10 Most Underrated Marvel Stories

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Marvel revolutionized superhero comics during the Silver Age, maintaining that momentum for as long as it could. Over the years, Marvel has produced some of the finest characters in the superhero genre, using these creations to weave unforgettable tales. From the Fantastic Four, X-Men, and Avengers, these characters have significantly altered the public’s perception of superheroes, establishing Marvel as the preeminent storytellers of superhero narratives on Earth. Although personal taste may vary, there are countless exceptional Marvel comics that most fans consider among the greatest comic books ever created.

As a connoisseur of comic book cinema, I can’t help but notice a multitude of Marvel tales that have been unfairly overshadowed by their more popular counterparts. These stories, some of which are familiar faces yet crave recognition, while others remain hidden gems, have been undervalued due to an assortment of factors.

Some of these tales are highly acclaimed but deserve even greater adulation, while others, lesser-known, should be lauded for their understated brilliance. Surprisingly, there are also a few stories that have been maligned as poor productions, when in fact, they are diamonds in the rough, waiting to be polished and appreciated.

In my humble opinion, these ten Marvel stories stand out as the most underrated, deserving of recognition and praise for their exceptional qualities. It’s high time we reconsidered our perception of them, recognizing their true worth and celebrating them as superior tales in the Marvel universe.

10) New X-Men #127

The 21st-century run of “New X-Men” is considered exceptional, but certain stories within it don’t get as much recognition as they merit. A prime instance of this underrated brilliance can be found in “New X-Men” issue #127, penned by Grant Morrison, illustrated by John Paul Leon, and with artwork enhancements by Bill Sienkiewicz. The narrative revolves around the new X-Man, Xorn, as he ventures into Mutant Town, the mutant district of New York City. It’s a heartfelt tale that showcases Xorn assisting a mutant shunned by others. Although some readers might be put off by the eventual revelation in the series that Xorn was Magneto (a fact later rewritten), I found it ingenious. Since Xorn was supposed to be writing a journal under Xavier’s guidance, the story reveals how much planning went into creating this identity for Xorn, should he indeed have been Magneto. It’s a remarkable issue adorned with stunning art by the late John Paul Leon and Bill Sienkiewicz, adding an aesthetic dimension that was often absent in other issues of “New X-Men”.

9) Avengers Vs. X-Men

Despite some people’s opinions to the contrary, “Avengers Vs. X-Men” is often overlooked but deserves more credit. This tale stands as an exemplar of underrated superhero comics, offering an unparalleled level of amusement. Penned by a talented team including Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and Jason Aaron, with art by the masterful John Romita Jr., Olivier Coiple, and Adam Kubert, the story employs the arrival of the Phoenix Force on Earth as a catalyst for the clash between the Avengers and X-Men. Essentially, “Avengers Vs. X-Men” is an invitation to set aside cerebral considerations and simply enjoy the spectacle of action figures colliding. If you approach it with the understanding that this is primarily a story designed for mindless fun and not deep characterization, you’re in for a good time.

8) Marvel Boy

In simpler terms, Grant Morrison’s debut Marvel comic after leaving DC, titled “Marvel Boy”, was a standout work featuring artist J.G. Jones. This comic centers around Noh-Varr, an alien soldier from another universe who is part of a multiversal exploration team aboard the ship “Marvel”. Their vessel is destroyed by Dr. Midas, a collector of supernatural artifacts, leaving his crewmates dead and Noh-Varr imprisoned. Escaping his confinement, Noh-Varr seeks revenge against humanity and Dr. Midas in particular. The comic series is packed with high-concept superhero action, coupled with a rebellious spirit that never disappoints. Morrison’s creative genius is on full display in this work, demonstrating the unique madness he can bring to Marvel stories. Jones’ artwork is exceptional from the start and maintains its quality throughout the series. The third issue of “Marvel Boy” is particularly impressive, but the rest of the comic is equally engaging.

7) Squadron Supreme

The 12-issue series titled “Squadron Supreme,” penned by Mark Gruenwald, Bob Hall, Paul Ryan, and John Buscema, is a remarkable Marvel tale often overlooked, despite its standing among the greatest stories ever told in the Marvel universe. Set within the realm of the Squadron Supreme, a superhero team reminiscent of DC’s Justice League, this series poses an intriguing premise: what if superheroes believed that controlling the world was the best way to save it?

Prior to “Watchmen,” this book delved into complex and mature themes in the realm of superheroes. However, in discussions about classic comics, it rarely receives the recognition it deserves. The narrative of Squadron Supreme brought a unique storytelling approach to Marvel that was previously unseen, exploring the implications of superheroes operating within a realistic world.

The characters are richly developed, the plot is engaging, and the art harks back to the Bronze Age of Marvel Comics. Though the final fight may not be as gruesome as the Miracleman showdown between Miracleman and Kid Miracleman, it was a groundbreaking moment for Marvel fans at the time. I strongly recommend this gem; its brilliance is often underappreciated, but it’s definitely worth reading to fully appreciate it.

6) Wolverine (Vol. 2) #102

One significant shift in Wolverine’s history, often discussed among fans, is his transformation into a more primal, feral version of himself. This change occurred when he lost his adamantium skeleton in X-Men (Vol. 2) #25, which was followed by the introduction of his bone claws and his eventual departure from the X-Men in Wolverine (Vol. 2) #75. The subsequent issues, particularly #76-100, depicted a period of intense struggle for Wolverine as he grappled with losing his adamantium, managing an overactive healing factor, and learning to fight more intelligently. This was all before he discovered that the adamantium had been suppressing his mutation, potentially allowing him to become a beast. Instead of becoming the Horseman of Apocalypse Death as many expected, Wolverine went completely feral in issue #100, marking the beginning of this new phase.

In Wolverine (Vol. 2) #101, written by Larry Hama and illustrated by Adam Kubert, the story unfolds with the feral Wolverine roaming New York City. At the same time, Elektra, who had recently joined the cast to help Wolverine regain control and teach him martial arts, narrates a personal story that mirrors events in Wolverine’s life. This standalone issue, known for its beautiful artwork and engaging writing, showcases a captivating tale by Hama and a masterful performance by Kubert. Although Kubert would later leave the series until the mid-2000s, his work in this issue is noteworthy.

While some fans may not share my enthusiasm for Wolverine’s feral era, I believe that reading this particular issue offers a glimpse into the kind of compelling stories that could have been told had Hama been given more opportunities to explore and develop this version of the character.

5) Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #329-330

As a devoted fan of comics, I’d say that the two-part saga in Uncanny X-Men Volume 1, issues #329 and #330, written by Scott Lobdell, Jeph Loeb, and masterfully illustrated by Joe Madureira, is undoubtedly the pinnacle of Lobdell’s tenure on this iconic series. This thrilling tale unfolds post-Uncanny X-Men Volume 1 #328, where Sabretooth’s brutal attack on Psylocke left her in a precarious state. In response, Wolverine and Archangel embark on a journey to New York City’s Chinatown, seeking the aid of Gomurr the Ancient. The unique ninja magic that has affected Psylocke necessitates an Asian-rooted solution, leading our heroes to the Crimson Dawn, which sends them spiraling into another dimension beneath the city. It’s a breathtaking blend of martial arts action and X-Men adventure that you won’t want to miss! Madureira’s artwork is simply mesmerizing, making this comic a visual feast. And if you haven’t read issue #328 yet, I strongly recommend adding it to your reading list – it’s equally spectacular!

4) Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #375

In the ’90s, I found myself in the position where many felt the Fantastic Four were less shining than during their Silver Age glory days, often overshadowed by teams like the Avengers and X-Men. But let me tell you, Tom DeFalco and Paul Ryan’s run on Fantastic Four during this era was better than anticipated, despite some of the less favorable aspects of ’90s comics seeping in. At first glance, the cover of Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #375 might make you think it’s just another stereotypical ’90s comic, and to some extent, there’s truth to that. However, this story is actually quite thrilling.

Doctor Doom, in his villainous pursuit, has managed to acquire the power of Aron the Rogue Watcher. With this newfound might, he takes control of the Watcher’s moon base-which becomes our heroic team’s battleground. This is a comic that offers a fantastic fight scene, as the Fantastic Four, Lyja Lazerfist, and Ms. Marvel II/She-Thing give their all to take down a Doom who is significantly more powerful than they are.

This isn’t one of the greatest Fantastic Four comics ever created, but it certainly is an entertaining fight story that deserves recognition for its exceptional quality.

3) Original Sin

Original Sin” by Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato

In a time when Marvel was releasing numerous major events annually, “Original Sin” stood out. However, this frequent event release may have negatively impacted the story’s perception. The narrative is straightforward: following the death of the Watcher, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes embark on a mission to uncover his killer. Meanwhile, the thief makes off with the Watcher’s eyes, revealing unsettling secrets about the heroes’ past actions against each other.

The main series primarily focuses on Doctor Strange, Winter Soldier, the Punisher, Moon Knight, Gamora, and Nick Fury, as they unravel the mystery. Notable aspects of this book that often go unnoticed include the introduction of lesser-known villains such as the Orb, Dr. Midas, and his daughter Oubliette, as well as the emergence of the concept known as the Man on the Wall.

The story also features Thor’s loss of worthiness to wield Mjolnir, marking a significant transition that leads into Aaron’s exceptional run on Thor. This series boasts impressive artwork and offers an engaging narrative; unfortunately, it seems to be undervalued compared to its potential (not helped by the timely release of “Secret Wars” shortly after its conclusion or the mostly forgotten secrets it unveiled).

2) Avengers & X-Men: AXIS

In my opinion, I’ve always found myself drawn to the unconventional, and that’s exactly what “Avengers & X-Men: AXIS” by Rick Remender, Adam Kubert, Leinil Yu, Terry Dodson, and Jim Cheung offers. This comic series, which followed from Remender’s exceptional “Uncanny Avengers,” has faced a fair share of criticism almost since its conclusion.

The narrative is set in motion with the Red Skull, who had seized Professor Xavier’s brain to gain telepathic abilities, transforming into Red Onslaught. He establishes a mutant concentration camp in Genosha and subsequently leads an epic battle against the superhero community. However, the heroes suffer a defeat, leading them to devise a plan to reverse Red Onslaugh’s morality.

This strategy partially succeeds but comes at a cost – it also flips the moral compasses of our beloved X-Men and Avengers characters, turning them evil. The now villainous X-Men and Avengers each strive for global domination in their own unique ways, creating an absurd yet entertaining dynamic that I find to be one of the story’s highlights.

Of course, this comic is not without its imperfections. For instance, it reveals Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver as non-mutants, which seems to contradict their established backstory. Furthermore, certain characterizations appear off-kilter even before the moral inversion, and at times, the art can seem a bit rushed, particularly from Terry Dodson and Jim Cheung during what appears to be a hectic production schedule.

Nevertheless, “Avengers & X-Men: AXIS” stands out as an example of a comic that manages to be so outrageous and flawed that it becomes incredibly enjoyable to read. It’s the perfect choice for anyone seeking a wild ride filled with unexpected twists and turns!

1) Generation Next

The Age of Apocalypse has been widely overhyped in my opinion, but there are some exceptional comic books out there that truly warrant recognition. Among these, the standout title is unquestionably Generation Next, written by Scott Lobdell and illustrated by Chris Bachalo. This series centers on the younger X-Men covertly infiltrating Seattle to rescue Illyana Rasputin, a key figure in preventing this particular timeline from unfolding. The narrative is captivating, gripping readers from the outset and refusing to let go. It masterfully develops its characters, making readers emotionally invested in their struggles, only to deliver a shocking twist at the end. Chris Bachalo’s artwork is exceptional, lending an authenticity and atmosphere that suits the series perfectly. The story is both beautiful and heart-wrenching. Generation Next is one of the finest X-Men comics ever produced, and I must admit that even I may have underestimated its brilliance previously. It’s a treasure trove of storytelling that deserves more conversation and appreciation.

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2025-08-25 16:19