Hidden Gems: 10 Epic Comic Book Storylines You’ve Never Heard Of But Should!
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Even the most jaded and casual comic book film or streaming show fan is familiar with some recent live-action comic book storylines. However, since there are decades of comic book storylines to choose from, it can be overwhelming for the uninitiated to find the most interesting ones.
There is an embarrassing wealth of decades of comic book stories that most people won’t learn about due to comic book fatigue in general entertainment. Here is a list of the 10 most epic comic book storylines you’ve never heard of but should know about and read now.
1. Batman/Elmer Fudd Special #1
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This is one of the weirdest comic book storylines and crossover events of 2017 that no one asked for or realized that they needed to read. Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig are reimagined as uncouth underworld criminals entangled in a revenge plot featuring Elmer Fudd. Fudd later crosses paths with Batman. The one-shot story is played as a serious noir detective story with suspense and action beats and it works. It is a surprisingly satisfying read that you should check out.
2. Villains United
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In 2005, Superman foe Lex Luthor was the President of the United States in the comic books. Luthor has amassed his own army of superpowered villains to work on his behalf, including Black Adam and Deathstroke. However, several villains unite to fight against the tyranny of Luthor and keep him in check. The Villains United team includes characters like Catman, Ragdoll, and Deadshot.
3. Fantastic Four – “Unthinkable”
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Dr. Doom and Mr. Fantastic have had a rivalry that spans from their youthful college days to the present. Doom has never been able to decidedly outsmart or best Mr. Fantastic in science or technology until the 2000s-era storyline “Unthinkable.” In this storyline, Dr. Doom utilizes magic, a medium of power Mr. Fantastic doesn’t respect or understand, to cause unbelievable and insulting damage and chaos to the Fantastic Four family. This story features Dr. Doom being unforgivably evil and hateful and must be read to be believed.
4. Avengers – “Under Siege”
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In 1986, the Avengers storyline Under Siege found a newly reformed Masters of Evil breaking into and destroying Avengers Mansion in Manhattan. Led by Baron Zemo, the villains infiltrate Avengers Mansion and destroy the invaluable and irreplaceable material items of the team, especially those of. Captain America. Several Avengers are held hostage and made to watch as Jarvis the butler is tortured and beaten. It was one of the most shocking comic book storylines of the era.
5. World War Hulk
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MCU fans only received a glimpse into the true savageness potential of the gladiator Hulk persona as seen in Thor: Ragnarok. That film was based on one of the most epic comic book storylines of the 2000s, World War Hulk. After the Illuminati deem the Hulk too dangerous to remain on Earth they trick him and maroon him in space. Hulk crash lands on planet Sakaar, becomes a slave and gladiator, and spends over two years as a savage Hulk without transforming into Banner. After tragedy, Hulk finds his way back to Earth for revenge.
6. Daredevil – The Typhoid Mary Saga
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Daredevil is known for his vigilante and tortured morality-based comic book stories. Writer Ann Nocenti switched up the trope in 1986 by introducing the character Typhoid Mary as a new Daredevil villain. Typhoid Mary was a former sex worker suffering from a split personality disorder (each personality has different powers) who became an assassin used by the Kingpin against Daredevil. She has the power of telekinesis and telepathy and can cause people to spontaneously combust. This storyline is renowned for its hallucinatory and horror imagery, commentary on mental illness, and featuring a female antagonist more powerful than Daredevil.
7. Fables – “Old Tales Revisted”
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Fables was an innovative and fan-favorite DC Comics and Vertigo-published comic book series that reimagined public domain fairy tale characters in modern and mature story settings. It ran for over 162 consecutive issues. The characters all live in an enclave called Fabletown, interact with the modern world, and deal with modern drama and conflict within their community. The series features characters like Cinderella, Jack Be Nimble, and even the Big Bad Wolf reimagined as Bigby Wolf, the Sheriff of Fabletown.
One of the best comic book storylines in Fables is called Old Tales Revisited. It’s a murder mystery featuring Rose Red, the fraternal twin sister of Snow White.
8. Avengers Forever
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The multiverse concept has inspired countless comic book storylines, many of which are incredible. One of the best is the Avengers Forever storyline from 1998. Avengers ally and adventurer Rick Jones possesses an alien energy force that pits him against Immortus, a Kang variant. Jones then travels through time and recruits Avengers from various time periods to help him fight Immortus. It’s a grand-scale multiverse epic that makes a satisfying read and features a diverse array of unlikely Avengers, like the Two-Gun Kid from the Old West.
9. J. Michael Straczynski’s Thor Storyline
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Famed writer J. Michael Straczynski wrote a 15-issue run of Thor from 2008 to 2010 that humanized the character and served as an introspection on life after death. A newly resurrected Thor has survived Ragnorak and assumes the alter ego of Dr. Donald Blake in a small Oklahoma town. Thor strives to rebuild Asgard as its new ruler, contends with the plots of Loki, and deals with the aftermath of the comic book Civil War storyline.
10. The Judas Contract
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This is one of the most epic comic book storylines from the 1984 Teen Titans comic series. Deathstroke the Terminator takes out a contract to kill the Teen Titans for vindictive and familial reasons. While the Teen Titans grapple against Deathstroke, the world’s deadliest assassin, they also learn that one of their own may have betrayed them. This is one of the most captivating Teen Titans story arcs – it’s also a wonder that this story has not been adapted for live-action yet.
The Best Comic Book Storylines Are in the Comic Books
The best comic book storylines are not always found in MCU, DCEU, or DCU films. Use your favorite comic book-inspired films, shows, video games, or cartoons to look up the stories that inspired them. The best comic book stories are found in the comics.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
