Special powers everywhere

It is fairly difficult to choose the most iconic and essential issue or a whole series for each brand. However, some of them can definitely be pointed out in our list and it is unlikely that any comic book fan would disagree with these choices.

Starting our list with Marvel publishment it is "Uncanny X-Men" series with its first issue from 1963, originally published as The X-Men. It is the longest-running series in the X-Men comics franchise. It features a team of superheroes called the X-Men, a group of mutants with superhuman abilities led and taught by Professor X. The title was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, met with a lukewarm reception, and was eventually cancelled in 1970. Interest was rekindled with 1975's Giant-Size X-Men and the debut of a new, international team. Under the guidance of David Cockrum and Chris Claremont, whose 16-year stint began with August 1975's Uncanny X-Men #94, the series grew in popularity worldwide, eventually spawning a franchise with numerous spin-off "X-books", including New Mutants, X-Factor, Excalibur, X-Force, Generation X, the simply titled X-Men, and a number of prefixed titles such as New X-Men, Astonishing X-Men, Essential X-Men, All-New X-Men and Extraordinary X-Men.
In the very first issue of a series (not spoiling anything don't worry) young X-Men try to stop Magneto who has taken over a missile base, making a first day in Professor X's school memorable for the teenagers.

Another equally important and iconic series is without any doubt "Civil War" by Mark Millar and Steven McNiven from 2006 also published by Marvel.

The plot of the series follows a framework story line in which the U.S. government passes a Superhero Registration Act ostensibly designed to have super powered individuals act under official regulation, somewhat akin to law enforcement. However, superheroes opposed to the act, led by Captain America, find themselves in conflict with those supporting the act, led by Iron Man, with Spider-Man caught in the middle; the X-Men take a neutral stance. The superheroes in support of the law, such as Iron Man, Dr. Reed Richards, and Ms. Marvel, become increasingly authoritarian. In the aftermath of the war, Captain America surrenders and is imprisoned. The conflict between freedom and security is an underlying theme in the story line, with real-life events and discussions, such as the U.S. government's increased surveillance of its citizens, serving as a backdrop for the events in Civil War. A sequel, Civil War II, debuted in June 2016.

The series received polarized reviews but was a commercial success. The series is the basis for the Marvel Studios film Captain America: Civil War, which likewise features Captain America and Iron Man in opposition to each other.

Task for you: Share your favourite comic book in the comments.

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