Marvel Insider Paul Cuadrado from Louisiana breaks down his Marvel Favorites! Become a Marvel Insider today, and earn points to redeem for exclusive rewards just for being a Marvel fan – including the chance to curate your own Reading List for thousands of fellow fans!
This was my first comic book that my dad bought for me at a small comic book convention at a mall when I was 10 years old, beginning my love for comics and for Spider-Man as well. This important book marks the moment where Spider-Man and Venom call somewhat of a truce and hesitantly decide to stay out of each other’s lives. This gives Venom the opportunity to go off and be the popular anti-hero he is today.
This was my first comic event, and it set a high standard. I think every book in the Age of Apocalypse saga is a great read, and the collection of artists is incredible, (including their fantastic costume designs). This unique take on not just the X-Men, but also the Marvel Universe as a whole, showed a harsh and ruthless world where you got to see your favorite characters in a way you never had before.
Before this, I wasn’t a big Daredevil fan, but the art is great and Kevin Smith’s writing intrigued me. This formula was the backbone of the Marvel Knights imprint. This particular story was a lot grittier and more realistic than anything I was reading at the time, and Smith’s take on the character hooked me. I haven’t missed an issue since. Read through #8!
To me, this is one of the best-written stories in the history of comics. It has action, mystery, espionage, romance, betrayal, and great villains. The idea of using Bucky, a character not seen in 40 years, as a brand new character was a stroke of genius on the part of writer Ed Brubaker. Also, Steve Epting’s style fits in perfectly with the story.
If you are a fan of big blockbusters then this is the book for you. The team of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch put you on a crazy non-stop action ride. The Ultimate Universe gave an opportunity for the Avengers to lose the shackles of a “no killing” rule which leads to an absolutely bonkers story that is sure to leave a lasting impression. And just wait till you get to that Hawkeye scene in #7…
I love the X-Men and I love Joss Whedon, and they go together so perfectly. Whedon is masterful at bringing a unique voice to a character, and that was no exception here. His X-Men popped off the page and their interactions with each other felt very real. The series is full of new and returning characters, twists and turns, and very original storytelling.
This book pumped some life into the cosmic side of Marvel. What is so great about Annihilation is that it took a bunch of characters that some people didn’t know about, and wove them together to make an incredible cosmic epic. Every issue packs a lot of character development, great action, and high stakes. The lasting effects of this event changed the Marvel landscape.
Jason Aaron is my favorite writer today because he can develop characters by focusing on their personal interactions while in the middle of an epic story. He completely changed the mythology of Thor, and the character’s growth has been astounding. This series kicks off that journey by introducing Gorr, a perfect foil to Thor, who makes him question his very purpose. And Esad Ribic’s art? Wow.