Why Marvel characters don't have jobs?

[Killerbee911]

Like I said earlier, a lot of characters get jobs all of a sudden when they're put in a solo comic, because they're an opportunity to help flesh their life out beyond whatever's going with the other capes. In retrospect, it was a mistake on Marvel's part to get rid of so many secret identities over the 00s.

Secret Identities is the part of the trope that doesn't hold up as much anymore we live in the era cell phone cameras, paparazzi, surveillance drones, hidden cameras, security cameras and facial recognition database. Trying to tell those stories don't hold up today there is a reason most superhero shows(arrow, flash) and movies(Spiderman, Ironman) don't try to protect the secret as much an more it doesn't hold up. And that is the biggest tenant of having a job as a superhero that you just blend in with normal people. Which one holds up better Spiderman in high school hiding with no help or Spiderman hiding but Shield is covering for him or can cover for him. The Suspense of disbelief only goes so far when you are adding realistic elements to a story. It is not a suprise secret identites get toss out in this era

Comic companies realize things need to change but keeping thing the same as they were past plays a big part with comic fans. For example, Batman or Spiderman breaks out suit upgrades all the time but doesn't keep them to remain a street-level hero. And that type of thinking is done mass scale with the universe "the initiative" "mutant registration" and "superhero registration act" make sense but is a massive shift in what fans are used to or want. You are telling me superheroes need jobs but they are models on Instagram making money from just being seeing a lot and superheroes live in that world. You can't sell me that Avengers and FF aren't making money on their brand and most heroes wouldn't be seen as celebrities. But I understand why it doesn't change but at some point, they will be a shift in storytelling at some point.

[bat39]

Like a lot of people have said already, it depends a lot on storytelling potential.

If the characters' job and civilian life is an important part of the story that the writer is trying to tell, they'll have it. Otherwise, they won't.

Take the Marvel movies. The story that the MCU is trying to tell is the Avengers saving the world. Steve Rogers having a day job isn't relevant to these movies. Frankly, it wouldn't really make sense given his background. He was a SHIELD operative and then a full-time Avenger (and now a fugitive). All those made sense and were related to his superhero life. It isn't really necessary for him to hold down a 9 to 5 as Steve Rogers (frankly, it'd be impossible because the whole world knows who he is).

But consider the Marvel Netflix shows. They're on a different scale altogether - a lower scale in fact. Matt Murdock being a "lawyer by day, vigilante by night" IS a major hook of the story. As is Jessica Jones trying to eke out a living as a PI. I haven't watched Iron Fist in its entirely (gave up after 4 episodes) but from what little I've seen, Danny Rand running his company was actually a major plot point and focus of the show...something which really isn't necessary with, say, Tony Stark in the movies (well apart from the first two movies, where it was a plot point).

[DrNewGod]

Like a lot of people have said already, it depends a lot on storytelling potential.

If the characters' job and civilian life is an important part of the story that the writer is trying to tell, they'll have it. Otherwise, they won't.

Take the Marvel movies. The story that the MCU is trying to tell is the Avengers saving the world. Steve Rogers having a day job isn't relevant to these movies. Frankly, it wouldn't really make sense given his background. He was a SHIELD operative and then a full-time Avenger (and now a fugitive). All those made sense and were related to his superhero life. It isn't really necessary for him to hold down a 9 to 5 as Steve Rogers (frankly, it'd be impossible because the whole world knows who he is).

But consider the Marvel Netflix shows. They're on a different scale altogether - a lower scale in fact. Matt Murdock being a "lawyer by day, vigilante by night" IS a major hook of the story. As is Jessica Jones trying to eke out a living as a PI. I haven't watched Iron Fist in its entirely (gave up after 4 episodes) but from what little I've seen, Danny Rand running his company was actually a major plot point and focus of the show...something which really isn't necessary with, say, Tony Stark in the movies (well apart from the first two movies, where it was a plot point).

There are superheroes that fit the model you describe (the FF), and even some that fit a noir-style version of it (Luke Cage). There are also some that simply don't (Moon Knight).

[The Ray]

Well, now Matt is acting Mayor of New York City. Like the Jeffersons, he's moved on up.

It certainly makes him much more relatable.

[Bunai]

- Sam Wilson is a social worker; been that way since the 70s.

- And depending on the writer, people are still being portrayed as apprehensive to hiring outted mutants.

- The people of SHIELD are all government workers.

- Deadpool is a mercenary.

[Killerbee911]

It certainly makes him much more relatable.

How does that make him relatable? That just feels like hey " this comic book needs to go a fresh new direction" which will get undone by the next writer who will go" This character needs to go back to his core". I don't see how jobs ground the character or make these character relatable. Also we do know what a lot of people can do jobwise for example

Quicksilver

Terrorist-Brotherhood
Government operative-Avenger
Head of Militia-Inhumans
Government operative-X-factor
Teacher-Avenger academy
Corporate operative-Xfactor

Scarlet Witch

Terrorist-Brotherhood
Government operative-Avenger
Magician/witchcraft tutor

Falcon

Government operative-Avenger
former freelance artist
social worker
urban planner
Shield operative-Captain America

You have over simplify something comics can't cover. What day do Avengers get paid on? How often have you ever seen hero get a paid on panel? Where did heroes go to college to learn their skill? Have you have seen superheroes buy clothes or groceries? Or go to restaurants or movies? There is only so much small details that go into a comic. Stories don't go that deep into their lives especially when they are in group book. It is not a matter of Avengers are living off a rich member it is comics cover only so much minutia. Characters with solo books or who been around for long time get more flesh out and characters who primarily exists on teams don't. Just for fun I looked for adult heroes who primarily have been on teams with no solos

You tell me anything substance about civilian work history of these characters

Synapse
Quake
Firestar
Justice
Smasher
Manifold

It is just as easy to assume that character has a trait/skill that they could be doing as job instead they are living off rich team member imo.Comics especially group books doesn't have time to cover all that. Also they never go into a great depth about organizations. Avenger and FF building don't have support staff ? Cooks ,Janitors, Payroll,etc I mean one butler is not enough for a skyscraper size buildings. Doesn't X-mansion need staff? Cooks, Gardeners, Janitors,etc. Xavier School has to be accredited right? It would mean it teachers would need certain qualifications which very few of Xmen can reasonable have them anyways the point is the stories don't up to scrutiny of a deeper look. In past teens could skip school/class no issue but today parents can get a text from the school saying the kid missed school. Jobs have million cameras and your boss notice you are gone you get fired. More detail doesn't always help

[Gaastra]

Sub mariner owned his own movie studio and ran roxxon for a time.


Sleepwalker's human partner makes movies.


Wonder man is a actor.


Fantastic four have made movies and got paid for it and torch has done racing.


Kitty pryde used to babysit for money.


Hulk became "mr fixit" and worked as a bouncer among other things.


Quasar worked at the baxter building.


Two gun kid worked for she-hulk for a time.


Freedom force and heroes for hire got paid to be heroes.


Nightcrawler worked at a circus.

[SuperiorIronman]

Secret Identities is the part of the trope that doesn't hold up as much anymore we live in the era cell phone cameras, paparazzi, surveillance drones, hidden cameras, security cameras and facial recognition database. Trying to tell those stories don't hold up today there is a reason most superhero shows(arrow, flash) and movies(Spiderman, Ironman) don't try to protect the secret as much an more it doesn't hold up. And that is the biggest tenant of having a job as a superhero that you just blend in with normal people. Which one holds up better Spiderman in high school hiding with no help or Spiderman hiding but Shield is covering for him or can cover for him. The Suspense of disbelief only goes so far when you are adding realistic elements to a story. It is not a suprise secret identites get toss out in this era

Comic companies realize things need to change but keeping thing the same as they were past plays a big part with comic fans. For example, Batman or Spiderman breaks out suit upgrades all the time but doesn't keep them to remain a street-level hero. And that type of thinking is done mass scale with the universe "the initiative" "mutant registration" and "superhero registration act" make sense but is a massive shift in what fans are used to or want. You are telling me superheroes need jobs but they are models on Instagram making money from just being seeing a lot and superheroes live in that world. You can't sell me that Avengers and FF aren't making money on their brand and most heroes wouldn't be seen as celebrities. But I understand why it doesn't change but at some point, they will be a shift in storytelling at some point.

In the case of secret identities, you have to consider just who is looking for them, you also have to understand that the technology isn't that great either. Kind of like what we thought having the internet would be like, and that of course not being the case. Secret identities still make sense even when applied to a real world context when you consider that law enforcement just isn't looking for someone like Spider-man. Cops do not and are not supposed to go after good citizens and considering what someone like Spider-man can do and has done for the city, then more often than not in the real world they would turn a blind eye to that. The same is applicable to crime believe it or not. Cops know they have to stop criminals (it's their job), but if it's a fairly small offense, the cop is busy, or they feel they would put themselves in danger, they will ignore it. It's not great, but the real world is actually pretty lax. Also consider that facial recognition isn't that great and for a lot of heroes where traversal isn't that big a deal, cameras are less and less an issue. We don't live in a police state, there are limits to where you can put cameras and who exactly can access that footage oftentimes even delaying law enforcement or preventing them from doing their job entirely, that's how a supermarket near me lost a lottery machine and to this day still hasn't gotten it back. Secret identities are basically a victim of trying to be modern before actually finding out how the system works. Basically comics internet all over again.

[Carabas]

...when you consider that law enforcement just isn't looking for someone like Spider-man. Cops do not and are not supposed to go after good citizens and considering what someone like Spider-man can do and has done for the city...

On the other hand, the police may not know who Peter Parker is, or suspect he is connected to Spider-Man, but they will want to ask him some tough questions when his DNA is found all over crime scenes around New York.

[Agent Z]

In the case of secret identities, you have to consider just who is looking for them, you also have to understand that the technology isn't that great either. Kind of like what we thought having the internet would be like, and that of course not being the case. Secret identities still make sense even when applied to a real world context when you consider that law enforcement just isn't looking for someone like Spider-man. Cops do not and are not supposed to go after good citizens and considering what someone like Spider-man can do and has done for the city, then more often than not in the real world they would turn a blind eye to that. The same is applicable to crime believe it or not. Cops know they have to stop criminals (it's their job), but if it's a fairly small offense, the cop is busy, or they feel they would put themselves in danger, they will ignore it. It's not great, but the real world is actually pretty lax. Also consider that facial recognition isn't that great and for a lot of heroes where traversal isn't that big a deal, cameras are less and less an issue. We don't live in a police state, there are limits to where you can put cameras and who exactly can access that footage oftentimes even delaying law enforcement or preventing them from doing their job entirely, that's how a supermarket near me lost a lottery machine and to this day still hasn't gotten it back. Secret identities are basically a victim of trying to be modern before actually finding out how the system works. Basically comics internet all over again.

Cops do not consider vigilantes who commit assault, breaking and entering, contamination of evidence good people. Never mind thenumber of times superheroes have been framed for crimes that lead to them being hunted by cops.