Comic Book Misses And Hidden Gems
Some comic book storylines start strong but quickly spiral into chaos, while others quietly shine in the background without ever getting the fanfare that they truly deserve. Through missed potential and underrated brilliance, comics have evolved in unexpected ways. So let's explore the stories that crashed and burned before uncovering the ones that deserve far more love.
1. Clone Saga Was
The 1994 Clone Saga set out to shake up Spider-Man but quickly tangled itself in a web of chaos. It introduced Ben Reilly as Peter Parker's supposed clone, sparking wild twists and constant identity swaps. What started as an intriguing mystery soon mutated into a two-year-long headache.
Spider-Man Clone Saga Omnibus Vol 1 Review! by Super Fly Comics Guy
2. One More Day
In 2007, Marvel waved a magic wand of bad decisions and erased Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson's marriage in One More Day. The culprit? Mephisto, Marvel's devilish dealmaker, offered to save Aunt May's life. Fans weren't just upset but outraged, as Peter and MJ's marriage was a cornerstone of Spider-Man's story.
3. Ultimatum
Ultimatum set out to shake up Marvel's Ultimate Universe, but instead, it drowned it. Magneto, furious over his children's demise, flipped the Earth's poles, triggering worldwide devastation. What followed was a shock-value bloodbath that wiped out significant characters like Wolverine, Doctor Strange, and countless others.
The WORST Marvel event ever! | Ultimatum by ComicPop
4. Identity Crisis
The murder of Sue Dibny, wife of Elongated Man, kicked things off. Still, the real shock came with the revelation of her assault by Doctor Light—and the Justice League's morally murky decision to erase his memories. Instead, what should have been an emotional deep dive into DC's greatest heroes felt like controversial twists overshadowing the mystery.
5. The Crossing
What's worse than a bad Iron Man story? One so disastrous that Marvel had to erase it from existence. In 1995, shocking fans, The Crossing turned Tony Stark into a murderous sleeper agent for Kang. Instead of compelling drama, it was a convoluted mess of time travel and a teenage Iron Man replacement.
6. Sins Past
Some retcons are bad, and then there's Sins Past. In a shocking misstep, Spider-Man history was rewritten in 2004, revealing that Gwen Stacy had an affair with Norman Osborn and secretly gave birth to his twins. Fans were horrified—Gwen, once the symbol of Peter's purest love, was now tangled in an unbelievable, soap opera-level scandal.
7. Heroes Reborn
In an attempt to revamp its biggest heroes, Marvel handed The Avengers, Fantastic Four, and Iron Man to Image Comics artists, hoping for a fresh start. Instead, Heroes Reborn delivered generic storytelling and wildly out-of-character moments. Captain America's infamously bloated chest, Iron Man's edgy redesign, and the grimdark Avengers baffled fans.
8. Fear Itself
In a world-shaking event where fear itself was the enemy, Marvel's Fear Itself promised epic stakes and unstoppable chaos—but instead, it fizzled out. The event introduced The Serpent, Odin's long-lost brother, and saw iconic heroes wielding mystical Asgardian weapons to battle a new wave of superpowered villains.
fear itself comic book review by Cinny
9. Death Of Superman
The 1992 Death of Superman was less about storytelling and more about selling comics. When DC killed off the Man of Steel, it dominated headlines and skyrocketed sales. But once the dust settled, the gimmick became clear; Superman was back within a year, making his "demise" feel like a publicity stunt.
The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Overview by Near Mint Condition
10. Civil War II
A superhero war over predicting offenses before they happen sounded compelling, but Civil War II (2016) fumbled it completely. The clash between Captain Marvel and Iron Man felt forced, relying on shock-value deaths and out-of-character decisions rather than real stakes. Lacking its predecessor's depth, it quickly faded into irrelevance.
Marvel Civil War 2 Review by TheComicBookLounge
For every storyline that stumbled, there's another that never got the recognition it deserved—let's dive into the hidden gems.
1. The Terrifics
DC's The Terrifics (2018) infused Fantastic Four-style adventure with quirky team chemistry and multiversal weirdness. The series delivered Silver Age wackiness and cosmic mysteries with Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, Plastic Man, and Phantom Girl, yet never got the deserved attention.
DC Comics Review: The Terrifics #1 by Graphic Policy
2. Swamp Thing
Before Alan Moore's legendary run, Len Wein planted Swamp Thing's eerie roots in the 1970s. Blending Gothic horror and haunting artwork, Wein introduced Alec Holland's cursed existence by crafting a moody, atmospheric masterpiece. Though often overshadowed, his run set the stage for the horror classic that would later redefine comics.
Talkin' Comics Halloween Special: Swamp Thing Part 1 by Geek & Sundry Vlogs
3. X-Force
Launched in 1991, X-Force was dismissed as a "90s extreme" book, but it evolved beyond that. Under Rick Remender's 2010 direction, the team explored moral ambiguity and personal sacrifices. This evolution gave X-Force some of the most thought-provoking stories in X-Men history, which made it far more than just a spin-off.
Marvel Comics Review: X-Force #1 by Graphic Policy
14. Starman
Not all heroes dream of wearing the cape—ask Jack Knight. In 1994, James Robinson's Starman flipped the classic origin story, following a thrift-store-loving, reluctant hero who wanted nothing to do with his father's legacy. Rich in history and personal growth, this DC series crafted one of the most heartfelt superhero narratives ever written.
Starman Omnibus Overview! by Near Mint Condition
15. Superman: Birthright
Mark Waid's Superman: Birthright (2003) modernized Superman's origin while keeping its heart and soul intact. Following Clark's early struggles and tense history with Lex Luthor redefined his humanity and purpose. Overshadowed by other retellings, it remains a beautifully crafted, deeply emotional take on the Man of Steel.
Comic Book Review: Superman Birthright by Council of Geeks
16. Books Of Doom
Few villains get an origin as riveting and layered as Victor Von Doom in 2006's Books of Doom. This rarely discussed mini-series masterfully explores his tragic past, genius intellect, and ruthless ambition, making Doom more than a masked tyrant. With unmatched psychological depth, it cemented Doom as Marvel's greatest villain.
17. Gotham Central
Batman may watch over Gotham, but the detectives take center stage in 2002's Gotham Central. Writers Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker mixed offense procedures with superhero chaos to create a noir-inspired masterpiece. From tense mob cases to chilling run-ins with supervillains, this series proved Gotham's officers are just as compelling as the Dark Knight himself.
Gotham Central Omnibus DC Comics Hardcover Comic Review by C Atkins
18. Marvels
One of the most compelling superhero experiences ever created, Marvels (1994) redefined storytelling by showing Marvel's most remarkable moments through the eyes of everyday people. Photojournalist Phil Sheldon captured the wonder of a world filled with heroes. Kurt Busiek's heartfelt writing and Alex Ross's stunning artwork made old stories feel new and deeply personal.
Marvel Comics Review: Marvels: The Remastered Edition by Graphic Policy
19. Annihilation
Marvel's cosmic universe erupted into an all-out battle of deep character arcs and shocking sacrifices. It revitalized Nova and countless cosmic icons, proving that Marvel's outer-space epics could be as compelling as Earth's heroics. Despite its brilliance, Annihilation (2006) never got the mainstream love it deserved.
Annihilation Omnibus | Overview | MandoAllDay by MandoAllDay
20. Hawkeye
Superhero life isn't all cosmic threats and world-saving. Sometimes, it's about fixing your apartment and getting beat up over pizza. Hawkeye followed Clint Barton's life between Avengers missions using grounded storytelling and heartfelt moments. Though critically acclaimed, this refreshingly human take on heroism never got the mainstream love it deserved.
Hawkeye Omnibus By Matt Fraction & David Aja Overview by Adis Nukic (CaptainBosnia93)
