Marvel Comics is known for its large-scale event comics, and for good reason. While DC Comics also creates these types of stories – and even pioneered some of the early crossover concepts – Marvel essentially defined the modern event comic with series like Contest of Champions and Secret Wars. Throughout the 1980s, Marvel continued to refine this format, trying out different approaches like team-ups and annual specials. By the 2000s, they had established a regular cycle of events, producing some of the most well-known stories in the genre. Today, Marvel releases multiple events each year, though the quality can be inconsistent.
Certain Marvel events are widely known and receive plenty of attention, both good and bad. But many other events don’t get the recognition they deserve. Here are ten underrated Marvel events that are all better than people give them credit for.
10) AXIS
The first volume of Uncanny Avengers set the stage for the Avengers vs. X-Men: AXIS event. Written by Rick Remender with art by Adam Kubert, Leinil Yu, Terry Dodson, and Jim Cheung, AXIS brought together heroes and villains to fight Red Onslaught – the Red Skull empowered with Professor X’s psychic abilities, becoming a major Marvel threat. A desperate plan dramatically alters the situation, leading to a completely new conflict. While the series has faced criticism over the years, reading it on its own shows it’s an enjoyable, over-the-top superhero story – pure spectacle and a lot of fun.
9) Marvel: The End
Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom’s Marvel: The End brings the creator back to the character of Thanos for a story aiming to definitively conclude the Marvel Universe. When the cosmic entity Akhenaten – an Egyptian pharaoh turned god – attacks Earth, Thanos attempts to stop him while the heroes fight a desperate battle. Like Starlin’s Infinity Gauntlet, this story is a grand, large-scale event, and it subtly shaped the Marvel Universe of the 2000s in ways many fans aren’t aware of. It’s a truly memorable, yet often overlooked, classic.
8) “The Twelve”
The X-Men truly hit their stride in the 1990s, finishing the century with a memorable storyline. Throughout 1998 and 1999, the comics X-Men and Uncanny X-Men, as well as Wolverine and X-Man, built up the story of “The Twelve” – a group of powerful mutants. The climax arrived at the end of ’99 with the villain Apocalypse launching a final attack, attempting to gather these twelve mutants to transform himself into a god and rule the planet. While often criticized, this story is actually a very enjoyable X-Men adventure that successfully wraps up many storylines from the decade and provides a fitting end to the team’s most popular era.
7) Secret War
Brian Michael Bendis and Gabrielle del’Otto’s 2004 series, Secret War, is a surprisingly pivotal moment in Marvel Comics, though many fans aren’t aware of its importance. It kicked off a decade-long storyline that continued through New Avengers, Civil War, The Mighty Avengers, and Secret Invasion. The story centers around a group of heroes attacked by technologically advanced villains, triggering forgotten memories of a battle in Latveria. While Bendis is known for character-driven narratives over action, Secret War’s concise length keeps the story focused. The book also features stunning painted artwork by del’Otto, which, though it meant a less frequent release schedule, gives the series a uniquely beautiful look.
6) X Lives of Wolverine
Benjamin Percy and Joshua Cassara’s X Lives of Wolverine marked a new beginning for the X-Men comics after Jonathan Hickman’s run on the Krakoa era. This story, a companion to X Deaths of Wolverine, follows Wolverine as he’s sent back in time by Xavier and Jean Grey to prevent Omega Red from assassinating Xavier in the past. It’s a fantastic Wolverine story, packed with exciting action and memorable moments from his life. Benjamin Percy truly understands the character, and Joshua Cassara’s artwork is stunning. While X Deaths has received criticism, X Lives is often unfairly judged alongside it – if you’re a Wolverine fan, this is a must-read event.
5) A.X.E. Judgment Day
Look, I went into Kieron Gillen and Valerio Schiti’s A.X.E. Judgment Day from 2022 bracing for the worst. Another massive superhero brawl between the Avengers, X-Men, and Eternals? Honestly, even as a Gillen fan, I was skeptical. But wow, was I surprised! This wasn’t just mindless fighting. The story centers around the Eternals, led by Druig, attacking the mutant nation of Krakoa because they think mutants are connected to the Deviants. The Avengers try to fix things, but their attempts actually kick off a whole new problem. Just when you think you know where it’s going, the story takes a brilliant turn. Gillen’s writing is fantastic, and paired with Schiti’s incredible artwork, this isn’t just a good Marvel event – it’s pretty much perfection.
4) Infinity
Jonathan Hickman’s work on Avengers culminated in the 2015 event Secret Wars, but another standout story from his run is Infinity. This epic, illustrated by Jim Cheung, Jerome Opena, and Dustin Weaver, throws the Avengers into a massive intergalactic war. The story involves both the return of the Builders – a race determined to eliminate all life – and the Illuminati’s struggle to defend Earth from Thanos. Infinity brilliantly combines a large-scale sci-fi conflict with classic superhero action, all supported by strong writing and impressive artwork. The related Avengers and New Avengers issues, included in the collected edition, further enrich the narrative and provide a complete story.
3) Avengers vs. X-Men
The comic event Avengers vs. X-Men still holds up incredibly well. Created by a team of talented writers and artists including Brian Michael Bendis and Jonathan Hickman, the 12-issue series features a clash between the Avengers and the X-Men. The conflict arises as the powerful Phoenix Force nears Earth, with Cyclops believing he can harness its energy to benefit mutants, while the Avengers fear the potential danger. Ultimately, it’s a thrilling, over-the-top story – like watching a spectacular action figure battle – filled with amazing artwork and a captivating narrative that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
2) Original Sin
Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato’s Original Sin was ambitious, and while it didn’t quite deliver on its promise to revolutionize the Marvel Universe, it’s still a really enjoyable read. The story begins with the shocking death of the Watcher and a quest to uncover his killer and recover his all-seeing eyes. Though many Marvel events claim to be game-changing, this one fell a little short in that regard. However, the core mystery is brilliantly crafted by Aaron, and Deodato’s artwork is stunning, making the whole experience incredibly engaging. Ultimately, the strong story more than makes up for any lack of lasting impact.
1) Infinity War
While many consider Infinity Gauntlet the best Marvel event – often due to its popularity with viewers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Infinity War is actually a stronger story. Reuniting creators Jim Starlin and Ron Lim, this comic focuses on the return of the Magus, an evil version of Adam Warlock, who joins forces with Thanos to thwart his plans. Infinity War delves deeper into the backstories of Warlock and Thanos, featuring a wide cast of characters including Galactus, Doctor Doom, Kang, and many of Marvel’s most iconic heroes from the 1990s. It’s a fantastic Marvel event and deserves more recognition from fans.
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2026-03-24 16:13