Hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory is a show that's filled with all sorts of pop culture references, ranging from the well-known to the completely bizarre. The four male leads' shared love for comics is a key part of their characters, and while the show (produced by Warner Brothers Television) tends to reference DC Comics primarily, there are still quite a few interesting and funny references to Marvel Comics scattered throughout the series' episodes.
Here are 10 of the best Marvel Comics references in TBBT episodes, from one-liners to important plot points, to even a surprise guest appearance from a certain comic book creator.
Sheldon's X-Men
In a scene from the season 3 episode "The Pants Alternative", Sheldon's friends are trying to cure his stage fright.
Penny asks him for permission to let them help - "So what do you say, Sheldon - are we your X-Men?" - to which Sheldon responds "No, the X-Men were named for the 'X' in 'Charles Xavier'. Since I am Sheldon Cooper, you shall be my C-Men."
Which Spiderman?
In the season 3 episode "The Excelsior Acquisition", Penny asks Leonard to help pick out some comics for her nephew's birthday, since she's never even been in a comic book store. Leonard agrees and asks what superheroes he likes. At first, Penny says "just pick out anything", but when Leonard won't take that for an answer, she tells him to get "Spider-Man."
Leonard then lists off the various Spider-Man comics for her to choose from, but by then she's lost interest in the conversation.
"What If Hulk Were Made Of Other Things?"
In the 12th season episode "The Decision Reverberation", Leonard is sitting on the stairs nervously, and when Amy shows up, he admits to her he's concerned about his love life.
Amy sarcastically responds, "Poor baby. When I go upstairs, Sheldon's gonna give me a 25-minute lecture about what Hulk would be like if he were made of metal. Part of his ongoing series, "What If Hulk Were Made of Other Things?"
Stan Lee
Stan Lee makes a guest appearance in the season 3 episode "The Excelsior Acquisition", in which the entire gang - sans Sheldon - gets to meet him at a comic book signing.
Feeling bad about Sheldon not getting to meet his hero, Penny brings him to Stan Lee's house, only for Lee to file a restraining order against Sheldon when the obsessive fan lets himself in uninvited.
Steve Ditko
In the eighth season episode "The Leftover Thermalization", Scientific American publishes an article on a theory proposed by Leonard and developed by Sheldon - but they only credit "Dr. Cooper and his team".
Leonard gets somewhat upset, and Sheldon compares the situation to how Stan Lee and Steve Ditko co-created Spider-Man, but Lee became much more well-known for it than Ditko did.
Hulk Hands
In the season 3 episode "The Psychic Vortex", Raj wants Sheldon to go with him on a double date, but the notoriously introverted Sheldon demands some sort of reward.
Raj gives him a set of Hulk Hands, which Sheldon - against Raj's wishes - then decides to wear on the date.
Thor's Hammer
In the season 6 episode "The Bakersfield Expedition", Howard, Leonard, Sheldon, and Raj have left on a road trip to Bakersfield Comic-Con, leaving Penny, Amy, and Bernadette to wonder what the guys like so much about comic books.
The trio decides to check out the comic book store, and despite them being unimpressed by at first, by the end of the day they're arguing about whether Hulk picking up Thor while Thor was holding his hammer would count as Hulk lifting Thor's hammer.
Bravest Marvel Character
In the season 4 episode "The Boyfriend Complexity", the gang is having a discussion about who the bravest character in the Marvel Universe is. Raj proposes that it's "whoever has to give She-Hulk her bikini wax", Howard claims it's "Captain America's undocumented Mexican gardener", and Leonard says it's "whoever uses the bathroom after the Thing."
Sheldon thinks for a second and then says (using his infamously superior tone), "As usual you're all wrong; the bravest person in the Marvel universe is the doctor who gives Wolverine his prostate exam. "
"I Bought Stock In Marvel!"
In the season 10 episode "The Dependence Transcendence", Sheldon and the gang need to start preparing for late nights as their lab work begins again. Sheldon finds himself getting sleepy, and goes to find a vending machine, where he meets The Flash (a DC character), who gives him an energy drink.
The Flash explains he can afford to hand out energy drinks to people because he "bought stock in Marvel."
The Decision Reverberation
The opening of the season 12 episode "The Decision Reverberation" finds the gang arguing about whether to watch the latest Avengers movie in 2-D or 3-D.
Leonard gives in to watching it in 3-D even though the effects make him queasy, and after he's predictably unable to enjoy the movie, Penny tells him he has to "stand up for himself" more.