Some of the top narrative comic book stories include 'X - Men: Days of Future Past'. It has a thrilling time - travel plot that shows a dark future for mutants. 'Kingdom Come' is another excellent one. It shows an older generation of superheroes dealing with a new, more violent generation. Also, 'The Killing Joke' is a classic. It delves deep into the relationship between Batman and the Joker, showing the Joker's origin in a very dark and disturbing way.
To find the best narrative comic book stories, first consider the classic titles that have withstood the test of time, like 'Superman: Red Son'. Then, follow the works of artists who are known for their storytelling abilities, such as Jack Kirby. His dynamic art often enhanced the narrative. You could also look into graphic novels that have been adapted into movies or TV shows, as these are usually based on well - written and engaging stories. For instance, '300' was a great graphic novel before it became a movie.
One of the best is 'The Dark Knight Returns' by Frank Miller. It redefined Batman in a darker and more complex way, showing an older, grizzled Bruce Wayne coming out of retirement. Another great one is 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore. It's a deconstruction of the superhero concept with a multi - layered story and complex characters. And 'X - Men: Days of Future Past' has a great story that deals with time travel and the fight for mutant survival.
One of the best is the story of the Joker in 'The Killing Joke'. It delved deep into his origin and his twisted relationship with Batman. It's a dark and psychological exploration that shows how a man can become a chaotic and terrifying villain.
Some great ones include 'Watchmen'. In it, Adrian Veidt is a supervillain in a sense, with his grand and immoral plan to save the world. His actions and the moral ambiguity make it a great supervillain story. 'Hawkeye' also has some interesting supervillain - adjacent stories, like when Clint Barton has to deal with the Tracksuit Mafia. And 'Daredevil: Born Again' has Kingpin as a formidable supervillain, with his schemes and the toll it takes on Daredevil's life.
Another great one is 'A Death in the Family'. The Joker killed Robin (Jason Todd) in this story, which had a huge impact on Batman and the entire Batman universe. It was a very tragic and memorable story.
In 'The Vision' comics, the relationship between Vision and Virginia is a unique love story. Vision creates a family for himself, and his relationship with Virginia is full of depth. It delves into themes like identity, family, and what it means to love as an artificial being. It's not your typical love story but rather a thought - provoking exploration of love in an unusual context.
Another great one is 'Watchmen'. It's a complex and thought - provoking story that deconstructs the superhero genre. It has multiple storylines that all come together in a very satisfying way, with deep and interesting characters.
Comic book origin stories are like the roots of a tree that influence the growth of the entire series. When we know how a character like Thor came to be, with his Asgardian heritage and how he lost his hammer at times, it adds depth to the ongoing storylines. These origin stories introduce the conflicts that the character will face throughout the series. For instance, in Green Lantern's origin, the conflict between his willpower and the threats to the universe is established, which then weaves through the entire narrative. Also, they help in character development over time as the series progresses.
The 'Flashpoint' story arc in DC Comics is great. The Flash travels back in time and changes the timeline, leading to a completely different world. It has a lot of action and shows how small changes can have huge consequences. There are many familiar characters in new and interesting roles.
One of the best under rated comic book stories is 'Bone' by Jeff Smith. It's a beautifully illustrated epic fantasy adventure that combines humor, great characters, and a captivating story. It follows the Bone cousins as they get caught up in a world of magic and danger.