Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Chasm: The Curse of Kaine #4! There are a large number of superhero groups established in Marvel Comicsand what generally defines them is their common interest in truth, justice, and general heroism. But there are also a fair number of individual Marvel superheroes who have another, decidedly less conventional, interest in common. And now, this dedicated group of heroes has another ‘member,’ as Marvel names yet another self-proclaimed furry superhero.
In a preview for Abyss: Kaine’s Curse #4 by Steve Foxe and Andrea Broccardo, Kaine Parker (aka the new Scarlet Spider) and Ben Reilly (aka the old Scarlet Spider, now known as Chasm) are fighting the sadistic Eternal, Druig, and his army of Mind-controlled Moloids – and they’re not alone. Another hero fighting Druig’s forces is Chasm’s girlfriend Hallows’ Eve, and she has a superpower that Ben is a fan of (for more reasons than one).
Hallows’ Eve has the power to fashion enchanted masks that offer unique superpowers depending on which one she wears. During this battle, Hallows’ Eve dons a mask that grants her the ability to transform into a ferocious cat-person, and as such, she destroys enemy forces with frightening ease. When her boyfriend sees her do this, Chasm comments, “Do you know how strangely sexy I find your kitten shape”.
Spider-Man clone, Ben Reilly is Marvel Comics’ newest furry
Chasm is far from being the only furry character in Marvel Comics
It appears that Ben Reilly is attracted to Halloween Eve when she takes the form of an anthropomorphic cat. Based on what defines someone as a furry (someone with an important emotional/spiritual connection to an animal or animals, real, fictional or symbolic), Ben’s comments place him firmly in that category – and he’s not the only one. There are several Marvel Comics heroes who have identified as furries. Enough, in fact, to practically have his own team.
In the Deadpool/Wolverine crossover event X-Traction Weaponit’s revealed that there is a universe where both heroes are anthropomorphic animals – basically their permanent fursonas – and Earth-616’s Deadpool is very interested in this (even if 616 Wolverine isn’t). And, in Mysterious X-Men #3, someone calls Nightcrawler ‘furry’ as an insult, but Kurt clarifies that he is actually a furry, admitting that he thinks “your parties are magnificent”. So Marvel has established that Nightcrawler, Deadpool, and a set of Deadpool and Wolverine variants are canonically furries, and just added one more with Ben Reilly.
Should Marvel Comics lean on this ‘team of furry superheroes’?
Marvel Comics is preparing fans for a furry superhero crossover
The fact that several superheroes are canonically furry gives Marvel the chance to lean into this idea and give them a full team book – and the story writes itself. Maybe Chasm, Nightcrawler, original Deadpool and the Deadpool and Wolverine variants come together at a furry convention when trouble arises and they must spring into action to save the day. In fact, their furry interests aside, this would be a pretty stacked team, as it would have a Spider-Man-like hero, invincible living weapon variants (which are extremely deadly like animals), and one of the deadliest X-Men. members.
The stage is set for a plot revolving around Marvel’s many furry superheroes, which would actually have quite the team. But even if Marvel decides not to pull the trigger on this potential crossover, it’s still worth noting that these superheroes exist, and that there’s one more of them, as Ben Reilly, aka Chasm, is the latest. Marvel Comics superhero admits he is hairy.
Abyss: The Curse of Kaine #4 from Marvel Comics will be available on November 20, 2024.