The Marvel Cinematic Universe is moving into Phase Five. The MCU has adapted many Marvel stories over the years, but things have changed a lot. Many of Marvel’s biggest guns are no longer a part of the MCU, like Captain America and Iron Man, so this limits what stories can be adapted. However, there are a lot of characters who aren’t a part of the MCU yet, which means there are still a lot of great adaptable stories.
These iconic stories could make Phase Five legendary. Phase Four hasn’t exactly been beloved, so throwing in some iconic comic stories could be the ticket the studio needs to jump start the MCU.
10/10 Avengers Forever Is A Great Kang Story
Kang is supposed to be a big part of Phase Five. The time traveling villain hasn’t had many great stories in recent years, but there’s one from 1999 that fits the bill. Avengers Forever, by Kurt Busiek, Roger Stern and Carlos Pacheco, is among the best Avengers stories ever, a time traveling epic that brings together a team of Avengers from throughout the decades.
Because of differences in history and set-up, Avengers Forever would have to be very different, but the story’s core is a battle between two versions of Kang: the Conqueror and Immortus. Expanding on this idea would make for an amazing movie.
9/10 Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #1 Should Bring The FF Into The MCU
The Fantastic Four is coming to the MCU in Phase 5 and the best way to do that? Just adapt Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #1, by writer Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Things would definitely have to be changed, since the comic is very much set in the Cold War, but other than that Lee and Kirby’s classic comic is the perfect way to start the FF’s MCU saga.
The FF’s comic origin is just too good. It sets up the team as intrepid explorers and a family, which is very important to their story. The villains of the story, Mole Man and the Moloids, shouldn’t be changed either, as their threat is exactly the kind the FF should fight.
8/10 Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt Could Add Some Steel To The Wall-Crawler
Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt, by writer J.M. DeMatteis and artist Mike Zeck, is considered to be the best Spider-Man story of the 1980s, with some even thinking it’s the best Spider-Man story ever. Kraven, sick of being beaten by Spider-Man, goes after the hero one final time. This time, though, he wins, burying the hero, and taking his place.
Kraven’s Last Hunt is a dark, brutal story, and it’s just what the MCU needs. The movies are much too childish and could use a story like Kraven’s Last Hunt. It builds Spider-Man as a character, something MCU Spidey needs, and would change the way people look at the MCU.
7/10 The Clone Saga Could Spider-Man In An Entirely New Direction
Marvel is known for game-changing comics, and the Clone Saga was definitely that. The story ran for years, through all four Spider-Man books, and was worked on by a legion of creators. It’s not exactly considered a high point of Spider-Man’s existence, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be adapted well.
Clone stories are a big part of superhero tales, and Spider-Man’s Clone Saga is a huge part of his history. Adapting it in some way would do two things. It would show how comic accurate the MCU can be and also show that it can do some stories better than the comics. On top of that, the merchandising potential for the story is tremendous.
6/10 Books Of Doom Is The Best Way To Introduce Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom has to be introduced into the MCU. Putting him in the first FF movie is a mistake. There’s another way to do it though. Many Marvel villains have tragic backstories, and Doom is no different. Books of Doom, by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Pablo Raimondi, digs into Doom’s past as a child in Latveria, following him into adulthood.
Doom’s rich history is perfect for a movie. There’s so much to dig into, and it will put viewers into Doom’s head. Doctor Doom needs to be an amazing villain, better than any other MCU villain. Adapting Books of Doom, preferably as Disney+ show, would do that.
5/10 Wolverine: Origin And Beyond Would Be A Great Way To Introduce Logan
Wolverine has starred in brilliant stories, and many of them would be great to adapt. The MCU likes to start at the beginning, so the best way to do that with Wolverine is by adapting Wolverine: Origin, by writer Paul Jenkins and artist Andy Kubert. The comic tells the tale of James Howlett, the man who would become Wolverine, setting up his early life and powers.
Instead of being a movie, this could be a Disney+ show, one that starts with Origin and goes on through Wolverine’s early years in the Canadian Outback, fighting in World War I and II, and going on from there. It would present a more well-rounded view of the mutant than ever before.
4/10 House Of X/Powers Of X Is A Great Place To Start The X-Men
The X-Men are known for status quo shifts, and none are bigger than House of X/Powers of X, by Jonathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz and R.B. Silva. The stories set up the mutant nation of Krakoa, a very different environment than the school and one that is ripe for adaptation. Readers love this status quo, and it would work well to bring the X-Men into the MCU.
The key to bringing the mutants into the MCU is to make them different from the Fox years. Going with HoX/PoX as a starting point would be an amazing way to do this. It’s radically different and is ripe with potential for future mutant based movies.
3/10 Inhumans Is An Amazing Way To Introduce The Faction Into The MCU
The Inhumans TV show was a massive failure, but that doesn’t mean the MCU can’t do it right. The blueprint has been there since 1998. Inhumans, by writer Paul Jenkins and artist Jae Lee, focused on the Royal Family fighting multiple threat to the Inhuman city of Attilan. It’s the perfect blend of action, intrigue, and Inhumans lore.
The Inhumans are an important part of the comic Marvel Universe, and they need a great introduction to the MCU. Inhumans does an amazing job of laying out everything great about the group and would be a different kind of MCU story. It’s the best way to make up for the previous failure of the concept.
2/10 Annihilation Could Revitalize The Cosmic Side Of The MCU
With Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3, the cosmic MCU is going to lose its biggest draw. Luckily, there are plenty of amazing cosmic Marvel stories out there. The best one to use to keep this side of the MCU vital is Annihilation. The story sees a rag tag group of cosmic heroes brought together to battle the mysterious Annihilation Wave.
The story reintroduced the Guardians to the Marvel Universe, so changes would have to be made, but that’s okay. The core of the story is the battle against the Annihilation Wave. A movie or Disney+ show could introduce new cosmic Marvel characters and give fans something new to love.
1/10 The MCU Could Give Fans The Actual Infinity War
Infinity War is a vastly underrated Marvel event comic. As the sequel to Infinity Gauntlet, by writer Jim Starlin and artist Ron Lim, it revolves around the battle between Adam Warlock and the Magus, his evil half that Warlock got rid of when he had the Infinity Gauntlet. It’s a story that would have to go a very different way in the movies, but would still be worth it.
Using the Warlock/Magus battle as its core, making this story into a movie would give fans an event movie like few others. It’s an amazing story, one that would wow MCU fans like nothing else. Warlock is a great character and this story as a movie would add more to him.
