Marvel Event Overstays: When Epic Storylines Overstay Their Welcome

Marvel has a rich history of producing captivating event comics that have left fans eagerly anticipating what's next. From classic crossovers that have become fan-favorites to the more recent event cycle in the 2000s, Marvel has constantly pushed the boundaries of storytelling. However, not all events have been universally well-received, with some like House of M struggling to maintain reader interest until the end. Nevertheless, these events have played a significant role in shaping Marvel's identity, driving sales, and engaging fans.

NO # 10 is The Inhumans Push Ended In An Event That No One Wanted: Inhumans Vs. X-Men

The Inhumans have played a significant role in Marvel's history, and in the mid-10s, the publisher saw potential in elevating them as a prominent force in their comic lineup. They embarked on an ambitious campaign to introduce the Inhumans to a wider audience, resulting in a sudden surge of Inhumans-related content. Multiple new comic series such as "Uncanny Inhumans," "Inhuman," "All-New Inhumans," and others were launched, aiming to capture readers' imaginations.

Despite Marvel's efforts, the sales of these Inhumans-focused titles did not reach the anticipated levels, and this strategy faced vocal opposition from passionate X-Men fans. The X-Men had long been a beloved and established franchise within Marvel, and some of their supporters viewed the push for Inhumans as a direct replacement attempt.

The culmination of this conflict came in the form of a major crossover event titled "Inhumans Vs. X-Men," written by acclaimed authors Charles Soule and Jeff Lemire, with artwork by the talented Leinil Yu. Unfortunately, the event received a mixed reception from fans and critics alike, failing to resonate with the wider comic book community.

As time passed, it became evident that the Inhumans' push did not yield the desired success, leading to a decline in their prominence within Marvel's publishing lineup. Ultimately, the Inhumans found themselves on the sidelines, with their comic series put on hold due to the perceived failure of the initiative. The Marvel landscape continued to evolve, but this particular strategy of pushing the Inhumans as a potential mutant replacement did not stand the test of time.

NO # 9 is Civil War II Barely Got A Welcome At All

Civil War II, written by Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Marquez, faced a challenging reception from fans, primarily due to its prolonged storyline. The narrative centered around the enigmatic Inhuman named Ulysses, blessed with the extraordinary ability to foresee the future with absolute certainty. This power sparked a heated debate between Captain Marvel, who advocated using Ulysses' visions to pre-emptively apprehend villains, and Iron Man, who vehemently opposed the idea.

Drawing inspiration from the concept of Minority Report, the storyline explored the moral complexities of predictive justice in the Marvel Universe. However, right from the outset, many fans felt disenchanted with the premise, and the series failed to capture the same impact as its predecessor, the original Civil War.

Despite its flaws, Civil War II did contribute to the wider Marvel continuity, planting the seeds for future developments, notably paving the way for The Immortal Hulk series. Nevertheless, the overall reception from fans remained lukewarm, as the story struggled to find its footing and lacked the coherence that made the original Civil War so memorable and impactful.

NO # 8 is The Return Of Wolverine Got Multiple Miniseries That Led Into A Mediocre Pay-Off

Marvel surprised fans by keeping Logan dead from 2014 to 2018, a longer period than most had anticipated. However, the excitement among Logan's devoted followers was reignited when Marvel: Legacy #1 signaled the run-up to the highly anticipated "Return Of Wolverine" storyline. This initiative kicked off with "Hunt For Wolverine," a series of interconnected stories that aimed to provide clues and insights into the enigmatic return of their beloved character.

The "Hunt For Wolverine" event began with a captivating titular one-shot, but as it progressed, fans noticed that some of the subsequent four miniseries — "Weapon Lost," "The Adamantium Agenda," "Claws Of A Killer," and "Mystery In Madripoor" — seemed somewhat tangential to the actual return of Wolverine. While these books had intriguing premises, they may have left fans wanting more substantial clues and direct connections to the main storyline.

Eventually, the anticipation culminated in "Return Of Wolverine," a series helmed by the talented writer Charles Soule and artists Steve McNiven and Declan Shalvey. The series boasted impressive artwork that did justice to the iconic character, though some readers felt that the writing could have been more captivating.

Despite minor setbacks, Logan's return to the Marvel universe brought a sense of joy to the fans, reminding them why they held a special place in their hearts for this enduring and beloved character.

NO # 7 is Secret Empire Really Dragged In The Middle

The 2010s Marvel era had its share of highs and lows, and one notable instance of a low point was the controversial storyline "Secret Empire." Penned by Nick Spencer and brought to life with art by Steve McNiven, Leinil Yu, and Andrea Sorrentino, the arc revolved around the Hydra Cap narrative, which initially failed to resonate with fans. Despite the lukewarm reception from the start, Marvel surprisingly opted to expand the main series by introducing additional issues.

Unfortunately, the decision to extend the storyline did not improve the overall quality of "Secret Empire." Instead, it led to the middle of the book suffering from a sense of dragging out, as Hydra and the heroes embarked on a prolonged hunt for Cosmic Cube shards. This elongated and meandering plot choice only served to exacerbate the book's tedium for readers who were already disenchanted with the narrative.

In hindsight, the creators and editorial team could have benefitted from more concise storytelling, focusing on stronger plot development and character arcs, to avoid losing the interest of their audience.

NO # 6 is House Of M Is A Slog

The Marvel Universe has experienced its fair share of cataclysmic events, and among them, House of M, written by the acclaimed Brian Michael Bendis with art by the talented Olivier Coipel, stands out as a pivotal moment in Marvel history. The storyline revolves around a world where mutants hold the upper hand, but it ultimately leads to the loss of mutant powers for an extended period, leaving a lasting impact.

While House of M is undoubtedly a significant event, some readers and critics have expressed mixed feelings about the series. Some argue that Bendis's world-building in the House of M reality falls short of expectations, resulting in a few lackluster issues. The narrative can feel prolonged and slow-moving, making the journey less enjoyable than it could have been.

Additionally, there's a recurring criticism that the restored memory of various characters revolves too heavily around a singular desire for vengeance against Magneto, whom they hold responsible for the entire ordeal. This repetitive aspect detracts from the overall complexity of the story and may have contributed to the feeling of monotony for some readers.

In retrospect, House of M might have benefited from tighter storytelling, possibly condensing the eight issues into a more concise and impactful five-issue arc. However, it remains a crucial and memorable moment in Marvel's history, thanks to Bendis's bold narrative choices and Coipel's stunning artwork. Despite its flaws, House of M's significance cannot be denied, and it continues to shape the Marvel Universe in unforeseen ways.

NO # 5 is Age Of Ultron Jumped Around Way Too Much

Marvel is renowned for its captivating alternate dimensions, and Age Of Ultron, crafted by the talented team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artists Bryan Hitch, Brandon Peterson, and Carlos Pacheco, delivers not one, but two fascinating realms. The story kicks off in a grim, dystopian future where Ultron reigns with an iron fist. However, a pivotal moment occurs when Wolverine and Invisible Woman take a drastic step and eliminate Hank Pym, leading readers into an entirely different Marvel Universe.

While Age Of Ultron is undeniably an engaging tale, it's worth noting that it is a ten-issue event book, which can make it a bit intricate and lengthy for some readers. Despite this, the intricate plot and gripping storytelling make it stand out among many of Bendis's other event books, capturing the imagination of those who give it the chance it truly deserves.

NO 4 is The X-Cutioner's Song Is '90s X-Men At Its Worst

The '90s marked a fascinating era for Marvel, particularly with the X-Men franchise experiencing a significant surge in popularity. However, amidst the massive success of the books, there were some noteworthy issues, and one prime example was "The X-Cutioner's Song." This sprawling 19-part storyline traversed multiple titles, including X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, X-Force, and X-Factor. The narrative revolved around the X-Men pursuing Cable, while X-Force sought retribution for an apparent attack on Professor X by a mutant fugitive.

While a multi-part storyline can add depth and complexity, "The X-Cutioner's Song" sometimes suffered from an excess of content, leading to the impression that the creators were unnecessarily stretching the plot to fill more issues. The introduction of Apocalypse into the mix further complicated the story and contributed to the feeling of padding.

Nonetheless, despite its shortcomings, "The X-Cutioner's Song" still remains an important part of X-Men history and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced when balancing intricate storytelling with a cohesive and engaging narrative.

NO # 3 is The Clone Saga Seemed Like It Was Going To Last Forever

The Clone Saga is a notorious storyline among Marvel fans. The concept of Spider-Man's clone making a return was initially well-received and intriguing. Fans found it pretty cool in the beginning. However, due to its commercial success, Marvel opted to prolong the Clone Saga endlessly. As time went on, the original writers who crafted the idea had already moved on from the project, and this contributed to the saga's decline in quality as it continued.

NO # 2 is X Of Swords Was Terribly Paced

X-Men history is indeed filled with epic and intricate stories, and "X Of Swords" stands out as one of the longest with its twenty-two parts. As the first major event of the Krakoa Era, it ambitiously spanned across every X-Men book, bringing the mutants of Krakoa into conflict with the formidable forces of Arakko and Amenth. While crafting a twenty-two-part storyline is no small feat, "X Of Swords" did face some criticism regarding its pacing.

The event's initial half was perceived by some as slow-paced and lacking excitement, although there were a few standout moments that managed to capture readers' attention. However, the latter half showed improvement, but even then, it fell short of meeting the soaring expectations of some fans. One aspect that garnered considerable disappointment was the perceived "bait and switch" in the portrayal of the contests between the champions of Krakoa and Arakko.

Despite these criticisms, "X Of Swords" still had its share of loyal followers who appreciated the intricate lore and the convergence of various X-Men titles in a single grand narrative. While the event might not have been universally acclaimed, it has undoubtedly contributed to the ongoing saga of the X-Men and their adventures on Krakoa.

NO # 1 is The Infinity Trilogy Lost Steam In The Last Part

Infinity Gauntlet was a monumental milestone for Marvel. Crafted by the talented duo of writer Jim Starlin and artists George Pérez and Ron Lim, it delivered an epic saga chronicling the universe's desperate battle against the all-powerful Thanos, wielding the almighty Infinity Gauntlet. The immense success of this storyline paved the way for a thrilling sequel, "Infinity War," again brought to life by Starlin and Lim. This continuation reintroduced Adam Warlock's dark side, the sinister Magus, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative. While "Infinity War" didn't reach the same heights as its predecessor, it still captivated fans and left them eager for more.

Enter the final installment of the trilogy, "Infinity Crusade," once again penned by the creative team of Starlin and brought to visual life by Lim. This time, the story revolved around the enigmatic Goddess, Adam Warlock's benevolent side, as she sought to enlighten the heroes of Earth by guiding them toward her vision of salvation. However, her methods involved enthralment and manipulation, leading the heroes to clash against each other. Despite the creative team's efforts, "Infinity Crusade" failed to strike a chord with fans and fell short of the high expectations set by its predecessors, ending the trilogy on a somewhat disappointing note.

Nevertheless, the legacy of the Infinity Gauntlet trilogy cannot be denied. It left an indelible mark on Marvel's comic book universe and remains a testament to the powerful storytelling and artistic prowess of its creators. Even though the final chapter may not have reached the same heights, the overall impact of the trilogy on Marvel's lore and the comic book industry as a whole is unquestionable.