Marvel is the biggest name in comics, and they got that way by putting out the best stories. Marvel's heroes and villains have captivated readers for decades, starring in stories that have stood the test of time. Some of the best creators of all time have worked at Marvel, creating some of the longest-running ongoing series in the history of the medium.
Ongoing series are a big deal in the comic industry, but oftentimes, miniseries are better for various reasons. A six-issue mini done right is like an exquisite meal, and Marvel has produced some amazing ones over the years.
10 Children Of The Atom Presented A New Team With A Secret
The X-Men books have been all the rage since 2019, with creators doing great work across the line. One of the best examples of this was Children Of The Atom, by writer Vita Ayala and artists Bernard Chang and Paco Medina. A different look at mutants and their effect on the world through the eyes of a team of teen heroes; it's an unsung book that deserves more attention.
Ayala picks up on concepts introduced way back in Grant Morrison's New X-Men, that humans would become enamored of mutants and their culture. It makes for a great concept, and the characters back it up, a truly diverse group of teens. On top of that, the art is killer.
9 Son Of M Followed Quicksilver In The Wake Of House Of M
House Of M had grave consequences for the Marvel Universe, and one of the greatest affected was Quicksilver. Responsible for Scarlet Witch's actions, the next chapter of his story was highlighted in Son Of M, by writer David Hine and artist Roy Allan Martinez. Following the powerless mutant as he deals with his loss of powers, he hatches a desperate plan to save mutantkind, and it's a brilliant little character study.
Quicksilver has long been overshadowed by his sister but Son Of M puts the spotlight directly on him. Quicksilver's quest sees him live up to the legacy of the man he thought was his father, Magneto, and seemingly puts him on the road to bigger things. That never panned out, but this was still a stellar six-issue series.
8 Age Of Apocalypse Returned Readers To The Dark Reality
The Age of Apocalypse is one of the most beloved X-Men stories, so on its tenth anniversary, Marvel put out a six-issue miniseries named after the event. Written by C.B. Cebulski when he was still pretending to be Japanese with art by Chris Bachalo, it revealed how the doomed alternate world survived its end, with the X-Men enlisting Weapon X to help them stop Mister Sinister's plan to take back power.
While some fans refuse to pick this book up because of Cebulski's pretty rancid false claim of being Japanese to get a job, it's an excellent book for fans of the Age of Apocalypse. Picking up on plotlines from the original, it also showcases some of Bachalo's best art at Marvel.
7 Powers Of X Took Readers Through Mutant History
Powers Of X, by writer Jonathan Hickman and artist R.B. Silva, is generally looked at as a supplement to House Of X, but it's so much more than that. Taking place over four time periods — the past, present, a hundred years in the future, and a thousand — it added so much to the other series while presenting a lot of world-building and sci-fi, showing the stakes of what the mutants are trying to accomplish.
Both books do a lot of heavy lifting for the future of the X-Men, with PoX's different flavor setting it apart from the other book. Hickman can be a concept engine, and this book indulges that, giving X-Men fans the kind of dystopian future fun and wonderful world-building they love so much.
6 Books Of Doom Was A Deep Dive Into Doctor Doom's Origin
Comics that make a reader root for the villain were once very rare. Books Of Doom, by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Pablo Raimondi, came from a time when they weren't prevalent yet and is a great example of why it's a good thing that changed. Focusing on the origin of Marvel's greatest villain, it's the perfect story for anyone who wants to understand who Doom is and how he got that way.
It's also novel in that it's Doom telling his own story, but it still shows the stuff that makes him look bad. It's the perfect Doom comic and one that every fan of the character should hunt down.
5 Astonishing Spider-Man And Wolverine Is A Fun Time Travel Romp
Wolverine and Spider-Man are now the best of friends, but it wasn't always that way. Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine, by writer Jason Aaron and artist Adam Kubert, reveals how they formed their bond. The book follows them on an adventure that takes them from the distant past to the far future, trying to discover why they're jaunting through time and how to stop it.
The mutant doesn't have a lot of friends outside the X-Men because he can be rather hard to put up with. Seeing how Wolverine and Spider-Man play off each other is half the fun of the book, but that doesn't mean the plot isn't amazing as well. Kubert's art is breathtaking, with this easily being one of the best works of his entire career.
4 Infinity War Never Gets The Credit For How Great It Really Is
Infinity War, by writer Jim Starlin and artist Ron Lim, is the sequel to Infinity Gauntlet and one of Marvel's best event books. Of course, the problem is that it's a sequel to one of the most beloved Marvel events ever, so it unfairly gets left out of the conversation. This is sad because it's actually way better than its predecessor in many ways.
As mysterious doppelgangers begin attacking Earth's heroes, Adam Warlock and the Infinity Watch team up with Thanos to investigate a new threat, just as Galactus, Doctor Strange, and Silver Surfer set out for the same reason. On top of all that, Kang and Doom team up in a quest for power, with all of these pieces coming together expertly. Infinity War has it all.
3 House Of X Changed The X-Men Forever
Marvel has published some big-time game-changing comics over the years, but few of them can hold a candle to House Of X by writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Pepe Larraz. Introducing the new Krakoan status quo, anti-mutant organization Orchis, Moira MacTaggert's secret, and so much more, it's a groundbreaking X-Men story like few others.
House Of X borrowed ideas from across X-Men history to create an exciting new status quo that revitalized the franchise. It's a wonderful book, full of surprises and great art. It's the epitome of everything a good X-Men comic should be.
2 Marvel Boy Was Grant Morrison's Opening Salvo At Marvel
Grant Morrison's time at Marvel was cut short due to editorial interference, but they still put out some amazing stories. Their first book at the publisher was Marvel Boy, with art by J.G. Jones, and it was a revelation. Starring an alternate universe Kree soldier out for revenge against the humans who killed his crew, it was a superhero tour de force.
Morrison started as they meant to go along, dropping their gonzo ideas mixed with good old-fashioned superhero action. Jones's art is never anything short of amazing, creating a book that will stick with fans for years.
1 Infinity Gauntlet Is Marvel's Premiere Event
Infinity Gauntlet is Marvel's most well-known event book. Written by Jim Starlin with art by George Perez and Ron Lim, it was the basis for the first three Phases of the MCU and brought Thanos back to the forefront of the Marvel Universe. It's a superhero spectacle of the highest order.
Infinity Gauntlet brought the big summer event book back to Marvel in epic fashion in 1991. It's still one of the best Thanos stories of all time and the kind of comic that does what a superhero book should do — wow readers on every page with another amazing combination of words and art.