Christmas is a joyous time of year but sometimes all of that family togetherness can get to be a bit much. It's the perfect time to curl up with some good comic books and take advantage of the days off work. With all the stress of shopping and cooking, comics can be just what the doctor ordered and Marvel has some great stories out there that can be perfect to help one unwind.
Whether it be a brand new comic or something from their voluminous back catalog, Marvel has comics to fill those long winter nights with excitement and entertainment. With Hawkeye shooting some Christmas magic at the MCU, there's never been a better time to read through some of Marvel's best holiday comics.
10 The Dark Ages Is An Amazing Alternate Universe Story
The Dark Ages, by writer Tom Taylor and artist Iban Coello, is halfway through its six issue run and already one of Marvel's best titles. After using an EMP to stop an attack by an ancient being known as the Uncreator, the Earth is completely without electricity. The heroes help build a new society, one that is threatened when Apocalypse decides to make a play for ultimate power.
Taylor is killing it everywhere right now and The Dark Ages is proof of just how great he is at this sort of alternate universe fun. Coello's art is the perfect accompaniment to Taylor's script. This is a great story and Christmas is a wonderful time to catch up with it.
9 Hulk #1 Is A New Era For The Jade Giant
After the success of The Immortal Hulk, Marvel tapped superstar creators writer Donny Cates and artist Ryan Ottley to begin a new Hulk book. Hulk #1 dropped on Nov. 24, but it's already a smash, with fans loving this new take on the Hulk. Cates has proven how great he is with Marvel's heroes and Ottley's years of creating amazing superhero slugfests on Invincible make him the perfect artist for a Hulk book.
After the more horror oriented direction of its predecessor, Cates looks to be taking the Hulk back to his roots as the monster that just wants to get away and Ottley's art is just out of this world. Getting in on the ground floor for this one is the way to go.
8 Hellions #18 Is The End Of An Era
The Krakoa era of X-Men comics have some beautiful gems and massive missteps, but one book that always impressed was Hellions. This amazing title is about to come to an end on December 1st and the eighteenth issue, by writer Zeb Wells and artist Stephen Segovia, closes the book out in epic style. As the team deals with a problem within its ranks, an old foe returns.
Hellions has been delivering the best stories of just about any Krakoa era X-Men book, blowing away the vast majority of the line with its mixture of action, humor, and spot on characterization. While it's sad Hellions is coming to end, the last issue should be a banger.
7 Avengers Forever #1 Takes A Multiversal Approach To The Avengers
Marvel's multiverse isn't as developed as their distinguished competition, but that doesn't mean it's without merit. Avengers Forever #1, by writer Jason Aaron and artist Aaron Kuder, gathers a team of Avengers from across the multiverse in order to battle the Masters of Evil, a group of Avengers foes from many universes who have come together to conquer everything. Dropping on December 22nd, Avengers Forever #1 comes out just in time to alleviate those holidays blues with a tale of the Avengers of many universes assembling against the most deadly foes in creation.
6 Wolverine: The Dying Game Spotlights One Of Wolverine's Most Creative Periods
Wolverine is one of the most dangerous mutants on Earth, but there was a time when he wasn't as invincible as he is right now. After the loss of his adamantium skeleton, Wolverine had to relearn how to fight and deal with his mutation, which is the crux of Wolverine: The Dying Game. Reprinting Wolverine #87-100, Wolverine: Knight Of Terra, and Wolverine '95, it's a forgotten gem.
Written by the incomparable Larry Hama, as well as Christopher Golden, John Ostrander, and Ian Edginton with art by Adam Kubert, Duncan Rouleau, JH Williams III, and more, The Dying Game contains some very different Wolverine stories and is perfect for those those December nights.
5 The Original Avengers Forever Is Best Kang Story Of All Time
Kang has been a big deal again since his MCU debut, with fans searching out the best stories about him. They need look no further than Avengers Forever, by writers Kurt Busiek and Roger Stern and artist Carlos Pacheco. Starring a team of Avengers from across time trying to stop the end of all things, the comic showcases Kang and his future self Immortus. Avengers Forever is essential reading for any Avengers fan and is the best Kang story of them all. The book also contains a great Avengers history lesson, something that will make any fan understand and love Earth's Mightiest Heroes all the more.
4 New Mutants #23 Continues The Team's Shadow King Epic
Another gem of the X-Men line is New Mutants. Writer Vita Ayala and artist Rod Reis have been crafting an amazing story and December 1st's issue 23 is the newest installment. Pitting the New Mutants and their students against the telepathic titan Shadow King, #23 promises to be another masterfully crafted issue.
The New Mutants have long been one of the premiere young mutant teams and Ayala is killing it on the book. They've not only done amazing work with the characters but have really played up the sense of family and community that has always underpinned the book. Reis brings an abstract style to the art that's reminiscent of '80s New Mutants alum Bill Sienkiewicz.
3 Squadron Supreme Is One Of Marvel's Greatest Masterpieces
Marvel can't really compare to DC when it comes to genre redefining tales. They do have one that can stand up against the greats – Squadron Supreme, by writer Mark Gruenwald and artists Bob Hall, Ron Frenz, and John Buscema. The Squadron Supreme was originally created as a Justice League analogue from an alternate universe for the Avengers to beat on, but this story takes them to new heights.
Squadron Supreme deals with mature themes heretofore unseen when it was published in 1984 and sees the team take over their world in order to build the perfect society. This twelve issue series is a gem that every comic fan should read.
2 The Hawkeye Omnibus Is The Perfect Holiday Gift
With the premiere of Disney+'s Hawkeye, it's time to take a look again at the inspiration for it. The Hawkeye Omnibus, by writer Matt Fraction and artists David Aja, Javier Pulido, and Jesse Hamm, tells what is easily the greatest Hawkeye story of all time, with Clint Barton And Kate Bishop taking center stage and trying to save their apartment building and its residents.
With the MCU series taking everything from this book and giving the creators little to no credit, now's the perfect time to buy the Hawkeye omnibus and put some money into the creators' pocket from the royalties. Marvel Studios doesn't treat comic creators well, but consumers can by buying their work.
1 Inferno #3 Is The Highlight Of The X-Men Line
Jonathan Hickman began the X-Men's climb back to prominence with House Of X/Powers Of X and now he's leaving with a bang. So far, Inferno has been the best thing Marvel's putting out and the third issue, with art by R.B. Silva, drops on December 8th. As things come to a head on Krakoa, Nimrod strikes and all of mutantkind is in danger.
Hickman is the best thing to happen to the X-Men in years and Inferno is his swan song. Nothing being put out by Marvel can compare to it and the X-Men line is going to be sadder place without him. Inferno is amazing, though, and the third issue promises to be just as great.