Heroic Age (comics)

The Heroic Age was a 2010 comic book storyline and branding initiative by Marvel Comics, intended as a successor to the Dark Reign era and a return to more optimistic and traditionally heroic themes. Following the "Siege" event, which saw the downfall of Norman Osborn and the dismantling of his corrupt organizations, the Heroic Age aimed to restore faith in superheroes and establish a new status quo for the Marvel Universe.

Key characteristics of the Heroic Age included:

• Return to Traditional Heroism: A deliberate effort was made to emphasize heroic ideals and positive portrayals of superheroes. Characters were generally depicted as striving to do good and acting in a more selfless manner.
• Re-establishment of Classic Teams: Many classic superhero teams, such as the Avengers and the Fantastic Four (although temporarily without Johnny Storm), were reformed and repopularized, often with new members or revised team dynamics.
• New Status Quos: The storyline introduced new team rosters, power dynamics, and narrative directions for various characters and titles across the Marvel Universe. Several characters were given leadership roles or responsibilities they hadn't held before.
• Shifting Tone: In contrast to the darker and more morally ambiguous storylines of the preceding years, the Heroic Age sought to establish a lighter, more hopeful tone across the Marvel line.
• Focus on legacy: The Heroic Age aimed to celebrate the history and legacy of Marvel's characters and stories while also introducing new elements and directions.

While considered a distinct era, the Heroic Age did not represent a complete reboot or continuity reset. It built upon existing storylines and character arcs, while simultaneously steering the narrative towards a more uplifting direction. The storyline eventually transitioned into subsequent Marvel initiatives, such as Marvel NOW!.