From motion pictures to comics, sequels will at all times be a blended bag. DC and Marvel Comics are likely to craft continuations of their most iconic storylines to revenue from the unique’s recognition. Regularly, many sequels are inherently inferior as a result of they don’t perceive the originals and don’t have anything new so as to add. Nevertheless, typically a sequel comes alongside that greater than lives as much as its predecessor’s status. These next-installment storylines have confirmed so profitable that many at the moment are simply as well-liked and influential because the originals. The DC and Marvel Universes are at all times evolving and increasing their lore, with these wonderful sequels main the cost.
A few of DC and Marvel’s most acclaimed storylines have produced sequels that masterfully construct on the originals’ success whereas additionally providing distinctive narrative instructions.
5) Batman: Darkish Victory
1997’s The Lengthy Halloween is well considered one of Batman’s best storylines as a result of its noir environment and compelling thriller helped form future Darkish Knight tales. Like The Lengthy Halloween, 1999’s Batman: Darkish Victory follows the Caped Crusader’s early crimefighting profession. Nonetheless reeling from Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face from the earlier storyline, Batman enters a downward spiral the place he can’t carry himself to belief anybody once more. On the identical time, the Darkish Knight should monitor down a mysterious serial killer known as the Hangman whereas additionally coping with a gang struggle between Two-Face and the remnants of the Falcone Household. But in what looks like Batman’s darkest hour, comes alongside a younger boy named Dick Grayson who turns into the primary Robin. Greater than an important homicide thriller like The Lengthy Halloween, Batman: Darkish Victory takes the subsequent logical step by providing a compelling, nuanced reimagining of how the Dynamic Duo got here to be.
4) World Battle Hulk
Probably the most essential Hulk tales of all time is 2006’s “Planet Hulk,” the place, after the Illuminati banish him from Earth, he crash-lands on the alien planet of Sakaar. It’s right here that the Hulk goes from a gladiatorial slave to a revolutionary and king beloved by his new individuals. After all, the Hulk isn’t allowed a cheerful ending, because the 2007 sequel occasion World Battle Hulk can attest. When the starship that introduced the Hulk to Sakaar blew up and killed 1000’s of his topics, together with his pregnant spouse, the Jade Big declared struggle on these he believed to be accountable. Along with his military, often called the Warbound, by his facet, the Hulk returned to Earth for the only function of looking down each member of the Illuminati. World Battle Hulk is well known as one of many best Hulk tales of all time, because it reveals the Hulk lastly combating again towards the world that hated and feared him for many years.
3) Infinite Disaster
1985’s Disaster on Infinite Earths has a near-unmatched legacy for the way it ceaselessly modified the DC Multiverse and paved the best way for a lot of future Disaster occasions. For the story’s twentieth anniversary in 2005, DC launched the right sequel: one which honored the unique whereas paving the best way for a shiny future. Infinite Disaster follows the characters left behind after the destruction of the multiverse in the course of the unique Disaster: Superboy-Prime, Alexander Luthor Jr., and Earth-Two Superman and Lois Lane. Seeing how the DC Universe has grown darker, with the superhero neighborhood divided like by no means earlier than, Luthor Jr. and Superboy-Prime determine to destroy and remake the universe. Infinite Disaster is a compelling, heartbreaking story that explores themes of nostalgia, the character of heroism, and the rising cynicism in comics. And after Disaster on Infinite Earths destroyed the multiverse 20 years in the past, DC lastly resurrects the multiverse with this epic sequel. Whereas it had large footwear to fill, Infinite Disaster greater than lives as much as its predecessor’s legacy.
2) Infinity Battle
Each comedian reader is effectively conscious of the long-lasting 1991 Infinity Gauntlet storyline that noticed Thanos snap away half of all life within the universe with the titular weapon of limitless energy. Nevertheless, Infinity Gauntlet was merely the start of a three-part epic, with 1992’s Infinity Battle being the second instalment of the trilogy. When Adam Warlock expels all impurity from his soul, it causes his darkish half, Magus, to be reborn. Needing to beat the universe, Magus’s concocts a mad plan to harness 5 Cosmic Cubes to defeat Eternity and create a military of evil doppelgangers of Earth’s heroes. To defeat this god-like villain and his twisted troopers, the Avengers, X-Males, Incredible 4, the unique Guardians of the Galaxy, and Infinity Watch all be part of forces. However even their mixed energy isn’t sufficient, so Physician Doom, Kang, and Thanos himself be part of the battle towards Magus as effectively. Infinity Battle is an unimaginable cosmic epic with wonderful battles and character introspection, making it a worthy continuation of the unique Infinity Gauntlet saga.
1) Secret Wars (2015)
Marvel had initially tried and did not create a compelling sequel to their groundbreaking 1984 Secret Wars epic with the abysmal Secret Wars II the next 12 months. But, towards all odds, Marvel got here again stronger than ever with 2015’s Secret Wars occasion, which was simply nearly as good as the unique, if not higher. The 1984 Secret Wars occasion noticed the all-powerful Beyonder create a planet known as Battleworld for heroes and villains to battle. 2015’s Secret Wars raises the stakes to an infinite diploma when your entire multiverse is eradicated save for a brand new patchwork Battleworld that’s made up of the remnants of actuality. But, this world wasn’t created by the Beyonder, however by Physician Doom. Having stolen the powers of the Beyonders, God Emperor Doom guidelines his kingdom with an iron fist. In opposition to such an omnipotent foe, the heroes and villains of Earth-616 and Earth-1610 should band collectively to defeat Doom and restore the multiverse. Every part about 2015’s Secret Wars, from its buildup, character introspection, world-building, and themes, builds upon what made the unique story so nice. Now, 2015’s Secret Wars stands as one of many quintessential Marvel occasions.