Top 10 Storylines that Changed the Marvel Universe

change is inevitable welcome to

change is inevitable welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten

down our picks for the top ten

down our picks for the top ten storylines that changed the Marvel

storylines that changed the Marvel

storylines that changed the Marvel Universe who’s putting coffee grounds in

Universe who’s putting coffee grounds in

Universe who’s putting coffee grounds in the disposal before we begin we publish

the disposal before we begin we publish

the disposal before we begin we publish new videos every day so be sure to

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subscribe for more great content for this list we’re looking at the stories

this list we’re looking at the stories

this list we’re looking at the stories that have the biggest effect on the

that have the biggest effect on the

that have the biggest effect on the course of the Marvel Universe whether

course of the Marvel Universe whether

course of the Marvel Universe whether they involved reshuffling teams killing

they involved reshuffling teams killing

they involved reshuffling teams killing and/or reviving characters or entirely

and/or reviving characters or entirely

and/or reviving characters or entirely rewriting the fabric of the universe

rewriting the fabric of the universe

rewriting the fabric of the universe you’ll see it here number 10 the

you’ll see it here number 10 the

you’ll see it here number 10 the Galactus trilogy the first entry on our

Galactus trilogy the first entry on our

Galactus trilogy the first entry on our list is also the oldest created by

list is also the oldest created by

list is also the oldest created by arguably the greatest duo in the history

arguably the greatest duo in the history

arguably the greatest duo in the history of Marvel Comics Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

of Marvel Comics Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

of Marvel Comics Stan Lee and Jack Kirby this story introduces an entirely new

this story introduces an entirely new

this story introduces an entirely new kind of villain a foe who would become a

kind of villain a foe who would become a

kind of villain a foe who would become a quintessential antagonist in the Marvel

quintessential antagonist in the Marvel

quintessential antagonist in the Marvel Universe Galactus devourer of worlds

Universe Galactus devourer of worlds

Universe Galactus devourer of worlds unlike the mad scientists seeking world

unlike the mad scientists seeking world

unlike the mad scientists seeking world domination that were the norm in comics

domination that were the norm in comics

domination that were the norm in comics at the time Galactus was a god-like

at the time Galactus was a god-like

at the time Galactus was a god-like entity that regularly consumed entire

entity that regularly consumed entire

entity that regularly consumed entire planets in fact Lee and Kirby have

planets in fact Lee and Kirby have

planets in fact Lee and Kirby have spoken about their biblical inspirations

spoken about their biblical inspirations

spoken about their biblical inspirations for both Galactus and his Herald the

for both Galactus and his Herald the

for both Galactus and his Herald the Silver Surfer who was also introduced in

Silver Surfer who was also introduced in

Silver Surfer who was also introduced in the story number nine Avengers vs. x-men

the story number nine Avengers vs. x-men

the story number nine Avengers vs. x-men while these two teams have

while these two teams have

while these two teams have metaphorically battled for the spot of

metaphorically battled for the spot of

metaphorically battled for the spot of most important Marvel team for quite

most important Marvel team for quite

most important Marvel team for quite some time it became a literal fight in

some time it became a literal fight in

some time it became a literal fight in this epic crossover event the story

this epic crossover event the story

this epic crossover event the story centers on the return of the Phoenix

centers on the return of the Phoenix

centers on the return of the Phoenix force and features almost every major

force and features almost every major

force and features almost every major Marvel hero in some capacity after a lot

Marvel hero in some capacity after a lot

Marvel hero in some capacity after a lot of battles and crazy turns including the

of battles and crazy turns including the

of battles and crazy turns including the death of Charles Xavier at the hands of

death of Charles Xavier at the hands of

death of Charles Xavier at the hands of a Phoenix possessed Cyclops

a Phoenix possessed Cyclops

a Phoenix possessed Cyclops both teams are disbanded and reformed

both teams are disbanded and reformed

both teams are disbanded and reformed into a new Avengers team kicking off the

into a new Avengers team kicking off the

into a new Avengers team kicking off the Marvel now imprint number 8 the death of

Marvel now imprint number 8 the death of

Marvel now imprint number 8 the death of Captain Marvel it shouldn’t be a

Captain Marvel it shouldn’t be a

Captain Marvel it shouldn’t be a surprise that this story which

surprise that this story which

surprise that this story which chronicled the death of the character

chronicled the death of the character

chronicled the death of the character that shared the name of the company had

that shared the name of the company had

that shared the name of the company had a large impact notably this was also

a large impact notably this was also

a large impact notably this was also Marvel’s first graphic novel something

Marvel’s first graphic novel something

Marvel’s first graphic novel something that’s become common in recent years the

that’s become common in recent years the

that’s become common in recent years the story followed the last days of the

story followed the last days of the

story followed the last days of the shape-shifting alien marvel

shape-shifting alien marvel

shape-shifting alien marvel originally sent to earth as a spy but

originally sent to earth as a spy but

originally sent to earth as a spy but who went on to become a defender of

who went on to become a defender of

who went on to become a defender of humanity his death was one of the most

humanity his death was one of the most

humanity his death was one of the most meaningful in comic book history in

meaningful in comic book history in

meaningful in comic book history in large part because it wasn’t in a battle

large part because it wasn’t in a battle

large part because it wasn’t in a battle against a super villain but from cancer

against a super villain but from cancer

against a super villain but from cancer surrounded by fellow heroes and all too

surrounded by fellow heroes and all too

surrounded by fellow heroes and all too real climax number seven annihilation

real climax number seven annihilation

real climax number seven annihilation conquest while we could have also

conquest while we could have also

conquest while we could have also featured the first annihilation arc

featured the first annihilation arc

featured the first annihilation arc which jump-started the return of

which jump-started the return of

which jump-started the return of Marvel’s cosmic characters it was the

Marvel’s cosmic characters it was the

Marvel’s cosmic characters it was the sequel conquest that further established

sequel conquest that further established

sequel conquest that further established their significance to the Marvel

their significance to the Marvel

their significance to the Marvel Universe the arc featured a villainous

Universe the arc featured a villainous

Universe the arc featured a villainous cybernetic species known as the Phalanx

cybernetic species known as the Phalanx

cybernetic species known as the Phalanx and their attempt to lay waste to the

and their attempt to lay waste to the

and their attempt to lay waste to the galaxy now under the leadership of the

galaxy now under the leadership of the

galaxy now under the leadership of the super villain Ultron

super villain Ultron

super villain Ultron the Phalanx attack a weakened Kree

the Phalanx attack a weakened Kree

the Phalanx attack a weakened Kree Empire but a number of heroes from

Empire but a number of heroes from

Empire but a number of heroes from across the galaxy including Nova Adam

across the galaxy including Nova Adam

across the galaxy including Nova Adam warlock

warlock

warlock star-lord Groot Gamora and many others

star-lord Groot Gamora and many others

star-lord Groot Gamora and many others team up to defeat the powerful threat

team up to defeat the powerful threat

team up to defeat the powerful threat what’s more after the defeat of Ultron

what’s more after the defeat of Ultron

what’s more after the defeat of Ultron and fellings

and fellings

and fellings a number of the heroes involved would go

a number of the heroes involved would go

a number of the heroes involved would go on to form the new guardians of the

on to form the new guardians of the

on to form the new guardians of the galaxy number 6 the Dark Phoenix saga

galaxy number 6 the Dark Phoenix saga

galaxy number 6 the Dark Phoenix saga [Music]

one could pretty much divide the history

one could pretty much divide the history of the x-men and by extension the Marvel

of the x-men and by extension the Marvel

of the x-men and by extension the Marvel Universe in general into the time before

Universe in general into the time before

Universe in general into the time before and after the Dark Phoenix saga as

and after the Dark Phoenix saga as

and after the Dark Phoenix saga as nothing has been the same for the team

nothing has been the same for the team

nothing has been the same for the team since when Jean Grey becomes possessed

since when Jean Grey becomes possessed

since when Jean Grey becomes possessed by the cosmic entity known as the

by the cosmic entity known as the

by the cosmic entity known as the Phoenix force

Phoenix force

Phoenix force it’s overcome by human emotions for the

it’s overcome by human emotions for the

it’s overcome by human emotions for the first time and destroys a star killing

first time and destroys a star killing

first time and destroys a star killing billions hunted by forces around the

billions hunted by forces around the

billions hunted by forces around the galaxy the x-men are eventually forced

galaxy the x-men are eventually forced

galaxy the x-men are eventually forced to do battle with one of their own as

to do battle with one of their own as

to do battle with one of their own as you can imagine since then the Phoenix

you can imagine since then the Phoenix

you can imagine since then the Phoenix force has become one of the most

force has become one of the most

force has become one of the most important enduring and complex

important enduring and complex

important enduring and complex antagonists in the Marvel Universe

antagonists in the Marvel Universe

antagonists in the Marvel Universe number five the Infinity Gauntlet it’s

number five the Infinity Gauntlet it’s

number five the Infinity Gauntlet it’s no wonder that Marvel has been using

no wonder that Marvel has been using

no wonder that Marvel has been using this storyline as an inspiration for the

this storyline as an inspiration for the

this storyline as an inspiration for the overarching plot of the Marvel Cinematic

overarching plot of the Marvel Cinematic

overarching plot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe like the film’s the plot

Universe like the film’s the plot

Universe like the film’s the plot revolves around the mad Titan Thanos

revolves around the mad Titan Thanos

revolves around the mad Titan Thanos collecting the infinity gems for the

collecting the infinity gems for the

collecting the infinity gems for the Ark’s titular gauntlet which he used to

Ark’s titular gauntlet which he used to

Ark’s titular gauntlet which he used to literally court death with a snap of his

literally court death with a snap of his

literally court death with a snap of his fingers half of the sentient life in the

fingers half of the sentient life in the

fingers half of the sentient life in the universe was killed and he imprisoned

universe was killed and he imprisoned

universe was killed and he imprisoned many of the most powerful beings in the

many of the most powerful beings in the

many of the most powerful beings in the universe including our old pal Galactus

universe including our old pal Galactus

universe including our old pal Galactus while things were eventually set right

while things were eventually set right

while things were eventually set right the ripples of this calamity went on to

the ripples of this calamity went on to

the ripples of this calamity went on to affect the Marvel Universe for years

affect the Marvel Universe for years

affect the Marvel Universe for years with a number of sequels and spin-offs

with a number of sequels and spin-offs

with a number of sequels and spin-offs branching off from the story number four

branching off from the story number four

branching off from the story number four Age of Apocalypse when Professor Xavier

Age of Apocalypse when Professor Xavier

Age of Apocalypse when Professor Xavier Sun Legion travels back in time to kill

Sun Legion travels back in time to kill

Sun Legion travels back in time to kill magneto but accidentally ends up killing

magneto but accidentally ends up killing

magneto but accidentally ends up killing his own father it sets off a chain of

his own father it sets off a chain of

his own father it sets off a chain of events that culminate with the most

events that culminate with the most

events that culminate with the most ancient and powerful of mutants

ancient and powerful of mutants

ancient and powerful of mutants apocalypse taking over the world the

apocalypse taking over the world the

apocalypse taking over the world the dark alternate future under the

dark alternate future under the

dark alternate future under the tyrannical apocalypse saw a number of

tyrannical apocalypse saw a number of

tyrannical apocalypse saw a number of prominent x-men dead with the survivors

prominent x-men dead with the survivors

prominent x-men dead with the survivors in drastically different roles including

in drastically different roles including

in drastically different roles including an x-men team led by magneto and a

an x-men team led by magneto and a

an x-men team led by magneto and a one-eyed evil Cyclops while the

one-eyed evil Cyclops while the

one-eyed evil Cyclops while the time-traveling Bishop was eventually

time-traveling Bishop was eventually

time-traveling Bishop was eventually able to put things back in order the Age

able to put things back in order the Age

able to put things back in order the Age of Apocalypse remained as an alternate

of Apocalypse remained as an alternate

of Apocalypse remained as an alternate universe with lasting effects on the

universe with lasting effects on the

universe with lasting effects on the main Marvel continuity number three

main Marvel continuity number three

main Marvel continuity number three House of M

House of M

House of M this arc saw a mentally broken Scarlet

this arc saw a mentally broken Scarlet

this arc saw a mentally broken Scarlet Witch changed the very fabric of reality

Witch changed the very fabric of reality

Witch changed the very fabric of reality itself

itself

itself the world is remade to reflect the

the world is remade to reflect the

the world is remade to reflect the deepest desires of the x-men New

deepest desires of the x-men New

deepest desires of the x-men New Avengers and Magneto resulting in a

Avengers and Magneto resulting in a

Avengers and Magneto resulting in a world where mutants are considered

world where mutants are considered

world where mutants are considered superior to humans Peter Parker married

superior to humans Peter Parker married

superior to humans Peter Parker married his first great love Gwen Stacy and

his first great love Gwen Stacy and

his first great love Gwen Stacy and Steve Rogers is an old retired veteran

Steve Rogers is an old retired veteran

Steve Rogers is an old retired veteran led by Wolverine the heroes are

led by Wolverine the heroes are

led by Wolverine the heroes are eventually able to regain their real

eventually able to regain their real

eventually able to regain their real memories and set things right at the

memories and set things right at the

memories and set things right at the arks end a number of massive changes to

arks end a number of massive changes to

arks end a number of massive changes to the wider Marvel Universe remained most

the wider Marvel Universe remained most

the wider Marvel Universe remained most notably the depowering of millions of

notably the depowering of millions of

notably the depowering of millions of mutants leaving only roughly 200 in the

mutants leaving only roughly 200 in the

mutants leaving only roughly 200 in the world number two civil war this massive

world number two civil war this massive

world number two civil war this massive crossover event featured every important

crossover event featured every important

crossover event featured every important Marvel character pitting them not

Marvel character pitting them not

Marvel character pitting them not against an invader or common enemy but

against an invader or common enemy but

against an invader or common enemy but against each other after a tragic

against each other after a tragic

against each other after a tragic accident the world becomes divided on

accident the world becomes divided on

accident the world becomes divided on whether or not to require super-powered

whether or not to require super-powered

whether or not to require super-powered individuals to register with the

individuals to register with the

individuals to register with the government with iron man leading the pro

government with iron man leading the pro

government with iron man leading the pro registration movement and Captain

registration movement and Captain

registration movement and Captain America leading an anti registration

America leading an anti registration

America leading an anti registration resistance eventually the pro

resistance eventually the pro

resistance eventually the pro Registration side becomes increasingly

Registration side becomes increasingly

Registration side becomes increasingly unscrupulous and tyrannical even going

unscrupulous and tyrannical even going

unscrupulous and tyrannical even going so far as to actively work closely with

so far as to actively work closely with

so far as to actively work closely with numerous supervillains all of which

numerous supervillains all of which

numerous supervillains all of which causes formerly pro registration and

causes formerly pro registration and

causes formerly pro registration and neutral characters including spider-man

neutral characters including spider-man

neutral characters including spider-man and the x-men to join cap after the dust

and the x-men to join cap after the dust

and the x-men to join cap after the dust had settled the reverberations would

had settled the reverberations would

had settled the reverberations would continue to impact the universe

continue to impact the universe

continue to impact the universe culminating in the sequel Civil War to

culminating in the sequel Civil War to

culminating in the sequel Civil War to number one Secret Wars almost all of the

number one Secret Wars almost all of the

number one Secret Wars almost all of the events on this list and countless others

events on this list and countless others

events on this list and countless others led to this massive crossover that

led to this massive crossover that

led to this massive crossover that combined all of the alternate realities

combined all of the alternate realities

combined all of the alternate realities across the entire Marvel Universe named

across the entire Marvel Universe named

across the entire Marvel Universe named after and reminiscent of the 1984 secret

after and reminiscent of the 1984 secret

after and reminiscent of the 1984 secret war series the realities were combined

war series the realities were combined

war series the realities were combined into battle world a planet ruled by an

into battle world a planet ruled by an

into battle world a planet ruled by an omnipotent ruler god emperor doom and

omnipotent ruler god emperor doom and

omnipotent ruler god emperor doom and heroes from every reality unite to

heroes from every reality unite to

heroes from every reality unite to reform the multiverse the end of battle

reform the multiverse the end of battle

reform the multiverse the end of battle world saw almost every version of the

world saw almost every version of the

world saw almost every version of the Marvel Universe massively impacted

Marvel Universe massively impacted

Marvel Universe massively impacted including the destruction of the

including the destruction of the

including the destruction of the Ultimate Marvel Universe

Ultimate Marvel Universe

Ultimate Marvel Universe a number of characters from the Ultimate

a number of characters from the Ultimate

a number of characters from the Ultimate Universe including spider-man Miles

Universe including spider-man Miles

Universe including spider-man Miles Morales were saved from their universes

Morales were saved from their universes

Morales were saved from their universes end and introduced into the main Marvel

end and introduced into the main Marvel

end and introduced into the main Marvel continuity which is no longer officially

continuity which is no longer officially

continuity which is no longer officially designated as earth-616 but renamed

designated as earth-616 but renamed

designated as earth-616 but renamed earth prime do you agree with our picks

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