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This article cite : Suicide , abuse , intimate assault , and drug role
WhileMarvelstories are often well - known for being promiscuous - heartedly fantastical , especially compare to other major publishers like DC or Darkhorse , Marvel has released some seriously dark message over the eld . These storey are n’t just for the relative electric shock note value to Marvel ’s superheroics , but mean to crusade readers to an worked up position few cartoon strip like to cross . That say , these morbid tales are especially tough tarradiddle to emotionally handle .
Comic book need a good depressive taradiddle every once in a while . Yes , most Cuban sandwich and villains go through their own tribulations , but we ’re talking about the sincerely revolt story . These Marvel comics transcend traditional tragedyto tell a slap-up account meant to pull readers in . The writers behind these comics want their consultation to deeply sympathise with the plight of these character reference , even if we ca n’t agree with them . It ’s in these story that we come to distinguish with our heroes . However , theseten drab Marvel storylines are specially rugged to get through .
1The Ruins
The Ruins #1-2 (1995) -Written by Warren Ellis; Art by Cliff Nielsen, Terese Nielsen, & Chris Moeller
Starting off this lean , The Ruinsis one of Marvel ’s most emotionally trouble report . Taking place in a bleak alternate existence wheresuperpowered people are cursed with outrageous effect for their powers , no hero is left untouched by the pestiferous nature of this world . The storey is told through the perspective of a newsman who is documenting the chaotic powered world they live in . The Hulk has been mutatedinto a grotesquely decaying living corpse , seeping radioactive pus . Spider - Man slowly becomes a more insect - comparable mutilate mess of disfigured limbs .
The XTC - Men especially sufferin this world . Mutants are rounded up and project into forgotten prison house cells . Some , like Nightcrawler , have even turned to cannibalism to get by . As the newsman continues with their investigation , they too easy succumb to the bleak depravity of this macrocosm . However , this report is n’t just visual shock . As the case endure the satanic landscape , their minds have decayed , leave behind only hollow shells with echoes of their former selves . The Ruinsis a haunting story of emotional , physical , and existential horror unlike any other .
2God Loves, Man Kills
Marvel Graphic Novel #5 (1982) -Written by Chris Claremont; Art by Brent Eric Anderson
One of Marvel ’s more harrowing X - Men narration , this storyanalyzes the abusive and repressive event of religious extremism , bigotry , and persecution of marginalize mathematical group like mutation . The main antagonist of this issue is Reverend William Stryker , a spiritual partisan who believe mutants are a “ curse ” upon society . Calling mutants “ children of Satan , ” Stryker convert his flock that mutantkind is test copy that humanity has strayed from God ’s plan . The overzealous and his forces successfullykidnap Professor Xand contumely his intellect to psychically spread their anti - mutant propaganda to the masses .
After over 60 years of being major column for the X - Men , Marvel is prepare to kill off two mutant heroes who shaped a coevals of mirthful lore .
By the issue ’s destruction , Strykerkidnaps Kitty Pryde , who is still a minor at this time , andplans to execute her on a public stageas his followers rally with thunderous support . Meanwhile , Nightcrawler experience a crisis of faith as he realizes that he and Stryker “ worship ” the same God . As our real existence still struggles with the existential conflict of faith and how it intersects with human right , God Loves , Man Killsis still a sickeningly intimate state of affairs even 40 years later .
3The Red Right Hand
Wolverine #1-14 (2010-2011) -Written by Jason Aaron; Art by Renato Guedes
Starring Wolverine , The Red Right Handstoryline follows the X - Man as his past and frequent fatherlike failures finally catch up to him , succeed by a affection - shattering finale . Before adopting his advanced morals from the X - man , Logan was nothing short of a murderer and pleasure seeker . As he walked the path of heroism , he leave behind a strand of eubstance and undivided mothers . In Daken ’s quest for revenge against his forefather , he partner with a secret organization called the “ Red Right Hand ” , which represent people who have lost lie with 1 toWolverine ’s past rampages .
Meanwhile , Daken has gathered many ofWolverine ’s abandoned childrenand trains them to turn against their long - lose sire . However , neither Wolverine nor his kid knew of the other ’s existence . Logan tracks down the Red Right Hand ’s base and brutally slaughters his children who stand in his fashion . Coated in the blood of his kin , Wolverine move into the cardinal sleeping room of the facility to find all the governing body ’s members numb by suicide . A video then plays , taunting that Logan will never get the satisfaction of killing the leader before reveal thatthe eviscerated corpse in the old room were his fry .
4Immortal Hulk
Immortal Hulk #1-50 (2018-2021) -Written by Al Ewing; Art by Joe Bennett
Immortal Hulkis an unparalleled epic thatexplores the tragedy of childhood ill-treatment and trauma . This 50 - issue masterpiece dives into the fearsome abuse that Bruce Banner faced as a child and his journeying to embrace and run through his dissociative identity operator disorder . Meanwhile , the game is juxtapose against some of the most flesh - twisting prowess Marvel Comics has ever publish . But still , it ’s Bruce ’s exploration of his long - keep down traumatic past , and what that experience mold him into as an grownup , that steal the show with this run .
Immortal Hulkshould be consider a literary epos for what Al Ewing carry out .
DID is rooted in puerility psychic trauma andImmortal Hulkplays none of that for joke or spectacle . Despite the series ’ grievous artistry style , the story is surprisingly human . As Bruce explore his inner mind he is also forced to face his alters ( the Hulks ) and the pain he has put them through by freeze off their very existence . Immortal Hulkshould be considered a literary epic for what Al Ewing accomplished . It is a chronicle thatemphasizes the lifelong pain that childhood hurt createsand the home devastation when a dupe has yet to face the horrors of their yesteryear .
5The Death of Jean DeWolff
The Spectacular Spider-Man #107-110 (1985-1986) -Written by Peter David; Art by Rich Buckler
Despite Spider - Man ’s own saddened yesteryear , the costumed heroSpider - Man will be thereto salve the twenty-four hours . But underneath the mask , Peter Parker is not so infallible . The story begins with the murder of Chief of Police Jean DeWolff , a key friend and staunch athletic supporter of Spider - Man ’s heroic action . DeWolff was a symbol of virtue and justice in her lifetime , dealing a massive snow to Spidey and the NYPD.Spider - Man discovers the perpetrator behind DeWolff ’s death is a villain named Sin - Eater , who believes he is cleansing gild of the unworthy as God ’s employment to make a better universe .
However , Spider - Man learnsthat Sin - Eater ’s identity is closelipped to DeWolff and the NYPD than earlier thought . Throughout the story , Peter ruminate on the value of the justice organisation . Even as a costumed vigilante , Peter has to look at himself and decide whether his work take a shit a dispute . He wrestle with the feeling that justice is onlya momentaneous concept in an remarkably cruel and callous mankind . The Death of Jean DeWolff deconstruct the costume and capes that hide what needs is expose to be nothing short of human nature .
6Punisher MAX: Tiny Ugly World
Punisher MAX: Tiny Ugly World #1 (2010)
diminutive Ugly Worldcenters around a man key out Bobby Boorsteen . Throughout his puerility , Bobby was repeatedly raped by his mother . However , his mother suddenly snap , sickened by herself and her son . As punishment , Bobby ’s female parent shorten her untried son before committing suicide . Of of course , as an adult , Bobby was plagued with unyielding trauma that has gradually eaten at his humanity over time . When Bobbywitnesses the Punisher slaughtera building full of drug dealer , something in him wake and believes that he has the exemption to live unshackled by society just as the Punisher does .
The Frank Castle has gruesomely killed hundreds of people , but no Punisher kill can be more brutal than Wolverine ’s dumb and sore death .
Throughout the narration , we see Bobby go down deeper and deeper into this pit that both his female parent and the Punisher helped him dig . Of of course , we are n’t supposed to agree with anything Bobby does , butwe are conjecture to understand with him . Tiny Ugly Worldis a tale about one break and forgotten man with no power over his own life-time and his exasperatingly heroic battle to pull ahead any sort of restraint . Yet , in the last , Bobby becomes another name onFrank Castle ’s listand is executed .
7Old Man Logan
Wolverine #66-72 (2008-2009);Wolverine: Old Man Logan Giant-Size #1 (2009);Wastelanders: Wolverine #1 (2021)
One of Marvel ’s more well - known grim stories , Old Man Logan begins with bitter cataclysm before unfolding into an entire world of cataclysm and hopelessness . In this reality , the villains have successfully taken over the earthly concern . As Wolverine examine todefend the X - Menfrom intrusion , he inadvertently slaughters them all due to Mysterio ’s tricks . With the blood of his folk on his hand and the universe in confusedness , Logan renounces the name “ Wolverine ” and embarks in ego - exile . Decades later on , Logan has a family and homestead but struggles to pay rent to the Hulk Gang .
He ship on a task with Hawkeye but when he returns home he observe that the Hulks have gotten “ bored ” andtorturously mow down Logan ’s family . Stood over their broken mangled body , the go - Man wave his chela before unleashing a living hell that onlyan sometime and bitter Wolverineis up to of . Despite this tarradiddle mainly being one of revenge , its ending is spunk - shatteringly bittersweet . This is a news report of grueling endurance in the font of a world that wish nothing more than to break its habitant and the glimpses of hope that shine underneath .
8Ultimatum
Ultimatum #1-5 (2008-2009) -Written by Jeph Loeb; Art by David Finch
Ultimatum is by far the X - Men ’s most controversial storyline . Set in the original Ultimate universe , Ultimatumsees a variation of the macrocosm late overcome by calamity . Inone of Magneto ’s game , he manipulated the Earth ’s charismatic force field to melt the icecaps , lead in monumental tidal waves across the globe . Millions die due to his activeness include many of Ultimate Marvel ’s heroes . Magneto has plunged the world into this apocalyptic convulsion to reject humanity . Ultimatumis nothing short of pure nihilistic delusion .
Rereading the story calls for a depressive new signification once you understand why everything in this public became so on the spur of the moment tragic .
The remaining heroes are overwrought over the death of their loved ones . Soon their grief turns into depravity as reader are made to prevail seeing these pinnacles of justice devolve into purposeless monsters of pure distress . But despite the controversy of the story ’s plot , the divine guidance behind author Jeff Loeb ’s decisiveness is execrable . Having antecedently lost a minor , many of Loeb ’s works reflected his excited state at the fourth dimension . Rereading the story call for a depressive new substance once you actualise why everything in this human beings became so suddenly tragical .
9Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil #227-231 (1985-1986) -Written by Frank Miller; Art by David Mazzucchelli
confessedly , Daredevil : turn out Againis one of the more emotionally tax stories on this list . Long - time ally and former love interest to Daredevil , Karen Page , has of late fallen intoa toxic bicycle of drug addiction that has ravaged her lifeentirely . pageboy was well - loved both on and off the page , so her straiten new biography is a especially grueling blow . Karen eventuallysells Daredevil ’s identityto the Kingpin in exchange for drugs , completely obliterate Matt ’s life . Murdock has been strip of everything , leave him wandering the street of Hell ’s Kitchen in a hopeless daze .
Meanwhile , Karen , now a despairing victim of drug addiction , becomes the target of an character assassination plot meant to drive Matt out . After Mysterio infects Page with HIV , she and Matt at long last reunify but the two areintercepted by Bullseye . In a climactic last battle , Karen sacrifices her own life to save Daredevil , redeeming herself at the foot of a cross as Matt holds his love life ’s body close to his . In her last months of life , Karen experienced nothing but excruciation and shameas she distanced herself aside from booster , ultimately destroying both her and Matt ’s live in the appendage .
10The Punisher: Born
Born #1-4 (2003)- Written by Garth Ennis; Art by Darick Robertson
accept blank space before Frank Castle adoptedthe Punisher sobriquet , Punisher : Bornfollows Castle in the final days of his military service in Vietnam . While he first seems like any other soldier , as the series advance , it becomes readable how far separate from morality Frank Castle really is . While his allies are both physically and existentially exhausted , snap off from the senseless violence of the Vietnam War , Frank Castle is in his element . He ’s delirious to mop down wave after undulation of Vietnamese soldiers , reveling in the slaughter .
Ger Fury # 6 reveals how Nick Fury was responsible for Frank Castle ’s transformation into the Punisher , in one of Marvel ’s darkest tales yet …
As the series progresses , Castle feel this itching in the back of his pass ; a voice urging him to give in to his carnal desire . As the fruition that Castle and his soldiers were push and dying in a senseless war , Frank turns against primal bid , turning his most loyal grunts against their official leadership . Yet , in the remainder , all that surrounds Frank Castleis gore and death and his soldiers and the Vietcong lay waste to one another in a fiery hellscape of bullets and dud . As dawn approaches , Castle is left alone in a sea of dead bodies , drench in the innards of his comrades and enemiesand his font twist around in both injury and craze .
