Top 10 Public Events in the Marvel Universe

I'm trying to figure out what the most publicly significant events would be in Marvel Universe history, from the viewpoint of a typical resident of the Marvel Universe. This is different from the best stories or the most important stories, just because the public doesn't necessarily know about all the fights. Hence, universe-altering stuff like the Korvac War comes in behind... well, you'll see.

Here's my take:

10. Howard the Duck for President (1976) 9. Magneto joins the X-Men (1986-1987) 8. The Hulk is pardoned (1983 or so) 7. Half the universe dies - temporarily (Infinity Gauntlet, 1990 or so) 6. Any invasion from Atlantis (1960s and 1989 or so) 5. Near-simultaneous attacks by Surtur, the Dire Wraiths, and the Beyonder (1984 or so) 4. The Kang War (2001-2002) 3. Onslaught and Heroes Return (1996-1997) 2. The first coming of Galactus (1966 or so) 1. Appearance of modern superheroes (1961-1963)

Of course, I might have missed something important here, but I'm sure y'all will correct me...

Yep Captain America as a potential presidential candiate - during the brilliant Stern-Byrne run. I'd have that just behind the first coming of

I'd certainly put Cap's return after all those years in cryogenic slumber on the list as a separate event from the appearance of the first heroes, probably at #3. Then I'd put his flirtation with public office at #10.

Kree/Skrull War X-MEN (vol.1.) #137 Trial of Reed Richards Operation Galactic Storm

These would probably top any that you listed, except for Infinity Gauntlet. After all, these were galactically significant events, people from all over the fricking galaxies knew about them or heard about them. Most of the ones you listed are only known to the inhabitants of one planet.

<< 4. The Kang War (2001-2002) >>

If you mean 'Top 10 Public Events in the Marvel Universe from Earth's Point of View' (as you must, if you're counting Howard the Duck's presidential run & the Atlantea invasions), I don't see how the actual invasion and conquest of the earth, coupled with the subsequent rebellion and repulsion of the invaders, can be anything other than #1.

'In the middle of the journey of my life, I found myself in a dark wood Where the straight way was lost. Oh, it is hard to speak of what I saw there, Which even in recall renews my fear.'

Dante Alighieri

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Would this meet your criteria as the X-Men have never really been in the public eye? Would Joe Public have ever heard about this?

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Good point... but that's actually why I put it there. Right after Magneto joined, the X-Men hung around San Francisco for a while, repairing damage from some battles they'd been in and making friends with police officers (Lieutenant Sabrina Morrell comes to mind). That's likely to have been public, with a rather shocking membership change to boot.

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I guess I should have said 'typical resident of Marvel Earth', then, because that's really what I'm interested in. The FF, X-Men or Avengers going off into space never attracts a lot of Earthling attention.

Correct me if I'm wrong here

Didn't know that, I only started reading comics when they became readily available to us in '90. Have to start collecting Essentials trades to catch up.

I only re-read the TPB on the weekend and you're spot on the ball. So the events of the Infinity Gauntlet, in theory, didn't happen.