In the last two decades, the works of Marvel Entertainment have impacted the lives of more people than Martin Goodman could have ever possibly anticipated when he started the company in 1939. At that time, the market for these pulp comics featuring super-powered beings was believed to be limited to youngsters looking for heroes. Some people argue Marvel’s explosion of popularity in recent years can be traced to a changing world, one in which even adults harbor an inner child in desperate need of a hero.

That’s certainly part of Marvel’s resurgence. However, it also has something to do with how more and more people are beginning to realize that Marvel has been publishing some of the most compelling stories ever penned for years now. In comparison to DC, you could argue that Marvel has always been the home of slightly more traditional superhero stories. Even when that has been the case, the writers at Marvel have made it their mission to never turn out just another superhero story. Instead, the best Marvel Comics storylines have elevated the expectations of a medium and ensured that even the most cynical of modern minds looks forward to the next adventure of these modern gods.

UPDATE: 2022/10/29 17:00 EST BY SHAWN S. LEALOS

Marvel continues to grow into a bigger monster by the year. In 2022 alone, there have been some huge movies and streaming series introducing an evil Scarlet Witch, a fun look at She-Hulk, the monsters of the Marvel Universe, and the worst godly pantheon in movies. At the same time, comics continue to push world-crushing crossover events with the most recent seeing the Avengers, X-Men, and Eternals in a battle that led to a Celestial deciding that Earth should die. Nothing ever slows down for Marvel, whether in the comics or on the big screen. However, as great as the movies and streaming series are, there is nothing better than sitting down with the comics and reading a storyline as it unfolds, and there are plenty of great options from over the years.

X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills (1982)

The X-Men pose together from the cover of God Loves, Man Kills

When looking at the best Marvel Comics storylines involving the X-Men, nothing really holds a candle to the one-shot X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills. Released as a graphic novel, this story really delved into the hatred and prejudice that mutants face from a society that fears them. This brought William Stryker in to the picture, but he was nothing like the version from the movies.

Here, Stryker was a religious minister who preached against mutants, calling them an abomination against God. He also set up his own paramilitary group to hunt down and kill mutants. It was horrific, but showed how one man could turn people against anything they deemed different. It is a poignant story that rings as true today as it did when Chris Claremont wrote it so many years ago.

Vision by Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta (2016)

Vision with his family.

Vision is someone who has had a tough time ever since Ultron created him. He became a hero, joined the Avengers, fell in love and got married, and then had all his memories stripped from him by the U.S. government. In the character's 2015 series by Tom King and Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Vision wanted to be like other humans, so he created his own family.

This was one of the best Marvel Comics storylines in recent years because it showed how others could tear him down, even if they didn't mean to. Thanks to fear and mistrust by Vision's friends in the Avengers, his wife and son died, and he lost everything again. The story is also known for bringing Viv Vision into the Marvel Universe. The entire story was a tragedy, brilliantly told.

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet (2016)

Wakandans fight each other in Black Panther A Nation Under Our Feet comic book.

With Black Panther proving to be one of the most important movies the MCU made, Marvel Comics set out to do something special with his comics. They succeeded on every level. Ta-Neiisi Coates signed on to script the series Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet and created one of the best Black Panther Marvel Comics storylines of all time.

The story began with an upheaval in Wakanda thanks to a terrorist group starting a violent uprising. The terrorist leader slowly turns the people against T'Challa and Shuri steps up to take her role as a hero to her country. This is a story about what it means to be a leader even when the people don't feel they even want one. This led into the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda, where his country learned what would happen if their king did disappear, but this first part was magnificent storytelling with some inspired art work.

Thor: The God Butcher (2013)

Thor and a screaming Gorr the God Butcher battle in a panel from a Marvel comic book.

Thor: The God Butcher was slightly retold in the 2022 movie Thor: Love & Thunder. However, the story in the books went much further, both into the future and the past, and presented one of the best Thor Marvel Comics storylines in the Asgardian's history. This was about Thor fighting a killer of gods, someone who had torn through every pantheon in the past, present, and future.

What really makes this Thor story stand out was the deep mythology that writer Jason Aaron and the striking artwork by Esad Ribic. The story spans 14 billion years and has Thor teaming up with his younger, brash self, as well as his older, beaten and defeated King of a dead land. This is an epic tale and is a story that anyone who loves reading about gods and monsters should pick up.

Annihilation (2006)

Annihilation

Whenever Marvel writers need to produce something epic, they tend to dive into the infinite void of the cosmos and produce something so grand that it forces the entire universe to stand at attention. Annihilation is another in a long line of the best Marvel Comics storylines that took to the cosmos, but it’s a far different experience from nearly everything that came before.

Rather than focus on a galactic presence that is threatening Earth and its mightiest heroes, Annihilation takes place almost entirely in the furthest reaches of space, where some of Marvel’s heaviest cosmic hitters are involved in a battle that barely even references our home planet. Annihilation introduced and helped popularize a new wave of interstellar heroes and villains that hold their own against some of Marvel’s biggest names. This story proves the true strength of every great event story is their ability to provide something truly different.

Demon In A Bottle (1979)

Iron Man Demon in a Bottle comic

Contrary to popular belief, comics dealt with dark storylines prior to the mid-eighties. Some writers didn’t even realize that they were doing something unusual. For instance, when Bob Layton was tapped to field the next Iron Man storyline, he simply decided to make alcoholism the villain. In his mind, he was just dealing with a topic that would have affected businessmen such as Tony Stark.

What he was really doing, however, was penning the definitive Iron Man story arc. By exploring the very vulnerable person in the Iron Man suit, Layton humanized the mighty warrior. This storyline didn’t make Tony Stark an alcoholic; it rightfully justified that Stark was probably an alcoholic all along. Tony’s bottles of brown liquor were the silver bullet that tied the character’s design together, and this Marvel Comics storyline made him a compelling example of how even superheroes must battle their demons.

Planet Hulk/World War Hulk (2006-2008)

Planet Hulk cover

Technically, these are two storylines, but they’re so closely tied together that they should be considered one grand arc. The story begins when The Illuminati decide the Incredible Hulk is too dangerous to remain on Earth. This triggers the events of Planet Hulk, in which Hulk is exiled to a gladiatorial planet that he quickly becomes ruler of. Just as he is finding peace on this planet, the ship that brought him there ignites its self-destruct sequence, which kills Hulk’s wife and many of his people.

It inspires Hulk to return to Earth in order to wage war and get his revenge. For years, Marvel writers toyed with the idea that the Hulk was far and away the most powerful of Earth’s heroes. Planet Hulk/World War Hulk is the pay-off to those years of suggestions. In essence, this story assigns the Hulk a typically villainous role, but presents him in such a way that readers really do understand (and even sympathize with) what he is going through. This is a patient and intelligent way to examine why Hulk smashes.

Civil War (2006-2007)

Marvel Civil War

The hype surrounding the release of the original Civil War was tremendous. This was the comic event that would finally pit Marvel’s greatest heroes against each other in a clash that would resolve every fan fantasy battle. Because of the tremendous anticipation that surrounded the release of Civil War, some people walked away from it feeling a bit disappointed.

Yet, those who dismiss Civil War would do well to remember that the story was much more than the events of the main issues. Instead, the true Civil War was waged in the pages of nearly every Marvel publication across several months. This event forced every Marvel writer to really come to terms with the moral compass of every Marvel hero. The grandiose fights and shocking moments are great, but Civil War deserves to be remembered as one of the most engrossing political statements in comic book history.

The Galactus Trilogy (1966)

Galactus speaks and raises his giant hand in Marvel Comics

The Galactus Trilogy forced The Fantastic Four to do battle with a true god. The Galactus Trilogy is all about anticipation. Early on, powerful forces speak of Galactus as if his is the unstoppable end of days. He’s built to be an impossible threat who can only be stopped if avoided entirely.

When Galactus does arrive, he brings with him a sense of true fear. What follows that arrival quickly becomes arguably the most important event in the history of The Fantastic Four. In terms of building anticipation and then capitalizing on it, this is a masterclass in superhero suspense and one of the best Marvel Comics storylines of all time.

House of M (2005)

House of M

Right from the start, House of M was described as a story that was going to change the X-Men and Marvel Universe. So few stories that promise such things live up to the hype. House of M’s saving grace is that it doesn’t begin as the story that will change everything, but rather as a story about Scarlett Witch. Wanda became the most powerful being the world has ever known -- and also, the most unstable. Every mutant and hero picks their side in a debate regarding whether she should be allowed to live.

What follows isn’t necessarily a clash between all of Marvel’s heroes on the battlefield, but rather a clash of ideas. Wanda created an alternate reality where she could live in peace with her family. These two realities come crashing together in unexpected ways, resulting in an ending that forever changed the Marvel universe through the whisper of three simple words: "No more mutants." WandaVision told a version of this Marvel Comics storyline, but the comics created a deeper, more nuanced tale.

Kraven's Last Hunt (1987)

Spider-Man buried alive in Kraven's Last Hunt

It’s a favorite pastime of comic book writers to explore the subject of what happens when the villain wins. For the most part, these stories are either very limited in their scope, are immediately redacted, or exist in some kind of alternate “What-If?” universe. Sometimes, however, a villainous victory comes along that manages to break the mold. Kraven’s Last Hunt is one of the best of these Marvel Comics storylines.

It begins with the “death” of Spider-Man at the hands of Kraven the Hunter. However, Kraven’s Last Hunt is much more of a Kraven the Hunter story than it is a Spider-Man story. It’s not so much about the death of Spider-Man (who doesn’t actually die), but rather the life the villain would lead after Spider-Man was gone. Specifically, it deals with Kraven’s desire to prove that he could be a better hero than Spider-Man. If his actions during this story seem haunting, perhaps that's because they are so rational.

Days of Future Past (1981)

Wolverine protects Kitty Pryde on the cover of X-Men Comics

The X-Men live in a corner of the Marvel universe that is seemingly always on the brink of destruction. These Marvel Comics storylines differentiate themselves from the pack by dealing with the possibility that humans will bring the world into an apocalyptic scenario before any of the super powered mutants have the chance to do so. Days of Future Past is the story that finally looks at what would happen if humans executed their ultimate plans to rid themselves of the mutant scourge.

Days of Future Past presents a familiar vision of the mutant apocalypse in which all remaining mutants must band together to fight off the Sentinels that have contributed to their genocide. It also utilizes time travel to examine the occurrences that led to this future. This is one of the best Marvel Comics storylines that lingers above every other X-Men arc as a frighteningly distinct possibility.

The Winter Soldier (2005)

Winter Soldier

In a strange way, Captain America is like the American James Bond. There’s always been a political element to his stories which has been muted somewhat by the way Captain America’s writers tend to reinforce the idea that his pursuits are always noble. The Winter Soldier flips that script a bit by addressing the possibility that Captain America could actually be blind regarding his purpose in life. Is he more than just a superhero blinded by his ideology?

Winter Soldier is a political thriller starring superheroes. Like any good political thriller, it features twists, turns, revelations, and major moments of intrigue. It’s a fast-paced narrative made that much better by the way it incorporates the history of Captain America. Yes, amidst all the grand political posturing is an incredibly intimate story about how Captain America may have never fully come to terms with his role as America’s champion. There are ghosts (literal and figurative) that haunt him which come to life throughout this story.

Daredevil: Born Again (1986)

Daredevil Born Again

Frank Miller has done more to advance the idea of mature comic book narratives than just about anyone. While Miller was never above relying on cheaper things like sex and violence to tell mature stories, he was one of the first comic book writers to really show how the medium could go dark without relying on exploitation. Instead, his stories chose to shed light on the darker side of certain characters. While many fans are certainly familiar with how his approach benefited the Batman universe, some of Miller’s best work can be found in the pages of Daredevil comics.

Born Again may just be his greatest accomplishment. This is the Daredevil story that really hammered home the idea that Matt Murdock’s life is a living hell. Born Again breaks down Daredevil and forces him to rise from the ashes in order to save whatever is left of his world. Before calling it a story of redemption, however, consider the possibility that Born Again is really a story about a tragic figure who has nothing left to live for but the fight.

Marvels (1994)

Marvels

Imagine how frustrating it must be to be a human in a world that is constantly being attacked by forces that can destroy all-known life at a moment’s notice? Marvels is the story of such a man. His name is Phil Sheldon, and he’s a photographer whose career started at around the same time that superheroes began to appear in New York City.

Marvels is all about perspective. Sheldon’s life story is designed to add a layer of complexity to how these super humans are perceived by average people. There are some who simply see them as heroes and villains, but there are far more people whose views on these icons change as the times do. Sheldon’s obsession with the lives of these heroes leads to a great number of personal failures and successes, but ultimately, it consumes him. In the end, this Marvel Comics storyline offers a haunting look at the kind of lives humans would really live when superheroes are at large.

The Night Gwen Stacy Died (1973)

Death of Gwen Stacy

Death in comics usually means nothing more than a brief sales jump. Occasionally, however, a comic book character’s death does forever change the status quo. It creates two separate timelines, named “Before” and “After.” Of those deaths, there are few more meaningful than the loss of Gwen Stacy.

In retrospect, Gwen Stacy was a vital piece of the Spider-Man puzzle. She wasn’t the crux of what made the character so great, but she was Spider-Man’s way out. She was the thing in his life that could have eased all the pain. That’s roughly why some at Marvel felt she had to go. Still, it’s doubtful that anyone involved with the death of Gwen Stacey could have ever anticipated how her death would forever alter the trajectory of Spider-Man. As for the Marvel Comics storyline itself, The Night Gwen Stacy Died is still one of the most haunting and tightly written traditional superhero narratives of all time.

Secret Wars (1984)

Marvel's Secret Wars

Secret Wars was released at a time when the idea of a major crossover event in comics was still very much a novelty. The event was inspired by the toy manufacturer Mattel, who wanted Marvel to publish a story that would help push the sales of Mattel’s superhero toy line. Jim Shooter and a team of artists set out to create a scenario in which Marvel’s mightiest heroes are transported to a faraway world in order to battle one another.

It’s not the most complicated set-up, but that somehow makes it all the more impressive that Marvel was able to turn this event into a landmark occurrence. Shooter and his team could have gotten by with showing Spider-Man punching Wolverine and calling it a day, but instead, they populated this narrative with moments that reverberate throughout nearly every character’s future. While much of Secret Wars’ modern-day value comes from examining how many story threads began during the course of this event, this is one of the best Marvel Comics storylines that seems to never stop giving.

The Dark Phoenix Saga (1980)

Jean Grey as Dark Phoenix in the cover of X-Men

Prior to the publication of the Dark Phoenix Saga in 1980, there were hints that Jean Grey might just be among the most powerful mutants in all of X-Men lore. It wasn’t until the villainous Mastermind captured Jean at the start of the Dark Phoenix Saga, however, that fans became truly aware of what a sleeping giant she truly was. The Dark Phoenix Saga betrays readers' emotions and subverts their expectations.

The sight of Jean Grey becoming corrupted by outside influence is bad enough, but then you begin to realize that all she is really doing is unlocking her true potential. The best X-Men Marvel Comics storylines have long dealt with the divide between humans and mutants, but the Dark Phoenix Saga introduced the idea that the most powerful of all mutants might eventually have to decide if they are going to be a god or a human. The tragic tale of Jean Grey that is told within these pages serves as a turning point for the X-Men.

The Infinity Gauntlet (1991)

The Infinity Guantlet

Like so many great works, The Infinity Gauntlet is essentially a love story. It’s the story of how a galactic power by the name of Thanos fell in love with the embodiment of death. In an effort to win his love’s affection, Thanos spent years collecting the fabled Infinity Gems in order to assemble the Infinity Gauntlet. This gauntlet allows Thanos near-omnipotence -- the ability to do just about anything he wants. It allows Thanos to kill half of all known life in the universe in order to impress the physical embodiment of Death.

It also serves as the basis to the defining epic in the Marvel canon. The idea of wiping out such a significant portion of the Marvel roster is, admittedly, somewhat gimmicky on the outset, but writer Jim Starlin turns that scenario into a conflict that feels like it could be the true final fight in the Marvel universe. Superhero stories that subvert our expectations of what the best Marvel Comics storylines can do are always great, but The Infinity Gauntlet proves that sometimes there is nothing quite like the ultimate battle between good and evil.

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