Were the 1980s the Greatest Decade for Marvel?

The 1970s was a transformative era for Marvel Comics, marked by significant upheaval yet rich with the introduction of compelling characters and iconic storylines. Notable among these were the heart-wrenching "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" and the profound narrative of Doctor Strange meeting God. As the decade transitioned into the 1980s, Marvel entered what many consider to be its true golden age, with legendary creators producing landmark runs on their most celebrated titles. This period saw the emergence of Frank Miller's groundbreaking work on Daredevil, John Byrne's influential take on the Fantastic Four, David Michelinie's memorable Iron Man stories, and the pinnacle of Chris Claremont's run on X-Men. Additionally, Roger Stern's Amazing Spider-Man and Walt Simonson's Thor were on the horizon, contributing to the enduring legacy of these characters. These creators and their works are pivotal to understanding why these characters remain relevant today.

Join us as we delve into Part 7 of our exploration of the essential issues in the Marvel Universe, where we'll highlight why the 1980s may be considered Marvel's most illustrious decade.

More Essential Marvel

• 1961-1963 - The Birth of a Universe
• 1964-1965 - The Sentinels Are Born and Cap Dethaws
• 1966-1969 - How Galactus Changed Marvel Forever
• 1970-1973 - The Night Gwen Stacy Died
• 1974-1976 - The Punisher Begins His War on Crime
• 1977-1979 - Star Wars Saves Marvel From Bankruptcy
• The Dark Phoenix Saga and Other All-Time X-Men Stories

Chris Claremont's defining tenure on the X-Men, which began in 1975, reached its zenith in the early 1980s with several unforgettable stories. The most renowned of these is the Dark Phoenix Saga, spanning X-Men #129-137, which stands as the quintessential X-Men narrative. This saga sees Jean Grey, corrupted by the cosmic Phoenix entity and influenced by the Hellfire Club, transform into the formidable Dark Phoenix. This epic tale, co-plotted and penciled by John Byrne, not only delivers a compelling story but also introduces key characters such as Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat), Emma Frost, and Dazzler. The poignant moment of Jean Grey's sacrifice after regaining her senses remains one of the most emotionally charged scenes in X-Men lore, despite her eventual return. While the story has been adapted into films like X-Men: The Last Stand and Dark Phoenix, many believe that the animated series, including X-Men: The Animated Series and Wolverine & the X-Men, captured its essence more faithfully.

Following closely is the iconic Days of Future Past storyline in X-Men #141-142, which features the time-traveling efforts of an adult Kitty Pryde to avert the assassination of Senator Robert Kelly by Mystique's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. This pivotal event prevents a dystopian future dominated by the mutant-hunting Sentinels, originally introduced by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1965. This compact yet impactful arc has been revisited multiple times and was notably adapted into the 2014 film X-Men: Days of Future Past and served as the basis for the season arc in Wolverine & the X-Men.

Completing this trio of exceptional X-Men stories is X-Men #150, where a confrontation with Magneto nearly results in Kitty Pryde's death, prompting the revelation of Magneto's Holocaust survivor background. This revelation became a cornerstone of his character, paving the way for his complex moral evolution.

The First Appearances of Rogue, She-Hulk, and the New Mutants

The 1980s also introduced some of Marvel's most iconic female characters. Rogue, initially a villain, debuted in Avengers Annual #10 as a member of Mystique's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Her powers, gained by draining Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel), set a new course for both characters. This issue also dealt with controversial themes, such as Carol's traumatic experience with Marcus Immortus, making it a significant yet challenging piece of Marvel history.

She-Hulk, co-created by Stan Lee, made her debut in Savage She-Hulk #1. As Bruce Banner's cousin, Jennifer Walters gained similar powers following a life-saving blood transfusion. Although her initial solo series was not well-received, She-Hulk's character flourished when she joined the Avengers and Fantastic Four, eventually leading to Tatiana Maslany's portrayal in the MCU's She-Hulk series.

The New Mutants, Marvel's first X-Men spin-off, debuted in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 before getting their own series. The team, consisting of teenage mutants like Cannonball, Sunspot, Karma, Wolfsbane, and Dani Moonstar (later Mirage), set the stage for future stories, with Illyana Rasputina (Magik) joining in issue #15. This lineup inspired the 2020 New Mutants film, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy as Magik.

Iconic Storylines for Daredevil, Iron Man, and Captain America

Daredevil #168 marks a pivotal moment for the character, introducing Elektra and launching Frank Miller's iconic writer-artist run. Over the next two years, Miller transformed Daredevil's narrative into a gritty, noir epic, introducing key elements like Kingpin as a nemesis, Stick as a mentor, and the tragic death of Elektra at the hands of Bullseye. This run has inspired numerous adaptations, including the 2003 film and the 2015 Netflix series, with the upcoming MCU show Daredevil: Born Again continuing this legacy.

David Michelinie and Bob Layton's Doomquest in Iron Man #149-150 stands out as a defining moment for Iron Man. This story, featuring a solo battle against Doctor Doom that sends them back to Arthurian times, cemented Doom as a significant adversary in Iron Man's rogues gallery, despite his primary rivalry with Mr. Fantastic.

Roger Stern and John Byrne's brief but impactful run on Captain America included the dark and gripping storyline in Captain America #253-254, featuring a confrontation with the Nazi vampire Baron Blood. This story stands out for its intense narrative and stunning artwork, adding depth to Captain America's wartime history.

Moon Knight Becomes a Hero and Marvel Helps Create the G.I. Joe Mythology

Moon Knight's transition from antagonist to hero was solidified in Moon Knight #1. Initially appearing in Werewolf by Night #32, the character, created by Doug Moench and Don Perlin, found his footing in this new series, introducing his alter egos Steven Grant and Jake Lockley, which became integral to his mythos.

While not owned by Marvel, the G.I. Joe franchise owes much of its character development to Marvel Comics. The Real American Hero toy line was accompanied by a Marvel comic starting in 1982, with editor Archie Goodwin and writer Larry Hama crafting the intricate world of Cobra and the Joes. Hama's storytelling brought depth to characters like Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, Lady Jaye, and the Baroness, making G.I. Joe one of Marvel's most popular titles in the mid-1980s. Notably, the comic resonated with female readers due to its equitable portrayal of female characters, a testament to Hama's inclusive approach.