[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s clear that superheroes like Iron Man and Black Panther are wealthy. Simply look at the technology they possess and how this plays a part in their abilities advance themselves both in their private and public lives. Despite knowing characters like them have money, you’ve most likely never thought of the actual monetary value. We see villains such as the Joker pull together a crew of goons, but are they just there for the thrill of working under the Clown Prince or is there a paycheck involved?
Curry’s PC World spoke with the COO of Metropolis Collectibles, Vincent Zurzolo; to get to the bottom of the actual income that certain superheroes and supervillains would make. If you’ve ever wondered about this, now it’s time to find out!
Spoilers for Avengers: Endgame
Iron Man
Think about the fact that not only was Tony Stark already a wealthy owner of Stark Industries, but also that Tony had a lot of toys. The hefty collection of sports cars, Stark Tower, and all of those highly detailed Iron Man suits add up to a lot. Tony built all of those suits himself with the help of his technology; considering how many suits we’ve seen over the past ten years that’s a lot. The Avengers Tower was close to $500 million and the cars could have cost $550 million alone. Zurzolo expresses that there is no one who embodies financial power like Tony Stark:
“While it would seem T’Challa’s wealth as the ruler of Wakanda might be endless, I believe Tony Stark truly epitomises the true capitalist spirit and in many ways he may be more aggressive with his intentions as a business man rather than a monarch of a country.”
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Black Panther
Speaking Black Panther, we have to consider that T’Challa is literally the king of Wakanda. And Wakanda is no ordinary country. Rich with vibranium, the monetary value is close to $10 trillion! Trillion. Money is certainly not a problem for the king. The palace T’Challa lives in is estimated to be around $270 million and let’s just factor in the private jet Black Panther gets to fly around in.
Zurzolo comments:
“Black Panther first appeared in Fantastic Four 52 in 1966. He was the first African super hero. But what is equally important is the representation of his homeland, Wakanda, as a technologically advanced society. An African nation that was shown as superior to Western society must have blown people’s minds away back in the mid-60s.”
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Thanos
Even finger-snapping titans can be monetized. How does one factor the financial power that someone like Thanos possesses? Not only was Thanos in possession of the six Infinity Stones, but a gold-plated gauntlet as well. Granted, Thanos didn’t exactly pay for any of this. Still, this alone would have put him in a powerful position without even using the power to wipe out half of the universe. Zurzolo estimates Thanos’ ship Sanctuary II to be about $11 billion.
Zurzolo comments:
“Financial implications are often intricate parts of the characters’ story arcs. For instance, Bruce Wayne couldn’t be the Batman we know and love without his billions. When asked by the Flash in the Justice League movie what his super powers are, he simply replies, ‘I’m rich’.
“On the other hand, many super-villains are led to a life of crime to gain riches. Some are forced into a life of crime to help with a family crisis that is financially crippling them.”
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Captain Marvel
What is the most powerful being in the universe worth? While it doesn’t seem like Carol Danvers is as wealthy as some of her other Avengers members (the only ones we see really worrying about money are Ant-Man and Spider-Man), she is certainly worth a monetary value. According to the stats provided, $4.6 million would have been invested in her to become a U.S. fighter pilot. The star-ship she was on would have been worth about $11 billion.
Zurzolo commented:
“I don’t know if I’d say there is a clear-cut victor in terms of which plays a bigger role in hierarchy, wealth or power, as each story is different. But if I were forced to give one answer, I’d say powers. There are heroes/villains who take the lead due to their superior powers. This happens also with super intellect. Many of the ‘lesser’ heroes/villains will take a back seat to the stronger/smarter characters – such as Captain Marvel.”
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Joker
Let’s get into a DC villain – the most notorious of them all. We’ve seen all types of Jokers both in the comics and in a live-action capacity. While the Joker literally burned a tower of money in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, crime does cost money. Goons cost money. While fear could factor in, the Joker has been seen running a criminal organization. Not to mention clothes, makeup, tattoos, weapons, and more. As scary as you are, money talks. So, the Joker would have to have some sort of cash on him to get into some doors. Let’s see what Zurzolo says:
“The Joker is one of my favourite villains. I loved what they did with his origin in the 1989 Batman movie. Jack Nicholson was a blast as Jack Napier and the clown prince of crime. However, the origin I like best is the one from the 1988 graphic novel, The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland.”
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Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn is with the Joker for love, but she’s a woman of expensive tastes. With the rocking outfits she wears, the makeup she applies, and let’s admit, pet food costs a lot. Now, you can say that she probably just steals all of this, but we can examine her monetary value as well. Eventually, stealing is not an option and she is going to need money to afford certain pleasures. Harley Quinn may be a criminal, but she isn’t homeless. To live the high-life with her beau, she needs money.
Zurzolo commented:
“Comic book movies have become a huge deal and I am not surprised. I have long stated that comic books are the greatest American art form ever created. The creators who brought these characters and worlds to life, such as Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, are true artists. Movie studios have only scratched the surface, and comic movies are here to stay. They are their own genre and come in many stripes from superhero and crime to war stories and romance too – The Joker and Harley Quinn to name one romantic double act!”
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”28825″ img_size=”900×1200″][vc_column_text]Have you ever thought about the money situation when it’s come to some of the heroes and villains in DC and Marvel?
Source: Tech Talk[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
A girl with too many fandoms to count.
