10 Marvel Comics That Every Superhero Should Read

For decades, Marvel has consistently delivered the superhero stories fans love. Though the company began in the early days of comic books, the Marvel Universe we recognize today truly took shape in the 1960s, during what’s known as the Silver Age. Since then, Marvel has introduced some of the most iconic fictional characters ever, thanks to incredible writers and artists who crafted unforgettable stories. They pioneered the idea of a shared universe and brought a more realistic, human feel to their narratives. A popular saying captures this well: “DC focuses on gods behaving like humans, while Marvel focuses on humans striving to be gods.” This perfectly describes Marvel’s approach to storytelling – focusing on the relatable struggles and aspirations of its characters.

DC Comics is often praised for consistently delivering outstanding superhero stories that both fans and critics love. While Marvel isn’t typically known for focusing on intricate, complex narratives, they’ve actually created some truly fantastic comics over the years. These ten stories are essential reads for any Marvel fan—even those who primarily know the characters from the movies.

10. “Planet Hulk”

As a huge fan of the Hulk, I always recommend “Planet Hulk” to anyone asking where to start. You might have heard of *The Immortal Hulk* – it’s fantastic, but I didn’t have space to talk about everything! “Planet Hulk,” which ran through *The Incredible Hulk* #92-105 and *Giant-Size Hulk* #1, by Greg Pak and artists Carlo Pagulayan, Aaron Lopresti, and Gary Frank, is truly special. It’s not a typical superhero brawl or team-up. Instead, the Illuminati rocket the Hulk to another planet, Sakaar, which turns out to be a broken, war-torn world, not the peaceful paradise they intended. What follows is, in my opinion, the *best* Hulk story ever told. It shows us a side of the Hulk we’ve never really seen before. Seriously, everything about it works – the characters are compelling, the plot is gripping, the world-building is incredible, and the artwork makes the action sequences absolutely stunning. If you’re even remotely a Hulk fan, you *need* to read this story.

9. “No Normal”

Ms. Marvel is arguably the best new superhero of the 2010s, and that’s coming from someone who generally prefers DC comics! Kamala Khan is a fantastic Marvel character, and her story immediately stood out. The first six issues, titled “No Normal” and created by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona, beautifully used the superhero genre to explore the life of a Muslim teenager gaining superpowers. Kamala, a superhero enthusiast living in Jersey City, develops abilities after exposure to the Terrigen Mist. The resulting story is a wonderful and relatable tale about a young Muslim woman discovering self-acceptance while embracing her role as a hero. It’s an exceptional comic that I highly recommend everyone experience – it’s truly that good.

8. “Under Siege”

The Marvel Cinematic Universe made the Avengers incredibly popular, but comic book fans always recognized their potential. While there are many great Avengers stories, “Under Siege” – issues #270-277 of *Avengers* (Vol. 1) by Roger Stern and John Buscema – truly showcases the team at their finest. In this story, Baron Zemo gathers the most powerful team of Masters of Evil ever assembled and launches a surprise attack on Avengers Mansion. Caught off guard, the Avengers must overcome immense challenges to fight back. Featuring one of the best Avengers lineups, “Under Siege” proves the team can recover from any setback and represents everything that makes the Avengers great.

7. Secret Wars (2015)

Marvel has produced many impressive event comics, but *Secret Wars* #1-9, by Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic, is truly exceptional. After the Incursions destroy the Marvel Multiverse, Doctor Doom manages to salvage what remains. However, heroes from the remnants of Earth-616 and 1610 unite to liberate reality from Doom’s tyrannical rule. This event has everything a Marvel fan could ask for – it’s not just epic in scale, but encompasses the entire multiverse. While reading Hickman’s *Avengers/New Avengers* beforehand can add context, it’s not essential; *Secret Wars* effectively explains everything you need to know within its pages (though *Avengers/New Avengers* is still worth reading). And with the MCU planning to adapt elements of this story, now is the perfect time to jump in!

6. Infinity Gauntlet

Jim Starlin, George Perez, and Ron Lim’s *Infinity Gauntlet* (issues #1-6) is a classic Marvel event that fans consistently praise. The story follows Thanos as he uses the incredibly powerful Infinity Gauntlet – you can find out how he obtained it in *Thanos Quest* – to eliminate half of all life in the universe. Adam Warlock, along with Gamora and Pip the Troll, manage to escape from the Soul Gem and unite the universe’s heroes to stand against the Mad Titan. It’s a prime example of Marvel’s strengths: compelling characters, stunning artwork, and epic, large-scale battles. *Infinity Gauntlet* truly delivers, and it’s a must-read for any comic book enthusiast.

5. Earth X

In 1996, DC Comics released *Kingdom Come*, a visually striking series illustrated by Alex Ross that imagined a possible future for the DC Universe. *Wizard* magazine then commissioned Ross to create a similar vision for the Marvel Universe, resulting in *Earth X*. The positive response led Marvel to hire Ross, Jim Kreuger, and John Paul Leon to develop the series. *Earth X* #0-12 and the subsequent *X* issues presented a future where superpowers were commonplace. The story unfolds as the Inhumans return and a teenage villain named the Skull launches an attack, revealing the hidden truth about the planet. What I particularly enjoy about *Earth X* is how it delves into Marvel’s rich history to build its futuristic narrative. It’s also very accessible; you don’t need prior knowledge of Marvel comics to understand and enjoy it, as each issue provides all the necessary background. While *Earth X* has several follow-ups, the original series remains the strongest.

4. Wolverine (Vol. 1) #1-4

Wolverine is known for appearing in fantastic stories, and there are many to choose from. If you’re new to the character, a great place to start is *Wolverine* (Vol. 1) #1-4, written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by Frank Miller. This story sends Wolverine to Japan after discovering his fiancée has been forced into marriage with a Yakuza leader – a decision made by her own father, who is part of the Yakuza. He quickly realizes he’s out of his depth and must learn to fight with skill and strategy, rather than relying on his animalistic instincts. This story perfectly captures the essence of Wolverine, and Claremont and Miller created a truly legendary tale that’s sure to become a favorite.

3. “Kraven’s Last Hunt”

If you want to understand what makes Spider-Man so special, people often suggest starting with the early issues by Stan Lee and artists like Steve Ditko or John Romita Sr. But for me, the absolute best Spider-Man story ever told is “Kraven’s Last Hunt.” It originally unfolded across six issues – *Web of Spider-Man* #31-32, *The Amazing Spider-Man* #293-294, and *Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man* #131-132 – and was created by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck. It’s a story where Kraven the Hunter sets out to prove he’s superior to Spider-Man, and shockingly, he *does* – defeating him and seemingly taking his place. It’s a truly dark and gripping tale, pushing the boundaries of what you’d expect from a Spider-Man comic, and it’s absolutely breathtaking. Kraven is such a compelling villain, and DeMatteis and Zeck crafted scenes that have stayed with me ever since.

2. Squadron Supreme

Many consider *Squadron Supreme* to be a hidden gem among Marvel comics, and a truly exceptional work. The twelve-issue run, created by Mark Gruenwald and artists Bob Hall, Paul Ryan, John Buscema, and Sal Buscema, introduces readers to an Earth defended by the Squadron Supreme – a team very similar to the Justice League. Hyperion and his teammates believe the only way to ensure the world’s safety is to seize power, but Knighthawk objects. The resulting story explores the consequences of the Squadron Supreme’s well-intentioned but controlling rule, and the conflict that arises. With its mature themes and complex portrayal of superheroes, this comic deserves recognition alongside classics like *Watchmen*.

1. “The Dark Phoenix Saga”

Many consider “The Dark Phoenix Saga” to be Marvel’s best story, and it’s easy to see why. Written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by John Byrne in *Uncanny X-Men* issues #129-138, it follows the X-Men’s desperate attempt to help their friend Jean Grey. This story expertly blends thrilling action with heartfelt emotion, full of unexpected twists and turns. It’s not just about the X-Men fighting a powerful enemy; it’s about their struggle to save someone they care about deeply, and that connection shines through. With incredible superhero battles and a little bit of everything, this saga is truly unforgettable.

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2025-10-08 16:21