COMICS | Exploring Death in the Marvel and Sandman Universes: A Look at How the Multiverse and Its Characters Intersect

If you’re a Marvel fan who recently watched WandaVision or Agatha: House of Harkness (known as Agatha All Along), you may have come across fan theories or online discussions speculating about characters and crossovers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). One question that’s been especially intriguing for fans of both Marvel and DC’s The Sandman is how the concept of "Death" plays out across these two iconic worlds. In other words, if the MCU has its own character representing "death," how does that relate to DC’s iconic figure of Death in The Sandman?

Marvel and DC often feel like separate worlds, each with its own rules, characters, and interpretations of themes like life and death. But fans of both franchises are increasingly curious about how these universes intersect—especially with recent adaptations that hint at parallel universes and multiverse concepts. Let’s unpack the mystery surrounding Death’s representation in these worlds and what it could mean for the future of crossover storytelling.

Marvel’s Personification of Death: Who Is She?

In Marvel Comics, Death is not just an abstract concept but a personified character, one who plays a major role in the cosmic hierarchy. Marvel’s version of Death is usually depicted as a powerful, often intimidating figure, appearing as a cloaked skeleton or a darkly beautiful woman, depending on the artist's interpretation. This character is significant enough to have influenced some of Marvel’s most famous villains, particularly Thanos. In the comics, Thanos is obsessed with pleasing Death to the point of erasing half the universe, a plotline that influenced the events of Avengers: Infinity War.

However, the MCU’s version of Thanos does not directly reference Death as a character. While his motivation in the films is slightly different, focusing on balancing resources rather than wooing Death, Marvel Comics’ Death remains a significant figure in the Marvel cosmic landscape. So where does this leave us in terms of Marvel’s interpretation of death as a cosmic force?

With the arrival of series like WandaVision and Agatha: Coven of Chaos, which explore more supernatural aspects of the MCU, there’s renewed interest in characters who embody death, transformation, and darkness. For example, Agatha Harkness is an ancient witch with knowledge of dark forces, but she’s not literally the personification of Death. Yet she represents a dark, supernatural element in the Marvel Universe that hints at layers beyond the physical world, which could eventually lead to more overt references to entities like Death.

The Sandman’s Death: A Unique DC Universe Perspective

Meanwhile, over in the DC Universe, The Sandman, created by Neil Gaiman, introduces a very different take on Death. The character, one of the Endless, is not only pivotal to the story but also beloved by fans for her charm, compassion, and wisdom. Unlike Marvel’s portrayal, DC’s Death in The Sandman is often seen as warm and approachable—a comforting figure rather than a menacing force. Her job is to gently guide souls to the afterlife, embodying a nurturing aspect of mortality rather than a fearsome one.

The Sandman Death operates within her own mythos, tied closely to Dream (her brother Morpheus) and the rest of the Endless, each of whom represents an essential aspect of human existence (Dream, Destiny, Desire, Despair, etc.). This interpretation is philosophical, rooted in existential themes, and distinctly separate from Marvel’s more superhero-driven approach to cosmic entities.

In DC’s universe, Death does not seek power or act as a villain. Instead, she is an eternal presence who fulfills a necessary role, one that is fundamental to the cycle of life and death. This approach to Death stands in stark contrast to Marvel’s portrayal, making her unique in the world of comics.

How Marvel and The Sandman Coexist: Are Crossovers Possible?

Though Marvel and DC are distinct comic book universes, The Sandman and its characters have occasionally crossed over with DC characters, given that The Sandman is part of DC’s Vertigo imprint. However, this does not mean The Sandman characters are part of the MCU. 

While crossovers between DC and Marvel have occurred in comics—such as the 1996 DC vs. Marvel series—they remain separate in their film and TV adaptations. Legally and creatively, there’s little chance that we’d see Death from The Sandman in the MCU or vice versa. However, the recent success of multiverse and crossover storytelling in both Marvel and DC films has led fans to wonder if a potential crossover could one day be on the table.

A major reason fans see potential for overlap lies in the themes that both franchises explore. Both Marvel and DC tackle the mysteries of life, death, and the supernatural in unique ways. Marvel’s focus has often been more on power struggles and cosmic entities, while DC, through The Sandman, delves into mythological and existential realms. These different approaches offer complementary perspectives, and a crossover could create fascinating contrasts, especially between Marvel’s cosmic Death and DC’s more empathetic, philosophical Death.

Could We See Marvel’s Death and DC’s Death Exist Together?

In a theoretical crossover, both interpretations of Death could coexist as different expressions of the same concept, each residing in separate universes within the multiverse. Marvel’s Death, an often awe-inspiring cosmic force, could be seen as part of one universe’s interpretation of mortality, while DC’s Death in The Sandman embodies a more introspective, compassionate take on the inevitable end of life. 

If the MCU or DC ever decided to introduce multiversal storylines featuring these two versions, they could explore how different universes interpret similar concepts in unique ways. In this scenario, Marvel’s Death could remain her cosmic, almost deity-like self, while DC’s Death might interact with characters on a more personal, human level. Such a crossover could serve as a philosophical exploration, illustrating how different worlds interpret the same universal truths in various forms.

What’s Next for Death in the Marvel Universe?

As Marvel expands into its supernatural and mystical dimensions, there’s a chance that Death, or some version of her, could make an appearance in future projects. This would not be The Sandman’s Death, but rather Marvel’s own cosmic entity, perhaps re-imagined for the MCU. Shows like Agatha All Along hint at a growing fascination with dark and mysterious themes, which could eventually lead to introducing more cosmic characters like Death in future phases.

In any case, both the Marvel and Sandman interpretations of Death provide rich, complex takes on a theme that’s universally understood but infinitely mysterious. While we may never see the two directly cross paths, the differences between them offer fascinating points for fans to ponder, underscoring how different universes can tackle similar questions in unique, meaningful ways.