Marvel Comics had a lot going on in 2025. There’s an intergalactic Union led by Star-Lord. Once again, the X-Men ventured into a possible apocalyptic future caused by a mutant. And Doctor Doom ruled the world with compassion while torturing the Latverian people. Considering how the year is ending, we can assume 2026 will be another big one for Marvel Comics.
There are plenty of characters to look out for in 2026. For example, Danny Rand is back from the dead. Does that mean his mini-series (The Undead Iron Fist) will lead to him coming back, or will he return to the grave? How long will Jennifer Walters, a.k.a. She-Hulk, remain on Sakaar? What’s next for Miles Morales? Those are only three characters. Here are the other must-watches of 2026.
Wanda Maximoff
The Scarlet Witch will begin her journey to become the Sorcerer Supreme later this year, but she will have to take the title away from Agatha Harkness first. This will lead to an amazing feat of magic, the likes of which no comic book fan has seen. I say that with confidence because Steve Orlando is writing the series.
While the story will begin in 2025, it will continue into 2026. I believe this will be one of the best comic books of the year because Steve Orlando has been building up to this story. Doctor Strange may be the classic Sorcerer Supreme, but Wanda will be the remix. Maybe better, but certainly different and more fun.
Daredevil
Stephanie Phillips is the perfect writer to follow Saladin Ahmed’s run of Daredevil. Beyond being an exceptional writer, Phillips understands what fans want and how to be bold in her stories. For example, having Matt Murdock become a professor teaching law is an interesting concept that will give readers new perspectives on the character.
I fully expect this series to be among the best of 2026.
The Maker
The end of the Ultimate Universe is coming, but that doesn’t mean the Maker, a.k.a. Ultimate Reed Richards, will disappear. He’s too smart not to have a backup plan. However, he made the mistake of turning a version of Reed Richards into Doctor Doom.
As Earth-616’s Reed said, he’d kill Maker if he had the chance. This world’s Doom may actually do it.
Hulk
Bruce Banner isn’t the Hulk. In Incredible Hulk No. 30, his body was eaten by the Eldest, the child of the Mother of Horrors (Vinruviel). Now it's free to wreak havoc on the world.
Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson promised that this is a Hulk we’ve never seen before, and that’s terrifying because the Devil Hulk was a devious force of nature. What will the Eldest do with the power of The Hulk, and which Marvel Comics character will attempt to stop them? Furthermore, when and how will Hulk and Bruce Banner return?
Captain America
Captain America’s story will lead to a crossover called Armageddon. But what people should pay attention to is why someone like Wolverine has Cap’s shield. What happened that made Steve Rogers give up his iconic weapon? Or, and this could be worse, did it get lost during a battle, or possibly in death? Regardless, pay attention to Steve Rogers. It’s no coincidence that Chip Zdarsky is writing Captain America and Armageddon.
Secondly, S.H.I.E.L.D. returns in 2026 with Captain America joining them. With Nick Fury Jr. on the team, how will Rogers adapt to the son of his former friend? And, will Fury Jr. be as tough, skilled, and secretive as his father?
The Punisher
It’s been a couple of years since writer Jason Aaron made Frank Castle the leader of the Hand and then sent him away on a new mission in Weirdworld. In 2026, the Punisher is back and being written by the amazing Benjamin Percy (Wolverine, Ghost Rider, and X-Force).
According to Marvel’s description, Frank’s memories are fractured. Does that mean he doesn’t remember that his wife is pregnant with their child or that she’s even alive at all? To top it all off, Jigsaw is after him.
The X-Men
After the Age of Revelation, everything within the X-Men will change with a new era called the Shadows of Tomorrow. Rather than focusing on one X-Man, this writer believes it would be wise to watch all of them. For example, as you can see from the picture above, Emma Frost is front and center, Logan’s gone back to his brown and yellow tights, and it looks like Sabretooth (who's currently dead) is next to Storm.
Beyond the image above, there will be new stories to be told. Among them are Cyclops and Rogue getting solo series for the first time in years, and Magik and Colossus getting a dual title.
That’s just what’s been announced. It’s easy to guess that there will be more from Marvel’s Mightiest Mutants in 2026.
The Outliers
Yes, the Outliers are X-Men, but they need to be highlighted because of their potential. Marvel Comics has been creating new characters over the years, but this team has the chance to be the best new team of versatile mutants since 1975’s Giant-Size X-Men.
Yes, that’s a bold statement since the New Mutants and X-Force came after. But Ransom, Jitter, Callico, and Deathdream are the future of mutant-kind. You heard it here first.
Thor and Loki
After being killed by his sibling, Loki, Thor became a mortal named Sigurd Jarlson and doesn’t remember his past. And while this been a fun three issues of Mortal Thor, this isn’t something that will last forever. At some point, the God of Thunder will remember who he is and reclaim his title.
As for Loki, their conversation with Odin (Thor No. 5) shows that there's more to what Loki did. They say it has to do with breaking the cycle, but is that the whole truth?
Doug Ramsey
What’s next for Doug Ramsey (now going by Revelation) after Age of Revelation? He hasn’t gone through with his plans for world domination / destruction. However, Cyclops and Beast have seen the future where he does.
After they tell Doug what they witnessed, will he be remorseful or double down on being evil? I’m guessing the latter since the X-Men always need new power villains to fight.
Spider-Man
There’s a war with the Queen in Black (Hela) coming in the summer of 2026. On top of that, there’s a new serial killer, and they’ll fight with Venom. All of this will lead to big moments for your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Maybe this is when MJ and Peter get back together. Nothing builds bonds like shared experiences and trauma, and, together, Spider-Man and MJ / Venom will experience both in 2026.
T’Challa
Imperial ends with T’Challa being the king of the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda. What does that mean? It means T’Challa will have more power and responsibility than ever in a more vast area.
While fans of Black Panther know him to take power in his stride and remain an honorable person, it has also corrupted the best of us. Who’s to say it won’t do the same to T’Challa?
Star-Lord
Peter Quill is now the head of the Union in space. A position that grants him more authority than any one person should hold, especially Star-Lord. Not only is he known for being irresponsible, but he’s also aware of the secret that the Inhumans started the space war that killed an untold number of beings. At some point, the pressure of being in charge and keeping a secret could break him. If that happens, things will go badly for every empire in space.
Also, don’t forget that Maximus (one of the Inhumans) attempted to kill Gamora (Imperial War: Imperial Guards). When Peter learns what happens, how will he react? He loves Gamora as a friend and more, but will he choose his former lover and Guardian of the Galaxy teammate over the universe? If he doesn’t, Peter will have to deal with the deadliest woman in the galaxy. That is, if the Cosmic Ghost Rider didn't succeed in killing Gamora.