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At the end of the year 2000, Marvel Comics launched a crossover event titled Maximum Security that was written by Kurt Busiek and drawn by Jerry Ordway–at least the three-issue self-titled limited series.

Here is how Marvel presents the main plot: “Welcome to Earth: penal colony for the universe’s deadliest villains! When the civilized alien races-influenced by the Supreme Intelligence and his newly-evolved Kree-tire of Earth’s involvement in their affairs, they decide to make it their new prison planet! Featuring all the world’s greatest heroes-including the Avengers, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four–against the most bizarre and deadly threats they can conceive of!”

Influenced by Australian history, and more precisely the way the British used Australia as a penitentiary–sending their convicts so far they would never come back to England!–, Busiek’s Maximum Security introduced the idea that Earth would become a prison for the scum of the galaxy. It was introduced as a way for the Intergalactic Council to deal with Earth–and its interfering heroes.

Maximum Security is composed of a three-issue limited series and almost 20 tie-in issues.

What to read before Maximum Security?

Thor, Tigra, Starfox, Moondragon, and Monica Rambeau are the Avengers in Space in the mini-series Avengers Infinity by Roger Stern and Sean Chen that set up the events of Maximum Security.

• Avengers Infinity Classic
  Collects Avengers Infinity #1-4.

Read More »Maximum Security Reading Order, a Marvel Crossover

At the beginning of the 1970s, Blaxploitation movies became quite popular and Marvel Comics wanted to cash in on the trend–as well as with other trends, see Ghost Rider or Werewolf by Night. Luke Cage was then introduced as an urban African-American hero like no other.

Described at the time as “a combination of Superman and Shaft,” Luke Cage was created by Archie Goodwin, George Tuska, Roy Thomas, and John Romita Sr. He made his first appearance in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (June 1972). He was the first black American superhero to have his own comic book series at Marvel Comics (Black Panther is not an American!).

Introduced as a prisoner in “Little Alcatraz,” the Seagate Prison, Carl Lucas is recruited by research scientist Dr. Noah Burstein to be a test subject in a cellular regeneration experiment based on a variant of the Super-Soldier process. Lucas gains superstrength and escapes. He ends up in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood where he grew up and reinvents himself. Now call Luke Cage, the “Power Man,” he becomes a freelance “hero for hire.”

The Hero for Hire comics was not a hit, but Luke Cage rapidly found his place in the Marvel universe. He befriended the Fantastic Four, fought next to the super-team the Defenders, developed a relationship with Dr. Claire Temple, and teamed up with Iron Fist and Misty Knight…

Read More »Luke Cage Reading Order, Marvel’s Power Man

While they are often compared to the X-Men, the Inhumans occupy a unique, cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe. Created by the legendary duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1965 (Fantastic Four #45), these powerful beings aren’t just “born with it,” they are the product of ancient alien engineering and a ritualistic transformation that changes their lives forever.

Inhumans vs. Mutants: What’s the Difference?

The primary difference lies in the source of their power. While Mutants carry the X-Gene that naturally activates during puberty, Inhumans are the result of Kree science experiments. To gain their abilities, an Inhuman must undergo Terrigenesis, a process where they are exposed to the Terrigen Mist (vaporized Terrigen Crystals).

Originally intended as weapons for the Kree-Skrull War, the Inhumans instead formed a secluded, highly advanced society governed by the Royal Family and the Genetic Council.

Read More in The Origins of The Inhumans, Marvel’s Royal Family.

Meet the Inhuman Royal Family

To understand the best Inhumans stories, you have to know the key players living in their lunar kingdom of Attilan:

• Black Bolt: The King, whose voice is so destructive that a mere whisper can level a city.
• Medusa: The Queen, with powerful, prehensile hair.
• Crystal: Mistress of the elements (fire, water, earth, air).
• Karnak: The philosopher who never underwent Terrigenesis but can see the flaw in all things.
• Maximus: Black Bolt’s brother, a mad genius.
• Lockjaw: The fan-favorite giant bulldog with the power of teleportation.

From Classic Lore to the NuHumans

The Inhuman mythos expanded significantly in recent years with the arrival of NuHumans. These are individuals with dormant Inhuman DNA living among humans who were transformed when a Terrigen Cloud drifted across Earth. This era gave us modern icons like Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), Daisy Johnson (Quake), and Moon Girl.

With over 50 years of complex political drama, cosmic wars, and genetic evolution, diving into their history can be daunting. Whether you’re a fan of the classic Kirby era or the modern “Inhumanity” event, here is the definitive Inhumans reading order to guide you through the mists.

Read More »Inhumans Reading Order (with Black Bolt, Medusa, Karnak, Lockjaw and Maximus)

Marvel introduced a western character named Ghost Rider in 1967, but he is now known as the Phantom Rider. The Ghost Rider we are talking about here made his burning entrance in 1972 in Marvel Spotlight #5 and was created by Roy Thomas, Gary Friedrich, and Mike Ploog.

The original idea behind Ghost Rider came from Gary Friedrich as he developed a villain to be used in the page of Daredevil. Intrigued, Roy Thomas decided that the character should have his own series. He even suggested that the costume should be inspired by one Elvis wore in his comeback special in 1968. Mike Ploog took their concept and designed the biker, introducing the head on fire just because he thought it looked cool.

There is more than one Ghost Rider. The first was Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who gave his soul to Mephisto to save his adopted father’s life. After that, he discovers that he was bonded with the demon Zarathos. Now, he is forced to punish the wicked and evil as the Ghost Rider, a violent biker with a flaming head. Though, he only transformed when he is in the presence of evil.

At the beginning of the 1990s, Marvel introduced a new Ghost Rider, the young Danny Ketch. In 2014, it was the turn of Robbie Reyes, a Mexican-American resident of East Los Angeles, who’s not a biker. His ride is a muscle car.

Others became temporarily Ghost Riders, and the mythology behind the characters, as well as its history, evolved through the years. As the host or the ride changed, the Ghost Rider’s abilities also changed. Every rider is different, but the fight against Evil never stops.

Read More »Ghost Rider Reading Order

The Marvel Comics supervillain Thanos first appeared in The Invincible Iron Man #55 in February 1973. He was created by writer and artist Jim Starlin, who was inspired by Jack Kirby’s work on DC’s New Gods. He was Marvel’s response to Darkseid, following instructions from Roy Thomas, but Starlin also drew inspiration from his college psychology classes when creating Thanos and Drax the Destroyer.

Hailing from Titan, Saturn’s moon, Thanos is the son of the Eternals A’lars and Sui-San. After falling in love with the physical embodiment of Death, Thanos finally became the murderous nihilist monster feared by the universe. He killed millions on Titan, but that was just the beginning. In order to do more, he started seeking universal power in the form of the Cosmic Cube.

This quest led to the creation of his enemy, Drax the Destroyer, and confrontations with Captain Marvel and other superheroes. But his story ended… for a time. He was resurrected in the 1990s, when Jim Starlin launched his Infinity Saga — a classic Marvel tale of epic proportions. Thanos resumed his quest to find the Infinity Gems.

After that, he became a constant menace, concocting evil plans that only made sense to him. Even when defeated, he always came back.

Read More »Thanos Reading Order