O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Being a superhero can be a lonely endeavor. While only about 20 percent of households in the United States are only-child families, it seems most superheroes grow up without siblings – and if siblings are part of the story, they are often long-lost brothers or sisters. Sibling rivalry in comics is perhaps the default setting – more of these siblings end up battling their brothers or sisters than teaming up! The following are some of comics’ more notable siblings and suggested reading for their stories.
Thor & Loki
The god of thunder and the god of mischief in Marvel Comics lore are adopted brothers who often find themselves at one another’s throats. Loki’s schemes led to the formation of the Avengers.
Suggested reading: “Tales of Asgard” from Journey Into Mystery #100 by Stan Lee, Don Heck, and Sam Rosen. Reprinted in Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor Volume 1(0785191321). Here, Thor and Loki are close as youngsters, as they plan to steal back Golden Apples stolen by Storm Giants. Thor is headstrong and impulsive, but Loki uses his wits to save the day.
Jonah Hex & his brothers
Jonah Hex’s family life has been tough in nearly every version. Scarred, sold into slavery, left for dead – these are common in most versions. Hex’s adopted brother, Noh-Tante, betrays Jonah, which leads to his being scarred and disavowed.
Suggested reading: Jonah Hex and his half-brother Joshua meet in the 2010 graphic novel, Jonah Hex: No Way Back (JAN100270), by writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, and artist Tony DeZuniga, where each has dealt with their unsatisfactory family life growing up in different ways. Noh-Tante’s story is found in Jonah Hex vol. 1, #7, #8 and #30.
Cyclops & Havok
Created by writer Arnold Drake and artist Don Heck, Havok first appeared in X-Men #54 (March 1969). Havok, aka Alex Summers, is the younger brother of Scott, aka Cyclops of the X-Men.
Suggested reading: In X-Men #97 from 1976, writer Chris Claremont, with artists Dave Cockrum and Sam Grainger tell the story of Havok and his girlfriend Lorna Dane being brainwashed. The pair are directed to attack the X-Men, leading to a showdown between Scott and Alex.
Starfire & Blackfire
Another pair of royal siblings, Komand’r, aka Blackfire, is jealous of her sister Koriand’r, the Teen Titan known as Starfire. Blackfire first appears in 1982’s New Teen Titans #22, created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez.
Suggested Reading: In 1987’s The New Teen Titans Vol. 2, #23, Starfire confronts Blackfire in battle, with control over their homeworld of Tamaran on the line. Talk about sibling rivalry!
