15 Darkest Arcs Marvel and DC Tried to Bury

Comics often balance heroism with hardship, but some stories dive so deep into darkness that even Marvel and DC prefer to keep them in the shadows. These arcs, packed with grim themes, shocking violence, or controversial choices, pushed boundaries too far for mainstream appeal, often fading from the spotlight.

From tales of heroes turning villain to brutal losses and moral gray zones, this list uncovers 15 of the darkest storylines these publishers tried to downplay. Each left a mark, but their intensity made them tough to embrace fully.

15. Spider-Man: Reign (2006-2007)

This Marvel tale shows an aging Peter Parker in a dystopian future, retired as Spider-Man. The city is a police state, and Peter’s guilt over past losses, including Mary Jane’s death from cancer tied to his radioactive exposure, haunts him.

The grim visuals and themes of regret and decay feel bleak for Spider-Man’s usually hopeful tone. Marvel rarely revisits this arc, likely due to its heavy emotional weight and fan backlash over its dark take.

14. The Death of Jean DeWolff (1985-1986)

In this Marvel arc, Spider-Man hunts the Sin-Eater, a killer who murders police captain Jean DeWolff, a close friend. The story explores Peter’s rage and near-loss of control, amplified by his symbiote suit.

Its mature themes of vengeance and moral struggle were bold for Spider-Man’s typically lighter stories. Marvel seldom highlights it, perhaps to avoid tainting Peter’s heroic image with such raw anger.

13. Batman & Dracula: Red Rain (1991)

This DC Elseworlds tale pits Batman against Dracula, turning Bruce into a vampire to win. His transformation leads to a bloodthirsty spiral, killing villains and straining ties with allies.

The gory, horror-driven plot and Batman’s loss of humanity were jarring for fans. DC keeps this trilogy quiet, likely due to its extreme violence and departure from Batman’s core values.

12. The Punisher: The End (2004)

This Marvel one-shot imagines Frank Castle in a post-apocalyptic world after a nuclear war. He emerges from a bunker to kill the last corrupt leaders, only to die in the wasteland, his mission hollow.

The bleak tone and lack of redemption make it a hard sell for Punisher’s usual action-driven tales. Marvel rarely promotes it, likely due to its nihilistic outlook.

11. Heroes in Crisis (2018-2019)

DC’s story centers on a superhero mental health facility where murders occur, revealing Wally West as the accidental killer. The arc explores trauma but ends with Wally’s vilification, sparking fan outrage.

The mishandling of mental health themes and Wally’s character assassination made DC distance itself. It’s rarely referenced, as it alienated fans of a beloved hero.

10. Marvel Zombies (2005-2006)

In this Marvel series, a zombie plague turns heroes like Spider-Man and Hulk into flesh-eating monsters. They devour humans, including friends and family, in a gruesome alternate universe.

The graphic cannibalism and loss of heroism shocked readers. Marvel limits its mainstream push, likely to preserve their heroes’ noble images, though it appeared in ‘What If…?’

9. The Clone Saga (1994-1996)

Marvel’s Spider-Man arc introduces clones of Peter Parker, with Ben Reilly revealed as the “real” Spider-Man, only for it to be a Green Goblin ruse. The story questions Peter’s identity and sanity.

The convoluted plot and fan backlash over undermining Peter’s legacy led Marvel to downplay it. It’s a sore spot, rarely celebrated in Spider-Man lore.

8. Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight (1994)

This DC arc sees Hal Jordan, driven mad by Coast City’s destruction, kill fellow Green Lanterns and steal their rings to resurrect his city. He becomes the villain Parallax.

Hal’s shocking turn into a murderer stunned fans. DC later retconned it as possession, but the original story’s darkness keeps it sidelined in Green Lantern history.

7. What If…? Dark Phoenix (1989)

Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ issue explores Jean Grey’s Dark Phoenix persona going unchecked, killing the X-Men and destroying the universe in grief. The sheer scale of her rampage is chilling.

The story’s cosmic despair and Jean’s tragic fall make it a heavy read. Marvel rarely revisits this, likely to avoid tarnishing Jean’s heroic legacy.

6. Kraven’s Last Hunt (1987)

In this Marvel arc, Kraven the Hunter shoots and buries Spider-Man, taking his place to prove his superiority. Kraven then takes his own life, believing he’s won.

The suicide and psychological depth were stark for Spider-Man comics. Marvel treads lightly around it, as the grim tone clashes with their family-friendly image.

5. The Dark Knight Returns (1986)

DC’s iconic tale shows a retired Batman in a dystopian future, fighting a corrupt system and a brutal Superman. The story’s violence and moral ambiguity redefined Batman.

Its dark tone, with heroes as flawed antiheroes, was groundbreaking but divisive. DC embraces it cautiously, as it overshadows lighter Batman stories.

4. Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013-2016)

This DC arc, tied to the video game, shows Superman becoming a dictator after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and destroying Metropolis. He kills heroes opposing him.

The shocking fall of Superman into tyranny disturbed fans. DC keeps it separate from main continuity, likely to preserve Superman’s heroic ideal.

3. Flashpoint (2011)

DC’s alternate timeline sees Flash create a dystopian world by saving his mother. Batman is a violent Thomas Wayne, and heroes die in a war-torn reality.

The bleak world and heavy losses, like Superman’s captivity, make it grim. DC ties it to the New 52 reboot but rarely dwells on its darkness.

2. Identity Crisis (2004-2005)

This DC story involves the murder of Sue Dibny and a cover-up revealing heroes’ dark secrets, including sexual assault. The grim tone and moral compromises shook the DC Universe.

The controversial handling of trauma and fan backlash led DC to downplay it. It’s a divisive arc, rarely highlighted in modern retellings.

1. Marvel Ruins (1995)

Marvel’s darkest arc imagines a world where everything goes wrong: Peter Parker dies from a virus, Daredevil is killed by radiation, and heroes face horrific fates. It’s a brutal, hopeless take on the Marvel Universe.

The unrelenting despair and graphic deaths made it too bleak for mainstream appeal. Marvel barely acknowledges it, as it inverts their hopeful superhero ethos.

Which dark comic arc shocked you the most, or is there another hidden gem I missed? Drop your thoughts in the comments!