Okay, so I’ve been reading comics for ages, and honestly, a lot of the really amazing storylines happened before the Marvel movies blew up with Iron Man in 2008. But even since then, Marvel’s put out some incredible stuff. I’ve put together a list of what I think are the ten best comic runs from the last eighteen years – seriously good stories you won’t want to miss.
From limited series to ongoing adventures and alternate takes on classic characters, Marvel’s comic books published alongside the Marvel Cinematic Universe demonstrate the company continues to deliver exceptional storytelling.
Avengers: Twilight Is An Alternate-Future Masterpiece
Chip Zdarsky and Daniel Acuña’s Avengers: Twilight is a fantastic, self-contained story about the Avengers, set in a future where the team has fallen apart and the world is without heroes – even Steve Rogers has lost his powers. It’s arguably the best standalone Avengers story in recent years.
Avengers: Twilight is a bold and timely superhero story that tackles important social and political issues – exactly the kind of comic Marvel should be creating today. It’s a truly exceptional piece of storytelling, reminiscent of Ed Brubaker’s classic Captain America run, and stands out as one of Marvel’s best comics in years.
Moon Knight Had Numerous Unforgettable Runs
The Moon Knight series has delivered some of the most compelling and emotionally resonant superhero stories in recent years, turning the character into a beloved figure for comic book fans. A particularly influential run in 2014 by Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey significantly reshaped Moon Knight for Marvel, and every creative team since has continued to build on that success.
Jeff Lemire and Greg Smallwood’s run on Moon Knight is captivating, consistently delivering deep, nuanced character development and stunning artwork. The character of Moon Knight has truly flourished recently, largely due to the compelling stories told in the series.
Spider-Man: Life Story Explores The History Of A Hero
Spider-Man is a legendary Marvel character, but the main comic book series featuring him hasn’t always resonated with readers lately. The core Amazing Spider-Man title often sparks debate among fans, and many have been unhappy with the direction of the character for quite some time.
One of the most refreshing takes on Spider-Man recently came with Chip Zdarsky’s Spider-Man: Life Story. This miniseries tells an alternate history of Spider-Man, spanning six decades, and really highlights the complexity of Peter Parker and his significance in both Marvel Comics and popular culture. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the character.
Thor: God of Thunder Introduced An All-Time Great Villain
Writer Jason Aaron revitalized Thor Odinson, making him a central and compelling figure in the Marvel Universe with his acclaimed work on Thor: God of Thunder. The highlight of the series was arguably the Gorr the God Butcher storyline, which introduced the now-famous villain, Gorr, and challenged the hero like never before.
Even though the movie Thor: Love and Thunder didn’t do justice to the Gorr storyline, the original comic book remains a standout story since the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thor: God of Thunder features stunning art, impressive world-building, and a great take on Thor himself, making it essential reading for Marvel fans and a strong argument for why Thor is one of Marvel’s best heroes.
Daredevil Had Several All-Time Great Runs Since 2008
Matt Murdock, the hero Daredevil, is often considered one of the most consistently well-written characters in comic book history. Since the year 2000, Daredevil’s comic series has frequently been among the best published by Marvel. With only a few exceptions, the character has consistently been compelling and well-written, as demonstrated by acclaimed runs from writers like Mark Waid and Chip Zdarsky.
This Daredevil series is a truly innovative and thrilling interpretation of the classic hero, featuring stunning artwork. While Frank Miller’s run is legendary, Chip Zdarsky’s take on the character is a strong contender for the best in recent years, expertly blending fantastical elements with gritty street-level action. Overall, this Daredevil series is among the best comic books of the 21st century, and its exciting, dramatic portrayal of the blind hero is captivating.
Uncanny X-Force Is An Emotional Masterpiece
Rick Remender, the talented writer behind critically acclaimed works like Deadly Class, The Sacrificers, and Marvel’s Uncanny X-Force, delivers a particularly compelling series with the latter. Uncanny X-Force stands out as one of Marvel’s darkest and most complex stories in recent years. It follows a team of mutant anti-heroes who handle the missions the main X-Men avoid, diving into difficult questions about morality, the consequences of violence, and the heavy cost of conflict.
Rick Remender’s Uncanny X-Force is a powerful, character-driven comic known for its shocking and unforgettable moments. It tackled incredibly dark themes, including the death of a young clone of Apocalypse and a disturbing storyline for Angel, and delivered a particularly moving story about Magneto. Many consider it one of the greatest superhero comics ever written, and a standout X-Men story for the modern era.
The Ultimates Is An Ongoing Alternate Universe Delight
Since launching two years ago, the new Ultimate Universe has consistently impressed fans. While many Marvel readers love Ultimate Spider-Man, Deniz Camp’s The Ultimates is arguably the strongest series in the universe – and one of Marvel’s best comics in recent years.
The Ultimates is a bold and thought-provoking superhero story featuring alternate versions of classic characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and the Fantastic Four. It centers on a battle against a terrifying conspiracy led by a sinister version of Reed Richards, and is widely considered one of the greatest stories Marvel has ever published. Even though this particular universe is coming to an end, The Ultimates continues to be a vital and influential series.
Secret Wars Is Marvel’s Greatest Crossover Event
These days, it’s tough to create a truly memorable superhero crossover. Both Marvel and DC publish so many big events each year that they often lose their impact. Disappointing events like Original Sin, Axis, and Shadowland can make it harder to get fans excited about the really good ones, and publishers face an increasing challenge in building anticipation for major storylines.
Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 Secret Wars was a huge success, and it paid off years of careful planning, even stretching back to his earlier work on Fantastic Four. This event delivers the ultimate confrontation between Reed Richards and Doctor Doom, and it’s packed with stunning art, fantastic character development for Marvel’s classic heroes, and truly imaginative world-building. It’s a comic book event everyone should experience, and it’s not surprising that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is planning to adapt it soon.
House of X and Powers of X Are Game-Changing For The X-Men
Jonathan Hickman delivers again with House of X and Powers of X, easily the most impactful X-Men stories in decades. These two series launched the groundbreaking Krakoa era and are among Marvel’s most thrilling, dynamic, and memorable recent publications.
With groundbreaking revelations that redefined X-Men history, compelling character development, and truly spectacular action, House of X and Powers of X were a landmark introduction to the Krakoa era. While Jonathan Hickman continued to write X-Men stories during this period, his initial epics, House of X and Powers of X, remain unmatched in their impact.
The Immortal Hulk Is The Best Marvel Book In Twenty-Five Years
Sadly, it’s highly unlikely the Marvel Cinematic Universe will ever bring this story to life. Al Ewing’s The Immortal Hulk is truly exceptional – unlike anything Marvel has published in decades. It’s a character-driven, terrifying horror story that takes place across the globe, through different dimensions, and over vast stretches of time.
Al Ewing’s The Immortal Hulk didn’t just solidify Bruce Banner and the Hulk as fascinating characters—it also delivered some of the most striking and terrifying horror visuals ever seen in a major superhero comic. The series consistently expanded the possibilities within the Marvel Universe, and many consider it the best Marvel title of the 21st century, as well as the best series since the launch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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2026-01-30 01:21