Highlights
- Marvel Noir comics explore the dark and gritty side of familiar characters in the noir genre.
- The X-Men, Daredevil, Wolverine, Punisher, Iron Man, and Spider-Man all have their own noir stories.
- These stories offer a different take on the characters, with alternate timelines and themes of mystery and fatalism.
Even the vibrant heroes of Marvel Comics can’t resist the allure of mysterious stories that deal with the grit and rough nature of life, with characters such as the Wolverine and The Punisher representing those who walk darker paths to ensure innocents never have to. However, these two figures and their fellow anti-heroes aren’t necessarily where Marvel ends their exploration of new genres in their stories. Marvel is no stranger to the appeal of solving mysterious crimes under the backdrop of less savory circumstances, as is the usual image associated with the noir genre.
Fans interested in seeing Marvel heroes and villains tackle the innate cynicism and darker tones of the noir genre could look at titles published within its Marvel Noir line for more straightforward tales. However, certain Marvel Comics also tread the line towards noir with its themes of fatalism, mystery, and a more downcast take on realism.
10 X-Men Noir
Goodreads: 3.05
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Writer, Artist |
Fred Van Lente, Dennis Calero |
|---|---|
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Publication Timeline |
2009 |
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Continuity |
Marvel Noir |
Set in the 1940s, X-Men Noir transforms the high-octane action involving the X-Men of the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters into a whodunit murder mystery. When the washed-up body of Jean Grey reveals slash marks grouped in threes, NYPD Homicide Chief Eric Magnus takes a particular interest in the case. Unlike other Marvel Noir entries, the “heroes” in X-Men Noir trade showcases of superpowers with an alternate look into how their supposed powers in the main timeline may affect their overall psychology.
Despite its interesting premise, X-Men Noir suffered from both confusing writing and art that further complicated its murder mystery. Regardless of middling reviews, fans of pulp fiction and the noir genre should consider picking up X-Men Noir for its light exploration of eugenics and evolution from the perspective of psychology and behavioral science.
9 Daredevil Noir
Goodreads: 3.61
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Writer, Artist |
Alexander Irvine, Tomm Coker |
|---|---|
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Publication Timeline |
2009 |
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Continuity |
Marvel Noir |
Technically third in line among titles released in Marvel’s Marvel Noir continuity, Daredevil Noir takes place in the 1920s where Hell’s Kitchen in the Prohibition Era remains fiercely loyal to the Kingpin. The only man opposing him is the elusive Daredevil, whose penchant for a trademark tight-fitting red suit remains apparent in the story. Much of Daredevil Noir’s narrative is seen from the eyes of private investigator Foggy Nelson and his assistant Matt Murdock, particularly when a new client paints gangster Orville Halloran as more than what he seems to be.
Daredevil Noir pitting Daredevil against the Kingpin is a tale as old as time, and exploring Hell’s Kitchen’s crime-ridden history in the Prohibition Era paints a thicker picture of the depth of corruption Daredevil has to face in today’s times. The four-issue limited series leaves much to be desired in terms of overall characterization, but Daredevil Noir serves as enough of a retelling of Murdock’s intentions as Daredevil in a new setting.
8 Wolverine Noir
Goodreads: 3.38
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Writer, Artist |
Stuart Moore, C.P. Smith |
|---|---|
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Publication Timeline |
2009 |
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Continuity |
Marvel Noir |
Despite the lukewarm reception towards X-Men Noir, its depiction of Wolverine as a down-on-his-luck detective made him the perfect candidate for a noir story. Set in 1937, Wolverine Noir tells the story of private detective Jim Logan’s recent case, which leads him on a trip down memory lane. Continuing the trend established by X-Men Noir, Logan isn’t the Adamantium-toting Wolverine of the X-Men and is instead Logan & Logan’s resident fighter, notable for his skill with knives.
The lack of his healing factor puts the still-brooding Logan into dangerous situations, with the atmospheric arc depicting the seasoned detective’s continuous struggles. Logan already being a lone wolf in the main timeline made it more convenient to integrate him into the darker world of noir stories, making his tale a worthwhile pick for fans who want an alternate Wolverine tale.
7 Punisher Noir
Goodreads: 3.55
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Writer, Artist |
Frank Tieri, Paul Azaceta |
|---|---|
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Publication Timeline |
2009-2010 |
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Continuity |
Marvel Noir |
Frank Castle Sr. already having a tragic past as the backbone of his merciless crusade against criminals makes for a fitting Marvel Noir story. However, Punisher Noir adds its own twist to the Punisher origin story when skilled army veteran Frank Castle Sr. is brutally murdered by criminals, with his son Frank Castle Jr. taking up arms in a personal quest for vengeance. Set in Manhattan in 1935, Punisher Noir tones down the Punisher’s trademark use of firearms and instead gives him more opportunities for grittier and bloodier means of combat.
While Punisher Noir gives readers a personal revenge narrative fitting enough for a noir story, readers may find its storyline lacking with its Prohibition Era setting. However, despite crime families potentially paving the way for larger-than-life stories for Punisher Noir, it’s precisely Frank Castle Jr.’s insistence on fulfilling his vendetta that makes his journey a recognizable setup for an adequate noir story.
6 Iron Man Noir
Goodreads: 3.57
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Writer, Artist |
Scott Snyder, Manuel Garcia |
|---|---|
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Publication Timeline |
2010 |
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Continuity |
Marvel Noir |
While Iron Man’s exploits in Iron Man Noir stylistically fit the pages of a pulp magazine, Tony Stark’s desperate attempt to heal his heart with a mysterious metal known as Orichalcum fits squarely within the noir genre. Although Tony Stark in Iron Man Noir remains a rich adventurer, his exploits taking place in the 1930s opens him up to both unknown frontiers and betrayals, with companions turning against him or the Nazis themselves pursuing him.
Marvel fans who want more “classic” versions of Iron Man’s suits should pick up Iron Man Noir with its blend of steampunk and techno-arcane visuals. Characters such as James Rhodes, Pepper Potts, Jarvis, Baron Zemo, and even Namor are reimagined in the 1930s, assing a dash of color to Tony Stark’s mission. While not as “dark” as its other Marvel Noir counterparts, Iron Man Noir provides a gritty enough contrast to an Iron Man story contrary to Tony’s usual vibrant adventures.
5 Spider-Man Noir: The Complete Collection
Goodreads: 4.00
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Writer, Artist |
David Hine, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Lee Weeks, Fabrice Sapolsky, Roger Stern, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Nilah Magruder, Travel Foreman, Eric Gapstur |
|---|---|
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Publication Timeline |
2019 |
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Continuity |
Marvel Noir, Spider-Verse |
Fans delighted with Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of Spider-Man Noir in the Spider-Verse films should consider picking up his character’s original appearance, particularly Spider-Man Noir: The Complete Collection, which compiles both Spider-Man Noir’s origin story but also his subsequent adventures. While his adventures beyond the 1930s would see him meet various Spider-Men, a particular highlight of Spider-Man Noir would be the alternate timeline that started it all.
Set in the Great Depression, Peter Parker remains a reporter eager to make a name for himself in the field. As with most of his counterparts, a fated spider bite would encourage him to adopt the Spider-Man persona after gaining newfound powers. While Spider-Man Noir remains an entertaining take on Spider-Man squaring off against grittier versions of his rogues, pulp-era incarnations of Norman Osborn as a crime lord or a reimagining of Doctor Octopus prove noir can still become the realm of the weird and the odd when Spider-Man is involved.
4 Avengers, Inc.
Goodreads: 4.00
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Writer, Artist |
Al Ewing, Leonard Kirk |
|---|---|
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Publication Timeline |
2023 |
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Continuity |
Earth-616 |
Seeing six dead bodies instead of immediate superheroics is a first when dealing with the Avengers, and yet this is exactly the premise of Avengers, Inc. Set in modern times, Mayor Luke Cage of New York tasks Janet Van Dyne with solving the deaths of six villains, and accompanying her is Vision under the alias of Victor Shade.
While the current storyline is still ongoing, it’s a refreshing sight to see Avengers’ founding member Wasp finally step back into the limelight under the backdrop of a murder mystery. Seeing the Avengers tackle a smaller-scale task gives readers a chance to re-explore the current superhero meta, especially with a detective-style mystery at hand.
3 Alias
Goodreads: 4.05
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Writer, Artist |
Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Gaydos |
|---|---|
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Publication Timeline |
2001-2003 |
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Continuity |
Earth-616 |
Published under the adult-oriented MAX Imprint of Marvel Comics, Alias depicts the exploits of Jessica Jones as she pursues a career as a private investigator after quitting a brief superhero stint as Jewel. As with detective noir comics, Alias stories are set under the backdrop of various cases while Jessica Jones starts coping with events of her past. While Jessica Jones is revealed to have connections with other superheroes, her career keeps her grounded and tackling more “street-level” crimes.
Alias fits its R-rated classification with its exploration of rather dark themes concerning Jessica’s past, with her cases becoming much more than they seem to be. While set in modern times, Alias’s more serious depiction of a harsher life amid Marvel’s world of superheroes fits the noir genre to a T.
2 X-Factor: The Longest Night
Goodreads: 4.22
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Writer, Artist |
Peter David, Ryan Sook, Dennis Calero, Jose Villarrubia |
|---|---|
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Publication Timeline |
2005 |
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Continuity |
Earth-616, post-House of M |
After becoming a reality show millionnaire, Jamie Madrox, or Multiple Man, recruits his former colleagues from X-Corporation into a detective agency, X-Factor Investigations. Set just after Wanda Maximoff eliminates the majority of mutants in the House of M storyline, X-Factor: The Longest Night elaborates on the formation of XF Investigations, their initial rivalry with Singularity Investigations, and their plans on discovering what led to the events of Decimation.
Even under the backdrop of a straightforward mystery, The Longest Night shines in the way it provides depth to a cast of otherwise B- and C-List mutants outside the purview of the traditional X-Men. Madrox providing the occasional comic relief and the rest of his friends having clashing personalities adds surprising depth to their cases.
1 Captain America: Winter Soldier
Goodreads: 4.31
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Writer, Artist |
Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting, Mike Perkins, Michael Lark |
|---|---|
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Publication Timeline |
2004 |
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Continuity |
Earth-616 |
As with the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Captain America: Winter Soldier revisits Captain America’s past and marks the reappearance of Bucky Barnes as the deadly Winter Soldier. While the film counterpart maintains some similarity to the comic book as a spy thriller, the overall darker mood of 2004’s Winter Soldier plunges this run of Captain America into the depths of modern noir. Here, he comes to grips with the prospect of fighting his former comrade amid a conspiracy, with thousands of lives at stake in a plot by the Red Skull.
Such was the tonal shift of Winter Soldier that it was released not just as separate Volumes 1 and 2 of the 2004 Captain America run, but also as an “Ultimate Collection” TPB. Despite being set under the backdrop of superheroes, Winter Soldier juxtaposes Cap and Bucky’s struggle with historical events, double agents of spy-flick flair, and surprising character depth.
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