Comic book death is rarely the end. It’s more of a detour—sometimes tragic, sometimes triumphant, often divisive. In the cyclical world of comics, resurrection is not just a narrative trope but a rite of passage. Some characters come back changed, some return unchanged, and a few never should’ve come back at all (but did, anyway).

Here’s our deep dive into the most unforgettable, meaningful, and sometimes downright outrageous returns from the grave in comic book history—moments that rattled readers, inflated back issue prices, and reshaped universes.

1. Jean Grey — The Phoenix Saga and the Birth of Comic Book Resurrection as an Artform

X-Men #101–#137, The Dark Phoenix Saga (1976–1980); Resurrection: Fantastic Four #286 (1985)

If there’s one character who defines the resurrection trope, it’s Jean Grey. Thought to have died heroically in Uncanny X-Men #137, Jean’s rebirth as Phoenix—and then again from the Phoenix—was so complex it involved cosmic retcons, clone conspiracies, and alien bird gods. Her return in Fantastic Four #286 revealed that the woman who died wasn’t even Jean but the Phoenix Force mimicking her.

That’s comic book resurrection for you: bold, over-the-top, and deeply controversial. But it worked. This wasn’t just a return—it was a resurrection that canonized itself. From here on, nobody stayed dead… except Uncle Ben.

2. Jason Todd — The Boy Who Came Back Wrong

Death: Batman #428 (1988), Return: Batman: Hush (2003) & Under the Hood (2005)

Fans voted for Jason Todd’s death via a 1-900 number (in the most brutal form of reader interaction ever). He stayed dead for over a decade—until the Lazarus Pit entered stage right.

Jason’s resurrection is one of DC’s most psychologically rich revivals. Unlike most characters who come back and slide back into their heroic roles, Jason returned with a grudge. His turn into the Red Hood was less “I’m back!” and more “You let me die, and I’m going to fix Gotham my way.”

He didn't just cheat death—he redefined what a sidekick could become.

3. Bucky Barnes — From Myth to Man: The Winter Soldier

*Death: Avengers #4 (1964), Return: Captain America #1–6 (2005)*
If Jean Grey set the template, Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting perfected it.
Bucky’s apparent death in World War II was sacrosanct—until it wasn’t. His reappearance as the brainwashed Soviet assassin known as the Winter Soldier was a masterclass in retroactive continuity done right. It didn’t feel like a gimmick; it felt like a tragic thriller steeped in espionage and Cold War shadows.

In an era of often over-the-top revivals, Bucky’s was grounded, grim, and believable—and it turned a long-forgotten character into one of Marvel’s finest.

4. Superman — The Death That Launched a Thousand Polybags

*Death: Superman #75 (1992), Return: Adventures of Superman #505 (1993)*
This was the moment mainstream media learned comic book characters die too. Superman’s death battling Doomsday was so widely publicized, it drew non-readers into comic shops in droves.
But it was never meant to be permanent. The “Reign of the Supermen” arc gave us four pretenders (one of whom—Steel—remains a fan favorite), before Clark returned with a black suit, longer hair, and a little less invincibility.

Collectors still bicker over those bagged issues with black armbands, but the resurrection was pure 1990s spectacle—and the biggest comic book event of its time.

5. Hal Jordan — From Fallen Hero to Rebirth

*Death: Final Night #4 (1996), Return: Green Lantern: Rebirth #1–6 (2004–2005)*
Hal Jordan’s turn to villainy as Parallax was controversial. His death? Symbolic. But his resurrection under Geoff Johns brought more than just Hal back—it reignited the entire Green Lantern mythos.
“Rebirth” wasn’t just a title. It was a mission statement. Hal’s return restored a legacy, redeemed a character, and laid the foundation for the Green Lantern Corps to once again become one of DC’s premier franchises.

And yes, it involved retcons, space entities, and fear monsters. This is comics, after all.

6. The Flash (Barry Allen) — The Longest Dead Man in Comics

Death: Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 (1985), Return: Final Crisis #2 (2008)

Barry Allen's death saving the multiverse stood untouched for 23 years—unheard of in comics. His absence paved the way for Wally West to become a beloved successor. And for a long time, fans agreed: Barry had the best comic book death of all time.

Until Final Crisis changed the game. Barry’s return was emotionally resonant, filled with gravitas, and, importantly, made sense. He wasn’t just pulled back—he was earned back.

7. Green Goblin (Norman Osborn) — The Resurrection That Changed Spider-Man Forever

Death: Amazing Spider-Man #122 (1973), Return: Spectacular Spider-Man #250 (1997)

For years, Norman Osborn’s death felt definitive. Gwen Stacy died. So did he. End of story.

But the Clone Saga had other plans. His resurrection unraveled years of storytelling but cemented him as Spider-Man’s ultimate archenemy. From street-level menace to political puppet master (see: Dark Reign), Norman’s return wasn’t about right or wrong—it was about control.

And for Spidey fans? It was divisive, but undeniably impactful.

Honorable Mentions:

Colossus: Sacrificed himself to cure the Legacy Virus (Uncanny X-Men #390), came back thanks to Joss Whedon in Astonishing X-Men #4. Rare case where readers were happy to see him again.
Elektra: Died, came back, stabbed again, came back again. Frank Miller’s noir femme fatale refuses to stay down—and we're all better for it.
Hawkeye: Blown up by Kree tech, resurrected by Scarlet Witch’s hex shenanigans. Only in comics can death-by-rocket turn into a comeback story in a magic reality.

The Bigger Question: Why Do They Return?

Comic book resurrection is rarely about logistics. It’s about hope, legacy, and—yes—sales. These returns carry emotional, cultural, and financial weight. As one article from The Collector Hub rightly points out, scarcity and demand don’t just drive prices—they drive stories too.

Resurrections play with the one thing we know in real life is irreversible—death. In comics, that rule bends. And when it breaks just right, it gives us some of the most thrilling moments the medium can offer.

Which comic resurrection rocked your world the most? Let us know at collectorhub@gpanalysis.com. Or better yet—dig through those back issue bins and hunt for the issue where your favorite hero returned. Resurrection, after all, is half the fun.

Rising from the Panels: The Greatest Resurrections in Comic Book History