Summary
Marvel Comicshas explored many different types of genres, from the coming-of-age of urban teens to some of the best sci-fi adventure stories in comic book history. As such, there are plenty of Marvel comic books exploring the realms of fantasy, mythology, and the occult, featuring characters such as Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch, and Moon Knight.
Many of these stories, while featuring some of the most complex characters in the Marvel canon, have incorporated themes and images that are somewhat terrifying or macabre. These eight comic books compriseMarvel’s best dark fantasy stories, ranked based on their iconic portrayals of their featured characters, and of course, their storytelling.
2003-2004
Featured Characters
Nick Fury, Stephen Strange, Peter Parker, Matt Murdock, Scott Summers, Robert Drake, Jean Grey, Clea, Steve Rogers, Wanda Maximoff, Pietro Maximoff, Charles Xavier, Natasha Romanoff, Otto von Doom
The characters who appear inMarvel 1602aren’t exactly who frequent Marvel Comics readers are familiar with. While Sir Nicholas Fury, Carlos Javier, and Peter Parquah resemble iconic heroes of the Marvel universe, these versions exist in the alternate timeline of Earth-311, set in the colonial early 1600s and featuring a crossover of many Marvel icons.
These Avengers ultimately come across similar conflicts as they do on Earth-616, centering on an assassination plot against the Queen byOtto von Doom, the ruler of Latveria. What’s really frightening about this story is the fate of this universe’s Fantastic Four, who are held captive by Doom. However, the comic’s probably not all that interesting for those who aren’t invested in Elizabethan history.
Many Heroes Are Drawn To This MacGuffin
Author
Steve Orlando, Daniel Kibblesmith, Jordie Bellaire, Ryan North, Mark Russell, Alex Paknadel
Illustrator
Cian Tormey, Federico Sabbatini, Claire Roe, Guillermo Sanna, David J. Cutler, Diogenes Neves
2021-2022
Wanda Maximoff, Victor von Doom, Zora Vukovic, Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Eric Brooks, Hobie Brown, Wilson Fisk, Amadeus Cho, Janet Van Dyne, Thor, Tigra, Hank Pym, Kang the Conqueror, Black Bolt, Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, Reed Richards, Doctor Octopus, Chthon, Omega the Unknown
The Darkhold is widely known in the MCU now forits appearances inWandaVisionandDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, its tendency to turn readers into bloodthirsty killers wasn’t new to Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch. This anthological comic book saga from 2021 showcases how the Darkhold affects all kinds of Marvel heroes.
The series follows Wanda as she assembles the Darkhold Defiled, an Avengers-esque team of Marvel heroes who are each cursed by the forsaken text. It’s nothing new to see a character like Blade go bad, but seeing how the Darkhold takes hold of characters like Peter Parker and the Wasp can be pretty frightening as far as Marvel Comics go, even if the individual comics are better than the sum of its parts.
2009
Wendell Vaughn, Peter Quill, Rocket Raccoon, Jack Flag, Groot, Drax, Richard Rider, Bruce Banner, Thor, Carol Danvers, Hank Pym, Wanda Maximoff, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Vision
This comic book crossover was a single-issue narrative that explored a dark period of Marvel’s history. Following the detonation of Black Bolt’s T-Bomb, a comic rip known as the Fault leaks into Earth-616, exposing familiar Marvel heroes to an alternate universe known as the “Cancerverse,” where evil has completely consumed all the good in the world.
This one-shot results in a battle between Earth-616’s Guardians of the Galaxy with this other universe’s Avengers, known as the Revengers, who aremuch more terrifying than their 616 variants. Obviously, its scale makes it less of a great story than the more personal ones in this list, but it’s worth a read simply for offering a dark fantasy moment for Marvel’s sci-fi characters.
2021
Dane Whitman, Jacks Chopra, Phillip, Elsa Bloodstone, Mordred, Steve Rogers, Thor, Carol Danvers, T’Challa
Dane Whitman was nothing more than a supporting figure in the Avengers storyline prior to this 2021 miniseries. The Arthurian hero battles all kinds of darkness in this story, from the evil wizardry of Sir Mordred of the Twilight Banner to universal plights like grief and depression. Along the way, he makesallies with his daughter, Jack, and Elsa Bloodstone.
This is about as classic fantasy as Marvel comics get, featuring the lore of the Round Table and a blade that feasts on its wielder’s inner darkness, with a healthy mix of action and emotion. Hopefully, Marvel will do the right thing and properly adapt this story someday with Kit Harington’s Dane Whitman, who’s worthy of a place in the Avengers someday.
2014-2015
Marc Spector/Steven Grant/Jake Lockley, Khonshu, Dr. Skelton, Jean-Paul Duchaimp, Black Spectre, Elisa Warsame, Gloria Roza, Nepthys
Few authors were able to completely reinvent a character like Warren Ellis did with Moon Knight.The multiple personalities of Marc Spectorhave always made the character of Moon Knight unique in the Marvel universe, butFrom the Deadmainly centers on the brand-new persona of “Mr. Knight,” who dons an all-white suit rather than a cape and staff.
Like the James RobinsonScarlet Witchcomic, this Moon Knight-led story is also somewhat of a detective mystery, as Marc Spector/Mr. Knight confronts not only a web of crime but his own psyche. If you liked Oscar Isaac in theMoon KnightDisney+ series, thenFrom the Deadis going to satiate your desire for season two, but potentially make you crave even more of the Egyptian hero.
2016-2017
Wanda Maximoff, Agatha Harkness, Hekate, Emerald Warlock, Ringmaster, Pietro Maximoff, Black Bullet, Vision
The stories of the Scarlet Witch have always treaded into dark fantasy territory, but few are as well-constructed and visually stunning as James Robinson’s 2016 series. This comic book saga plays out more like a noir, as Wanda investigates a disturbance in the forces of witchcraft, aided by the ghost of her mentor, the now-iconic Agatha Harkness.
For fans of Wanda Maximoff who are hungry for a story that dives deep into the occult andWanda’s history as a magic-user, this run is what you’re looking for. Even the art design is much more surreal and hypnotic than Marvel Comics fans may be used to. This is the story Wanda was built for: a tale of betrayal, mystery, murder, and desperation!
2013-2014
Thor, Gorr the God-Butcher, Tony Stark, King Thor
This iconic comic series arc from Jason Aaron practically reinvented the character of Thor and was the inspiration for the MCU’s recent portrayals of Chris Hemsworth’s character. However, the original comic was much darker, as Thor is confronted with his greatest foe yet: Gorr, a serial killer of gods seeking revenge for the decimation of his planet’s people.
For one of Marvel’s few almighty characters, the challenge of Gorr is enough to nearly kill the god of thunder. He recruits an army known as the Black Berserkers, demon-esque creatures who slaughter thousands on their bloody path to find Thor. The stakes aren’t just high in this comic book saga, but Gorr proves to be a truly terrifying villain in Marvel Comics canon.
1989
Stephen Strange, Victor von Doom, Aged Genghis, Cynthia von Doom, Mephisto, Baron Sabbat, the Ancient One
One of the most iconic dark fantasy storylines in Marvel Comics history is this,Triumph and Torment, which saw the pairing of Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom on a journey to Mephisto’s underworld to free the soul of Doom’s mother. If that’s not the best logline you’ve heard for a Marvel Comics narrative, who knows what it would be?
While there’s plenty of nightmarish horror that occurs in this comic book saga, what’s most fascinating about it is how it evolves the character of Doctor Doom into something much more complex than a supervillain desperate to take over the world.With the foil of Strangehelping him pave his path through the underworld, it’s an emotional and harrowing story that has remained indelible to Marvel Comics purists.
