10 Best Marvel Stories of the ’90s

The 1990s were a challenging period for Marvel Comics. Initially, they enjoyed significant sales triumphs, with titles like Spider-Man #1, X-Men (Vol. 2) #1, and X-Force (Vol. 1) #1 selling in large quantities. However, these prosperous times were short-lived. Key artists such as Todd McFarlane and Rob Liefeld managed to persuade Marvel’s top artists – Marc Silvestri, Erik Larsen, Jim Valentino, Whilce Portacio, and Jim Lee – to depart and establish Image Comics. As a result, Marvel found themselves in a cycle of decreasing returns, attempting to replicate the success of Image Comics by offering gimmicky covers, new number ones, and “events” catering to collectors, which eventually led to a market bubble burst. This period was financially difficult for Marvel, and creatively, they hit rock bottom. However, things began to improve toward the end of the decade. Nevertheless, Marvel faced numerous challenges during the 1990s.

In the ’90s, Marvel Comics might be more recognized for its setbacks rather than triumphs, but let’s not forget about the fantastic comics that were produced during this decade. Despite the fact that the quality of work from the ’90s may not have reached the heights attained in the ’80s, ’00s, or even earlier decades like the ’60s and ’70s, there are still some exceptional tales to be found. These 10 Marvel stories from the ’90s are the best of the best, enduring classics that continue to captivate readers today.

10) The Incredible Hulk -1

Peter David’s epic run on The Incredible Hulk concluded in 1997, but this doesn’t imply a decline in quality. I wholeheartedly recommend reading his entire tenure (my personal favorites are the issues illustrated by Gary Frank and Adam Kubert), but if you’re short on time, issue -1 is a must-read. This issue, penned by David and Kubert, takes us back to the days before the Silver Age Marvel Universe, offering intriguing tales about our beloved heroes in their formative years. In The Incredible Hulk -1, we witness Brian Banner’s release from imprisonment, and Bruce’s ill-fated attempt to reconcile with his abusive father. This misguided decision leads to a tragic rainy night at the grave of Bruce’s mother. This issue showcases exceptional storytelling from start to finish, delivering a poignant comic that sheds light on one of Banner’s pivotal life moments. It’s a masterpiece. This is the caliber of work Peter David was capable of, and it’s truly remarkable.

9) Thunderbolts #1-12

Certainly!

Just like the last recommendation, I can’t help but strongly suggest diving into the ’90s series of Thunderbolts by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley. It’s an exceptional superhero comic that never fails to impress. While it’s tough to dispute the brilliance of the initial twelve issues, I must admit they are particularly noteworthy. The Thunderbolts had already made an appearance in The Incredible Hulk, but fans weren’t expecting much when they picked up the first issue of Thunderbolts. However, the shocking twist at the end of that issue—revealing the Thunderbolts as the Masters of Evil in disguise under Baron Zemo’s masterful plan—sent waves throughout the comic world. People who hadn’t previously read the book were rushing to their local comic stores in hopes of snagging a copy. Busiek and Bagley are at their creative peak during the comic’s first year, as the Thunderbolts grapple with Zemo’s plan and start to find enjoyment in their new lives. The first twelve issues form the core of the story, and after reading these, you’ll be eager to continue following along.

8) The Waid/Garney Run on Captain America

Instead of a single narrative, this is a collection of remarkable Captain America tales from one of Marvel’s top teams during the ’90s. Despite Cap facing challenges in the X-Men era, Marvel hired writer Mark Waid, who was experiencing a career resurgence due to his work on The Flash at DC, and paired him with artist Ron Garney for a return to traditional Captain America stories. Their collaboration spanned issues 444-454 of Vol. 1, issues 1-6 and 12 of Vol. 3, issues 1-6 of Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, and they produced outstanding Cap stories that rekindled interest in the character. However, this run was cut short due to the Heroes Reborn partnership between Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld. Fans were upset by this interruption, but when Heroes Reborn ended, Waid and Garney returned for the new Captain America series, which eventually led to their creation of Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty. Waid and Garney knew what made great Cap stories, and their 21-issue run includes some fantastic Cap tales. I personally prefer Vol. 3, but it’s all excellent reading.

7) The Inhumans (Vol. 2) #1-12

As a passionate cinephile of comics, I must say that the Marvel Knights imprint breathed new life into Marvel’s B-list characters in the late ’90s. Kevin Smith, Joe Quesada, and Jimmy Palmiotti’s Daredevil was exceptional, while Reginald Hudlin and Mark Texeira’s Black Panther started the journey of redefining the character, shaping him into the icon we recognize today (let’s not even mention the first Marvel Knights Punisher series). However, the cream of the crop was The Inhumans (Vol. 2) #1-12, penned by Paul Jenkins and illustrated by Jae Lee. When territorial disputes set the Inhumans against their human neighbors, chaos ensues within Attilan as the Royal Family grapples with an adversary who holds all the aces. This tale is almost flawless, demonstrating how to effectively portray the Inhumans in their own series – by focusing on the politics and culture of the Inhumans, using the Royal Family as our guide. This story is effortlessly brilliant, a masterful depiction of how to get the Inhumans right. This was the last time the Inhumans were at their best, with this story serving as the blueprint for making them work effectively.

6) Wolverine (Vol. 2) #75-100

In the past, before serial writing for trade became commonplace, superhero tales were structured differently. Instead of continuous storylines, readers would receive short stories, typically no longer than three issues at a time, while a larger plot unfolded in the backdrop. This method, I believe, was more effective in engaging readers long-term. With that thought in mind, let me introduce you to Wolverine (Vol. 2) #75-100. These 25 issues commence with Wolverine losing his adamantium, leading him to depart from the X-Men on a quest to understand his identity without his indestructible skeleton. The writing is handled by Larry Hama, with regular artist Adam Kubert and numerous fill-in artists contributing. These issues serve as an outstanding representation of Wolverine’s best characterization. Hama and Kubert make an exceptional team, as demonstrated in the first five pages of Wolverine (Vol. 2) #77, where the art, writing, and page layout come together flawlessly; I highly recommend taking a look at those initial pages – they’re truly remarkable. This period of Wolverine is often underestimated, and these 25 issues rank among the finest Marvel comics from the ’90s (not to mention, don’t miss out on the tie-in Weapon X #1-4 during this run, which was published between issue #90 and #91 – more Hama/Kubert brilliance).

5) “Ultron Unlimited”

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but sing praises for the extraordinary work done by Kurt Busiek and George Perez on the Avengers comic series post Heroes Reborn. Their collaboration gifted us some of the finest Avengers stories ever penned. While I wholeheartedly encourage reading their entire run (including Kurt Busiek’s Avengers Forever, a masterful collaboration with Roger Stern and Carlos Pacheco), I must assert that their magnum opus is undoubtedly “Ultron Unlimited.” This epic saga unfolded in Avengers (Vol. 3) #19-22.

In this tale, the menacing Ultron returns, amassing an army of adamantium Ultrons to wipe out humanity. The destruction of Slorenia within mere minutes sets the stage for a chilling global alert. The Avengers are swiftly called into action, squaring off against their deadliest foe in his most audacious assault yet. This is quintessential Avengers from an unparalleled Avengers team. The MCU attempted to adapt parts of this story and fell woefully short. Yet, the comic remains flawless. Busiek and Perez were a formidable duo, elevating the Avengers beyond expectations.

4) Infinity War

As a passionate film enthusiast and comic book reader, let me share my thoughts on “Infinity War” – a masterpiece that may not quite match the acclaim of its sequel, “Infinity Gauntlet,” but deserves nearly equal praise. Penned by Jim Starlin and Ron Lim, “Infinity War” is the second installment in the Infinity Trilogy, where the villainous Magus, Adam Warlock’s greatest foe, resurfaces with a wicked new scheme to ascend to godhood. The story compels our hero, Warlock, to forge an uneasy alliance with Thanos as Earth’s mightiest heroes and Galactus grapple with the unfathomable wrongness pervading the universe. “Infinity War” is a riveting, suspenseful tale that will captivate readers from start to finish, making it one of Marvel’s most gripping events. Although I would argue that its story surpasses that of “Infinity Gauntlet,” its significance in the grand scheme of things pales in comparison, hence its lower ranking on this particular list.

3) Infinity Gauntlet

The “Infinity Gauntlet,” penned by Jim Starlin, George Perez, and Ron Lim, stands out as Marvel’s most significant event comic due to its influence on the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This epic tale revolves around Thanos’s possession of the Infinity Gauntlet and the ensuing struggle to seize its boundless power from him. Throughout, “Infinity Gauntlet” is a captivating read, with the final issues surpassing the first three, which set a deliberate, measured pace. Despite this unevenness, the narrative as a whole has kept readers spellbound for years, living up to its stellar reputation.

2) Earth X

The creation of Earth X can be attributed to two factors: the acclaimed DC comic, Kingdom Come, and the influential Wizard Magazine. The success of Kingdom Come prompted Wizard to commission Alex Ross for a Marvel Universe reimagining, which was so well-received by fans that Marvel subsequently produced a comic. Earth X, penned by Jim Krueger and illustrated by John Paul Leon, is set in a future where all Earth’s inhabitants possess superpowers. This storyline brings together intriguing elements such as the Inhumans returning to Earth after space exploration, the Watcher Uatu losing his sight and entrusting X-51, the Machine Man, with his eyesight, and the emergence of a villain known as the Skull causing havoc across the US. These plotlines culminate in unveiling the dark secrets behind life on Earth. Earth X serves as a heartfelt tribute to Marvel’s Silver Age classics, as the past shapes the story’s future. Earth X is renowned for its epic moments that leave an indelible impression on readers. Earth X marks the beginning of a trilogy, which, over time, saw a decline in quality, but it remains a remarkable tale that competes with the finest Marvel comics of the ’90s.

1) Marvels

Marvels, penned by Kurt Busiek, is another noteworthy comic book from the ’90s, and it introduced readers to artist Alex Ross. Marvels is narrated from the point of view of Phil Seldon, a photographer for the Daily Bugle, who chronicles the emergence of superhumans. This tale begins with Namor, the Human Torch, and Captain America, followed by the advent of mutants, the confrontation with Galactus, and Spider-Man’s struggle against Gwen Stacy. Marvels is exceptional; it’s a book that should be experienced firsthand to truly appreciate its depth. This work offers a unique perspective on the Marvel Universe from the eyes of an ordinary human, and Ross’s lifelike art breathes authenticity into the superhuman realm. In the ’90s, when there was no Marvel Cinematic Universe available for realistic superhero portrayals, we had Marvels, and in many ways, it surpassed what the MCU has to offer today. If you’re curious about my recommendations, I encourage you to read Marvels to see for yourself.

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2025-07-09 23:16