Although 2023 was a complicated year forMarvelon the big screen, in the world of comics, fans were more than satisfied with the company’s output of superhero stories. This year’s catalog of new storylines in Marvel Comics included fresh takes on iconic characters, exciting adventures starring new heroes, and continuations of stories from 2022 and beyond.
Whether they were team-up stories or followed a single heroic protagonist, these eight Marvel Comics stories from 2023 were among the best and most memorable that the year had to offer. While fans may be a long way from seeing them adapted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they’re certainly worth the read for any fan of these characters.
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Active (Limited Series)
Throughout the history of Marvel Comics,plenty of animal sidekickshave become iconic characters in their own right, from the Inhumans' gigantic pitbull Lockjaw to Kate Bishop’s Lucky the Pizza Dog. However, in 2023’sMarvel Unleashedseries, the best of Marvel’s animal kingdom joined forces in one surprisingly heartwarming story.
Pitted against the iconic Spider-Man villain known as Kraven the Hunter after Lockjaw is kidnapped, this adorable team consists of Redwing (Sam Wilson’s pet falcon), Chewie (Carol Danvers' cat), Throg (a Thor cursed into becoming a frog), Bats (Doctor Strange’s canine specter), Lucky the Pizza Dog, and the new recruit D-Dog.
Active (Ongoing Series)
Also on the more light-hearted side of Marvel Comics' output in 2023 wasSensational She-Hulk, coming hot off the success of Marvel’sShe-Hulk: Attorney-at-Lawseries on Disney+ in 2022. This new ongoing series, penned by Rainbow Rowell and Bobby Wilson, is only a few issues in, but fans of the character are excited about its future.
The series also features appearances from the likes of Bruce Banner, Captain Marvel, and Jack-of-Hearts. Though it may not appeal to all Marvel Comics fans, it’s still an entertaining read for those who were fans of the wild antics from the Disney+ series.
Finished (Solo)
Spider-Gwen has had just as big a year on-screen, with her appearance inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, as her year on the page. Aside from her seriesSpider-Gwen: Shadow Clones, Gwen Stacy also starred in a standalone annual issue. In this story, she’s pitted against the Korean supervillain White Fox, as part of the machinations of Agatha Harkness.
Though it’s not one of Marvel Comics' finest plots, thisSpider-Gwenannual contains enough action and lighthearted humor to make for a great entry in the growing library of Gwen Stacy solo adventures. Plus, at the center of the story is a rich dynamic between its titular hero and a remarkably unique villain, treading neatly between enemies and allies.
Active (Ongoing)
2023 didn’t just seethe return of Brie Larson’s Carol Danverson-screen, but also a brand-new ongoing series for Captain Marvel that started right as the year came to a close. As of the year’s end, only three issues have been released so far, but already this is proving one of the best adventures Danvers has had in years.
Particularly, fans are excited about this latest take on the character of Carol Danvers, who has historically been inconsistent between writers. Here, Danvers is the funniest she’s ever been on the page. When paired with the brilliant art design of Jan Bazaldua and Stephen Segovia, the result is a comic series that’s shown a lot of potential.
Thor Odinson is another character who was lucky enough to have a rebooted comic series in 2023, withImmortal Thorhitting comic book store shelves in August. In this adventure, Thor is both the strongest he’s ever been and the most vulnerable. Writer Al Ewing delves into the character’s past to find layers never before seen in the iconic hero.
This series, while only five issues in, showcases not only one of the best Thor portrayals in years, but one of the best Lokis as well. By issue 5, Thor has gained support from the trust Thor Corps, which includes Jane Foster’s Mighty Thor, Loki, Beta Ray Bill, and even the X-Men’s own Storm, making for the most fascinating team-up in Marvel history.
There’s been quite a hunger for new Scarlet Witch storiesfollowing the success of the MCU’sWandaVision. That time has finally come in 2023, which re-introduces the beloved Wanda Maximoff in a new ongoing series. The story finds Wanda at odds with her past, including the appearances of Viv Vision, Magneto, Darcy Lewis, and Loki, among others.
Scarlet Witchis also a breath of fresh air thanks to its take on Wanda, which is much more well-rounded than the character’s more notable comic appearances likeHouse of M. While the Scarlet Witch has battled between being a hero and a villain in previous incarnations, 2023 has shown that above all else, Wanda is an incredible hero when she wants to be.
Moon Knight is no stranger to having great sagas in Marvel Comics, but in 2023, writer David Pepose took the character to new limits with the limited seriesMoon Knight: City of the Dead. The series also adapts the character of Layla El-Faouly, a.k.a. the Scarlet Scarab, from the 2022 Disney+ seriesMoon Knight.She isthe romantic interest of Marc Spector.
This series fleshes out the relationship between Marc and Layla, with her presumed death leading to his adoption of the Moon Knight mantle. This time around, Marc and his dissociative identities find themselves facing personifications of Death itself, including the Grim Reaper and Death Adder, in an attempt to rescue Layla from the underworld.
2023 also saw a brand-new take on The Fantastic Four hit the world of comic books, ahead of the characters’third re-imagining on the big screen in the MCU. This version of Marvel’s First Family is perhaps the craziest one yet, featuring out-of-this-world visuals like a dinosaur Doctor Doom, as well as a grounded continuous story about this team of old friends.
Although the team’s adventures in 2023 certainly go pretty insane, 2024 promises even more exciting plot twists for The Fantastic Four. For now, fans should race to their nearest comic book stores to catch up on this exciting take on one of Marvel’s biggest brands, if they want to read the most enjoyable Marvel Comics entries that 2023 had to offer.
