Marvel and DC stand as towering titans in the superhero cosmos, each with an arsenal of characters that ignite imaginations worldwide. The MCU's vibrant energy contrasts with DCU's darker, more intense mythos, fueling a persistent rivalry. Yet, beneath the clashing colors and epic battles, both universes share a surprising similarity: a reluctance to fully integrate some of their most compelling Black heroes into their central storylines. This quiet exclusion feels like powerful notes left unheard in an otherwise grand symphony.

When the spotlight shines, some heroes seem to be standing just offstage, waiting for their cue that never quite comes.

Marvel Studios, despite its bold steps toward inclusion, has often held its Black heroes back from the main MCU spotlight., and its most recent victim seems to be the Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse beloved Miles Morales. Revealed by Kevin Feige in a fleeting Variety interview, they have been "told to stay away", insinuating legal repercussions of proceeding any more than required, Marvel has kept characters such as Miles Morales confined to alternate realities rather than elevating them to the heart of the flagship saga. This cautious approach, perhaps a bid to preserve narrative consistency or audience familiarity, unintentionally turns these heroes into side stories rather than core figures, muting their narrative resonance.

On the other side, DC’s signature gravitas carries a similar hesitance. A similar situation had been reported by Superman director James Gunn in the promotional slew and revealed that he was in a complicated legal situation with DC superhero Static. As the company reboots its universe under new creative visions, beloved Black icons linger in the wings, poised but not fully embraced. They flicker more as potential legends trapped behind a veil of restructuring and tradition-bound storytelling. This circumspection reveals a delicate juggling act, balancing innovation with respect for established lore, where DC has yet to find the perfect rhythm to place its diverse heroes front and center.

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It seems the door to the spotlight occasionally opens just wide enough to tease, but not to invite these heroes fully inside.

This parallel hesitation from both Marvel and DC highlights a deeper industry challenge: embedding diverse characters into entrenched mythologies without upsetting the delicate fan ecosystem. The quiet sidelining of Black superheroes reveals an unspoken fear of shaking foundational structures. Despite their expansive universes and clear ability to nail a non-white cast that becomes Kevin Feige's favorite, these companies often restrain their boldest, most vibrant characters to narrative outskirts, denying fans the fuller, richer stories that inclusion would bring and overlooking the cultural significance it holds.

In the end, the hope remains for Marvel and DC to fully embrace their Black heroes within main storylines. Doing so would not only enrich their mythologies but affirm their commitment to diverse, resonant storytelling. When these universes stop tiptoeing around inclusion and let these characters shine unapologetically, they elevate both their legends and their audiences. Until then, the sidelining of such heroes remains a poignant "what could be" in the evolving saga of superhero storytelling.

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What do you think about these kept-at-day superheroes of the two cinematic universes? Let us know in the comments below.