Dark Reign Was the Last Time Marvel Was Great

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For quite some time, Marvel has been synonymous with comic dominance, outshining its competitors. However, DC Comics has shown signs of challenging that position in recent sales charts. Regardless, for a prolonged period, Marvel held the throne uncontested. The remarkable success Marvel experienced during the 2000s significantly contributed to this reign. In the early part of the decade, Joe Quesada took charge at Marvel, attracting talented writers to the company. Despite some issues, such as an edgy tone that once garnered praise but now feels outdated, heavy editorial control leading to questionable decisions, and a focus on events that both boosted sales and created compelling narratives across all titles, yet also made it challenging for new readers due to frequent crossovers, Marvel in the 2000s was at its peak since the 1980s.

In the 2000s, some might argue that Marvel was overly celebrated, yet there were certainly many impressive aspects to it. The event cycle sparked much enthusiasm, and initiatives such as “The Initiative” undeniably boosted reader involvement. However, what truly stands out from the 2000s in Marvel’s history is the epic saga known as “Dark Reign.” This storyline marked a significant turning point when Norman Osborn seized control of the Marvel Universe. “Dark Reign” was an exceptional piece of work, and it remains one of the last times that Marvel as a whole truly shone. The tales birthed from “Dark Reign,” including “Dark Avengers,” were exceptional and set a high standard across the entire line. Since “Dark Reign,” subsequent publishing initiatives have fallen short in comparison, and “Dark Reign” often feels like the swan song of Marvel quality.

“Dark Reign” Took Everything Marvel Did Well in the ’00s and Put It on Display

In the 2000s, Marvel Comics began venturing into uncharted territories, and “Dark Reign” exemplified this shift. After introducing Iron Man as the head of the superhero community, it was intriguing to see a villain take control, which added an unexpected twist to the narrative. Brian Michael Bendis’s work on the Avengers during this period, particularly in “Dark Avengers,” stood out among his other titles due to elements that were often criticized in his previous works.

In contrast to his character-focused approach in “New Avengers” and “Mighty Avengers,” which some found dull, Bendis excelled in “Dark Avengers.” This focus allowed for a unique portrayal of villains unlike any we’d seen before. While we were familiar with the insanity of Norman Osborn, his characterization in “Dark Avengers” was refreshing and nuanced. Furthermore, we saw Ares transform into a more heroic figure, while Moonstone, Bullseye, Venom, and Daken were depicted in ways that challenged our expectations.

In essence, “Dark Avengers” offered a stark contrast to the late ’90s classic “Thunderbolts,” where villains embraced heroism. Instead, we saw villains leveraging their heroic roles for personal gain. The novelty of this approach made “Dark Avengers” an exhilarating read and set a trend for exciting stories across Marvel’s lineup during that period.

Utopia”. The Marvel universe during this time had a revitalized energy compared to “The Initiative”, which pitted heroes against each other but failed to make their conflicts engaging as no one could truly emerge victorious. The New Avengers couldn’t defeat the Mighty Avengers, and Iron Man never received the retribution he deserved. While there were excellent titles during the “Initiative” era (“Captain America” was exceptional), it lacked genuine tension. However, “Dark Reign” transformed this by presenting real stakes for both sides, with significant losses and victories for each party. This period in Marvel’s history in the 2000s had a strong momentum, but maintaining a relatively static status quo hindered stories. “Dark Reign” broke free from that pattern, offering a genuine narrative with real stakes that superhero comics don’t always manage to achieve.

Nothing Since “Dark Reign” Has Captured the Excitement Inherent in Superhero Stories

For around two years, “Dark Reign” reigned supreme in the Marvel universe, marking a climax to their strategy of using events to establish new norms. It was later succeeded by “The Heroic Age”, which was less impactful, leading to a decline in momentum for Marvel. The energy and excitement that “Dark Reign” brought to Marvel during the 2000s has yet to be recaptured across their entire lineup since then. This doesn’t mean there haven’t been excellent titles following “Dark Reign”, but it was the last time Marvel as a whole truly shone. The period was filled with suspense and intrigue, making it an exciting era for Marvel fans.

Marvel’s “One World Under Doom” narrative seems to mimic their “Dark Reign” arc, but falls short due to inconsistency across the line. Unlike “Dark Reign”, many Marvel comics disregard “One World Under Doom”, diluting its impact. In contrast, during “Dark Reign”, every book acknowledged and adapted to the situation, making it a cohesive, immersive experience. Unfortunately, Marvel may never replicate such an all-encompassing storyline again, which is regrettable since it was a defining moment in their history.

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2025-08-01 22:36