10 Marvel Comic Events That Still Deserve a Movie

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Throughout the 21st century, Marvel has heavily relied on its event comics, a genre that, while popular among fans, can sometimes feel like an industry requirement rather than a creative choice. These event comics are known for their massive crossovers, bringing together characters who rarely interact. The thrill of witnessing the clash of powerful heroes against formidable threats has made these stories a significant part of the Big Two’s publishing calendars. However, Marvel’s extensive use of events has started to impact fans’ perception of the Marvel Universe negatively.

Marvel’s frequent use of events led to a situation where fan-favorite series were often put on hold for months at a time to accommodate these crossovers. This pause didn’t sit well with many fans, as they felt their favorite stories were being sidelined for the bigger events.

In simpler terms, Marvel has been heavily relying on event comics since the beginning of this century, which can sometimes feel like a necessary burden rather than a creative choice. These event comics are loved for their crossovers, but they can cause frustration when they interrupt ongoing series that fans enjoy.

Even with their varied quality, events can still be quite enjoyable, and sometimes even problematic ones are intriguing to experience. A well-crafted event is truly a sight to behold, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe offers unique perspectives on such events. Marvel Studios has taken on several events, with their quality spanning from outstanding (Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame) to disappointing (Secret Invasion)), and there are numerous events that could become captivating films. These ten Marvel events warrant their own movie adaptation, despite the diverse opinions about them and the MCU’s adaptability.

10) Siege

In simpler and more conversational terms,

The only Brian Michael Bendis-penned event I genuinely enjoyed (although Age of Ultron is alright too, mainly because it’s a big swing that missed but I liked the spectacle) is Siege. This story marks the culmination of the “Dark Reign” saga. During J. Michael Straczynski’s tenure on Thor, Asgard was transported to Earth. Then, Norman Osborn and Loki, who were part of a villainous group called the Cabal (also known as the Illuminati), decided to attack Asgard with the Dark Avengers and Hood’s gang of villains. This led the heroes, who had been forced into hiding while combating Osborn’s schemes, to band together with the Asgardians to protect the city known as Asgardia. The story by Bendis and artist Olivier Coipel effectively blended action and drama, featuring some thrilling moments. Although it might require some background for full appreciation – Osborn could potentially be replaced by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine – since the MCU has already brought Asgard to Earth, this could make for an exciting action-packed movie for fans who enjoy high-octane entertainment.

9) The Age of Apocalypse

As a devoted comic book aficionado and movie critic, I find myself compelled to discuss an extraordinary tale – “The Age of Apocalypse”. This captivating saga, a defining moment in the X-Men’s annals, takes us on an alternate reality journey. In this world, young Legion inadvertently ended the life of his father, Charles Xavier, following a fateful trip to the past meant to eliminate Magneto.

On this Earth, Apocalypse emerged prematurely and embarked upon a conquest, with Magneto uniting the X-Men as a poignant tribute to their long-lost companion. “The Age of Apocalypse” comprises an impressive 40 parts, making it a formidable challenge for adaptation due to its sheer length. Nevertheless, it’s not impossible – “X-Men Alpha” #1 and “X-Men Omega” #1 could serve as compelling movies, while the main story, which unfolds across the remaining series, could be transformed into captivating Disney+ episodes.

With Marvel Studios now holding the reins of the X-Men, this epic narrative could reignite the passion for the MCU among fans if executed thoughtfully and faithfully to its original source material.

8) World War Hulk

Fans of The Hulk have felt let down by how the Marvel Cinematic Universe portrayed their favorite character. They believe a depiction of the “World War Hulk” storyline could fulfill their expectations. This narrative, penned by Greg Pak and illustrated by John Romita Jr., unfolds after “Planet Hulk,” with the Hulk returning to Earth to punish the Illuminati, whom he blames for the destruction of his home planet Sakaar. Essentially, it’s five issues of the Hulk wreaking havoc and, from a fan perspective, that’s exactly what they’ve been yearning to see. They’re fed up with the Hulk being dominated by other characters, and “World War Hulk” demonstrates that he doesn’t have to be a pitiful underdog. This tale could also prove that The Hulk is an effective antagonist, particularly when his actions are justified. Although it can’t be an exact replica of the comic, “World War Hulk” is the storyline that could deliver the powerful Green Goliath that fans desire.

7) King in Black

The anticipated film, “Venom: The Last Dance,” sparked excitement among fans by hinting at the character of Knull, the Deity of Symbiotes. Unfortunately, its poor performance at the box office makes a big-screen adaptation of “King in Black,” penned by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman, highly improbable. This sequel to “Absolute Carnage” and the ongoing “Venom” series depicts Knull’s invasion of Earth with a symbiote army. Given the complexities surrounding Venom’s film rights, adapting this story would be challenging. However, considering all Marvel universes coexist within the MCU Multiverse, a “King in Black” movie could serve as a universal crossover event. Perhaps Knull attacks the primary MCU Earth due to its lack of symbiotes and unfamiliarity with them. Alternatively, there might be a Knull residing in the main universe who initiates an attack, prompting Venom’s inter-universe journey to halt him. Regardless of the approach, creating a “King in Black” movie is feasible, and if Marvel Studios and Sony play their cards skillfully, they could revive the Venom film franchise with it.

6) “The Dark Phoenix Saga”

The ‘Dark Phoenix Saga’ is a renowned tale in the Marvel Comics universe, often attempted for adaptation but met with skepticism due to past unsuccessful attempts. The cause of these failures lies in the absence of a comprehensive narrative build-up over time. With the X-Men now under the control of Marvel Studios, there’s an opportunity to develop the story authentically as it was originally crafted. Despite criticisms about the MCU’s quality and its past attempts at adapting stories, Marvel Studios demonstrates a knack for long-term storytelling, weaving together multiple films and projects to reach a climax. This is precisely what ‘The Dark Phoenix Saga’ requires for success, setting the stage correctly could draw in the entire MCU as the power of Dark Phoenix rivals even the strongest heroes. Fans are eager for an outstanding adaptation of this story (beyond the one from ‘X-Men: The Animated Series’), and Marvel Studios has the potential to deliver it with dedication.

5) Infinity

Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” During his time, Hickman elevated the Avengers and New Avengers teams to new heights, and the epic sci-fi story “Infinity,” which he co-wrote with Jerome Opena, Dustin Weaver, and Jim Cheung, served as a significant turning point. In this tale, the Avengers teamed up with various galactic empires to combat the Builders, an ancient race that created the universe but planned to destroy it during the Incursions which threatened the Multiverse. While adjustments would likely be required for the adaptation, “Infinity” embodies the grand scale of spectacle that the MCU often uses to showcase the Avengers. This story could potentially introduce MCU fans to a broader Marvel Universe and serve as a conclusion to multiple Phases of movies and TV shows.

4) Infinity War

The film “Infinity War” is often underestimated, featuring a multi-layered plot that I personally believe surpasses “Infinity Gauntlet.” This narrative brings back the malevolent Magus, an evil counterpart from another reality of Adam Warlock, who seeks divine status. Earth’s and otherworldly heroes unite to thwart his ambitions. Adapting such a story would be a challenging task for Marvel Studios due to the extensive background required for Adam Warlock. However, given Adam Warlock’s significance in the Marvel universe, this could prove to be a beneficial move. While creating the movie (unable to carry the title “Infinity War”) might be costly, if executed well, it would result in an outstanding film.

3) “Inferno”

The epic tale known as ‘Inferno’ holds significant weight in X-Men lore. The narrative centers on Madelyne Pryor, estranged wife of Cyclops, instigating an invasion of Earth with beings from Limbo. As the X-Men and New York City’s heroes join forces to counteract this threat, they strive to save the day. While ‘X-Men ’97’ offered a smaller-scale version, ‘Inferno’ has potential to become a grand cinematic event. In fact, it could even comprise an entire phase of films and series, chronicling the heroes of the Marvel Universe as they collaborate with the X-Men against this demonic incursion. This would mark a departure from previous phases, making it all the more exciting to envision in live-action. With such a captivating narrative, ‘Inferno’ could help reestablish the MCU at the forefront.

2) Avengers Vs. X-Men

The comic book series “Avengers vs. X-Men,” penned by authors such as Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron, John Romita Jr., Olivier Coipel, and Adam Kubert, doesn’t enjoy the most favorable feedback from fans. Despite several shortcomings like character inconsistencies, underwhelming battles, and illogical plot progressions, “Avengers vs. X-Men” has proven to be quite timeless.

In this epic tale, the Avengers and X-Men engage in a war over the Phoenix Force, an engagement that significantly evolves midway through. To put it simply, this conflict serves as a pretext for these two teams to clash, and the thought of witnessing such a confrontation on the big screen is exhilarating. Given the immense affection fans have for both teams, creating a film adaptation would undoubtedly yield considerable profits.

1) Original Sin

From 2013 to 2015, there were four comic book series focusing on the Avengers, which some readers felt was excessive. One of these series was titled “Original Sin,” written by Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato Jr. This storyline featured the murder of the Watcher and the theft of his eyes, leading to the exposure of secrets that various heroes had hoped would remain hidden. As a result, they must work together to uncover the identity of the Watcher’s killer. Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will recognize that the Watcher has since undergone changes, but this can be addressed in the adaptation. Notably, Nick Fury plays a significant role in the storyline, portrayed as the classic white version rather than Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal in the films. This story arc served to phase out the original Fury character and introduce the new one. While “Original Sin” is not without its flaws, it remains an exciting narrative that could potentially make for a compelling film adaptation.

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2025-08-25 15:15