The 25 Best Marvel Comics covers ever

2024-11-28

ComicsMarvel ComicsThe 25 Best Marvel Comics covers everWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

The '90s X-Men including Cyclops, Wolverine, Psylocke, Rogue, Gambit, Colossus, Beast, Archangel, Storm, Jean Grey, and Professor X rushing into battle against Magneto, who is surrounded by a forcefield

The bestMarvel Comicscovers of all time may be a matter of personal taste - but there are all-time classic illustrations which are instantly recognizable, and which evoke a specific time and place in the Marvel Universe.

We’ve pored over decades of covers dating back to the ’30s, and while it’s impossible to include every great and memorable cover in Marvel Comics history, these are the 25 that we feel best represent the Marvel Universe.

Our criteria include a cover’s quality, its recognizability, and its influence, including how many other covers and artists have paid homage to it, like with these recentFantastic Four variant coversthat recreate other classic Marvel images.

Still, these are Newsarama’s picks, and there are all time great covers that didn’t quite make our list. So once you take a look at our choices for the 25 best Marvel Comics covers of all time, chime in on social media with your own favorites.

25. Web of Spider-Man #32 - Mike Zeck and Bob McLeod

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Spider-Man in his black costume crawling out of a grave in the pouring rain

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24. Uncanny X-Men #251 - Marc Silvestri and Dan Green

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Wolverine nailed to an X-shaped cross with a field of skulls stretching in all directions beneath him

Uncanny X-Men #251 is a classic tale of Wolverine as an underdog, fighting Donald Pierce and the Reavers against increasingly dire odds. And the cover is just as classic, bearing an image of Wolverine on an X-shaped cross above an endless field of skulls that could stand alone even without a comic attached, like a heavy metal poster or a badass tattoo. It’s such an iconic image that it formed the basis of a scene in the blockbuster film Deadpool and Wolverine which recreates the cover in specific detail.

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23. Hawkeye #1 - David Aja and Matt Hollingsworth

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Clint Barton crouched down on top of a stylized building aiming an arrow with purple and blue bullseyes all around the image

David Aja and Matt Hollingsworth’s Hawkeye #1 cover is simple and striking, setting the stage for an aesthetic that has followed Clint Barton out of his comic title and into the MCU, forming the basis of the design of the Hawkeye streaming series. With its boldly limited purple and blue color scheme and its sleek sensibilities, the cover and the comic it informs are a huge leap forward for Hawkeye out of the Silver Age to being one of the most influential heroes of the 2010s.

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22. Incredible Hulk King-Size Special #1 - Jim Steranko and Marie Severin

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Hulk crouched over carrying a crumbling stone Hulk logo on his back

Jim Steranko is one of the most influential comic artists of the Silver Age, and his musclebound cover for 1968’s Incredible Hulk King-Size Special #1 has become one of the most copied designs of its era, inspiring numerous artists to sub in all kinds of characters for Hulk in the simple composition over the years. And that simplicity is the beauty of the cover - there are few images that truly convey both how strong and how tragic the Hulk truly is as the jade Giant carrying the entire weight of the world on his shoulders.

21. Avengers #223 - Ed Hannigan and Klaus Janson

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Hawkeye aiming his bow forward with Ant-Man shrunk down riding his arrow

Ed Hannigan’s kooky, incredibly creative cover for Avengers #223 combines the unsung abilities of two of the team’s seemingly least powerful members into a shot that instantly reminds fans just how formidable Ant-Man and Hawkeye can be - especially when they combine their powers into a super attack that has become so iconic in its own right that it was a special move in Ultimate Marvel Vs.Capcom3, and was even recreated as part of the airport battle in Captain America: Civil War.

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20. Wolverine #1 - Frank Miller and Josef Rubinstein

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Wolverine brandishing his claws while gesturing forward with his finger in a summoning motion

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19. Marvels #1 - Alex Ross

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

The original android Human Torch flamed on, rushing forward as people run from him

Every single one of painter Alex Ross' covers for Marvels, the limited series which redefined the Silver Age of the ’60s through a modern context, could be a candidate for this list. In fact, damn near every cover Alex Ross has ever done is in some way a contender for recognition. Still, we keep coming back to the striking power of Marvels #1, featuring Marvel’s first superhero, the Human Torch, flaming on in a pose that evokes Frank Paul’s original cover of 1939’s Marvel Comics #1.

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18. Mighty Thor #337 - Walt Simonson

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Beta-Ray Bill leaning forward, smashing the Thor logo with his hammer Stormbreaker

17. Incredible Hulk #340 - Todd McFarlane

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Wolverine snarling in his brown and yellow costume with his claws raised, with grey Hulk reflected in the claws

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(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

An older Wolverine blocking an adult Kitty Pryde with his body as a spotlight illuminates them, with posters of other mutants in the background listing their status as captured or deceased

Even if you’ve never read an X-Men comic, there’s a strong chance you’ve seen the cover of Uncanny X-Men #141 (or at least an image that directly pays homage to it) more times than you might even realize. Easily one of the most definitive X-Men images, this cover for part one of the immortal tale ‘Days of Future Past’ lays out exactly how dire and deadly the stakes are for the older Wolverine and Kitty Pryde who are caught in the spotlight, with a masterful use of the image’s background as part of the storytelling.

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15. Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD #4 - Jim Steranko and Sam Rosen

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Nick Fury aiming a gun forward against a black and white psychedelic background

This is the second time Jim Steranko’s name has come up on this list, and it’s a testament to how innovative and influential an artist he is that his cover for 1968’s Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD #4 is both phenomenally different from his Hulk cover, and also just as definitive for the character it portrays. Bringing in a psychedelic sensibility that adds a thoroughly midcentury vibe to the spy story, this cover has come to define the pop art madness of late ’60s comic art that eventually led to the more cosmically minded comics of the ’70s.

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14. New Avengers #1 - David Finch, Danny Miki, and Frank D’Armata

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

The New Avengers standing in silhouette with lightning striking behind them, including Captain America, Iron Man, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Sentry, and Spider-Woman

The cover of 2004’s New Avengers #1 is as much a mission statement as it is a boldly beautiful piece of art, with the mood and style of the cover setting the new era of the team apart from the brightly colorful, superheroically simplistic days of yesteryear. New Avengers #1 represents the rebuilding of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes after their darkest period, but it’s the darkness of the cover itself that indicates the more mature, complex, and layered stories of the New Avengers era.

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13. Civil War #7 - Steve McNiven, Dexter Vines, and Morry Hollowell

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Captain America raising his shield to block a close-up repulsor blast from Iron Man with other heroes laying on the ground around them

This is it - the image that sums up the conflict at the heart of Marvel’s groundbreaking Civil War crossover so powerfully that it lent itself as the inspiration to the climactic moment of Captain America: Civil War, which recreates the scene of Captain America blocking Iron Man’s massive, sparking repulsor blast with his shield. While Captain America and Iron Man have been friends, foes, and often something in between over the decades, there are few images of the two of them as boldly iconic as the cover of Civil War #7.

12. Amazing Spider-Man #50 - John Romita Sr., Stan Goldberg, and Sam Rosen

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Peter Parker walking forward with an image of Spider-Man with his back turned, looking down at him

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(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

The original X-Men including Cyclops, Iceman, Marvel Girl, Beast, and Angel locked in combat with Magneto, who is blocking their attacks with a forcefield

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10. Invincible Iron Man #76 - Adi Granov

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Iron Man landing in a crouch with his fist pounding a crack into ground below him

Even if you don’t recognize Adi Granov’s cover for Invincible Iron Man #76, if you’re a superhero fan, you’ve undoubtedly seen its influence across the MCU, with the simple pose it depicts becoming a repeated motif for Iron Man, and for many other Marvel heroes. The longevity of many covers comes down to the storytelling and drama of the subject. And while the pose of Iron Man landing in a crouch, shattering the ground around him certainly tells its own tale, it’s all about how succinctly the image captures everything you need to know about Iron Man.

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Captain America leading the Avengers, with Wasp, Giant-Man, Iron Man , and Thor following him

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8. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 - Mike Zeck and John Beatty

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Spider-Man posing in his black costume while Marvel heroes and villains clash in the background

Putting Spider-Man in a new costume is par for the course in modern comics, where the wall-crawler often dons new, souped-up outfits for specific missions (like his current magical suit). But in 1984, the idea of changing Spidey’s fan-favorite look from his traditional red and blue costume was unheard of. Nonetheless, fans' introduction to Spidey’s black symbiote suit in Secret Wars #8 made massive waves, not just because of how popular the costume wound up being, but because of its pitch-perfect debut on the issue’s cover, which has since been copied numerous times.

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(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Captain America punching Adolf Hitler

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6. Amazing Spider-Man #300 - Todd McFarlane

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Spider-Man in his black costume swinging forward in an acrobatic pose with the number 300 repeating over and over in the background

Todd McFarlane is one of the most definitive Spider-Man artists. His work on the character in the late ’80s and early ’90s redefined how Spidey was rendered for years, with larger eyes and more involved “spaghetti” webbing. Still, perhaps his most recognizable single image of the character is Amazing Spider-Man #300’s cover, featuring Spider-Man in his black symbiote costume, in the kind of twisted acrobatic pose that McFarlane’s Spidey is known for. As simple and striking as it is, it’s become one of the most enduring images of Spider-Man in the years since its release.

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(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Mister Fantastic, Thing, and Human Torch fighting a giant monster which is bursting through the ground and holding Invisible Girl in its hand

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4. Giant-Size X-Men #1 - Gil Kane and Danny Crespi

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

The new X-Men including Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, Banshee, Thunderbird, and Colossus bursting through the page with a faded image of the original X-Men looking down, including Marvel Girl, Angel, Iceman, Beast, and Cyclops

The cover of 1975’s Giant-Size X-Men #1 is one of the most recognizable comic covers ever, showing off the new X-Men characters who would go on to take the team from a Marvel Comics also-ran to arguably the most popular Marvel property there is. Wolverine takes center stage long before he was the breakout sensation of the team, leading Colossus, Nightcrawler, Storm, Banshee, and Thunderbird into the fray, while long time team leader Cyclops looks on from the rear, symbolizing the X-Men leaving the past behind as they charge boldly into a new era.

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(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Spider-Man swings across the New York City skyline with a criminal under his arm

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2. Infinity Gauntlet #1 - George Pérez

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

Thanos brandishing the Infinity Gauntlet as the gleam of the Infinity Gems separates the image into sections which show other Marvel characters looking on

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1. X-Men #1 - Jim Lee and Scott Williams

(Image credit: Marvel Comics)

The ’90s X-Men including Cyclops, Wolverine, Psylocke, Rogue, Gambit, Colossus, Beast, Archangel, Storm, Jean Grey, and Professor X rushing into battle against Magneto, who is surrounded by a forcefield

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25. Web of Spider-Man #32 - Mike Zeck and Bob McLeod

24. Uncanny X-Men #251 - Marc Silvestri and Dan Green

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23. Hawkeye #1 - David Aja and Matt Hollingsworth

22. Incredible Hulk King-Size Special #1 - Jim Steranko and Marie Severin

21. Avengers #223 - Ed Hannigan and Klaus Janson

20. Wolverine #1 - Frank Miller and Josef Rubinstein

19. Marvels #1 - Alex Ross

18. Mighty Thor #337 - Walt Simonson

17. Incredible Hulk #340 - Todd McFarlane

15. Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD #4 - Jim Steranko and Sam Rosen

14. New Avengers #1 - David Finch, Danny Miki, and Frank D’Armata

13. Civil War #7 - Steve McNiven, Dexter Vines, and Morry Hollowell

12. Amazing Spider-Man #50 - John Romita Sr., Stan Goldberg, and Sam Rosen

10. Invincible Iron Man #76 - Adi Granov

8. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 - Mike Zeck and John Beatty

6. Amazing Spider-Man #300 - Todd McFarlane

4. Giant-Size X-Men #1 - Gil Kane and Danny Crespi

2. Infinity Gauntlet #1 - George Pérez

1. X-Men #1 - Jim Lee and Scott Williams

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