Exploring the Complexities of Mental Health in Marvel and DC: Villains, Heroes, and Their Impact on Society
When it comes to the longstanding debate of Marvel vs. DC, fans tend to have strong opinions about which universe reigns supreme. Up until recently, I was team Marvel without hesitation. But after watching the Max’s recent depictions of villains like Penguin, I’m beginning to appreciate the complexity that DC offers, particularly in how it portrays mental health. As a psychologist with a passion for storytelling, it’s fascinating to see how both Marvel and DC handle mental illness, trauma, and character development—and how those portrayals shape societal perceptions of mental health.
Marvel vs. DC: Different Approaches to Mental Health
Marvel and DC both tap into the human experience of trauma and adversity, but they do so in strikingly different ways. Marvel, for the most part, focuses on its heroes—characters who have often endured significant trauma but overcome it in a way that positions them as righteous, albeit flawed, saviors. Whether it’s Tony Stark’s battle with PTSD or Black Widow’s history of exploitation, these heroes may have dark backstories, but they tend to move past their trauma, distancing themselves from it to embody a kind of maladaptive heroism. Their struggles become part of the narrative, but their identities are largely defined by their ability to rise above, almost idealizing the “bounce-back” effect of trauma recovery. This can send the message that mental health challenges are something to "get over" rather than live with and adapt to.
DC, on the other hand, gives much more screen time to its villains, often delving into their complex psychological make-up and traumatic histories. Characters like Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Harley Quinn are all shaped by their trauma and mental health challenges. However, instead of simply rising above it, they are often consumed by it, resulting in their villainy.
While Marvel highlights its heroes' triumphs over adversity, DC brings our attention to the darker side of human psychology. This focus on the villain’s backstory creates empathy—especially when we see how deep-rooted trauma and systemic failures, like poverty and wealth inequality, play into their descent into madness. For example, Joker’s struggles with mental illness and societal rejection give us a glimpse into a world where the underprivileged are failed by the systems meant to protect them. While Penguin’s character offers a similar narrative, his journey is also deeply shaped by personal experiences of being teased, ridiculed, and ostracized due to his deformities, obesity, and disability. These physical attributes make him a target for cruelty and exclusion, further isolating him from society. Penguin's bitterness and eventual turn to villainy are not only driven by societal neglect but also by the constant humiliation and rejection he faces because of his appearance—highlighting the painful intersection of physical difference and systemic inequality.
The Societal Impact of These Depictions
Both Marvel and DC's portrayals of mental illness have a significant impact on how society views mental health, trauma, and recovery. DC’s emphasis on trauma-induced villainy reinforces common tropes, such as the "psycho killer" or the "dangerous mental patient," which can perpetuate stigma against individuals living with mental health conditions. This not only dehumanizes people with mental health challenges but also deepens societal fears around mental illness. In films like Joker, viewers are led to see the villain as someone unhinged and dangerous due to his mental state, fueling misconceptions about mental illness being synonymous with violence and unpredictability.
Marvel, on the other hand, while offering more "heroic" outcomes, often simplifies the complexities of mental health recovery. Heroes like Tony Stark (Iron Man) or Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) seem to battle their demons in ways that gloss over the ongoing struggle that comes with conditions like PTSD or trauma-induced psychosis. Their narratives may inspire hope, but they can also set unrealistic expectations for viewers who live with mental illness, implying that healing is as straightforward as picking yourself up and carrying on as usual.
This divergence in portrayals speaks to larger societal issues. On the one hand, there’s an overemphasis on the idea that people living with mental illness are inherently dangerous (DC). On the other, there’s the overly simplistic notion that trauma is something we can easily "overcome" through sheer willpower (Marvel). Both extremes lack nuance and fail to accurately reflect the true complexity of mental health, trauma, and the road to recovery.
Humanizing Villains: Where DC Shines, and Fails
Though DC excels in giving depth to its villains by providing their backstories and humanizing them, it often misses the mark by falling back on harmful stereotypes about mental illness. While we may sympathize with Joker’s plight, we also see him become an uncontrollable, violent force, suggesting that his mental illness is directly responsible for his villainous behavior. In doing so, the film reinforces outdated and harmful stereotypes about individuals with mental health conditions being dangerous.
That being said, DC's focus on its villains does create opportunities for further exploration of the intersection of trauma, mental health, and societal neglect. Other characters like Harley Quinn and Riddler provide ample opportunity for complex storytelling. They are more than just villains—they are individuals shaped by their environment, trauma, and the lack of support systems that could have prevented their downward spirals.
Building Layered Villains and Heroes
As we look to the future of storytelling, there’s an opportunity to develop villains and heroes that are more nuanced and reflective of real-world mental health struggles. It’s time for the entertainment industry to move beyond the simple binaries of good and evil, trauma and triumph, to embrace stories that highlight the full spectrum of mental health experiences.
If you’re a writer, producer, or director, I invite you to consult with me to help you create characters that are not only compelling but transformative. Together, we can develop narratives that offer a more accurate, compassionate, and layered portrayal of mental health in storytelling—whether it’s a tortured villain or a hero on the path to recovery. Let’s craft stories that challenge societal norms and redefine how we understand trauma, mental illness, and healing. Schedule your complimentary consultation Here.
