On the latest episode of Distance Nerding, the crew put it plainly: fans aren’t tired of multiverses, they’re tired of lazy storytelling. When writers use the multiverse as a quick fix instead of a real idea, audiences check out. That’s the fatigue.
What audiences are actually tired of
The problem isn’t “too many universes.” It’s when a plot hole gets patched with “because multiverse,” cameos drift in without purpose, or continuity resets stand in for character work. As the show said, the trick is making the device serve the story, not the other way around.
Why DC’s approach lands better
DC’s recent wins show restraint and clarity. Peacemaker is a good example of using multiverse ideas without turning them into a crutch. The series keeps its focus on character choices and consequence, with the larger universe flavoring the story rather than swallowing it. That keeps the stakes legible and the tone consistent, which is what audiences respond to.
Where Marvel stumbles (and how it can fix it)
Marvel’s machine often feels like it’s juggling variants, reboots, and trailers all at once. When every week brings another “universe-shaking” tease, it starts to feel like noise.
The cameo economy doesn’t help. Even the rumor cycle around “who might show up” becomes the story, and when someone flatly shuts it down, the balloon pops instead of telling us anything meaningful about character or theme.
That said, there are real bright spots and signs of course-correction. Street-level crossovers like Daredevil: Born Again tying into Spider-Man’s world suggest Marvel knows the antidote is grounded stakes, bruised knuckles, and choices that cost something. More of that, less roulette wheel.
Marvel can also succeed when a project stands on its own terms. Seasonal one-offs and side stories (think Marvel Zombies and other Halloween specials) work because they’re additive, not required homework. They let style and tone lead, rather than continuity maps.
DC is getting credit right now because its best entries feel authored. They choose when to zoom out and when to stay close, and they keep the human story in focus. Do that, and the “multiverse” label stops being a liability and starts feeling like possibility.
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