10 Classic Comics that Have Been Re-Evaluated & Why

Superhero comics are fascinating because they’ve evolved so much over time. Having followed them since 1991, I’ve seen big shifts in everything from how comics are sold to the kinds of stories people enjoy and which characters are popular. Both Marvel and DC are always trying to stay innovative, which has continually reshaped the industry. Even lists of the best comic book stories aren’t fixed – they change as tastes and perspectives evolve. What’s considered a classic isn’t always set in stone.

Certain comic books are classics – they’ve been popular since they first came out and remain so. Others haven’t aged as well. While once widely enjoyed, changes in the comic book world have caused their popularity to decline. These ten stories were all fan favorites at one time, but have since been re-examined and viewed differently by both readers and critics.

10) The Ultimates and The Ultimates 2

Mark Millar was once a leading figure in the world of comics. He rose to prominence in the early 2000s with titles like The Authority and played a key role in creating the original Ultimate Universe. His series The Ultimates, drawn by Bryan Hitch, was incredibly popular from the start, consistently topping the charts. Even with publication delays, fans eagerly awaited each issue, and the follow-up, The Ultimates 2, was equally successful. However, it’s been over two decades since then, and some of the book’s once-provocative humor now feels dated. The storylines involving Hank Pym are particularly weak, and the characters are often unlikeable. While it was groundbreaking at the time, The Ultimates now feels like a product of its era.

9) Identity Crisis

Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales’ Identity Crisis initially received a lot of positive attention when it was first published. The Justice League mystery was a big hit with fans and critics, consistently generating buzz and praise. While the ending wasn’t universally liked, the overall story was well-received. However, over the past 20 years, opinions have drastically changed. Many fans now dislike the book due to its problematic portrayal of female characters, specifically the harmful way it handled Sue Dibney’s story, including instances of sexual assault and the ‘fridging’ trope. What was once a popular story is now largely considered controversial and disliked.

8) House of M

I’ve never been a fan of the House of M storyline, and I remember getting a lot of criticism for that opinion when it first came out. While Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel’s story was highly anticipated – it continued a narrative Bendis began with “Avengers Disassembled: Chaos” – and initially received positive reviews and word-of-mouth, opinions have shifted. Bendis was incredibly popular with Marvel fans in the mid-2000s, known for his unique storytelling and witty dialogue. However, today, many fans recognize that House of M is slow-paced and lacks excitement. Though the event remains significant in Marvel’s history, it’s no longer considered a masterpiece.

7) “Avengers Disassembled: Chaos”

As a huge Marvel fan, I remember the 2000s being a really great time for them, and Brian Bendis’s Avengers comics were definitely a highlight. He was the guy writing Avengers back then, and everything he did was instantly popular. His Avengers Disassembled storyline, with art by David Finch, came along at the perfect moment – the Avengers were really struggling, and both of them were on fire creatively. People loved the four-issue arc (or five if you include Avengers Finale #1), but honestly, opinions have shifted over time. There’s a lot of re-evaluation happening with Bendis’s work from that era, and a lot of the criticism centers around how he handled Scarlet Witch. That whole ‘chaos magic’ retcon feels really problematic now, and it seriously damaged the character for years. It’s definitely lost a lot of its appeal with fans over time.

6) Civil War

Most people are familiar with the story of Civil War, so I won’t rehash the plot. The eight-issue series by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven has long been criticized for its inconsistent character portrayals. However, when it was first released, it was hugely popular and widely considered a great story. That perception has shifted significantly over the past two decades. A key factor is Millar’s later admission that the story was intended to support the Patriot Act and that Iron Man was originally meant to be the protagonist. Millar’s diminished reputation also plays a role – people are less willing to overlook the story’s flaws. Consequently, criticisms are amplified, and praise is now rare, a noticeable change from its initial reception.

5) Batman: The Killing Joke

For years, Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland was hailed as a landmark Batman story. It offered a potential backstory for the Joker and featured a shocking event involving Batgirl. Brian Bolland’s artwork was stunning, and Alan Moore’s writing was, as always, exceptional, making the story seem untouchable. However, many now believe The Killing Joke doesn’t live up to the hype. One major criticism is the depiction of Batgirl’s injury, which even Alan Moore later expressed regret over. Some fans also dislike the idea of giving the Joker a defined origin story. Furthermore, recent re-releases of the book have been digitally recolored, and many feel this has negatively impacted Bolland’s original art style.

4) Avengers #200

The comic Avengers #200, created by Jim Shooter, George Perez, Bob Layton, and David Michelenie, is often called the worst Avengers issue ever. It’s infamous for a storyline where Carol Danvers develops a romantic relationship with the man who assaulted her – a man who is also revealed to be her son – and the Avengers team strangely accepts this. It’s widely disliked and for good reason. However, it wasn’t always considered the worst. For a long time, it was largely forgotten, and even when it was first released, the negative reaction wasn’t overwhelming. While never a fan favorite, most readers didn’t initially see it as the absolute worst Avengers story.

3) “The Judas Contract”

In the early 1980s, New Teen Titans was the only comic book series that rivaled the massive popularity of Uncanny X-Men. The creative partnership of Marv Wolfman and George Perez delivered some truly exceptional superhero stories, and their most famous is arguably “The Judas Contract.” This storyline, featuring Deathstroke and Terra infiltrating the Teen Titans, perfectly showcased their strengths and continues to be highly regarded. However, in recent years, fans have increasingly criticized the depiction of the relationship between Deathstroke and Terra. Many feel it leans into victim-blaming, considering the power imbalance between the adult Deathstroke and the younger Terra, and this has sparked considerable debate around the story. It’s now a sensitive topic whenever the story is discussed.

2) Preacher

Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s Preacher is a highly acclaimed Vertigo comic, and quickly became their most popular title after The Sandman concluded. The story follows Jesse Custer’s journey to find God and confront him about abandoning Heaven. While filled with eccentric characters and over-the-top events, and reflecting the language of its time, the comic hasn’t lost its impact. Instead, it’s being re-examined for its surprisingly relevant take on toxic masculinity. Published 30 years ago, Preacher directly addressed this issue and its influence on American culture, resonating with a new generation of readers who see the story in a completely new light.

1) The Sandman

For years, The Sandman was a hugely successful and beloved comic book series, running for 76 issues and including additional stories like The Sandman: Overture. It follows the journey of Dream of the Endless and explores themes of life and death. This series is also credited with popularizing the collected edition format for comics. However, recent serious allegations against writer Neil Gaiman have led fans to re-evaluate the work, with some seeing connections between the story and the accusations. As a result, enthusiasm for the series has waned, and sales have declined as fans are hesitant to support Gaiman financially. Once a cornerstone of the comic industry, The Sandman is now largely absent from current conversations.

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2025-12-22 21:12