The Hits And Misses
Marvel timelines are a mixed bag—some sweep you off your feet, others make you wish Doctor Strange could erase them from your memory! Of course, what one fan calls a “masterpiece,” another calls “multiverse madness,” so no list will please everyone. But still, there’s a thrill in revisiting the highs and lows of the comic world's most robust storylines. So, first let’s take a look at ten Marvel timelines that left fans wishing for a rewrite.
Revisiting SECRET WARS 2015 by Jonathan Hickman by Gem Mint Collectibles
1. One More Day
One More Day erased Peter Parker and Mary Jane’s marriage in a single deal with Mephisto, wiping out years of character growth. Fans saw continuity tossed aside, and the decision sparked lasting debates about Marvel’s respect for its own history.
2. The Dark Phoenix Saga
The Dark Phoenix Saga delivered a layered, tragic transformation for Jean Grey, built through rich emotional beats with the X-Men and an epic cosmic scale. However, later retellings undermined that depth, simplifying the Phoenix Force and ignoring the story’s gradual tension, which left longtime fans frustrated.
CLASSIC X-men 35. The dark phoenix saga begins by Robert Norton
3. Inhumans
Marvel’s aggressive push for the Inhumans tried to position them as the new face of Marvel’s outcast stories, sidelining the X-Men in the process. The poorly received ABC series further eroded interest, which left longtime readers disengaged and the brand struggling to recover.
Inhuman #1 - Comic Book Review by Comic Book Corner 2.0
4. Clone Saga
What started as a brief mystery in the Spider-Man Clone Saga spiraled into an overextended storyline packed with too many Peter Parker clones. Endless twists blurred the line between real and fake, and the drawn-out conclusion failed to give readers the payoff they had been waiting for.
Spider-Man Clone Saga Omnibus Volume 1 Review (Spoilers) by Infinity Nexus Reviews
5. Age Of X-Man
Billed as a major milestone, Age of X-Man instead unfolded as a detached side tale, swapping iconic X-Men for alternate versions with little emotional pull. Fragmented across numerous mini-series, the event never built lasting stakes.
Marvel Comics Review: Age of X-Man: Alpha by Graphic Policy
6. War Of The Realms
War of the Realms promised an epic showdown across the Marvel universe, but somewhere between the endless tie-ins and sprawling cast, it lost its spark. With so many characters clamoring for attention, it became a saga only Thor’s most loyal fans could fully embrace, while casual readers felt left out of the storm.
Marvel Comics Review: War of the Realms #1 by Graphic Policy
7. Secret Empire
Instead of easing readers in, Secret Empire dove headfirst into controversy by revealing Captain America as a Hydra agent. For many, it crossed a line, twisting a symbol of heroism into something unrecognizable. Although shocking reveals kept the buzz alive early on, the ending’s predictability dimmed the intrigue.
Secret Empire #0 comic review by KatRen figures
8. Civil War II
Hawkeye pulling the trigger under morally murky circumstances instantly set the fandom ablaze with arguments about justification. Yet Hulk’s death felt less like the culmination of his own arc and more like a convenient spark to propel the larger storyline. This detour eventually pulled attention away from the main conflict.
The DEATH of the Hulk - Civil War II # 3 Review by KamCross Comics
9. Heroes Reborn
Rather than building on Marvel’s rich legacy, Heroes Reborn tossed its core heroes into an entirely new universe, erasing decades of character history in the process. What was pitched as a bold reinvention soon clashed with fan expectations, thanks to an art style and tone that felt off-key.
HEROES REBORN Omnibus First Look by Panel Bound Comics
10. The Crossing
The Crossing took Tony Stark’s years of hard-earned growth and flipped them on their head, painting him suddenly as a villain. In the scramble to justify it, the storyline tossed in time travel mechanics that tangled the plot into knots.
Avengers: The Crossing Omnibus and Why I LIKE IT! by Near Mint Condition
Now, here are ten timelines that fans can’t stop talking about in the best way possible.
1. Infinity War
Infinity War delivered a rare balance of dozens of heroes and villains, each with a clear role in the unfolding conflict. Moreover, its conclusion left permanent changes in Marvel’s continuity, forcing characters and factions to adapt in ways that shaped storylines for years.
Marvel Comics Review: Infinity Wars by Graphic Policy
2. Avengers Disassembled
Right from its opening pages, Avengers Disassembled signaled that no hero was safe and no outcome guaranteed. The shocks landed with precision, and by centering the fallout on personal consequences, it offered a raw look at how deeply the destruction cut.
Avengers - Disassembled Trade Paperback Review by J2H Comics
3. House Of X / Powers Of X
House of X / Powers of X launched as an interconnected crossover that redefined the X-Men’s standing in the Marvel Universe. Together, the books introduced Krakoa as a living mutant nation, uniting splintered factions and revitalizing overlooked characters.
House of X / Powers of X by Jonathan Hickman - Oversized Hardcover Overview! by OmnibusRyan
4. Guardians Of The Galaxy
This timeline introduced a band of quirky yet endearing characters whose banter and flaws felt as memorable as their heroics. Every plot thread tied neatly into the MCU’s larger canvas, all while converting once-obscure comic book figures into instantly recognizable icons.
Marvel Reveals New MCU Timeline With Guardians of the Galaxy 3 by ComicBookCast2
5. Civil War
This storyline gripped readers by setting heroes against each other in a clash that felt both personal and politically charged. Unlike many events, its resolution carried lasting repercussions, ensuring the fallout lingered long after the final panel.
Marvel Civil War Review by Comics Guide101
6. Planet Hulk
Exiled to a distant planet, Hulk found himself in a brutal gladiator arena where survival demanded more than sheer power. And as Hulk adapted, he grew beyond the image of a mindless force, which displayed strategy, leadership, and emotional depth.
Planet Hulk Omnibus Review! by Super Fly Comics Guy
7. The Infinity Gauntlet
Beginning with Thanos wielding the all-powerful Infinity Gauntlet, this storyline cemented him as Marvel’s most formidable adversary. Cosmic heavyweights and street-level heroes alike rallied in a desperate alliance, further blending galaxy-shaking stakes with grounded, personal moments.
All Infinity Gauntlet Powers, Effects, and Sounds HD Avengers Infinity War by Prince Bhaura
8. Secret Wars
Opening with the collapse of the multiverse, Secret Wars (2015) merged countless realities into a single, perilous Battleworld. Despite the sprawling scope, the narrative stayed accessible, guiding even new readers through its layered conflicts.
Secret Wars Hardcover and 2 Complete Morrison Omnibuses! by The Hartley Show
9. Born Again
In Born Again, Kingpin dismantles Matt Murdock’s life piece by piece, leaving him without his home, career, or sense of security. Through each hard-won step toward recovery, Frank Miller’s influence is unmistakable, as it shapes Daredevil’s tone and depth in a way that would define him for decades.
Marvel Television's Daredevil: Born Again | Demons | Disney+ by Marvel Entertainment
10. The Kree-Skrull War
The Kree-Skrull War sent the Avengers into a tense conflict between rival alien empires, which merges political intrigue with large-scale cosmic battles. It expanded their role into intergalactic diplomacy and introduced key elements of Marvel’s cosmic mythology.
