10 Must-Read Marvel Events Every MCU Fan Should Experience!

When the Marvel Cinematic Universe first appeared in 2008, it faced a considerable challenge: recreating the grandeur of Marvel’s iconic comic book events on the big screen. Since Marvel has a rich history of epic stories, the movies needed to evoke that same sense of awe-inspiring events that made their comics so popular. Fortunately, the MCU has succeeded in this endeavor, adapting several of Marvel’s most significant comic book storylines. Yet, even if fans have enjoyed these cinematic adaptations, it’s still worth exploring the original source material. Marvel’s comics are brimming with extraordinary events, some of which have been adapted and others that are entirely new to MCU viewers.

For years, Marvel’s special edition comics have left readers spellbound, and there are some that fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe simply must read. Some of these comics serve as the foundation for the most successful MCU films, while others may eventually make their way onto the big screen. These ten Marvel event comics are a must-read for MCU enthusiasts, offering the thrilling action and suspense that they’ve come to expect from the movies.

Siege

In “Siege,” penned by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Olivier Coipel, we reach the climax of the “Dark Reign” publishing event. The narrative centers around Norman Osborn, once the Green Goblin, taking charge of the superhero community following a significant shift in power. As the Iron Patriot, he dons refurbished Iron Man armor and assembles his own Avengers team, comprising villains disguised as heroes, Ares, the God of War, and the all-encompassing Sentry. Loki manages to persuade Osborn to assault Asgard, which at that time is located on Earth. This provocation leads to the hidden heroes rallying to protect the dwelling place of the Asgardians.

In the 2000s, Bendis served as Marvel’s primary writer and was responsible for penning several significant events. Among these, his best work was “Siege,” an unusual choice due to its compact four-issue format. Unlike some of Bendis’ lengthier event books that can become somewhat drawn out, “Siege” is action-packed with no unnecessary scenes. It showcases stunning superhero combat, such as the fight between Ares and the Sentry, which is a sight to behold. Given the MCU’s potential move towards a Dark Reign-like scenario, “Siege” offers an intriguing glimpse into possible future developments for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Secret Invasion

The comic series “Secret Invasion,” penned by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Leinil Yu, holds a unique appeal for Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) enthusiasts as it offers a fresh take on familiar territory. Instead of the grand spectacle MCU fans are accustomed to, “Secret Invasion” leans more towards the genre of spy thrillers, with Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury at the helm, navigating through Skrull-related intrigue. In contrast, the comic serves as a climactic conclusion to years of build-up. Following the destruction of their homeworld by Galactus, the Skrulls initiate an invasion of Earth, infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. and the superhero community, exploiting the rift within the superhero community that arose after the events of “Civil War.

In ‘Secret Invasion’, one of Bendis’ lengthier graphic novels, Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) enthusiasts might find it a positive aspect rather than a drawback. The story effectively sets up the state of the Marvel Universe at that time, providing valuable context for viewers who may not be familiar with late 2000s Marvel comics. The art by Yu is truly captivating, particularly his action sequences which are nothing short of breathtaking, and his Skrull designs are simply outstanding. ‘Secret Invasion’ offers a glimpse into what the MCU’s version of this story could have been, and its conclusion promises to leave MCU fans speechless.

Original Sin

The comic series “Original Sin” by Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato doesn’t always receive the recognition it should. This is because while it was intended to alter the dynamics between the heroes, the revelations in the tie-ins didn’t have a significant impact on their relationships. The story centers around a mystery: someone has murdered a Watcher, removed his eyes, and now the heroes are racing against time to uncover the culprit before they can exploit the knowledge contained within the eyes to bring about the downfall of the heroic community. A team of heroes, hand-picked by Nick Fury, embarks on this investigation, leading to some groundbreaking discoveries.

The “Original Sin” comic series is a captivating murder-mystery event, and it truly lives up to its promise. The author, Aaron, has a knack for incorporating characters he adores in his work, such as the Orb, Oubliette, Dr. Midas, who all make appearances in this book. This particular piece showcases Aaron at his finest. It significantly altered our perspective of Nick Fury for years and offers some unforgettable scenes. Deodato’s artwork is awe-inspiring; the Brazilian artist is one of Marvel’s top contemporary talents, and his work is a must-see for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). “Original Sin” embodies the essence of Marvel chaos in the most enthralling manner possible. It also features one of Thor’s best moments ever, which serves as a prelude to the Jane Foster Thor years, an aspect that MCU enthusiasts should not miss.

Infinity

The epic comic book series “Infinity,” penned by Jonathan Hickman with art contributions from Jim Cheung, Jerome Opena, and Dustin Weaver, is considered one of the finest Avengers tales ever written. For Marvel Cinematic Universe fans who wish to delve into this captivating narrative, it’s crucial to acquire the collected edition instead of merely reading the six-issue miniseries. The reason being that the collected edition incorporates tie-ins from Hickman’s “Avengers” and “New Avengers,” beautifully illustrated by Yu and Deodato respectively, which serve to bridge gaps in the storyline and provide a comprehensive portrayal of the conflict at hand.

The narrative revolves around the Avengers as they collaborate to fight off the Builders, an ancient alien race intent on annihilating the universe. Simultaneously, the Illuminati must grapple with Thanos and his Black Order, who are en route to Earth with their own objectives in mind.

Hickman’s tenure penning the Avengers is undeniably one of the finest periods for Avengers tales, as the author skillfully portrays the essence of what the Avengers are all about: protecting Earth and the cosmos. The comic “Infinity” showcases the team grappling with a catastrophic peril on an unprecedented scale for MCU enthusiasts. Essentially, “Infinity” is the quintessential Avengers narrative, plain and simple. It assembles the most potent squad of Avengers ever to confront a menace that only they could manage. The climax features an epic showdown against Thanos. This tale will undoubtedly foster a fresh admiration for the Avengers among MCU fans.

Infinity War

The comic series titled “The Infinity War,” penned by Jim Starlin and Ron Lim, bears no connection to the film “Avengers: Infinity War.” Instead, it serves as a sequel to “The Infinity Gauntlet.” This storyline unfolds after the events of “The Infinity Gauntlet” and centers around the character, The Magus. The Magus is an evil counterpart to Adam Warlock who aims to conquer the universe through a sinister plot. This plan envelops Warlock, Thanos, and Earth’s heroes, with the stakes being nothing less than Godhood. It represents the type of cosmic spectacle Marvel excels at, and some fans even argue that it surpasses “The Infinity Gauntlet.

Infinity War” draws heavily from Starlin’s classic Marvel cosmic tales of the 1970s, yet cleverly provides necessary explanations for new readers who may not have encountered these stories. The comic series, spanning six issues, is self-explanatory regarding Adam Warlock and the Magus, making it accessible to anyone without prior knowledge of other Marvel comics. This thrilling journey delivers more shocking moments per issue than many stories manage in their entirety. For MCU fans, this cosmic Marvel story will highlight its incredible potential, and it warrants far greater acclaim than it currently receives.

Secret Wars (1984)

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) moves inexorably towards “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”, here are two essential comics for MCU enthusiasts to prepare for these upcoming events. The first one is “Secret Wars” from 1984, written by Jim Shooter and illustrated by Mike Zeck. This twelve-issue miniseries presents a straightforward premise – an entity known as the One From Beyond transports Earth’s heroes and villains to a realm it created called Battleworld. The inhabitants are then told they must fight in order to claim the ultimate prize. As the story unfolds, the heroes grapple with their own challenges while battling their adversaries. Meanwhile, Doctor Doom pursues his own objectives, creating a tense and complex backdrop for the upcoming war.

Secret Wars paved the way for several key themes that are prominently featured in the upcoming Avengers movies. Although it’s an extensive comic book series, this length allows for a variety of storylines to unfold. Among the captivating scenes within its pages are instances such as Spider-Man clashing with the X-Men singlehandedly, the debut of Spider-Man’s symbiote, and the high-octane action that Marvel is renowned for – all elements that MCU enthusiasts will appreciate. Secret Wars represents one of Marvel’s initial significant events, which may occasionally seem a bit rough around the edges, but this adds to its unique appeal.

House of X/Powers of X

The X-Men are making their entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which signals an exciting time for MCU enthusiasts to delve deeper into the world of Marvel’s mutant heroes. The most significant X-Men saga of the past two decades is House of X/Powers of X, penned by Jonathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz, and R.B. Silva. These “two books in one” marked the beginning of the Krakoa Era for the X-Men, where they established a mutant nation, leading to five years of narratives that fundamentally altered the X-Men’s storylines. House of X/Powers of X unfolds across various timelines and dimensions, weaving an intelligent tale that will forever alter how a new reader perceives the X-Men and their interactions with humanity.

It’s unlikely that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will introduce the Krakoa Era in the near future or perhaps ever. This isn’t an article providing hints about where Marvel Studios might steer the X-Men in their upcoming productions; instead, it’s a must-read for fans who appreciate great sci-fi/superhero narratives. It’s an exceptional piece that takes readers on an intriguing journey and demonstrates the immense potential of the X-Men when creators are granted the liberty to reinvent their concept thoroughly.

Civil War

The film “Captain America: Civil War” is a highly popular Marvel Cinematic Universe production that draws inspiration from one of the most significant Marvel event comics ever published. In the comic book series “Civil War,” written by Mark Millar and illustrated by Steve McNiven, the story serves as the foundation for many movie ideas, but it delves much deeper. When a youthful superhero team named the New Warriors, who were filming a reality show, pursue a gang of villains, it results in a catastrophe that forces the government to assume control over the superhero community. Tony Stark (Iron Man) aligns himself with the government, while Steve Rogers (Captain America) stands against them. Consequently, factions are formed and superheroes engage in combat over the Superhero Registration Act.

The film, “Captain America: Civil War,” does not fully convey the gravity of the conflict among the superheroes; it only hints at it during the intense animosity between Black Panther, Iron Man, and the Winter Soldier. However, the movie never falls short in terms of action. It’s more than a simple dispute between friends; it’s a struggle for the very essence of the superhero society depicted in the comics. While some characters may act out of character at times, this works within the context of the comic and there are intense battles that resonate deeply with readers. The art by McNiven is stunning, adding depth to the story. In terms of action scenes, “Captain America: Civil War” is impressive, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the comic.

Infinity Gauntlet

The epic comic book series titled “Infinity Gauntlet,” authored by Jim Starlin, George Perez, and Ron Lim, serves as the foundation for the initial three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Numerous readers regard it as the most remarkable Marvel event in history, transforming Thanos into Marvel Comics’ most feared villain. The narrative unfolds after Thanos collects the Infinity Gems and effectively becomes a deity. His intention was to win over Mistress Death by eradicating half of the universe. However, his age-old adversary, Adam Warlock, resurfaces, teaming up with Pip the Troll and Gamora to mobilize cosmic forces against Thanos. Subsequently, some of the most spectacular superhero battles ever depicted in writing ensue.

The Infinity Gauntlet comic stands apart from Avengers: Infinity War in several significant ways. Thanos, in this narrative, is immeasurably more powerful than his movie counterpart, and the heroes’ struggle seems almost insurmountable. Yet, despite some criticisms about Thanos’ romantic relationship with Death, which serves as a crucial metaphor for his character development, it makes the story far richer and more profound.

The Infinity Gauntlet puts the Marvel Universe’s champions to the test in ways neither Infinity War nor Endgame do. These differences from their cinematic adaptations are precisely what make it such an exceptional tale. MCU enthusiasts should certainly delve into this comic to grasp why it formed the foundation for the most captivating periods of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Secret Wars (2015)

2015’s “Secret Wars” (by Hickman and Esad Ribic) marks the conclusion of Hickman’s work on “Fantastic Four,” “Avengers,” and “New Avengers.” The narrative commences after the end of Incursions – a cataclysm where Earths collide, destroying the Multiverse. The surviving Earths are the mainline Marvel Earth (Earth-616) and the original Ultimate Universe’s Earth-1610. As heroes from both realms clash, Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange, and Molecule Man perform a task that the heroes themselves cannot – saving what remains of reality. The story then transitions to Battleworld, where Doom has assumed the role of God Emperor, revered by the remnants of the Multiverse. Yet, inhabitants from Earth-616 and 1610 regain consciousness, joining forces to restore existence.

2015’s Secret Wars fundamentally revolves around the character of Doctor Doom, delving deep into his identity and the lengths he’ll go to validate his self-perceived greatness. This masterpiece is both a captivating character study and an epic story with a breathtakingly multiverse-wide scale. Given that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) may draw significant influence from this rendition, it’s crucial for MCU enthusiasts eager to understand potential plot directions to familiarize themselves with it. Reminiscent of Hickman’s other works, it’s casually brilliant and boasts stunning artwork. For MCU fans, experiencing Marvel in this manner is unprecedented, and unless they explore beyond the films, they may never encounter such a unique take on the Marvel universe.

2025-01-28 06:41