Timing is everything in the world of comics, and even giants like DC aren’t immune to its effects. Too much of a good thing can quickly become a problem, and the same holds true for comic book series. A comic's success often hinges on how long it runs. Finding the perfect stopping point can be the difference between a beloved classic and a drawn-out disappointment.

Not all comics are created equal. Some should be avoided not because they’re entirely bad, but because they don’t know when to end. A promising series might start strong, only to wear out its welcome by dragging on too long. On the flip side, some of the best comics are the ones that leave readers wanting more, ending before they have a chance to lose momentum. Striking the right balance in a comic's lifespan is a delicate art, and when it’s off, fans feel it.

10 Overstayed: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight

Creative Team Includes Joss Whedon, Brian K. Vaughan, Drew Goddard, Jane Espenson, Brad Meltzer, Georges Jeanty, Karl Moline, and More

The official comic book continuation, Season Eight, was an addition to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer canon that was created to be viewed and treated like an actual run of episodes, just as one would expect from a live-action television season. It exists as if it were a TV season that never made it to the screen. With that in mind, asking Buffyverse fans to commit to 40 issues released over a four-year period was a pretty big ask. In the 2000s, the average TV season consisted of about 22 episodes released within a single year.

Forty was a big number even back then, and it feels even larger by today’s standards, where most seasons top out at around 10 episodes. It didn’t help that much of that 40-issue run was riddled with controversial plot points that divided the fanbase, making some readers question whether it was worth sticking with. By the time future seasons hit the shelves, the damage was already done.

9 Too Soon: Sensational She-Hulk (2023)

Written by Rainbow Rowell with Art by Andres Genolet

Unfortunately, the character She-Hulk has often been limited to miniseries or quick cancellations. Writers like Peter David, Charles Soule, and Mariko Tamaki all saw their respective runs cut short, despite consistently earning critical praise. The latest to meet a similar fate is Rainbow Rowell’s time as lead writer. Rowell initially revived She-Hulk for 15 issues in 2022 before returning in 2023 under the revived Sensational She-Hulk banner.

Sensational She-Hulk was canceled after just 10 issues. It’s a shame, as Rowell’s take on the character was a breath of fresh air. At a time when most Marvel titles leaned heavily into action or high-stakes storytelling, Sensational She-Hulk offered something different: feel-good wholesomeness. It gave readers a welcome break from the drama, delivering a relatable and rewarding slice-of-life comic that stood out in Marvel’s modern lineup.

8 Overstayed: Marvel Zombies

The Original 5-Issue Marvel Zombies was Written by Robert Kirkman with Art by Sean Phillips

When the original five-part miniseries originally hit comic book stands in 2005, the concept felt unique. Taking everyone's favorite Marvel superheroes and turning them into creatures of the undead sounds simple, yet it was exciting. Fast-forward two decades, and Marvel is running it into the ground. Countless sequels, one-shots, and even an MCU animated series for the big screen that has been spun out from Marvel Zombies. All of which have come out with varying levels of quality.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe first struck interest in adapting Marvel Zombies following the positive reception to the "What If...Zombies?!" episode of the What If...? Disney+ show in 2021.

There’s nothing worse than watching something great get dragged out for too long, and that’s exactly what’s happened with Marvel’s Zombies franchise. What once felt fresh and exciting now feels overplayed, nearly 20 years later, as Marvel continues to return to the same concept again and again without offering anything truly new.

7 Too Soon: X-Terminators

Written by Leah Williams with Art by Carlos Gómez

X-Terminators is an X-Men title that dates back to the 1980s, but Leah Williams and Carlos Gómez revived the namesake with a brand-new roster in 2022. This time, the team included Wolverine (a.k.a. Laura Kinney, formerly X-23), Jubilee, Boom-Boom, and Dazzler, who come together when the world’s most important human learns her fans are being hunted by vampires. The X-Men brand is large enough to numerous spin-offs and mutant-based super-teams, but what sets X-Terminators apart is its unapologetic embrace of fun and silliness.

The story’s carefree tone made for a wildly entertaining ride, which Marvel unexpectedly cut short after just five issues. Those five issues gave readers a glimpse of what this all-female X-team could deliver, and considering the praise it received, Marvel might want to consider bringing X-Terminators back again.

6 Overstayed: The Clone Saga

Creative Team Includes Terry Kavanagh, Joey Cavalieri, Todd Dezago, J. M. DeMatteis and Tom DeFalco

This is more of an arc than a comic book series, but the point still stands that the "Clone Saga" storyline overstayed its welcome. The 1990s "Clone Saga" ran for just over two years, and even longer if readers consider that its groundwork was laid in the 1970s arc of the same name. It remains one of Marvel’s most controversial storylines for Spider-Man, and before One More Day came along, Clone Saga was considered the most hated Spidey tale.

There was a point in time when the "Clone Saga" was something utterly intriguing for the average reader, but as with most things that prolong their course, it got worse. Audiences soon became impatient with the meandering storyline failing to reach an imminent conclusion, especially as the longer it went, the more convoluted and confusing everything became.

5 Too Soon: Blade (2023)

Written by Bryan Hill with Art by Valentina Pinti

As Marvel Studios continues to struggle with bringing the Daywalker to the big screen, Bryan Hill delivered the perfect modern interpretation of Blade in 2023. Over the course of 10 issues, Blade experienced a true renaissance, with the story pushing the character further than he had been in years. The series surrounded him with an entirely new ing cast, including a young protégé, an arms dealer, and guest appearances from Doctor Strange, Hulk, and Dracula. Meanwhile, Blade faced off against one of Marvel’s most imposing recent villains, a terrifying figure known as The Adana.

In 2024, Bryan Hill penned another run on Blade, this time for the five-issue miniseries, Blade: Red Band. All issues are available now from Marvel.

Some might argue that Blade’s growth was undone shortly after, when Marvel repositioned him as a villain for the Blood Hunt event. In reality, Blood Hunt only made this solo run even more essential reading. It’s just a shame that Hill’s reinvigoration of Blade couldn’t continue.

4 Overstayed: Original Ultimate Spider-Man

Creative Team Includes Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Stuart Immonen, and David Lafuente

One of the most devastating moments in comics history came when the 2000s iteration of Ultimate Spider-Man would sacrifice himself to save his loved ones, dying in the arms of Mary-Jane Watson whilst surrounded by loved ones. It was an emotionally gripping yet wrenching fall for an iconic hero. It made for a fitting end to Peter Parker, and the introduction of Miles Morales made for a suitable epilogue for the run. It was a tremendous series that faltered when it decided to keep going. Eventually, Peter Parker returns, revealing Spider-Man didn't actually die, and was basically immortal.

Peter Parker is back from the dead in Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez.

The Ultimate Universe was known for emphasizing consequences for its characters. When heroes die, they stay dead, so Peter's return is a rarity in this world. Unfortunately, the shocking twist managed to undermine both his and Miles' journey, while re-framing Peter as unlikable in his resurrection.

3 Too Soon: Avengers Inc

Written by Al Ewing, Art by Leonard Kirk

The Avengers, as a term and super-team, have existed in Marvel's lexicon for the better part of 62 years. However, Avengers Inc. completely remodels the meaning of The Avengers and what the franchise is capable of by way of genre-bending. The best Avengers storylines are draped with action and laced with soap opera-lite melodrama. Avengers Inc., though, takes a surprisingly nuanced approach by transporting the Earth's Mightiest Heroes (represented here by founding patriarch, Janet van Dyne, a.k.a. The Wasp) into a noir murder mystery.

The future seemed bright for a bolder approach to telling an Avengers story. That is, until the series had its run shortened and then canceled by issue #5. The cancellation exposed a bigger problem about Marvel's business model, but more relevantly, it stifled Marvel's most daring Avengers story in decades.

2 Overstayed: Doomsday Clock

Written by Geoff Johns with Art by Gary Frank

Not even DC Comics is immune to the pitfalls of a comic book that runs longer than it should. Doomsday Clock ranks among the most disappointing examples, despite being a dream crossover fans had speculated about for decades. The famed Watchmen characters were finally set to become integrated into the DC Universe. Unfortunately, the execution left much to be desired, and the series has largely faded from memory in the years since its release.

Due to delays in some entries, the 12-issue series was stretched across a two-year time period.

The story was met with mixed reactions from the start, but even more damaging than the reception was the release schedule. Due to multiple delays, the 12-issue series was stretched out over two years. The gaps between issues were so long that many readers lost interest in the mystery before it ever concluded.

1 Too Soon: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa with Art by Robert Hack

A reboot that takes a dark reinterpretation of a classic work can be a risky move that doesn't always connect with audiences. Thankfully, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina did just that and more in its run. It was a spookier, more horror-driven remake of Sabrina the Teenage Witch aimed at more mature audiences. The comic series was adored enough to warrant an adaptation on Netflix for a TV show of the same name. For all intents and purposes, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina could, and maybe still should, be actively produced today for all its critical acclaim.

Unfortunately, the original run of comics only lasted nine issues, with its last release coming in 2017, one year before the Netflix series debuted. There have been spinoffs since, but the original series was one of the industry's best horror comics of the time and deserved more time to grow.