The 1970s marked a period of significant transformation for Marvel Comics. During this time, iconic narratives like "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" and Doctor Strange's encounter with God emerged, setting the stage for a creative renaissance in the following decade. As the 1980s dawned, Marvel's legendary creators delivered some of the most influential runs in the company's history. Frank Miller's groundbreaking work on Daredevil, John Byrne's innovative take on the Fantastic Four, David Michelinie's impactful Iron Man stories, and the pinnacle of Chris Claremont's X-Men saga, along with Roger Stern's Amazing Spider-Man and Walt Simonson's Thor, became cornerstones of Marvel's enduring legacy. These creators and their works are pivotal in understanding why these characters have remained relevant into the present day.

In retrospect, the 1980s can be considered Marvel's true golden age. Dive deeper with us in Part 7 of our series on Marvel's essential issues!

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

The Dark Phoenix Saga and Other All-Time X-Men Stories

Chris Claremont's transformative run on X-Men began in 1975, but his most celebrated stories were published in the early 1980s. The Dark Phoenix Saga, spanning X-Men #129-137, stands as one of the most iconic X-Men narratives ever. In this cosmic tale, Jean Grey, under the influence of the Phoenix entity and manipulated by the Hellfire Club, transforms into the formidable Dark Phoenix. This saga, masterfully illustrated and co-plotted by John Byrne, not only delivered an unforgettable story but also introduced characters like Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat), Emma Frost, and Dazzler. The emotional climax, where Jean sacrifices herself to save the universe, remains one of the most poignant moments in X-Men lore, despite her eventual return. This story has been adapted into various media, including films like X-Men: The Last Stand and Dark Phoenix, though many fans believe these adaptations fall short of the original's impact. Animated series, such as X-Men: The Animated Series and Wolverine & the X-Men, have offered more faithful renditions.

Following closely, the two-issue arc "Days of Future Past" in X-Men #141-142, became another hallmark of the franchise. Featuring the time-traveling adventures of an adult Kitty Pryde, the story addresses the dystopian future caused by the assassination of Senator Robert Kelly, orchestrated by Mystique's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. This narrative has been revisited in numerous forms, including the 2014 film X-Men: Days of Future Past and the storyline of the animated series Wolverine & the X-Men.

Completing the trilogy of essential X-Men stories from this era is X-Men #150. This issue features a pivotal battle with Magneto, whose near-fatal attack on Kitty Pryde leads him to reveal his Holocaust survivor backstory. This revelation profoundly shaped Magneto's character, transitioning him from a straightforward villain to a more complex figure.

X-Men #150

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

The 1980s also introduced significant new characters, particularly notable female heroes. Rogue, initially a villain, debuted in Avengers Annual #10 as part of Mystique's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Her absorbing Carol Danvers' powers marked a turning point for both characters. This issue also highlighted Carol's strained relationship with the Avengers due to past traumas. Rogue's journey from villain to hero became a compelling arc within the X-Men universe.

Rogue... as a bad guy in Avengers Annual #10.

Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, made her debut in Savage She-Hulk #1, the last character co-created by Stan Lee during his initial Marvel tenure. Although her solo series started modestly, She-Hulk's character flourished upon joining the Avengers and Fantastic Four. Her portrayal by Tatiana Maslany in the MCU's She-Hulk series further cemented her popularity.

The New Mutants, Marvel's first X-Men spin-off, were introduced in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 before receiving their own series. This team of young mutants, including Cannonball, Sunspot, Karma, Wolfsbane, and Dani Moonstar (later Mirage), brought fresh dynamics to the X-Men universe. Magik, the younger sister of Colossus, joined in issue #15, adding depth to the team's narrative. The 2020 New Mutants film, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy as Magik, drew heavily from this lineup.

Iconic Storylines for Daredevil, Iron Man, and Captain America

Daredevil #168 marked a turning point for the character, as Frank Miller began his transformative run, introducing Elektra and redefining Daredevil's world with gritty realism and noir elements. Over the next two years, Miller's narrative included pivotal moments like the rise of Kingpin as Matt Murdock's nemesis, the introduction of Stick, Daredevil's first confrontation with the Punisher, and the tragic death of Elektra at the hands of Bullseye. This run laid the groundwork for 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" in Iron Man #149-150 showcased Iron Man's first solo battle against Doctor Doom, set against the backdrop of Arthurian legend. This storyline not only solidified Doom's place in Iron Man's rogues gallery but also set the stage for future collaborations between Doom and Morgan le Fay.

Captain America's darker tale in Captain America #253-254, involving his confrontation with the Nazi vampire Baron Blood, provided a compelling narrative with strong artwork and a gripping conclusion, highlighting Roger Stern and John Byrne's brief but impactful run on the title.

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 introduced in Werewolf by Night #32, Moon Knight's own series by Doug Moench and Don Perlin fleshed out his backstory and introduced his alternate personalities, Steven Grant and Jake Lockley, setting the stage for his future narratives.

G.I. Joe #1

Though not owned by Marvel, the G.I. Joe franchise owes much of its mythology to the company. Starting with G.I. Joe #1 in 1982, Marvel's tie-in comic fleshed out characters like Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, Lady Jaye, and the Baroness. Writer Larry Hama's compelling storytelling made G.I. Joe one of Marvel's most popular titles and resonated particularly with female readers, thanks to the strong and equal portrayal of its female characters.