Family dynamics can become incredibly intricate, especially within the Marvel Universe. With a vast array of characters and intertwined narratives, it’s common for unexpected familial ties or astonishing revelations to emerge over time. Some of these biological connections are so extraordinary that they challenge belief.
Marvel’s extensive character roster is not only diverse but deeply interconnected. Relationships can blossom, secrets can unravel, and genetic histories can be rewritten as alien DNA mingles with that of Earth’s heroes. While not every character embraces their relational ties, the bloodline remains undeniable. Here are ten astounding biological relationships from the Marvel comics that might leave you wondering if they’re really true.
10. The Hulk, Skaar, & Hiro-Kala
Marvel’s Strongest Family
Although fans often recognize Skaar as the Incredible Hulk’s son, the Green Behemoth has a second son, Hiro-Kala. Believing his family was murdered by the Illuminati on Sakaar, Hulk left behind two powerful sons. Skaar inherited his father’s gamma radiation, exhibiting similar strength and appearance.
Conversely, Hiro-Kala emerged with unique powers derived from his mother’s essence, gaining a connection to the Old Power and immense abilities over the planet. His quest for vengeance over his mother’s death led him to wage a war across the cosmos. Ultimately, during a family reunion involving Hulk and Skaar, Hiro-Kala made the ultimate sacrifice to birth a new star.
9. Emma Frost & The Stepford Cuckoos
Who Cares If They’re Clones? They’re Still Family
Following a devastating battle, Emma Frost fell into a coma, which prompted a Weapon X scientist to extract her eggs to produce new mutant warriors. These experiments aimed to harness Emma’s psychic powers for destruction. While most of these creations remained dormant, five emerged as the Stepford Cuckoos, infiltrating Xavier’s School.
Even as genetically engineered beings, the Cuckoos are capable of achieving their progenitor’s Omega-level psychic powers. Emma continues to nurture her clones, despite their rebellious choices after the downfall of Krakoa, diverging from her heroic legacy.
8. Kang the Conqueror & Reed Richards
Mortal Enemies With Similar Genetics
In a distant future, Kang the Conqueror—whose roots trace back to Reed Richards’ own ancestors—is born as Nathaniel Richards. Trying to escape his impending future, Nathaniel becomes Iron Lad and attempts to prevent the rise of his malevolent future self.
Throughout his time-traveling escapades, Kang has fathered numerous offspring who carry the Richards lineage without his knowledge. Among the most infamous connections is Immortus, a variant of Kang, who once fathered a child with Captain Marvel, creating a complex web of familial ties that complicates Reed’s life significantly.
7. The Vision Family
If You Don’t Have A Family, You Can Always Make One
Though the Marvel Cinematic Universe drew attention to the love story between Vision and Scarlet Witch, their relationship has long become a relic of the past. After losing his memories as White Vision, Vision sought to reclaim his humanity by creating a synthezoid family.
Using parts of Ultron’s mental framework, Vision created Virginia, who was modeled after the essence of Scarlet Witch. Together, they birthed children Vivian and Vin, but tragedy has befallen this family, leaving Viv and their robotic pet Sparky as the last of their familial ties.
6. Thanos & Thane
Marvel’s Most Toxic Father-Son Duo
Thanos, infamously known as the Mad Titan, represents the ultimate menace within the universe. His enjoyment lies in the torment of others, often eliminating his offspring to eliminate any threats to his power. However, one son, Thane, managed to survive.
Thane is an embodiment of both Inhuman and Eternal attributes, making him a formidable being. His transformation during Terrigenesis mirrored Thanos’s own grotesque appearance and endowed him with a lethal touch that can eliminate anyone in proximity. This power combination led him to become an overwhelming threat himself.
5. Mystique, Destiny, & Nightcrawler
Born From Love, Forgotten To Time
Throughout various retcons, the family connection between Mystique and Nightcrawler remains steadfast. Mystique transformed into the demon Azazel to create Nightcrawler, a child destined to fulfill a critical role as visualized by Destiny.
Despite a rocky relationship, Nightcrawler harbors love for Raven, his biological mother, and possesses a remarkable capacity for forgiveness. While direct interactions between them have diminished post-Krakoa, Nightcrawler valiantly continues his legacy by mentoring a new generation of mutants.
4. Nick Fury Senior & Nick Fury Junior
It’s A Complicated Story
The Ultimate Universe redesigns iconic characters, giving us a Nick Fury modeled after Samuel L. Jackson. Following the multiversal collapse during the 2015 Secret Wars event, elements of the Ultimate Universe converged with Earth-616.
Thus, the Nick Fury of the main Marvel Universe became known as Nick Fury Sr., while his counterpart from the Ultimate Universe is considered his son. Originally named Marcus Johnson, he further adopted the Fury name after uncovering his father’s illustrious legacy.
3. Thor & Hercules
Friends, Rivals, Relatives
Although they represent distinct mythological backgrounds, Thor and Hercules share a familial connection. Thor’s mother, Gaea, connects him to a vast network of Earth gods, while Zeus from the Greek pantheon is actually Thor’s great-uncle, rendering Hercules his great-great-nephew.
This hidden kinship adds depth to their friendship, allowing them to unite against a common evil while celebrating their shared heritage.
2. Venom, Eddie Brock, & Dylan Brock
Who Needs One Dad When You Can Have Two?
The symbiotic connection between Venom and Eddie Brock led to an unexpected sharing of DNA when they first bonded. Though Eddie attempted to maintain a relationship with his wife, Anne, things spiraled as Venom also bonded with her, resulting in the birth of their son Dylan.
Dylan, a unique hybrid of human and symbiote, inherits remarkable abilities linked to the broader Symbiote Hive. However, his powers are constrained with an evolutionary lock designed by Eddie and Venom. Unfortunately, as the storyline evolves, both Eddie and Venom are missing from Dylan’s life, leaving him to forge his path alone.
1. Storm & Agamotto, the First Sorcerer Supreme
Storm Is One Mystical Mutant
After the tumultuous events surrounding Krakoa, Storm opted to establish her sanctuary on Earth instead of relocating. Remarkably, it was later discovered that Ororo Monroe is a distant descendant of Agamotto, the first Sorcerer Supreme.
This revelation came during her quest to regain lost powers, as Storm sought assistance from her ally Doctor Voodoo. Instead of support, she learned that her own incredible abilities rooted from her lineage, propelling her into new mystically charged heights that redefine her role within the Marvel Universe.
Which Marvel family connection astonished you the most?