10 Greatest Event Comics in Marvel History, Ranked

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While Marvel didn’t invent superheroes, they significantly reshaped the genre. They earned the nickname ‘The House of Ideas’ by pioneering the concept of a shared universe and adding a sense of realism to their comics. This drive for innovation continued, leading to groundbreaking creations – some successful, others less so. A prime example is the ‘event comic,’ which Marvel first introduced with Marvel Super Heroes Contest of Champions in 1982, and which has since become a yearly staple of their publishing strategy.

Marvel publishes a lot of big event comics, and some argue this has lessened their impact. Still, Marvel has created some truly memorable events over the years. Here are ten of the best, standing out from the many others readers might not remember.

10) Siege

Marvel comics thrived in the 2000s, having recovered strongly from the challenges of the 1990s, thanks in part to writer Brian Michael Bendis. In 2010, Bendis delivered what many consider his best Marvel event, Siege, illustrated by Olivier Coipel. The story featured Norman Osborn and his Dark Avengers attacking the newly-settled Asgard, with the Avengers returning – led by a revived Captain America. What really makes Siege stand out is its concise length. Limited to just four issues, Bendis was forced to keep the story focused, delivering a fast-paced narrative with no unnecessary detours. It was all action and excitement, and that made it truly memorable.

9) Civil War

The Civil War comic series is often debated among fans, but it’s actually quite good when you look at it on its own. Created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, this eight-part story dramatically shook up the Marvel Universe and had lasting consequences, which is why it’s so memorable. While criticisms of the series are understandable, it features some of the most exciting action and highest stakes in comic book history, all brought to life with stunning artwork. Plus, several of the related comics – like The Amazing Spider-Man, New Avengers, and Civil War: Frontline – are excellent. If you can look past the negativity, you’ll find a truly engaging story. Choose a side and enjoy the conflict!

8) Avengers vs. X-Men

The comic series Avengers vs. X-Men doesn’t get the credit it deserves. While it’s a large-scale conflict over the Phoenix Force with some flaws – similar to Civil War – it delivers the exciting, high-stakes action that makes Marvel crossovers enjoyable. Released alongside The Avengers movie, it was clearly intended to draw new readers to comics, and it succeeds by providing memorable moments, like the battle between Spider-Man, Phoenix-powered Colossus, and Magik, culminating in a fantastic finale.

7) Annihilation

Cosmic Marvel first became popular in the 1970s, with some high points in the 80s and especially the 90s. The storyline Infinity Gauntlet kicked off a period of excellent cosmic adventures. However, interest waned and sales declined, and it wasn’t until 2006’s Annihilation that these characters returned to the forefront. This story united heroes and villains – including Silver Surfer, Nova, Drax the Destroyer, and Ronan the Accuser – against the Annihilation Wave, a devastating force destroying planets. Annihilation represented the best of cosmic Marvel, and it laid the groundwork for the current Guardians of the Galaxy, making the Marvel Universe much richer and more exciting than it would have been otherwise.

6) Infinity

The comic event Infinity is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. It’s a thrilling blend of science fiction warfare and classic superhero action, falling in the middle of Jonathan Hickman’s run on Avengers. Hickman, alongside a talented team of artists including Jerome Opena, Dustin Weaver, Jim Cheung, Leinil Yu, and Mike Deodato, crafted a complex and compelling story. The narrative follows two main threads: the Avengers fighting an intergalactic war against the Builders, and the Illuminati confronting Thanos and the Black Order. To get the full experience, it’s best to read both the Avengers and New Avengers tie-in issues (most collected editions include them, making the $50 price reasonable), but even reading Infinity on its own is a gripping six-issue thrill ride.

5) World War Hulk

Greg Pak and John Romita Jr.’s World War Hulk is the exciting conclusion to the Planet Hulk storyline. After being exiled to Sakaar, the Hulk finds a home and family, only to have it destroyed. Driven by revenge, he returns to Earth with his Warbound to battle the world’s greatest heroes. This five-issue series is non-stop action, showcasing the Hulk at his most powerful as he clashes with characters like Black Bolt, Iron Man, and the Sentry. Many fans consider it the best Marvel event of the mid-2000s, a truly mind-blowing read from start to finish.

4) A.X.E. Judgment Day

The recent Krakoa era of X-Men comics delivered fantastic stories and a truly epic event: A.X.E. Judgment Day. Written by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by Valerio Schiti, the story features the Eternals launching an attack on the mutant nation of Krakoa, while the Avengers struggle to find a way to stop the conflict. Through uneasy alliances with rebel Eternals and the villain Mister Sinister, a powerful Celestial being called the Progenitor is created, tasked with judging all of humanity. As one war ends, another begins – one that will determine the fate of mankind. Despite its quality, this story doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves. Gillen’s writing is incredibly dynamic, Schiti’s artwork is stunning, and the related tie-in comics, particularly those in Immortal X-Men, are essential to understanding the full scope of the event. It’s a remarkable story that deserves more attention.

3) Infinity Gauntlet

The Infinity Gauntlet is now a truly iconic story. Originally a six-issue comic created by Jim Starlin, George Perez, and Ron Lim, it’s become incredibly important in superhero history – it essentially provided the foundation for the first three phases of the hugely popular Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story of Thanos achieving god-like power is fantastic, perfectly capturing his character and featuring some of the most exciting battles ever drawn in comics. I remember buying Infinity Gauntlet #4 as one of my first comics, and it completely captivated me. Even after all these years, it remains a brilliant story and will undoubtedly continue to have a lasting impact on pop culture.

2) Infinity War

Many fans overlook Infinity War, but it’s a truly exceptional story. As a follow-up to Infinity Gauntlet, this series by Jim Starlin and Ron Lim focuses on Adam Warlock and the return of his evil counterpart, the Magus, who threatens the entire universe. Alongside a duplicate Thanos, this alternate version of Adam Warlock launches a plan to claim the ultimate prize. In many ways, Infinity War surpasses Infinity Gauntlet with its improved action, more intricate plot, and fascinating backstory. Ron Lim’s artwork is stunning – he flawlessly captures every Marvel character in dynamic scenes, which is a remarkable achievement. This six-issue series is a thrilling read that consistently impresses.

1) Secret Wars (2015)

Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic’s Secret Wars (2015) brings Hickman’s storylines from Fantastic Four and Avengers to a dramatic conclusion. After a series of multiversal collisions called Incursions, Doctor Doom reigns over the remnants of reality, wielding immense power. But hope emerges as survivors from the primary Marvel universe (616) and the alternate Ultimate universe join forces to dismantle Doom’s rule, each with their own motivations. This series is a phenomenal Marvel event, amplifying everything fans love about these large-scale stories. It’s packed with incredible action, stunning visuals, and compelling character development, and is considered not only Marvel’s best event, but one of the greatest comic book events ever.

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2026-01-02 21:13