In many ways, this is the first true comics event. It all began here. Despite only being a three-issue story arc, Stan Lee and Jack Kirbys incredible The Coming of Galactus set the tone for every gargantuan, tie-in addled event since then. In the story, Galactus, a cosmic being that devours entire worlds, begins to head to earth, aided and abetted by his herald The Silver Surfer. Of course, the world had been put in jeopardy before, but Galactus was such a phenomenal threat that it genuinely felt to readers that this time, we really might be doomed. Eventually, The Fantastic Four, along with the help of Silver Surfer, were able to repel the spacefaring monster, but, crucially, they didnt destroy him, leaving future story opportunities for the character (which were, of course, pounced upon by subsequent creators). This series not only introduced one of comics best villains, it also began an extended character arc for The Thing. In addition to that, it also launched all subsequent Silver Surfer stories as well. Wow.