The 1990s were an interesting decade for Marvel. The publisher had some of its greatest successes but also had some of its greatest failures. From the exodus of artists that founded Image Comics, to going bankrupt, the 90s weren't always the best time for Marvel Comics. More often than not, when people think of the worst excesses of 90s comics, they're thinking of Marvel storylines like the Clone Saga.

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That doesn't mean the decade was without great comics, though. 90s Marvel had a lot of problems, but there were still some great stories released by the House of Ideas like Age of Apocalypse or Infinity Gauntlet that stood the test of time and changed the landscape of the Marvel universe.

10 Hulk: Future Imperfect Is A Hulk Tale For The Ages

hulk-future-imperfect-maestro

Peter David's long run on Hulk is full of gems, but the story that sticks out is Hulk: Future Imperfect with artist George Pérez. The Hulk is pulled into the future, a post-nuclear war wasteland ruled by his future self, the Maestro. The Hulk may be the strongest one is his own time, but the Maestro's stronger and more experienced.

Future Imperfect stands tall among Marvel's dystopian future tales. David and Pérez make an excellent team that creates a story that fans will reread again and again. Seeing the Hulk try to defeat and understand a Hulk who is more powerful than him is a treat.

9 Earth X Looks At The Future Of The Marvel Universe

The Celestials roam Earth-X in Marvel Comics

Earth X, by writers Jim Krueger and Alex Ross and artist John Paul Leon, debuted in 1999, although it wouldn't end until the year 2000, with the majority of issues coming out in the 90s. The story took place in a future where everyone on Earth had powers and the heroes of yesterday had to deal with the consequences. When a new evil rises, the destiny of mutated humanity is called into question.

Earth X may take place in the future, but it uses Marvel history as a touchstone. It's a masterfully told story that manages to excite readers while educating them on the future, something that makes it perfect for new readers and old school fans alike.

8 1998's Inhumans Remains The Best Inhumans Story

The Inhumans, led by Black Bolt, in Marvel Comics

The Marvel Knights imprint launched in 1998. Of its first four titles, one stood above the others. Inhumans, by writer Paul Jenkins and artist Jae Lee, chronicled the Inhuman Royal Family at its most desperate hour. With enemies on all sides, they put a plan into effect to save their civilization, but Black Bolt may have his own ideas on that last bit.

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Jenkins and Lee portray the Inhumans exactly as they should be. This is political intrigue at its finest, with twisting and turning plots within plots. The art is fantastic, and this story is basically the best Inhumans tale ever, even if it doesn't exactly have a lot of competition.

7 Wolverine (Vol. 2) #90 Is Action-Packed

Wolverine and Sabretooth snarl at each other and prepare to duel

Wolverine has starred in some amazing stories, several of them involving Sabretooth. That's what makes Wolverine (Vol. 2) #90, by Larry Hama, Adam Kubert, Mark Farmer, Dan Green, and Marie Javins so special. Back at the X-Mansion for the first time since he lost his adamantium, Wolverine is all alone except for Sabretooth locked in a cell in the basement. As Wolverine fights his urge to kill his foe, Sabretooth takes the decision away from him.

Hama and Kubert's story gives readers brilliant action and wonderful character moments. There are few better Wolverine creative teams, and this story shows off why they're so good. It ends on a cliffhanger that was interrupted by The Age Of Apocalypse, but that doesn't take away from how great it is.

6 Maximum Carnage Is The Calm Before The Clone Saga Storm

Carnage looms over New York City on Maximum Carnage cover art

When people think of Spider-Man in the 1990s, they think of the Clone Saga, but there are some great stories before it derailed the line. Maximum Carnage is the height of Spider-Man before the Clone Saga hit. This Carnage-centric crossover event ran through all four of Spider-Man's books and followed him, Venom, and others heroes as they tried to curb Carnage and his twisted family's rampage.

Maximum Carnage is an action-packed good time. It's not a smart story, but it doesn't have to be. It's an escalating fight scene as the heroes struggle to stop Carnage and the villains he assembled from ripping apart Manhattan.

5 Infinity War Doesn't Get The Credit It Deserves

The Magus with the Infinity Gauntlet in Infinity War

Infinity War is Marvel's most underrated event. This Infinity Gauntlet sequel by writer Jim Starlin and artist Ron Lim is often overshadowed by its predecessor, but in many ways is superior. As the heroes of Earth are attacked, Thanos discovers the return of an old enemy that only Adam Warlock can help him defeat. The resulting war seems like it's going to plan, but who's plan?

Infinity War is a more complex story than Infinity Gauntlet, with multiple plots and characters all out for their own gains. It's also chock-full of the thrills and action that fans expected from Starlin and Lim. It's a story that deserves all the praise in the world.

4 Avengers: Ultron Unlimited Is The Highlight In A Run Full Of Them

The unlimited Avengers, shirtless Thor, Iron Man, prepare to battle Ultron in Marvel Comics

The Avengers are known for their exciting stories, but the 1990s weren't the best decade for the team. However, 1998 saw writer Kurt Busiek and artist George Pérez relaunch the team. Their time on Avengers brought fans back in droves. The best story of their run is Avengers: Ultron Unlimited. The mad android returns with a new plan to destroy humanity, and only the Avengers can stop him.

This story is exactly the kind of Avengers epic that fans wanted from the team. An action-packed romp against the team's deadliest foe, with a superstar creative team behind the whole thing, it gave everyone what they craved. This is peak Avengers and few stories in the ensuing years can even match it.

3 X-Men: Mutant Genesis Is The Greatest Magneto Story Ever

Cyclops and Wolverine lead the X-Men against Magneto from Marvel Comics

The 90s at Marvel were defined by the X-Men. One of the best stories of the decade came in 1991, when X-Men #1-3, by Chris Claremont, Jim Lee, Scott Wiliams and Joe Rosas dropped. Collected as X-Men: Mutant Genesis, the story follows the X-Men Blue team as they deal with Magneto's return alongside his new servants, the Acolytes.

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X-Men #1 is the best-selling comic ever, but more importantly it kicks off an amazing story. Claremont and Lee give readers the defining Magneto story, combining action, plot, and Lee's brilliant art to make a story that took the X-Men to the next level in a way no one thought possible.

2 Infinity Gauntlet Is Marvel's Most Beloved Event Book

Thanos clenching infinity gauntlet with mephisto and death next to him in Marvel comics

No other Marvel event has had the impact of Infinity Gauntlet. Written by Jim Starlin with art by George Pérez and Ron Lim, the tale of Thanos's Infinity Gauntlet-powered rampage is legendary. The epic struggle against the Titan, led by returning hero Adam Warlock, sees the heroes and the cosmic powers of the universe break against the unassailable shore of Thanos.

With an ending that no one saw coming and action unlike anyone had seen before, Infinity Gauntlet left a lasting impression on a generation of readers. Even over 30 years, this story is still the gold standard of Marvel events and will likely keep that title for years to come.

1 Age Of Apocalypse Is The Defining Marvel Epic Of The 90s

Wolverine leads the new X-Men in Age of Apocalypse

Age Of Apocalypse is massively influential. Consisting of two bookend issues, nine four-issue miniseries, and dual two-issue miniseries, AoA took place in an alternate universe ruled by Apocalypse. As Magneto, his X-Men, and the humans of Europe prepare for the end of the war, Bishop appears with a way to stop all the suffering from ever happening.

AoA is a classic. There's something for everyone in it, from straight-up superhero stories to dark epics to solo books, and even a villain-centric book following Apocalypse and his minions. It's an epic like nothing else Marvel put out in the 90s, and Marvel has since tried to replicate Age of Apocalypse's success and influence with various X-Men reboots.

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