The best Marvel Isekai comic stories, ranked

Key recommendations

• Isekai Marvel fan favorites include Exiles, Old Man Logan and Planet Hulk.
• Exiles 2001 features X-Men from alternate realities hopping across universes to solve problems.
• Marvel Isekai gems like Days of Future Past and Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom offer thrilling, world-bending experiences.

Isekai is one of the most popular anime genres today. The genre is about characters who find themselves in new worlds or dimensions and have to survive there. Due to the popularity of light novels and webcomics, creators have been given the tools to publish their unique stories. Comic book giant Marvel Comics has done some incredible isekai stories over the years, before the name isekai itself was in the public consciousness.

New worlds, dimensions, and multiple storylines are a big part of Marvel Comics' lore, so readers can bet there are some isekai gems in their catalog.

8 Exiles (2001)

Mutants who jump across universes to solve problems

• Writer: Judd Winick
• Artist: Mike McKone
• Date of publication: August 2001

The Exiles 2001 run is a 100 issue series that follows a group of characters, each from different realities, banding together to jump universes and correct problems. Throughout the series, they visit various alternate worlds, many of which avid Marvel Comics fans will recognize.

Exiles is written by writer Judd Winick and illustrated by Mike McKone and even includes a chapter written by X-Men veteran Chris Claremont. What readers love about this series is that there is no plot armor. The characters you would think are pillars are destroyed at the start of the race. This keeps readers on edge as they never really know what to expect.

7 Old Man Logan (2008)

Featuring an old Wolverine in an alternate timeline

• Writer: Mark Millar
• Artist: Steve McNiven
• Date of publication: August 2008

In Old Man Loganan aged version of Wolverine/Logan takes place in an alternate timeline. It was a refreshing take on one of Marvel's iconic characters, Wolverine, who is known for doing impressive things. The 2008 collaboration of writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven introduced readers to some of the most gruesome diversions from the Marvel cannon ever seen.

In this timeline, supervillains have overthrown Marvel's superheroes and X-Men they were all killed. After these events, Logan becomes a pacifist who no longer fights or pulls out his claws. While struggling to pay his rent, Logan has no choice but to accept a job from Hawkeye, who asks him to deliver a dubious package. This sets off an exciting journey through the wasteland of the Marvel universe, where readers discover strange alternatives to popular characters. The story includes appearances from the Hulk (Hulk's grandchildren) and Spider-Man's daughter and grandson.

The Old Man Logan the character would become an iconic version of Wolverine, inspiring the 2017 film Logan.

6 Planet Hulk (2006)

Hulk overthrows an emperor after being sent to a new world

• Writer: Greg Pak
• Artist(s): Carlo Pagulayan, Jeffrey Huet, Chris Sotomayor
• Date of publication: April 2006
• Comic Issues: The Incredible Hulk #92–105 Huge size Hulk #1

Written by Greg Pak, Planet Hulk is a popular Hulk series in which the Green Titan's fellow Marvel heroes send the Hulk to another planet. Hulk finds himself on Sakaar, and the story then follows Hulk's path to overthrow the planet's emperor to become its new king.

The series is a fan favorite because readers enjoy seeing the Hulk do what the Hulk does best. The idea behind it Planet Hulk is to send him into an environment where he can fight monsters like a gladiator, the perfect outlet for him to shine as a devastating force. Planet Hulk go on to create another great series called World War Hulk.

5 The Incredible Gwenpool (2016)

A real-world Marvel fan is sent into the Marvel Universe

• Writer: Christopher Hastings
• Artists: Gurihiru, Irene Strychalski, Alti Firmansyah, Danilo Beyruth, Myisha Haynes
• Date of publication: June 2016

Published in 2016, writer Christopher Hastings and illustrator Gurihiru set out to create a series of fun, anime-influenced comics. The Incredible Gwenpool sees Gwen Poole transported from the real world to the Marvel Universe. It's a story setup that leads to a lot of thrills as Gwenpool meets countless Marvel heroes like Miles Morales, Blade, Deadpool, and Ghost Rider.

Tonally, the series blends the humor of Deadpool with the level of glamor of Spider-Gwen, hence the aptly titled name. There are many exciting arcs to follow with Gwen's journey through the Marvel Universe, such as when Gwen is disgusted at the thought of hurting the Marvel characters she grew up loving and instead tries to erase herself from existence. Readers often enter the Amazing Gwenpool they expect low-stakes fun, but are surprised by how much the story invests in her character.

4 Days of Future Past (1981)

Katy Pryde must travel back in time to prevent an anti-mutant revolution

• Screenwriter: Chris Claremont
• Artist: John Byrne Inker: Terry Austin
• Date of publication: January 1981
• Comic Issues: The Uncanny X-Men Issues #141–142

Days of Future Past it's iconic X-Men story written by writers Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Terry Austin.

The story depicts a dystopian future where mutants are imprisoned by an anti-mutant regime. Mutant-hating robots called Sentinels rule the United States, forcing mutants into internment camps. In this era, we are introduced to a reformed version of Magneto who is confined to a wheelchair, ironic considering he once opposed Professor Xavier.

With the help of Rachel Summers, Katy Pryde transfers her consciousness back 30 years to warn everyone about this future so they can prevent it from happening. Katy then has to help him X-Men from the past prevents the assassination of Professor Xavier and Senator Robert Kelly, as this is the event that caused the anti-mutant hysteria.

Days of Future Past is one of Marvel's best comic book stories and was the inspiration behind the 2014 film of the same name. Unfortunately, the film did not feature a Katy Pryde story arc.

3 Secret Wars (2015)

Marvel heroes from different realms fight each other to save their own universe

• Writer: Jonathan Hickman
• Artist(s): Esad Ribić, Ive Svorcina
• Date of publication: May 2015

Secret Wars is an all-encompassing Marvel event that sees readers' favorite Marvel characters battle against each other to save the fate of their own world. A raid is set up Earth-616 and the The Last Universe Earth on a collision course with each other, which will cause the universe to end once that happens.

Desperate to save anyone he can, Reed Richards tries to get everyone on a life raft, but struggles to prevent the inevitable death and destruction. Secret Wars (2015) is often hailed as the ultimate Marvel Comics event, and its world-blending qualities make it perfect for those seeking Marvel Isekai experiences. There's a reason fans have been waiting for Secret Wars to be adapted for the MCU.

2 Only Myself Left To Conquer (2022)

Marvel's most infamous time traveler gets his definitive solo story

• Writers: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing
• Artist: Carlos Magno
• Publication date: February 2022

Another famous of the Marvel world is Kang the Conqueror. Those familiar with the character know that Kang's history is ideal for Isekai, but until Only I remained to be conqueredit rarely had its own stand-alone story.

Released in 2022, Only I was left to conquer is designed to tell Kang's definitive story. The story sees the time traveler stuck in a cycle of destruction that he created. This paradox begins and ends with an older Kang sending his younger self down a dark path. This series portrays Kang like never before. Kang's entire existence is based on conquering all time and existence, and this story goes deep into his motivations for doing so.

1 Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment (1989)

Doctor Doom sets out to save his mother from the demon realm

• Writer: Roger Stern
• Artist(s): Mike Mignola, Mark Badger, Mark Badger, Jim Novak
• Date of publication: June 1987

Doctor Doom is not only one of Marvel's greatest villains, but he is also one of its most frequent travelers between worlds and dimensions. In Triumph and TormentDoom battles Mephisto in an attempt to free his mother's soul. But he can't do it without the help of master of the mystical arts, Doctor Strange.

The story sees them enter a realm of evil demons, where the two are pushed beyond their limits. Doom's inner turmoil makes readers adore him, despite the fact that he has an evil side that makes him strange. But Doom ends up needing Strange more than he'd like to admit, as this story forces Doom to expand his knowledge of the mystical arts thanks to Strange.

Triumph and Torment is often cited as the best Doctor Doom story arc, especially for newcomers.