the ''One Year Later'' TimeSkip of ''ComicBook/InfiniteCrisis'', which saw Gordon return to the role of Police Commissioner, (as well as Harvey Bullock return to the force after being forced out by Gordon's successor Michael Akins when he got wind that Bullock sold out Gordon's shooter to the mob and Harvey Dent becoming Two-Face after his face was fixed in ''ComicBook/BatmanHush''). [[spoiler: Despite his name being cleared, Gordon wasn't reinstated in the end of ''ComicBook/BatmanEternal'' and even wonders what he'll do now, a SequelHook to ''Superheavy'', where he becomes Batman after Bruce's presumed death in ''ComicBook/BatmanEndgame''. ''Superheavy'' not only ends with Bruce once again as Batman, but Maggie Sawyer, who'd become Commissioner during the final issues of ''Eternal'', returning to the MCU and Gordon being reappointed Commissioner.]]

** The course of ''Superheavy'' and ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'' would also see the events of ''Eternal'' and ''Endgame'' undone as Alfred [[spoiler: gains a new hand after the Joker cuts it off in ''Endgame'']] and Bruce regain control of Wayne Enterprises, Wayne Manor, and his fortune after losing them in ''Eternal''.

* ''ComicBook/{{Iznogoud}}'': Whatever happens to Iznogoud--even being blasted into orbit--he's back safe and sound in the next story. There was made a "The Returns of Iznogoud" album, which adds via Retcon epilogues to many of the "bad endings" of past stories, explaining how Iznogoud each time manages to return to normal status quo. With some exceptions. Some of these epilogues have him trying to escape the bad situation and ending in a worse situation. For example Iznogoud escapes the complex maze to end up in the inescapable dungeons. Iznogoud has been there before (in a much older story) but doesn't remember any way out. While there he meets an older incarnation of himself, still searching for the way out after all these years.