10 Comics That CHANGED History

8. The Grand Design Series

Marvels Avengers Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics

We know what you’re thinking, and no, the Grand Design series is not a daytime TV show about superheroes helping ordinary people to build their dream homes. Although, now that you mention it, we would absolutely watch that. Get on it, Channel 4!

Rather, Marvel’s Grand Design comics attempt to re-tell some of their most convoluted mythologies in chronological order, squashing decades of storytelling from hundreds of contributors into bite-size issues. The result has the same unrelenting energy as a hyperactive child excitedly telling you the best parts of their favourite cartoon series in detail, and it’s absolutely fantastic.

So far, Marvel has released two series under this title: Ed Piskor’s X-Men: Grand Design and Tom Scioli’s Fantastic Four: Grand Design. The books prove to be great showcases for these two independent creators, and a wonderful way for two alternative artists to give us their spin on blockbuster properties. Piskor and Scioli also happen to be best friends in real life, co-hosting the Cartoonist Kayfabe podcast together. At the end of the day, is there any superpower greater than friendship?

Contributor
Contributor

Jimmy Kavanagh is an Irish writer and co-founder of Club Valentine Comedy, a Dublin-based comedy collective. You can hear him talk to his favourite comedians about their favourite comics on his podcast, Comics Swapping Comics.