Carole

Co-founder and owner of Comic Book Treasury. The woman behind the Batfamily Guide (and the many Robins Guides), the Fables Universe and some of your favorite Spider-People among others!

Dawn of DC, The Complete Reading Order

by Carole
Updated: March 9, 2026

Building the future, “one hero at a time.” It was DC’s new statement for a new era, Following the restoration of the pre-Crisis infinite Multiverse and the disbandment of the Justice League at the end of the Dark Crisis, and the devastation of the DC Universe by the dispersion of Lazarus Resin across the globe.

While on paper, it sounded like a new start, Dawn of DC was more of a continuation of the Infinite Frontier period. Writers once again continued their runs, such as Chip Zdarsky’s Batman, Tini Howard’s Catwoman, Tom Taylor’s Nightwing, and Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s Action Comics. For new readers who wanted to jump into the DC Universe, this was not ideal, although there was new releases throughout the years to help, from a new Superman by Joshua Williamson to the launch of a new Titans title by Tom Taylor, as they became the world’s premier superhero team for a short time.

This initiative was full of events, including the return of the Justice Society, a summer of nightmares during Knight Terrors, a conflict between Batman and Catwoman in Gotham War, a global threat in Titans: Beast World, and Superman facing the House of Brainiac. During all this time, the superhero community was threatened by the ambitious Amanda Waller, who was working her way towards more power in order to enact a crazy plan and redefine the DC Universe, culminating in Absolute Power!

West Coast Avengers Reading Order, Golden Coast’s Mightiest Heroes

by Carole
November 26, 2025

Since its launch in 1963, The Avengers have expanded into a comic franchise. The title spawned many spin-offs, such as The New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Avengers Academy, Dark Avengers, Great Lakes Avengers, Secret Avengers, Young Avengers, and more!

None of this would have been possible without the success of the first Avengers spin-off: West Coast Avengers. Following the success of the four-issue miniseries created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall released in 1984, the team really settled on the western side for around 10 years.

While the idea of having another Avengers branch to protect the other coast in a world where space and time travel exist can seem a little bit ridiculous, things were different in the eighties. More than moving on the other side of the country, the West Coast Avengers simply expanded the Avengers Universe, opening the doors for more types of adventures.

Superman Omnibus Reading Order!

by Carole
Updated: April 14, 2026

He’s the champion of the oppressed, the physical Marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need, and the star of many comic books since his first appearance in 1938! Since his introduction in Action Comics #1, Superman has used his powers and intelligence to help humanity.

His world has naturally expanded to include more solo adventures, team-ups, new allies and villains, and iconic stories. His adventures have been chronicled in more than one comic book title. Over the years, DC Comics has collected many of these tales, story arcs, crossovers and runs in various formats, including the famous Omnibus line.

However, despite being one of DC Comics’ most important superheroes, Superman’s omnibus collection pales in comparison to Batman’s! Fortunately, things are turning around for the Kryptonian, as the publisher has released several Superman volumes in recent years, and the success of these publications should encourage more omnibus editions! With the world of Superman expanding significantly within the Omnibus line, we take a closer look at this collection, which offers both new and seasoned readers a great way to discover Big Blue’s history.

Ultimate Marvel Universe, The Complete Reading order

by Carole
Updated: November 21, 2025
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In 2000, Marvel Comics redefined its heroes for a whole new generation with the launch of the Ultimate Marvel imprint. Explore the stories of Ultimate Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Ultimatum, and the imprint’s relaunch with our complete Ultimate Marvel Universe comics guide, now available in Omnibus, Epic Collection, and classic trade paperbacks!

Welcome to Earth-1610! Or, more specifically, welcome to the Ultimate Universe, an alternate reality featuring reimagined and modernized versions of your favorite superheroes. Marvelophiles discovered this world in 2000 with the official launch of the Ultimate imprint.

Behind the Ultimate Marvel was Bill Jemas, a lawyer who had worked mainly in the collectible-trading-card industry. He was first appointed executive vice president of Marvel Entertainment Group in 1993, and put in charge of Marvel’s editorial direction in 2000. He replaced editor-in-chief Bob Harras with Joe Quesada, and with him, formed the public face of Marvel Comics. Together, they transformed Marvel Comics with the addition of the Marvel MAX line, the development of Marvel Knights, the increase of trade paperbacks, the removal of the Comics Code, and, of course, the creation of Ultimate Marvel.

Where to Start Reading Fantastic Four Comics? A Beginner’s Guide to Marvel’s First Family

by Carole
Updated: November 12, 2025

So, you want to read some Fantastic Four comics? Whether you have recently discovered the Fantastic Four with the new movie, is a DC Fan, or just haven’t given the F.F. a chance yet, there’s a Fantastic Four comic out there for you. In fact, there’s a Fantastic Four comic for everyone! With over 60 years of stories, you are spoiled for choice, maybe too much and you don’t know where to start!

So, where should you start? Throughout time, the Fantastic Four have had many adventures that reflect the evolution of the Marvel Universe, from the wonder of the Silver Age to the darker tone of the Modern Age, epic family sagas, and decompressed storytelling. Whether you like the old comic book styles of the sixties, prefer more modern family adventures, or love the high-concept ideas and inventions of Reed Richards, there’s a perfect first story for you to explore the world of Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Sue, and Johnny Storm (and other temporary members of the team!).

Here’s a curated beginner’s guide with several routes to help find the perfect place to start reading Marvel’s First Family!

Best Riddler Comics, Your Essential Reading Order for Edward Nygma

by Carole
November 3, 2025

Question: Who turns crime into a puzzle for the Bat to solve? Answer: The Riddler! Fascinated by puzzles from a young age, Edward Nygma joined Batman’s rogue gallery in 1948. He believed the Caped Crusader to be a worthy adversary for his challenges and mind games. Suffice to say, he was right!

Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the Riddler started his criminal career wearing a green, skin-tight jumpsuit with purple trim and question mark motifs. Just as Burgess Meredith’s portrayal of the Penguin influenced the character’s depiction in print, Frank Gorshin’s demand for a new costume on the TV show also had an impact. At the time, he was given a green business suit with a bowler hat. Although initially ignored in the comics, the costume appeared in Secret Origins Special #1 (1989), illustrated by Bernie Mireault. Once he had worn it, it became his official costume.

The Riddler loves a good mise en scène. His crimes undoubtedly have a theatrical flair that is perfect for the screen and other media. Thanks to his portrayal in television, movies, animation and video games, our criminal mastermind has earned his place in pop culture. Notable actors to have played the Riddler include Frank Gorshin and John Astin in the 1960s TV series Batman, Jim Carrey in the 1995 film Batman Forever, Cory Michael Smith in the 2014 Fox series Gotham, and Paul Dano in the 2022 film The Batman. John Glover, Robert Englund, Wally Wingert and others have voiced the character in animation and video games.

Now is the perfect time to solve some riddles alongside Batman and Robin with this selection of essential comics featuring The Riddler!

Jack O’Lantern: Your Comic Guide to the many Marvel’s Pumpkin Heads

by Carole
October 31, 2025
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The Green Goblin. Doctor Octopus. Mysterio. Vulture. Electro. Scorpio. Rhino. Kraven the Hunter. Spider-Man has one of the most emblematic rogues galleries at Marvel Comics, and every one of them would not look out of place at a Halloween Party. But no one would fit more than Jack O’Lantern with his Pumpkin head, Pumpkin Bombs, explosive candy, and rocket-powered broomstick.

Despite his cool design, Jack O’Lantern is still a C-list among Spider-Man villains, and a confusing one on top of that, as many different people have held the name Jack O’Lantern over the years.

To make things a little bit more complicated, there are two different types of Jack O’Lantern. While most of them use costumes, illusions, and conventional weaponry, two of them have sold their soul to Satan and were granted supernatural powers and the ability to turn into Jack at will.

From the first appearance of Jack O’Lantern in 1980 in Machine Man to the reinvention of the character as an archenemy of Venom, celebrate Halloween by discovering more about the many Jack O’Lanterns of Marvel Comics!

Marvel 2099 Reading Order, the dystopian future of Marvel Comics

by Carole
Updated: October 29, 2025

Welcome to the future! Or, more specifically, welcome to 2099, a cyberpunk dystopia without superheroes. Marvelophiles discovered this world in 1992 with the official launch of the Marvel 2099 imprint.

Long after the original Age of Heroes had ended, society is dominated by corporate entities in this dystopian future, the most famous of which is Alchemax. The superheroes of the past have become the stuff of religion, as seen with the Church of Thor. It is harder than ever to rise above the status quo. But things are about to change, as a new Age of Heroes is about to begin…

Marvel 2099 found success with readers and expanded until the end of the ’90s. Marvel’s top talent left for Image Comics, and the entire comic book industry struggled after Marvel challenged Diamond over distribution. These turbulent times had a financial impact that affected the 2099 line and, unfortunately, led to the firing of editor Joey Cavalieri. Many of the 2099 creators quit in protest, and the line simply didn’t survive long after that.

Hawkeye Reading Order (Clint Barton)

by Carole
Updated: October 25, 2025

Today, Clint Barton is known for being a major player in the Avengers as Hawkeye. But before joining the superhero team, he was introduced as a supervillain in Tales of Suspense #57 in September 1964. His career on the wrong side of the law was short as he joined the Avengers less than a year later, in The Avengers #16 in May 1965.

Created by Stan Lee and Don Heck, Clint Barton is one of the most famous Marvel heroes and a regular member of the Avengers, who has come and gone from the team several times. He has founded the West Coast Avengers, been the leader of the Thunderbolts, worked with the S.H.I.E.L.D, and served as a mentor to Kate Bishop, the Superior Hawkeye. He also sometimes changed codenames and has been Goliath, the Golden Archer, and Ronin.

Clint has no superpowers, but he is a skilled archer and a very dangerous martial artist and swordsman. In a way, Hawkeye/Clint Barton is a mix between Green Arrow and Nightwing from DC Comics. His private life is also complicated, as he was first in love with Black Widow, married and divorced Bobbi Morse/Mockingbird, and also had a relationship with Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman, Maya Lopez/Echo, and Moonstone.

On the big (and little) screen, Clint Barton/Hawkeye is played by Jeremy Renner in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he has also appeared in numerous animated series and video games.

Buffyverse Comic Book Reboot Reading Order by Boom Studios (2019-2023)

by Carole
Updated: October 23, 2025

After publishing stories in the ‘Buffy Universe’ for two decades, Dark Horse lost the licensing rights in 2018, which were transferred to Boom Studios. The publisher chose not to continue where the story was left off, instead choosing to start the series over from the beginning.

The Buffy comics released by Boom Studios are set in an alternate continuity and reimagine the series for modern readers. While the Slayer still looks like Sarah Michelle Gellar, she is back in high school, with Joss Whedon credited as story consultant.

Boom Studios quickly expanded the Buffyverse with an Angel spin-off, a crossover event, and a Willow miniseries. The publisher also released several stories set in alternate futures or realities.

However, the main Boom Studios continuity didn’t last long, as the publisher chose not to renew the license when the time came, thus bringing it to an official end in 2024.

This article is devoted to the Buffy Comics from Boom Studios, published between 2018 and 2023. For the Dark Horse Comics, you can find the reading order over here.