To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Screen Rant, the site’s comic team has gathered to debate and decide upon the biggest, most shocking, most unforgettable, and most impactful news stories and bombshells dropped on comic fans from 2003 up to the modern day.
While the fan communities on the front lines of these stories, changes, twists, and reboots may not agree on them all (or whether they would wish them repeated), there is no denying their place in comic history. The last 20 years of comics have seen dramatic ups and downs, predictions of an industry collapse, to historic years of comic book sales, impact, accolades, and blockbuster adaptations. It’s impossible to name every meaningful event across two decades, or expect any to be universally beloved. But in a span of time that changed the place of ‘comic books’ in modern society, here is Screen Rant’s list of the biggest comic book stories of the last 20 years that helped to achieve it.
20 The Resurrection of Jason Todd as Red Hood
Batman #638 (2005) by Judd Winick, Dough Mahnke, Tom Nguyen, Alex Sinclair & Pat Brosseau
It began as a famous bit of comic book law: while stories and changes may come and go, some chapters of comic history are not to be changed. And the death of Jason Todd, Batman’s second Robin, was at the top of the list. But when Bruce Wayne’s infamous rival Hush sought to unravel the Bat like never before, he donned a dastardly disguise, suggesting Jason Todd had actually survived his death at Joker’s hands. Failed and forgotten, Jason had grown disillusioned and returned to Gotham for revenge. Again, ultimately a deception… but so explosive an idea, the company made it a reality just a few years later.
The circumstances that explained the ‘how’ of Jason Todd’s return weren’t the point, as the mystery of the man beneath the Red Hood grew with each Gotham gangster he challenged. One being the Joker himself, who received a brutally reminsiscent attack with a crowbar in the final pages of Batman #638, before the Red Hood revealed his true identity. Seeing Jason Todd alive, an adult, and exacting revenge sent Batman fans into a frenzy, with a cardinal rule of comics seemingly shattered. But Jason Todd provided a new weak spot for Bruce, and an attitude missing from the Bat family. Even if Jason’s path was far from straight in the ensuing years, DC never looked back.
19 Bucky Barnes Returns as The Winter Soldier
Captain America #6 (2005) by Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting & Frank D’Armata
As a fellow fallen sidekick (deemed untouchable), the death of Bucky Barnes, sidekick to Captain America, was one of comics’ most iconic and meaningful. Having been canonically killed in the same attack that sent Steve Rogers falling into the icy ocean waters that would freeze him to the modern day, Bucky embodied the loss of the world, the war, and the optimism which spawned Captain America. Which made his resurrection and manipulation into a Soviet assassin (a story now made famous in the MCU) too good a story to pass up.
The shocking rewrite to Marvel history came courtesy of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting in 2005, when a faceless assassin finally crossed paths with someone who recognized him as Bucky (or someone with more than a passing resemblance). The resurrection was a bombshell, even before the artifical arm, black ops brainwashing, and cryogenic freezing explained Bucky’s travel to modern day. In the end, the unthinkable twist was handled so brilliantly fans were willing to get on board. Not only with Bucky’s return to current canon, but even taking up the shield, costume, and name of Captain America in the years to come.
18 Scarlet Witch Erases Mutants With A Single Spell
House of M #7 (2005) by Brian Michael Bendis, Olivier Coipel, Tim Townsend & Frank D’Armata
The super-teams of the Marvel Universe have gone to war multiple times, with political and personal issues turning Avengers, X-Men, Inhumans, and more from allies to enemies. But in the entire history of Marvel’s factions, no villain could ever claim to have rewritten reality as drastically, as villainously, and as instantly as Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. She had her reasons, but with the uttering of a single sentence, mutants were all but wiped from existence. “No more mutants.”
The story began with mutant victory in House of M, as power dynamics of mutants and humans flipped, making the outcasts now the ruling population (a massive event in itself). But when the emotional torment at play in the Maximoff family was exposed, Wanda’s creation of an imagined mutant paradise became a tragic attack. Stripping mutants of their innate powers and reducing a people of one million to hundreds, Wanda’s words would shape the world for years. Even long after her own mutant nature was retconned out of continuity.
17 Wonder Woman Kills Maxwell Lord
Wonder Woman #219 (2005) by Greg Rucka, Rags Morales & Mark Propst
The time surrounding DC’s Infinite Crisis was a difficult one for any hero aiming to be purely ‘good,’ as multiple conspiracies and subplots paved the way for the company’s next major event. A point made perfectly clear with the image of Wonder Woman, the embodiment of superhuman empathy, justice, and compassion, snapping a man’s neck with a glare cold enough to freeze the dark knight himself. It happened, and without any mind control, battle haze, or imminent danger to let Diana off the hook.
The circumstances behind the scene did offer support for Wonder Woman’s decision, should fans have needed it. Lord had previously shocked DC readers by executing Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle, in even colder fashion. With Superman under his mental control, Maxwell Lord promised (while ensnared by the Lasso of Truth) that he would never stop, sending the Man of Steel to kill Lois Lane, Batman, or another innocent the next chance he got. Believing him, Wonder Woman agreed to solve a threat the only way possible. Wonder Woman would soon withdraw from her role, but this shocking twist sent a clear message: the ever-heightening tension in DC’s Universe needed a Crisis to reset the board, and the ensuing years did exactly that.
16 The Return of Barry Allen (Paving The Way for Rebirth)
Infinite Crisis #4 (2006) by Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, George Perez & Ivan Reis
The Infinite Crisis event had surprises and historic moments in every issue, but the Flashes’ combined effort to trap a raging Superboy-Prime inside the Speed Force provided one of the most shocking, and most fortunate twists of the decade. Over twenty years after Barry Allen’s soul was lost to the Speed Force in the prior Crisis, he returned, reaching back into the world to help his family defeat the threat of a new one. More importantly, showing his nephew Wally and grandson Bart that they could follow him through. And in the next issue, find their way back out.
While prior ‘returns’ of Barry Allen usually had time-manipulation to thank, this scene suggested something new: the door to the Speed Force could be opened, and speedsters thought lost were still alive on the other side. Flash fans would need to wait a bit longer for Geoff Johns to fully deliver on that promise, but had been given a clear glimpse of the return, redemption, and reunions Johns had planned for the entire Flash family in the next era of DC Comics.
15 The Death of Captain America Ends Marvel’s ‘Civil War’
Captain America #25 (2007) by Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting, Frank D’Armata & Joe Caramagna
When Civil War reached its dramatic conclusion, few had predicted Captain America would be so completely on the losing end (having won “everything but the argument”). But the true price of the conflict between the Avengers’ leading men was much, much higher. With Steve cuffed, vulnerable, and ready to face his crimes against his country, the unthinkable happened. Sniper shots rang out, leaving the superhero dying from a gunshot wound on the courthouse steps. Even with warning that “The Death of the Dream” issue would shock readers, the world was faced with a step few believed Marvel would truly take.
The shocking death of Steve Rogers set events in motion that would reshape the Captain America corner of Marvel for years to come, most notably inviting Bucky to claim the shield and title as Steve’s successor. With Tony Stark in desperate need of image repair, a manhunt to find Cap’s killer and a pardon for Steve’s offenses made strides. And while the true identity of Captain America’s assassin, like the true nature of Steve’s ‘death’ would deliver further twists, the Marvel Universe’s response to their Fallen Son made the death count (a true challenge in any era of comic books).
14 Spider-Man Erases His Own Life in ‘One More Day’ Retcon
Amazing Spider-Man #545 (2007) by J. Michael Straczynski, Joe Quesada, Danny Miki, Richard Isanove, Dean White & Chris Eliopoulos
Caught in the middle of the world-shaking political battle between Captain America and Iron Man, Peter Parker made the shocking decision to reveal his identity to the world in Civil War #2 (2006) by Mark Millar & Steve McNiven. Predictably, villains came for the ones he loved and left Aunt May clinging to life, sending Peter in pursuit of any means to make things right. Mephisto showing up to make a deal with a desperate hero was no surprise, but nobody could have guessed how drastic a change the Marvel Comics leadership was about to make. Mephisto’s request was clear: he would reverse Peter’s reveal and spare May’s life, but he would rewrite Spider-Man’s role in comic history to do it.
While it would take years for the truth to fully come out, the company’s top creatives felt Peter Parker was growing up too fast. Or, more accurately, growing too far away from the teenage hero fans first fell in love with. Erasing his history and marriage to Mary Jane (along with any future children readers had already met), and effectively ‘rebooting’ his canon was obviously a drastic solution, making it the most despised story in Spider-Man comic history for wide swaths of Marvel fandom. Even if it’s doomed to be hated (and Peter is forbidden from growing up), there’s no arguing its place as one of the most influential decisions in comic history.
13 The New 52 Reboots DC’s Entire Universe
DC Comics launches an entire new line of first issues on Aug. 31, 2011
There is only so much attention that a new #1 on the comic stands can provide, but a company-wide reboot of entire comic continuity doesn’t happen every day. So when DC Comics unveiled their intentions with ‘The New 52,’ it was obvious that ambition, change, and controversy were all being embraced. How else do you get Clark Kent in a Superman t-shirt, Batgirl out of a wheelchair, and Wonder Woman in pants? Little did fans know just how extensively their favorite heroes and villains would be altered, some permanently, making ‘New 52’ one of the most charged labels in comic book history.
The misses may be the easiest to remember, but there is no question The New 52 told some incredible stories, as well. The publisher would eventually reconsider their gamble at reinventing almost everything fans knew and loved about DC’s characters, but for those reading comics when The New 52 arrived, every new issue promised bombshells, shocks, and debates unlikely to ever be repeated (on purpose, anyway).
12 Miles Morales is The New Spider-Man, Replacing Peter Parker
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #1 (2011) by Brian Michael Bendis, Sara Pichelli & Justin Ponsor
Thanks to multiple movie and video game adaptations, every fan of Spider-Man knows the name ‘Miles Morales.’ But when the successor to the spider-title made his debut in Marvel Comics, he did so without a name, or even a suit of his own. And following hot on the heels of the death of Peter Parker, it fell to Miles to lead a new relaunch of the wildly successful Ultimate Universe, beginning with his first appearance in Ultimate Fallout #4 (2011).
Those stakes could break even promising new heroes, so his continued success is a credit to Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli’s work introducing Miles in his own series as the ‘all-new Ultimate Spider-Man.’ Capturing everything fans loved about Peter, but reinvented for a brand new era, Miles’ success was too strong for even Marvel’s Multiverse to contend with. When Secret Wars saw the death of the Ultimate Universe in 2016, Miles was one of only a handful of characters to be folded into Marvel’s main 616 continuity. Allowing Miles to earn his place as Spider-Man alongside Peter Parker, not just part of the original’s legacy.
11 Jane Foster Claims Mjolnir as The New ‘Mighty Thor’
Thor #8 (2015) by Jason Aaron, Russell Dauterman, Matthew Wilson & Joe Sabino
In a comic twist heard throughout the entire industry, and following Thor becoming unworthy of Mjolnir in the Original Sin event, the God of Thunder had no choice but to leave his hammer on the surface of the Moon. Believing he would need to reclaim it, the final page of Thor #1 showed an unknown woman approach Mjolnir while uttering, “There must always be a Thor.” Lifting the hammer and proving herself worthy, the woman was imbued with the power and costume of Thor, a brand new Goddess of Thunder. But nobody had any clue who that woman actually was.
The mystery would continue for several issues, before it was revealed that Mjolnir had called to Jane Foster, longtime paramour of Thor Odinson. More importantly, Jane Foster was in treatment for terminal cancer, and her ascension to godhood was slowly sealing her fate. The identity reveal was only the first jaw-dropping moment in Jane’s approaching epic, leaving her as not only the greatest Thor to have claimed the title, but the most likely to provide backup, should Thor need it in future fights.
10 Secret Wars Brings An End To The Entire Marvel Universe
Secret Wars #9 (2016) by Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribić, Ive Svorcina & Clayton Cowles
Where the initial Secret Wars event in 1984 saw the alien Beyonder thrust Marvel characters into battle against one another, the follow-up 2015 event sought to reshape the entire Marvel Multiverse. With not one Beyonder, but a collection of his race seeking to collapse the entire multiverse one Earth at a time, beginning with a fatal collision between Marvel’s main Earth-616 and that of the Ultimate Universe. And just as in the original event, Doctor Doom steps up to make sure no multiversal chaos is missed as an opportunity to ascend to godhood.
The event and its many tie-ins and story threads weave a complex web, eventually reaching a crescendo that sees the entire Marvel Multiverse crumble… leaving Reed Richards and his family to pick up the pieces, sending the Fantastic Four out of reality (allegedly motivated by film rights between Marvel and 20th Century Fox). The family’s actual mission in restoring the Multiverse would take years to be fully explained, but the launch of the new reality post-Secret Wars is as close to a Crisis-style universe reboot as Marvel has ever seen.
9 Captain America Drops His “Hail Hydra” Bombshell
Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 (2016) by Nick Spencer, Jesus Saiz, & Joe Caramagna
When Marvel decided on the most explosive way to launch a new Captain America comic series, they swung for the fences. Not only would Steve betray his close friend and ally Jack Flag by throwing him out of an airplane, but he would follow it up with the two words no Marvel fan would ever believe possible: “Hail Hydra.” Within hours of the bombshell being released upon the world, it had more memes than could be counted, and more detractors and enraged fans than was thought possible beforehand.
In a rare exception to standard comic book practices, the story that came after to explain ‘what Cap really meant’ pushed the controversy even farther. With each new step into villainy, fascism, tyranny, and more than one misdirection or outright deception of readers, the debate around Secret Empire rose in temperature. But no matter how readers felt, or how the series is remembered, the incredible moment that kicked it all off remains untouched. Hard as it may be to believe, Captain America’s “Hail Hydra” actually was as world-shattering a reveal as it claimed.
8 The DC Universe Gets A Mysterious Rebirth (by Doctor Manhattan)
DC Universe: Rebirth #1 (2016) by Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Ethan Van Sciver, Jason Wright, Brad Anderson & Nick J. Napolitano
Given all the issues created by The New 52’s rebooting and reimagining, the comic world was ready when Geoff Johns promised a new status quo, and a return to the history DC fans missed with DC Universe: Rebirth. While Rebirth would ultimately encapsulate a company-wide reboot to recapture the core of DC’s many properties, it all began with a single issue, penned by Johns himself, with an all-star collection of artists. Even with hype at its height, the issue knocked fans out of their seats. Not only was Wally West restored to the main DC Universe (having been replaced by a different ‘Kid Flash’ in the previous reboot), but he arrived seemingly aware that The New 52 continuity was wrong, and had been intentionally broken.
The meta commentary was unheard of, but the issue wasn’t done yet. With fans scrambling to imagine what otherworldly hand could have redrawn DC’s Universe, the final page threw the iconic smiley face button of Watchmen‘s Comedian into the Batcave, sending readers spinning. The idea that the acclaimed alternate reality of Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins was being merged with DC’s main universe was hard to fathom, let alone prepare for. But the ensuing months and years confirmed it, coming to a head with Doomsday Clock, and saddling Doctor Manhattan with (most of) the previous reboot’s misfortunes.
7 Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy Are Officially A Couple
Harley Quinn #25 (2017) by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Chad Hardin, Alex Sinclair & Corey Breen
It’s impossible to pinpoint the moment romance first began between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, but it’s safe to say DC Comics editorial were among the last to realize, let alone confirm, the pair’s connection. Creators soon took it upon themselves to explore the romance beyond winks and nods, depicting overt kisses in the alternate-universe Bombshells, and even confirming Harley and Ivy’s wedding in the Injustice reality. But it was Harley Quinn #25 that brought the most-official-yet-unofficial romance into DC’s main continuity, when Ivy gave Harley a birthday gift only she could:
The passionate embrace and kiss left little to the imagination, and regardless of what DC might argue Ivy’s suggestive “present” could actually be, it seemed a barrier had been broken. Future comics taking place outside of DC’s main universe would continue to explore Harley and Ivy’s romance, growing more and more explicit in depicting arguably the most high-profile same-sex relationship in all of comics. But when DC playfully confirmed the queer love story via Twitter, the issue’s artist Chad Hardin revealed the original artwork’s locked lips had been edited, this comic kiss cemented its place in the history books.
6 Heroes in Crisis Unleashes A New Kind of Event
Heroes in Crisis #1 (2018) by Tom King, Clay Mann, Tomeu Morey & Clayton Cowles
From the first details, writer Tom King promised to explore a different kind of threat, catastrophe, and ‘villain’ with Heroes in Crisis than any previous event to use the ‘crisis’ label. It began with the creation of Sanctuary, a facility intended to help superheroes in need of psychiatric counseling, or treatment, if needed. A secret place where invincible beings can be vulnerable, sharing their fears, anxieties, and darkest thoughts. Which made it even more disturbing when Sanctuary became the first place in DC history to fall victim to a mass killing, leaving the entire hero community stunned in the aftermath.
The blunt delivery of the event’s opening tragedy confirmed Heroes in Crisis would pull no punches, following DC’s Trinity as they arrived too late, only able to survey the lost lives. Wally West and Roy Harper were the most notable among the dead, but their place among dozens gave the stronger impression. The event spun a mystery built on a beloved hero breaking character, inviting the criticism such a story must. But for the impact, the story it promised, and the placement of mental health alongside costumed superheroes, Heroes in Crisis is simply unforgettable.
5 The Arrival of Knull, Marvel’s Symbiote ‘King in Black’
Venom #3 (2018) by Donny Cates, Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer, Frank Martin & Clayton Cowles
The instant-classic run of Cates and Stegman’s Venom is filled with unforgettable arcs and battles, but the team earned their place in Marvel history due to the symbiote history and lore crafted along the way. Neither Eddie Brock nor readers knew what to make of the strange voice terrifying the Venom symbiote to its core, or exerting control over Eddie through it. But even if they theorized, the answer would never have dreamed of a being like Knull, the creator and god of the symbiotes. The King in Black.
From the moment a projection of Knull stepped onto the pages of Venom #3, it was clear the Marvel Universe would never be the same. Further issues confirmed that impression, revealing Knull to have been among the first (if not the first) beings in existence, sole inhabitant of the void, who formed the living darkness into a weapon. The All-Black sword was forged to slay any other god, and the symbiotes soon followed, all enslaved to Knull’s will. Rewriting all symbiote lore into one grand myth would have seemed impossible, or even unnecessary. Thankfully, the Venom team had bigger ideas.
4 The Death of Alfred Pennyworth Shocks Batman Fandom
Batman #77 (2019) by Tom King, Mikel Janin, Tony S. Daniel, Norm Rapmund, Jordie Bellaire & Clayton Cowles
When breaking Batman’s back failed to defeat him for good, Bane decided to create an even more devastating plan, unleashed as part of Tom King and Mikel Janin’s “City of Bane” story arc. Taking hold of Gotham City piece by piece, Bane issues the Bat Family one warning: if one of them attempts to infiltrate Gotham, Alfred Pennyworth dies. It is (of course) Damian Wayne who defies the risks, believing Alfred to have escaped to safety. But when he is caught and defeated, Damian, like readers around the world, awakes to a nightmare: the death of Alfred Pennyworth.
While the death itself is confined to a single panel in a single page, Bane snapping his neck to teach Damian a lesson and stay true to his word, nothing could soften the blow for Batman fans. The following issues would follow through on the loss, honoring Alfred’s legacy, even giving him a last message to Bruce. It may have been the one sacrifice no comic fan ever wanted to witness, but the creative team made it matter, as only Alfred could.
3 The Birth of Krakoa Gives Mutants A New Nation
House of X #1 (2019) by Jonathan Hickman & Pepe Larraz
The excitement couldn’t have been higher when Jonathan Hickman pitched his upcoming relaunch of the X-Men universe, promising a dramatic change in status quo with the twin tales of House of X and Powers of X. When the first issue arrived, the reasons were clear: mutants had created a new island nation, unlocked world-changing technology, and conquered death itself. The creation of Krakoa represented the biggest change to mutants’ present and future ever established in a single issue, with the entirety of Marvel’s Universe promised to react to this colossal shift.
It’s Magneto who put the true impact of House of X into no uncertain terms, acting as Krakoa’s ambassador to human nations. Explaining that the new Krakoa is both a physical place and a symbolic idea, but one which will remain inaccessible to human beings. Effectively relegating their former enemies to ‘mere mortals’ with the promise that “You have new gods now,” the stage was set for mutants to be redefined. The stories that followed did just that, but the shot fired across the bow of Marvel Comics in its debut issue remains as shocking today.
2 The Walking Dead Ends The Last Way Anybody Ever Expected
The Walking Dead #193 (2019) by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn
There are a handful of comic book tricks or surprises that stand out above all others, and The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman succeeded in pulling off one of the best ever. After leading readers on torturous tales of suspense, surprise deaths, shocking plot twists, and the looming threat of tragedy or horror, The Walking Dead #193 ended the series… without letting anybody know ahead of time. Kirkman’s own essay at the end of the issue said it best: “This is the end of THE WALKING DEAD. That’s it… it’s over… we’re done.”
Kirkman explains in the issue’s closing essay that the decision came for the right reasons, making good on a promise to end the story when it should end. But the most shocking surprise wasn’t just The Walking Dead‘s ending, it was the delivery of a happy one. Jumping decades into the future (a surprise Kirkman took pains to keep secret), the story follows Carl in a world without undead threats, living happily with his wife Sophia, and daughter Andrea. With the preceding story of his father Rick now a piece of history, the series saved its biggest surprise, and its best, for last.
1 The New Superman is Here, and He’s Bisexual
Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 (2021) by Tom Taylor, John Timms, Gabe Eltaeb & Dave Sharpe
The departure of Kal-El and the crowing of his son Jon Kent as the new Superman was guaranteed to grab headlines on its own (even before Tom Taylor revealed his full plans for the super-son). But DC made history of an entirely different sort with the announcement that Jon’s new friend, Jay Nakamura, would soon grow to be much more. Elevating from friendship to romance, Superman’s historic same-sex kiss arrived in the pages of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5, giving the world its most high-profile LGBTQ+ superhero character to date.
Jon Kent’s subsequent ‘coming out’ to both his parents and the world took place alongside that of Tim Drake’s first same-sex romance, as part of a much larger initiative to elevate both existing and new LGBTQ+ characters from DC’s Universe. With spotlighting of queer characters and creators gaining steam, and rising sales in response, the legacy of Jon Kent, Tim Drake, and countless other DC characters is guaranteed to grow in the coming years.
