Summary
Isekai is one of the most popular anime genres today. The genre is all about characters who find themselves in new worlds or dimensions and must survive there. Thanks to the popularity of light novels and webcomics, creators were granted the tools to publish their unique storylines. Comics giant Marvel Comics has made some incredible isekai stories over the years, before the isekai name itself was in public consciousness.
New worlds, dimensions, and multiverses are a big part of Marvel Comics lore, so readers can bet there are some isekai gems in their catalog.
8Exiles (2001)
Mutants That Hop Universes To Solve Problems
TheExiles2001 run is a 100-issue series that follows a group of characters, each from different realities, uniting to hop universes and correct problems. Throughout the series, they visit various alternate worlds, many of which avid Marvel Comics fans recognize.
Exilesis penned by writer Judd Winick and illustrated by Mike McKone, and it even features a chapter written byX-Menveteran Chris Claremont. What readers love about this series is that plot armor doesn’t exist. Characters you’d think are mainstays are killed off early into the run. This keeps readers on edge, as they never really know what to expect.
7Old Man Logan (2008)
Featuring An Old Wolverine In An Alternate Timeline
InOld Man Logan, an aged version of Wolverine/Logan runs rampant in an alternate timeline. It was a refreshing take on one of Marvel’s flagship characters,Wolverine, who is known for pulling off impressive things. Writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven’s 2008 collaboration presented readers with some of the grittiest diversions from Marvel cannon ever seen.
In this timeline, supervillains have overthrown the Marvel superheroes, and theX-Menhave all been murdered. After these events, Logan becomes a pacifist who no longer fights or extracts his claws. Whilst struggling to pay his rent, Logan has no choice but to accept a job from Hawkeye, who asks him to deliver a shady package. This sets off a captivating journey through the Marvel universe wasteland, where readers discover weird alternatives to popular characters. The story includes appearances from the Hulk Gang (the grandchildren of Hulk) and Spider-Man’s daughter and grandchild.
TheOld Man Logancharacter would become an iconic version of Wolverine, inspiring the 2017 filmLogan.
6Planet Hulk (2006)
Hulk Overthrows An Emperor After Being Sent To A New World
Written by Greg Pak,Planet Hulkis a popular Hulk series where the green titan’s fellow Marvel Heroes send the Hulk away to another planet. Hulk finds himself on Sakaar, and the story then follows Hulk’s path of overthrowing the planet’s emperor to become its new king.
The series is a fan favorite because readers get to enjoy seeing Hulk doing what Hulk does best. The idea behindPlanet Hulkis to send him to an environment where he can battle monsters as a gladiator, the perfect outlet for him to shine as a devastating force.Planet Hulkgoes on to set up another great series calledWorld War Hulk.
5The Unbelievable Gwenpool (2016)
A Marvel Fan From The Real World Is Sent Into The Marvel Universe
Published in 2016, writer Christopher Hastings and illustrator Gurihiru set out to create a fun,anime-influenced comic run.The Unbelievable Gwenpoolsees Gwen Poole transported from the real world into the Marvel Universe. It’s a story setup that leads to many thrills, as Gwenpool encounters countless Marvel heroes, such as Miles Morales, Blade, Deadpool, and Ghost Rider.
Tonally, the series blends the humor of Deadpool, with the charm level of Spider-Gwen, hence the conveniently titled name. There are many gripping story arcs to follow with Gwen’s journey through the Marvel Universe, like when Gwen is disgusted at the thought of harming Marvel characters she grew up loving, and instead attempts to wipe herself from existence. Readers often go intoUnbelievable Gwenpoolexpecting some low-stakes mindless fun but are surprised at how much the story invests in her character.
4Days of Future Past (1981)
Katy Pryde Must Travel To The Past To Prevent An Anti-Mutant Revolution
Days of Future Pastis an iconicX-Menstory penned by writers Chris Claremont, John Byrne, and Terry Austin.
The story depicts a dystopian future where mutants are incarcerated by an anti-mutant regime. Mutant-hating robots called Sentinels rule the United States, forcing mutants into internment camps. During this era,we’re introduced to a reformed version of Magnetowho is restricted to a wheelchair, ironic considering he once opposed Professor Xavier.
With help from Rachel Summers, Katy Pryde transfers her consciousness back 30 years to warn everyone about this future so that they can prevent it from happening. Katy must then help theX-Menof the past prevent the assassination of Professor Xavier and Senator Robert Kelly because this is the event that brought about anti-mutant hysteria.
Days of Future Pastis one of the best Marvel comic book stories, and it was the inspiration behind the 2014 movie of the same name. Sadly, the movie featured no Katy Pryde story arc.
3Secret Wars (2015)
Marvel Heroes From Different Realms Battle Each Other To Save Their Own Universe
Secret Warsis an encompassing Marvel event that sees reader’s favorite Marvel characters battling against one another to save the fate of their own world. An incursion setsEarth-616and theUltimate Universe Earthon a collision course with one another, which will cause the universe to end once it takes place.
Desperate to save whoever he can, Reed Richards attempts to lead everyone onto a life raft, but he struggles to prevent the inevitable death and destruction.Secret Wars (2015)is often hailed as the best Marvel Comics event, and its world-blending qualities make it perfect for those craving Marvel Isekai experiences. There’s a reason that fans have been waiting forSecret Wars to be adapted for the MCU.
2Only Myself Left To Conquer (2022)
Marvel’s Most Infamous Time Traveler Gets His Definitive Solo Story
Another famed Marvel world-hopper is Kang the Conquerer. Those familiar with the character know that Kang’s history is ideal for Isekai, but up untilOnly Myself Left to Conquer, he rarely had his own self-contained story.
Released in 2022,Only Myself Left To Conqueris designed to tell the definitive Kang story. The story sees the time-traveler stuck in a cycle of destruction that he created. This paradox begins and ends with an older Kang sending his younger self down a dark path. This series depicts Kang like never before.Kang’s entire existence is based on conquering all time and existence, and this story goes deep into his motivations for this.
1Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment (1989)
Doctor Doom Sets Out To Save His Mother From The Demon Realm
Doctor Doom isn’t just one ofMarvel’s greatest villains, but he’s also one of its most common travelers between worlds and dimensions. InTriumph and Torment, Doom contends with Mephisto in an attempt to free his mother’s soul. But he can’t do it without the aid of the Master of the Mystic Arts, Doctor Strange.
The story sees them entering an evil demon realm where the two of them are pushed beyond their limits. Doom’s inner turmoil causes readers to adore him, despite the fact he has an evil side that makes him double-cross Strange. But Doom ends up needing Strange more than he’d care to admit, as this story forces Doom to expand his knowledge of the mystic arts thanks to Strange.
Triumph and Tormentis often referred to as the best Doctor Doom story arc, especially for newcomers.
