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The 1970s were a transformative decade for Marvel Comics, marked by significant events and the introduction of compelling storylines such as "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" and Doctor Strange's encounter with God. However, it was the early 1980s that truly set the stage for Marvel's golden age, with legendary creators delivering iconic runs on their flagship titles. This period saw Frank Miller redefine Daredevil, John Byrne revitalize the Fantastic Four, David Michelinie's groundbreaking work on Iron Man, and the peak of Chris Claremont's influential X-Men saga. Roger Stern's run on Amazing Spider-Man and Walt Simonson's Thor were also on the horizon, significantly contributing to the enduring legacy of these characters.
When considering the entire history of the Marvel Universe, the 1980s stand out as a potential golden age for the company. In this seventh installment of our series on Marvel's essential issues, we delve deeper into this remarkable era.
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 transformative run on X-Men, which began in 1975, reached its zenith in the early 1980s with three standout stories. The first, the Dark Phoenix Saga (X-Men #129-137), remains the most celebrated X-Men narrative, chronicling Jean Grey's transformation into the Dark Phoenix, a formidable adversary corrupted by cosmic forces and the Hellfire Club. This epic, co-plotted and pencilled by John Byrne, not only tells a gripping tale but also introduces key characters like Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat), Emma Frost, and Dazzler. Jean Grey's ultimate sacrifice, despite her later resurrection, stands as one of the most poignant moments in the X-Men universe. The saga has been adapted into various media, though fans often feel the original comic surpasses its screen versions.
Following closely is the Days of Future Past storyline (X-Men #141-142), a seminal tale featuring the Sentinels, the mutant-hunting robots introduced by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1965. In this arc, an adult Kitty Pryde travels back in time to avert a dystopian future triggered by the assassination of Senator Robert Kelly. This brief yet impactful story has been revisited and adapted, notably in the 2014 film X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Completing the trilogy of essential X-Men stories is X-Men #150, where a confrontation with Magneto nearly results in Kitty Pryde's death, prompting the villain to reveal his Holocaust survivor backstory. This revelation reshapes Magneto's character, setting the stage for his complex evolution.
The First Appearances of Rogue, She-Hulk, and the New Mutants
The 1980s also introduced several pivotal female characters to the Marvel roster. Rogue, now a beloved X-Men member, debuted as a villain in Avengers Annual #10, part of Mystique's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Her draining of Carol Danvers' powers marks a critical juncture for both characters, although Carol's subsequent storyline involving Marcus Immortus remains one of Marvel's most controversial.
She-Hulk, co-created by Stan Lee, debuted in Savage She-Hulk #1. Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner's cousin, gains similar powers after a life-saving blood transfusion. While her initial series struggled, She-Hulk found her footing and became a fan favorite through her affiliations with the Avengers and Fantastic Four. Tatiana Maslany later brought the character to life in the MCU's She-Hulk series.
The New Mutants, Marvel's first X-Men spin-off, debuted in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 before receiving their own series. The initial team, including Cannonball, Sunspot, Karma, Wolfsbane, and Dani Moonstar (later Mirage), along with the later addition of Illyana Rasputina (Magik), laid the groundwork for future stories and adaptations, such as the 2020 New Mutants film.
Iconic Storylines for Daredevil, Iron Man, and Captain America
Daredevil #168 marked the beginning of Frank Miller's transformative run, introducing Elektra and redefining the character's mythology. Over the next two years, Miller crafted a noir-infused saga that included the rise of Kingpin as Matt Murdock's nemesis, the introduction of Stick, and pivotal encounters with the Punisher and Bullseye. This run, especially issues #168-191, inspired both 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 storyline in Iron Man #149-150 saw Tony Stark's first solo confrontation with Doctor Doom, resulting in a time-travel adventure to Arthurian legend. This arc solidified Doom's place in Iron Man's rogues gallery and set the stage for future collaborations between Doom and Morgan le Fay.
Roger Stern and John Byrne's Captain America #253-254 features a darker narrative involving Cap's battle against Baron Blood, a Nazi vampire with ties to the WWII-era Invaders. This story, though less known, showcases stellar artwork and a compelling, intense plot.
Moon Knight Becomes a Hero and Marvel Helps Create the G.I. Joe Mythology
Moon Knight's transition from antagonist to hero began with his own series in Moon Knight #1. Created by Doug Moench and Don Perlin, this issue fleshed out his backstory and introduced his multiple personalities, setting a foundation for all subsequent Moon Knight stories.
Although G.I. Joe is not owned by Marvel, the company played a crucial role in developing its mythology through a comic series tied to the Real American Hero toy line. Marvel editor Archie Goodwin and writer Larry Hama crafted the characters and storylines that made G.I. Joe a hit, particularly among female readers who appreciated the strong female leads.
The 1980s were indeed a remarkable period for Marvel Comics, filled with groundbreaking stories, memorable characters, and lasting legacies that continue to shape the Marvel Universe today.
