In simpler terms, Marvel Comics has a rich history with many unforgettable storylines. From the collaborative efforts of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby on Fantastic Four to Chris Claremont’s long-running work on The Uncanny X-Men, Marvel has produced some of the greatest comics ever created. However, not every series is destined for legendary status; there are numerous excellent runs that have slipped into obscurity over time, even though they feature cherished characters or tell compelling stories. This is often the case in the world of comics, especially when dealing with a universe as expansive as Marvel’s.
It’s only normal for not every comic series to be unforgettable, but there are some that truly warrant more recognition than they may have received so far. Here are five underappreciated story arcs within Marvel Comics that might have slipped your memory.
1) Iron Fist by Chris Claremont and John Byrne
Around the same period when Chris Claremont and John Byrne assumed control over X-Men, they also penned the series known as Iron Fist. In these 15 issues, Danny Rand was portrayed independently, demonstrating his potential as a standalone character. While some parts may appear outdated due to its half-century age, the narrative and character development have endured over time and remain relevant today.
If you’ve been waiting for Danny Rand, also known as Iron Fist, to make his comeback, now is the ideal moment to dive into this captivating series! This early collaboration between Claremont and Byrne offers a rich exploration of K’un L’un, the Iron Fist, and even introduces Sabertooth. Spanning just 15 issues, it provides a fascinating glimpse into Danny Rand’s formative years, revealing why he has become such an endearing character. Although the series was short-lived, that doesn’t diminish its quality; in fact, it’s exceptional!
2) X-Factor by Louise Simonson
The initial lineup of X-Factor (the spinoff from X-Men) was reimagined as a fresh novel showcasing the original X-Men team. For 60 issues, Louise Simonson steered the story, giving it her unique touch. She recognized that the series’ start required amending and took charge, restoring the team dynamics to reflect a close-knit family. A challenging aspect of her tenure was skillfully integrating Jean Grey’s comeback in a way that felt authentic and consistent. Louise successfully revitalized the book, greatly benefiting Jean’s character development.
Due to significant life changes among the original five X-Men members – Jean having passed away, Scott getting married, Angel transforming into Archangel, and Apocalypse joining mutant mythology along with Beast dealing with numerous personal problems – their interactions evolved dramatically, creating a multitude of engaging storylines. This change emphasized the unique dynamics among them, proving once again why another book featuring these five characters was long overdue.
3) Venom by Rick Remender and Cullen Bunn
One exceptional incarnation of Venom is Agent Venom, which occurred only once. When Flash Thompson assumed control of the symbiote and regained his legs, this series was a fantastic yet brief run. Spanning approximately 40 issues, Rick Remender initiated it, transforming Venom into a government agent. Later, Cullen Bunn continued the storyline, shifting the setting and providing him a new town to dominate, specifically Philadelphia.
It was quite entertaining to watch two writers each presenting unique perspectives on a similar theme. Even with Venom acquiring his own sidekick and sharing the symbiote with him, many readers enjoyed the experience. However, some Venom fans weren’t thrilled about Venom being somewhat restrained. Nevertheless, this engaging run still has its supporters. Here’s hoping we get to revisit this series at some point, possibly under the guise of Anti-Venom.
4) Cable and X-Force by Dennis Hopeless
The X-Force team has been maintaining a continuous storyline for quite some time, but Dennis Hopeless’s run, following those by Benjamin Percy and Rick Remender, proved to be short-lived. The narrative kicked off with Cable engaging in his customary role of confronting threats that the X-Men found difficult to handle. Ominous premonitions about future dangers constantly troubled Cable, compelling him to prevent these perils before they materialized. This brief series featured an efficient team consisting of Cable, Forge, Domino, Colossus, and Dr. Nemesis, making it a noteworthy read.
In simpler terms, Marvel’s brief yet enjoyable series featured a small, delightful team, including Cable in his tech-savvy prime and Colossus adopting a darker persona for the first time. This incarnation of X-Force, on the run from mutant adversaries, introduced a fresh dynamic to the group. Unfortunately, it didn’t last as long as it should have, providing an opportunity for less celebrated mutants to truly shine.
5) The Superior Foes of Spider-Man by Nick Spencer
Towards the end, we come to “The Superior Foes of Spider-Man,” a group by no means less significant. Consisting of some secondary Spider-Man adversaries, this tale introduces Beetle, Boomerang, Shocker, Speed Demon, and Overdrive. Originally an unsuccessful Sinister Six, they aspire to rise above their failures. Escaping prison, they aim to seize control of New York’s criminal underworld. Despite their bumbling attempts, they manage to make the whole ordeal incredibly entertaining.
In their battle against The Owl and Silvermane, they don’t back down from a fight with anyone who gets in their way. Nick Spencer’s series extended beyond the initial 12 issues to a total of 17 issues. Despite being somewhat overlooked, it remains a topic of conversation among fans today. If you appreciate villains with an unusual charm who rarely get their time in the spotlight, multiplied by five, then you’ll find this series captivating. I highly suggest reading this book before diving into Spencer’s Amazing Spider-Man run.
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/secret-wars-jim-shooter-superhero-storytelling/embed/#
Read More
- Minecraft lets you get the Lava Chicken song in-game — but it’s absurdly rare
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Lewis Capaldi Details “Mental Episode” That Led to Him “Convulsing”
- Wrestler Marcus “Buff” Bagwell Undergoes Leg Amputation
- PS5’s ChinaJoy Booth Needs to Be Seen to Be Believed
- Cyberpunk 2077’s Patch 2.3 is Here and It’s Another Excellent Overhaul
- AI-powered malware eludes Microsoft Defender’s security checks 8% of the time — with just 3 months of training and “reinforcement learning” for around $1,600
- Yungblud Vows to Perform Ozzy Osbourne Song “Every Night”
- Elden Ring Nightreign’s Patch 1.02 update next week is adding a feature we’ve all been waiting for since launch — and another I’ve been begging for, too
- Rob Schneider’s Happy Gilmore 2 Role Is Much Different Than We Thought It’d Be
2025-08-07 17:19