10 Greatest Marvel Stories of the 2020s

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For a considerable length of time, Marvel has been dominating the world of superhero comics with its bestsellers. Until 2025, almost all of the top-selling comics were from Marvel’s collection. However, it’s not accurate to claim that Marvel produces the finest comics as sales don’t necessarily reflect quality – The Amazing Spider-Man, for instance, faced significant criticism but remained popular for years. Nonetheless, throughout the 2020s, Marvel has demonstrated exceptional talent in their storytelling. They have mastered their niche of superhero narratives, although this has sometimes led to predictable comics, it has also produced some remarkable stories over the past five years. While DC and Image Comics are known for their “artistic” comic books, Marvel continues to deliver outstanding tales to readers.

Without a doubt, quality can vary depending on individual preferences; however, Marvel’s offerings in the 2020s have been among their finest works to date. They’ve produced narratives that have soared to the top of many lists, underscoring why their characters are truly exceptional creations. Here are ten stories from Marvel’s 2020s collection that stand out as their absolute best, providing readers with unforgettable tales that will resonate for a lifetime.

10) Miracleman: The Silver Age

The much-anticipated comeback of Miracleman made headlines, but has been eclipsed by allegations against writer Neil Gaiman. Nevertheless, Gaiman isn’t the sole contributor to the acclaimed “Miracleman: The Silver Age” and it offers a compelling superhero narrative. The Miracleman saga ranks among the top in comic book history, and “Miracleman: The Silver Age” continues this legacy. The narrative centers around the revived Young Miracleman navigating the “utopia” that Miracleman established. While the writing is captivating, it’s the artwork by Mark Buckingham that truly shines. Buckingham started drawing “Miracleman: The Silver Age” years ago (the individual issues reveal his initial sketches and the transformation process), delivering exceptional work. In many aspects, this series is more Buckingham’s story, presenting a visual masterpiece. Marvel may not be known for publishing prestigious comics like this, but “Miracleman: The Silver Age” demonstrates their capability in doing so.

9) “Dark Artery”

In contrast to the inconsistent “From the Ashes” X-Men reboot, following the successful Krakoa Era, a standout in the X-Men series is Gail Simone and David Marquez’s Uncanny X-Men. This comic book employs the traditional Claremont-esque narrative style of earlier X-Men comics. The title has been consistently engaging, with the most captivating tale being “Dark Artery”. In this story, we follow a group of trainee mutants called the Outliers as they delve into the origins of Haven House, the team’s new base. This narrative unfolds into an exceptional superhero horror story that feels distinctly different from recent X-Men stories. For the “From the Ashes” series, I like to coin the term “From the Rehashes”, and this is a notable exception. The story draws on America’s history of racism to shape its ideas, leading readers into uncharted territories. Simone skillfully captivates readers, keeping them enthralled throughout. Marquez’s artwork is stunning, perfectly complementing the narrative. This X-Men tale is exceptional and serves as a reminder of why we love the X-Men.

8) Ultimate Wolverine #4

The current “Ultimate Wolverine” series stands out significantly among other Wolverine titles. Despite some criticism for revisiting familiar Wolverine themes, it’s the unique storytelling that sets it apart. In particular, issue #4, penned by Chris Condon and illustrated by Alessandro Cappuccio, is a standout in the series. The narrative explores a common concept – Wolverine breaking free from his programming – but does so in an innovative manner, using a fight between a battered old wolf and a colossal bear to symbolize the internal struggle portrayed in the issue. In this issue, Condon and Cappuccio truly shine. Condon skillfully builds suspense leading up to the revealing of present events, and when they are finally unveiled, they are nothing short of captivating. Cappuccio’s artwork is exceptional; his attention to detail and linework are spot-on, and the aftermath of Wolverine’s rampage is visually stunning in its gritty, bloody depiction. This issue encapsulates why the new “Ultimate” series is so impressive, as it takes familiar ideas and presents them in entirely original ways.

7) Wolverine: Revenge

Jonathan Hickman, renowned for his work on teams such as the Fantastic Four, Avengers, Secret Warriors, and X-Men, is widely considered one of Marvel’s most outstanding writers. His recent solo works have further solidified this reputation. Though often underrated in terms of Wolverine stories, Hickman has impressed readers with notable titles like “X-Men Unlimited: Wolverine: Latitude” and “Wolverine: Revenge“, collaborating with artist Greg Capullo.

In a dystopian future storyline, the death of Magneto triggers an EMP that cripples most of the Western Hemisphere. This catastrophe leaves Wolverine, Captain America, and the Winter Soldier scrambling to secure functioning Russian reactor technology. Unfortunately, the revived Brotherhood of Mutants-comprising Mastermind, Colossus, Omega Red, Sabretooth, and Deadpool-manages to eliminate much of the team, dooming the West and leaving Wolverine seeking vengeance.

This gripping tale offers a unique glimpse into a bleak Marvel future, with Hickman skillfully guiding readers through engaging plotlines. Capullo’s artwork is phenomenal, making this story a standout for its thrilling action sequences. The collaboration between Hickman and Capullo brings out the best in Wolverine, leaving fans hopeful for more collaborative projects in the future.

6) Ryan North’s Fantastic Four Run

Over the course of many years, the remarkable team known as the Fantastic Four have experienced numerous highs and lows. Initially, due to complications regarding film rights, Marvel temporarily put their first superteam on hold. However, once these rights were reacquired, the Fantastic Four made a comeback. During this period, Ryan North, renowned for his work on The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, took over the team’s run and produced what many consider to be the best Fantastic Four series in years. I highly recommend reading all 33 issues of this exceptional series. North collaborated with artists like Iban Coello, Oren Smith, Carlos Gomez, Ivan Fiorelli, and others to deliver an incredible portrayal of the Fantastic Four since Hickman’s run. North skillfully balances the family dynamics and superhero science fiction elements of the team, providing readers with a captivating exploration of the characters and their relationships. This series truly showcases the best of Marvel, and it is well worth your time to read it.

5) Chip Zdarkey’s Daredevil Run

As a passionate comic enthusiast myself, I’m thrilled to share my admiration for Chip Zdarsky, who has been a standout name in the comic world during the 2020s. In this piece, we’ll delve into his remarkable stint on Daredevil. Starting from 2019, Zdarsky wrote a significant chunk of his run on Daredevil, with the majority unfolding in the 2020s. His work encompassed Daredevil (Vol. 6) issues 1-36, Devil’s Reign issues 1-6, Daredevil: Woman Without Fear issues 1-3, and Daredevil (Vol. 7) issues 1-14. He collaborated with artists like Marco Checchetto, Rafael De Lattore, and others throughout the five years he penned this iconic character.

Zdarsky’s run on Daredevil offers a compelling exploration of the character, as Daredevil faces off against formidable adversaries such as the Kingpin and the Hand. This narrative arc also sees Elektra stepping into the role of Daredevil for a period, showcasing her immense potential as a hero. This Daredevil run is what every fan craves – a well-crafted storyline with breathtaking artwork.

4) Immortal Thor

Many of you might be curious about the placement of “The Immortal Hulk” on this list. While I personally believe “The Immortal Hulk” is excellent, I don’t think it can compare to other titles, especially those released in the 2020s (it gets an honorable mention). However, “Immortal Thor” truly shines. This 25-issue series, written by Al Ewing with art by Martin Cocolo, Ibrahim Robson, Carlo Magna, and Jan Bazaulda, follows Thor’s struggle against the gods of Utgard, a journey that takes him across the Ten Realms and confronts him with gods, monsters, supervillains, and more. Ewing delves deep into the mythological roots of Thor with this series, which I believe is why it resonates so powerfully. This is one of the rare instances where a Thor comic feels like a genuine mythological hero story. The artwork is somewhat inconsistent – Bazaluda’s pencils are decent but not exceptional, and she illustrates at least half the series – yet the story more than compensates for it. “Immortal Thor” captures the essence of Thor perfectly, and I’m eager to see where Ewing takes this Thor saga in its next phase.

3) Ultimate Spider-Man (Vol. 3)

As a devoted fan, I’d say that the latest installment of Ultimate Spider-Man, Volume 3, stands out as the finest Spider-Man comic in years! Penned by Jonathan Hickman and featuring stunning artwork from Marco Checchetto and David Messina, this book unfolds the tale of Peter Parker residing on Earth-6160. The Maker kept him from donning the Spidey suit, instead, he ties the knot with Mary Jane and starts a family. An unusual twist, Ben Parker is alive, while May has passed away, leaving an unconventional friendship between Ben and J. Jonah Jameson. When Tony Stark presents Peter with the opportunity to regain his Spider-Man abilities, he grabs it, finally embodying the hero he was destined to be. This sets the stage for an alliance with Harry Osborn against New York City’s ruler, the Kingpin. The series recognizes that the essence of the Spider-Man narrative lies in Peter Parker and his entourage, and it skillfully weaves their stories together. Despite the occasional hiccups in month-to-month storytelling typical of the Ultimate series, each issue brims with captivating plots and memorable character moments that make it all worthwhile. While I personally find the first 12 issues the most compelling, this comic is a must-read for any Spider-Man fan.

2) Ultimate X-Men (Vol. 2)

Marvel’s latest Ultimate series standouts, outshining any other monthly releases from Marvel at the moment. Each title explores familiar themes in fresh ways, but none quite as distinctively as “Ultimate X-Men” by Peach Momoko. This comic is a unique blend of horror and magical girl manga elements, offering an engaging reading experience.

The story primarily revolves around Hisako, recognized as Armor in the main Marvel universe, and Kageyama, two characters whose abilities lead them into conflict with Maester and the Children of the Atom, a band of mutants from Hi No Kuni, an alternate Earth-6160 Japan. This X-Men team is unlike any other you’ve encountered before, and Momoko skillfully develops the cast, plot, and subplots.

Momoko’s art style is striking and original, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. This isn’t your typical X-Men comic – it’s a remarkable fusion of genres that offers something fresh for both manga enthusiasts and X-Men fans alike. The pacing might be slow, but it serves the story well. If you appreciate manga or the X-Men, this is a must-read. Simply put, this comic is a masterpiece.

1) Avengers: Twilight

A Remarkable Saga in the Avengers Franchise: Avengers: Twilight

In a nutshell, Avengers: Twilight is an exceptional addition to the Avengers series, masterfully blending superhero adventures with real-world issues. Penned by Chip Zdarsky and illustrated by Daniel Acuna, this story unfolds in a dystopian future where America has transformed into a repressive police state, outlawing superheroes post-H-Day and controlling the populace through entertainment and rations. Aged Captain America relinquishes his super soldier serum, only to be drawn back into anti-fascist combat by Luke Cage. Rejuvenated with the serum once more, Captain America finds himself on a dramatic path that leads him into conflict with James Stark, Iron Man and Wasp’s son, and Kyle Jarvis, the unknown brother of Edwin Jarvis, Avengers butler, who harbors shocking connections to Cap’s past. This story mirrors the epic narrative of Kingdom Come, featuring gripping superhero action and poignant moments that truly make it shine. However, what sets this tale apart is Zdarksy’s insightful social commentary woven into the narrative, offering a thought-provoking perspective on contemporary America – a voice that couldn’t be more timely. Acuna’s artwork is nothing short of spectacular, providing readers with stunningly original visuals that will leave you in awe. Simply put, Avengers: Twilight is remarkable and deserves your attention.

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2025-09-10 01:44