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Captain America Reading Order

Created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Captain America was introduced in March 1941 to fight the Axis powers during the Second World War. He was Timely Comics’ (a predecessor of Marvel Comics) most popular character during the wartime period before fading into obscurity amid falling sales in the 1950s.

Like many early superheroes of the era, Captain America might have remained a relic of the past. Instead, Steve Rogers found his way back into the public eye when he was reintroduced in Avengers #4 in 1964, having been frozen in ice and discovered by the Avengers. He became a man out of time, trying to adapt to a world that had moved on while still holding onto his ideals.

Although he sometimes struggles to maintain his ideals, Captain America never gives up and always stands up for what he believes is right. It’s no wonder that he has become such a highly respected figure, one of Marvel’s central characters and a long-standing leader of the Avengers.

You can discover Captain America’s full history with our Complete Reading Order.

Captain America: A Reading Guide through 85 years of history

From his first appearance in 1941 and his fight against the Nazis to the modern day, filled with spy missions, Marvel events, and more, there are decades of Captain America Comics to discover right now. Before taking a closer look, we invite you to check out:

Then, discover Captain America’s complex history with our collected edition guide, full of Epic Collection and other classic trade paperbacks. Choose when to start this adventure right now:

  • Golden Age Captain America: Origins and Early Adventures (1941-1950)
    • Joe Simon & Jack Kirby — Captain America Comics #1-10 [Foundational Run]
    • Other (Unknown) Writers for most of the Golden Age.
  • Captain America Resurrected: The Defining Era (1964-1996)
    • Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, & Jim Steranko — Tales of Suspense #59-99 and Captain America #100-113 [Classic Entry Point]
    • Stan Lee & Gene Colan — Captain America #115-137
    • Steve Englehart & Sal Buscema — Captain America #153-186
    • Jack Kirby — Captain America #193-214, Annual #3-4, Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles
    • Roger Stern & John Byrne — Captain America #247-255
    • J.M. DeMatteis & Mike Zeck — Captain America #261-264, 267-270, 272, 275-290, 292-300, Annual #6
    • Mark Gruenwald & Ron Lim — Captain America #307-443, Annual #8 [Essential]
  • Captain America Reborn: Heroes Return (1996-2002)
    • Mark Waid & Ron Garney — Captain America #444-454, Captain America (Vol.3) #1-23, Captain America Sentinel of Liberty (Vol. 1) #1-12 [Modern Entry Point]
    • Dan Jurgens — Captain America (Vol.3) #25-50, Annual 2000 & 2001
  • Captain America: From Marvel Knights to Disassembled (2002-2005)
    • John Ney Rieber, John Cassaday & more — Captain America (vol. 4) #1–32
    • Christopher Priest & Joe Bennett — Captain America and the Falcon #1-1
  • Captain America by Ed Brubaker: The Modern Defining Run (2005-2013)
    • Ed Brubaker & Steve Epting — Captain America (Vol.5) #1-50, Captain America #600-619, Captain America Reborn #1-6, The Marvels Project #1-8, Steve Rogers Super-Soldier #1-4, Captain America (Vol.6) #1-19, Captain America and Bucky #620-628, Winter Soldier #1-14 and several one-shots [Essential]
  • Marvel NOW! Captain America (2012-2015)
    • Rick Remender & John Romita Jr. – Captain America (Vol.7) #1-25, Winter Soldier The Bitter March #1-5, All-New Captain America #1-6, Hail HYDRA #1-4 and some one-shots
  • All-New, All-Different Captain America: Hail Hydra (2015-2018)
    • Nick Spencer & Daniel Acuña – Captain America Sam Wilson #1-24 [Recommended Read], Captain America Steve Rogers #1-19, Secret Empire #0-10 and several one-shots.
    • Mark Waid & Chris Samnee – Captain America #695-704
  • Captain America Fresh Start (2018-2024)
    • Ta-Nehisi Coates & Leinil Francis Yu – Captain America (2018) #1-30
    • Jackson Lanzing, Colin Kelly, and Carmen Carnero – Captain America: Sentinel Of Liberty
    • J. Michael Straczynski – Captain America (2023) #1-16
    • Greg Pak, Evan Narcisse, Eder Messias, and Valentine De Landro — Sam Wilson: Captain America #1-5
  • Captain America: Armageddon Assembles (2025-Present) [Current Run]
    • Chip Zdarsky — Captain America (2025) #1–ongoing

Note: Not every writers (or artists) are listed in the above list that offers a simple overview of the history of Captain America.

★
PERSONNEL DOSSIER ★

Captain America is more than a man: he is an American icon and a symbol of hope. For this reason, other men have taken up the mantle of Captain America during Steve Rogers’ various absences. Learn more about those characters:

Where to Start? Introducing the world of Captain America

If you are new to Captain America and don’t know what to read, the following stories will help you discover the character and his world.

  • Captain America: Man Out of Time – By Mark Waid and Jorge Molina. Cap was reintroduced to the world in Avengers #4 after being unfrozen. This story revisits that moment in his life as he adjusts to a changed world, making it a strong entry point for new readers. You can follow this with Mark Waid & Ron Garney’s run on Cap.
  • Captain America: White – By Jeff Loeb and Tim Sale. An emotional story and homage to the Golden Age Captain America comics. After being unfrozen, Steve Rogers remembers his first mission with his sidekick, Bucky.
  • Avengers: Four – By Mark Waid and Barry Kitson. A simple and accessible team book showing Steve Rogers as a leader. Taking place after the founding Avengers step down, Cap must help new members (Quicksilver, Hawkeye, and Scarlet Witch) become a functioning team.
  • Captain America by Ed Brubaker – The modern definitive Captain America run and a strong entry point for new readers. It blends superhero storytelling with espionage and defines the character for modern comics. The beginning of the run has been recently reprinted in Captain America: The Winter Soldier – Marvel Premier Collection.
  • Red Skull Incarnate – By Greg Pak & Mirko Colak. A deeper look at Cap’s world through his main antagonist. More optional, but useful for understanding the Red Skull, also known as Johann Schmidt.

Captain America Omnibus Edition

Collect the Captain America Comics and the most important runs in the classic Omnibus format:

Your Complete Captain America Reading Order

Golden Age Captain America: Origins and Early Adventures (1941-1950)

The term ‘Golden Age of Comic Books’ describes the period from 1938 to 1956 in American comic book history. During that time, Steve Rogers was willing to do whatever it took to serve his country. And he did! He was transformed by the Super-Soldier Serum into America’s #1 fighting man, thanks to his creators, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Read our article about Captain America’s first appearance to find out more. That same issue also introduced his sidekick, Bucky Barnes, and his archenemy, the Red Skull.

Joe Simon and Jack Kirby’s assistant Stanley Lieber wrote his first story called “Captain America Foils the Traitor’s Revenge” in the third issue, published under his pen name, Stan Lee. Both Simon and Kirby left the title after only 10 issues, but the Adventures of the Sentinel of Liberty continued with other writers…

During this period, Captain America starred not only in his own ongoing series, but also in the anthology book All-Winners Comics, as well as making some appearances in Young Allies Comics.

Classification: Archive Note

Notes on the collection: Marvel Masterworks was a series of premium hardback editions that was placed on indefinite hiatus in January 2026. These books are hard to find, and beyond this collection, Captain America Comics has only been reprinted in Omnibus.

Several comic series have been published throughout the years, telling stories set during the Golden Age.

Captain America Resurrected: The Defining Era (1964-1996)

Captain America was reintroduced in Avengers #4 during the Silver Age. As he became the leader of the superhero team, we invite you to consult our complete Avengers reading guide to discover all of his adventures with the team. For a few years, Cap mostly co-led with Iron Man in Tales of Suspense, until issue #99. After that, each character became the star of their own ongoing series.

Captain America Vol. 1 was relaunched with issue #100, with Stan Lee as writer and Jack Kirby and Jim Steranko as artists for the first few issues. The title ran for a long time before being cancelled with issue #454. This period has been entirely collected in the Epic Collection.

Classification: SIDEKICK

Famous for being The Hulk’s sidekick, Rick Jones became Cap’s official partner in Avengers #4. But the duo was short-lived and Rick left just before Stan Lee and Gene Colan introduced Sam Wilson aka The Falcon, the first black American Super Hero in issue #117. The character won star billing when Captain America was retitled Captain America And The Falcon with issue #134 until issue #222.

Captain America and The Falcon in issue #119

Starting with issue #307, Mark Gruenwald took over writing duties. He holds the record for the longest Captain America run, having written the character for a decade until issue #443. This is one of the most important periods in Captain America’s history, featuring classic stories and the introduction of several new characters. During that time, Captain America was also involved in several Marvel events:

Classification: Archive Note – Marvel Masterworks Collection

Part of this era has been reprinted in the Marvel Masteworks Collection. Some of these books are already hard to find; most will soon be.

Captain America #281-454 are not collected in Marvel Masterworks. Those issues are available in Epic Collection and some in Omnibuses.

You can also find three Cap volumes in The Mighty Marvel Masterworks Collection, reprinting classic stories at an affordable price for young readers, in a format similar to a manga volume.

Captain America Reborn: Heroes Return (1996-2002)

One of the most powerful villains in the Marvel Universe changes everything for the Children of the Atom and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! This is the Onslaught event, in which the Avengers and the X-Men join forces to fight their formidable adversary. The conclusion of this story leads into the next chapter for Captain America, known as Heroes Reborn.

This was also the time when Marvel, facing an uncertain future, decided to outsource the production of several of its comic books to their former employees who left Marvel to form Image Comics in 1992. Rob Liefeld and Jeph Loeb worked on Captain America until issue #6, after which James Robinson took over.

  • Heroes Reborn: Captain America
    Collects Captain America vol. 2 #1–12; “Fantastic Four” (1996) #12, “Avengers” (1996) #12, “Iron Man” (1996) #12, “Material From Heroes Reborn” (1996) #1/2

Once the Heroes found their way back to the Marvel Universe, writer Kurt Busiek and artist George Pérez launched a new volume of the Avengers. Captain America is a member of the superhero team, next to Hawkeye, Photon, Scarlet Witch, Thor, and more.

Captain America

Prior to the Heroes Reborn shenanigans, Mark Waid and Ron Garney had received positive feedback for their work on Captain America. Once over, the duo returned to tell more stories about Captain America in a new volume (with Andy Kubert becoming the main artist starting with #8).

After Mark Waid’s departure, writer Dan Jurgens (known for his Death of Superman storyline) took over for a two-year run in which Cap must somehow stop the war efforts of the Hate-Monger, save Ka-Zar from the monstrous murderer Count Nefaria, face Protocide, and much more.

Captain America: From Marvel Knights to Disassembled (2002-2005)

In the aftermath of 9/11, Captain America — already a man out of time — must adapt to a terrifying new global landscape once again. From the ruins of the World Trade Center to a small town terrorised by an attack, the star-spangled super-soldier must consider what it means to be the Sentinel of Liberty in an age of incomprehensible new threats. This collection of stories was written by John Ney Rieber (issues #1–9 and #12), Chuck Austen (issues #8–16), Dave Gibbons (issues #17–20), Robert Morales (issues #21–28) and Robert Kirkman (issues #29–32). This was followed by Christopher Priest’s short series examining the relationship between Captain America and his best friend, the Falcon. And, in the middle of it all, Avengers Disassembled happened.

Following the events of ‘Avengers Disassembled’ and the subsequent disbanding of the Avengers, a new team was assembled: ‘The New Avengers‘. Steve Rogers is a member, with Iron Man, Luke Cage, Wolverine, Ronin (a.k.a Echo), Spider-Man, Spider-Woman and Sentry.

Classification: EVENT – AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED

Avengers Disassembled is the start of Brian Michael Bendis’ run on The Avengers. Following the “Worst Day in Avengers History,” everything is blown up in order to be rebuilt. Following is our special issue-by-issue Captain America reading order for the event. For the full story (including useless tie-ins), check out our Avengers Disassembled Reading Guide.

Captain America and the Falcon #5-7 | Captain America #29 | Avengers #500-503 | Captain America #30–32 | Avengers Finale #1

Published during this era, Captain America: Red, White, and Blue is an anthology featuring more than fifty creators, each of whom has crafted a stand-alone story told using a colour palette limited to Captain America’s signature colours: red, white and blue.

Captain America by Ed Brubaker: The Modern Defining Run (2005-2013)

Although Ed Brubaker’s run on Captain America was not the longest, it was certainly the most well-known and celebrated, and served as an entry point to the world of Cap for many new readers (including me). He brought back Bucky as the Winter Soldier and dealt with Captain America’s death and resurrection. He also covered the life and death of Cap’s greatest enemy, the Red Skull, as well as the emergence of a new threat: General Aleksander Lukin, head of one of the world’s most powerful corporations!

While we look forward to future volumes in the Modern Era Epic Collection series, the story continues in…

★
PERSONNEL DOSSIER ★

The run of Captain America by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting is one of the most celebrated in the character’s history. You can find all the collected editions and extra information about this period in our special dossier:

The following stories have been published during this era, but are not written by Brubaker:

  • Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America
    Collects Fallen Son: Wolverine, New Avengers, Captain America, Spider-Man, and Iron Man, Captain America Comics #1. Happens after Captain America Vol. 5 #25
  • Captain America Corps
    Collects Captain America Corps #1-5 and material from Age of Heroes #4. A time-travel miniseries taking place during Captain America (2005) #611.
  • Captain America: Allies & Enemies
    Collects Captain America And Falcon #1, Captain America And The First Thirteen #1, Captain America And Crossbones #1, Captain America And Batroc #1, And Captain America And The Secret Avengers #1.
  • Captain America: Theater of War
    Collects four poignant and deeply personal stories from Captain America’s journey through America’s wars, including World War II, the Iraq War, and the Civil War.
  • Captain America: Forever Allies
    Collects Captain America: Forever Allies #1-4, Young Allies 70th Anniversary Special and Young Allies (1941) #1. This is a Bucky story.
  • Captain America: Hail Hydra
    Collects Captain America: Hail Hydra #1-5.

Marvel NOW! Captain America (2012-2015)

It’s Marvel NOW! The creative team of Rick Remender and John Romita Jr. is taking Captain America in new and unexpected directions. He is stranded in the upside-down territory known as Dimension Z, facing the fury of Nuke and the machinations of the Iron Nail, and losing his powers.

For complementary reading, check out Rick Remender’s work on Uncanny Avengers, in which Captain America is a member. He also stars in Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers series.

Thanos - Infinity Reading Order, a Marvel Event

Infinity event! Thanos makes his world-shattering return and his armies fire the opening shots of a galactic war that will be fought on Earth and in deep space, with our heroes caught in the crossfire! Captain America plays an important role in it. Check out our Infinity reading order for more information.

All-New Invaders starts here! This reboot of the classic series The Invaders sees Captain America, Namor, the original Human Torch, and the Winter Soldier waging war against the Kree in order to save Earth. The series ran for 15 issues, collected in three trade paperbacks, with the final two taking place after Captain America vol. 7 #22.

Captain America

Sam Wilson becomes Captain America! Under Rick Remender, Wilson is appointed Rogers’ official replacement as Captain America. On his mission, he is joined by his new partner Nomad, tackling threats such as the fearsome Scarecrow, Batroc and Baron Zemo’s newly ascendant Hydra! Plus: Sam Wilson assembles a new team for the Mighty Avengers and works with Spider-Man and the Inhumans.

  • Captain America: Sam Wilson – The Complete Collection Vol. 1
    Collects Captain America (2012) #25, All-New Captain America: Fear Him (2015) #1-4, All-New Captain America (2014) #1-6, Amazing Spiderman Special (2015) #1, Inhuman Special (2015) #1, All-New Captain America Special (2015) #1, Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) #1-6

Previously collected, with some complementary Avengers stories:

All-New, All-Different Captain America: Hail Hydra (2015-2018)

Jonathan Hickman’s Secret Wars happened. The Marvel Universe was destroyed and relaunched with Nick Spencer at the helm of the Captain America comics. While his part with Sam Wilson received mostly positive feedback, his choices for Steve Rogers were more divisive, often considered the most controversial run on the character as he altered Roger’s history to make him the leader of Hydra…

Civil War II
Classification: EVENT – CIVIL WAR II

A new Inhuman emerges, with the ability to profile the future, and the ramifications ripple into every corner of the Marvel Universe. Lines are drawn, bodies fall, and the Marvel Universe will be rocked to its very core. Both Captain America series have tie-ins to this event, although Captain America: Steve Rogers is more essential. For the full story, check out our Civil War II reading guide.

Civil War II #0 | Civil War II #1-2 | Captain America: Sam Wilson #10 | Captain America: Steve Rogers #4 | Captain America: Sam Wilson #11-13 | Civil War II #3-6 | Captain America: Steve Rogers #5-6 | Civil War II #7-8 |

Secret Empire Icon 29
★
PERSONNEL DOSSIER ★

Nick Spencer’s run on Captain America came to an end with Secret Empire. The Cosmic Cube has remade the world’s greatest hero into a secret true believer in the cause of Hydra, wholly dedicated to its mission of progress through authority and unity through adversity! Now, using the trust and respect he’s been accorded by the great powers of the Marvel Universe, Steve Rogers has made Hydra’s ideals a reality – and changed the landscape of the world dramatically!

Captain America

Following Nick Spencer’s departure, a familiar Captain America writer returned. Mark Waid reunited with artist Chris Samnee (known for their work on Daredevil and Black Widow) for a new short comic series in which Captain America travels across America to restore his tarnished reputation.

Captain America Fresh Start (2018-2024)

This is a new Fresh Start for Captain America. With Ta-Nehisi Coates and Leinil Francis Yu as the new creative team, Captain America continues to be distrusted by his own country. Facing new threats and framed for a crime he did not commit, he must confront what it means to fight for a country that no longer shares the same ideals as him.

At the same time, Thor Odinson, Steve Rogers, and Tony Stark are reunited and reform the Avengers for a new fresh start by Jason Aaron and Ed McGuinness.

Springing from events in the pages of Avengers and Defenders: The Best Defense, The Invaders make their return for a 12-issue series, collected in Invaders Vol. 1: War Ghost.

Captain America

Two Captain Americas are better than one. Tochi Onyebuchi and R. B. Silva wrote the new chapter in Sam Wilson’s life as he picks up the shield once more. Meanwhile, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly and Carmen Carnero are taking a special interest in the shield with Steve Rogers.

Classification: EVENT – COLD WAR

A small Captain America crossover between the two titles. Bucky Barnes makes his deadliest move yet! The newest player in a nefarious game spanning all of civilization has teamed up with Sam Wilson’s nemesis, the White Wolf! When Steve Rogers’ adopted son – Ian, A.K.A. Nomad – is abducted by someone Steve thought was a friend, he suspects Bucky’s hand at work and calls on Sam, Sharon Carter and Misty Knight to help get to the bottom of the attack.

The Road to Cold War
Captain America: Symbol of Truth #11 | Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #11

The Cold War Event
Captain America: Cold War Alpha #1 | Captain America: Symbol of Truth #12 | Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #12 | Captain America: Symbol of Truth #13 | Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #13 | Captain America: Cold War Omega (2023) #1

Captain America

J. Michael Straczynski made his return at Marvel Comics and tackled an American icon! Decades ago, Steve Rogers changed the world forever. Now, powerful and insidious forces are assembling to ensure he never does it again. Past, present and future collide as the Sentinel of Liberty reckons with an existential threat determined to set the world on a darker path – at any cost!

In parallel, Cap is still a member of the Avengers, as part of Jed MacKay’s team.

Then, Sam Wilson is wielding the shield under Greg Pak, Evan Narcisse, Eder Messias, and Valentine De Landro, and finds himself facing the Red Hulk.

Captain America: Armageddon Assembles (2025-Present)

Writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Valerio Schiti kickstart a new era for Captain America, introducing a new Captain America named David Colton and revisiting Cap’s early modern history (following the Marvel Sliding Timescale, putting us post 9/11).

Did we forget an important issue? Did we make a mistake? Let us know in the comments!

 

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6 thoughts on “Captain America Reading Order”

    1. Carole
      Reply

      Hey Luis,

      Thank you for your comment! I added The United States of Captain America just above the “Captain America / Iron Man” miniseries. It takes place after Ta-Nehisi Coates finished his run but before the launch of a new period with Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly and Carmen Carnero.

    1. Carole
      Reply

      I noticed you’ve left similar questions on our Thor, Spider-Man, and Iron Man Reading Order pages, so I thought I’d start with a general answer.

      First, remember: you’re never obligated to read everything! Focus on the periods or specific stories that interest you most; you can always come back to earlier issues later if you feel like exploring more. This is especially true for older stories. While today’s comics can sometimes make it feel like you need to read it all, that’s not the case! Even important stories can be skipped without missing too much. There are major runs I haven’t read myself!

      For example, let’s look at your selection of Captain America issues. It includes the Stan Lee and Gene Colan run, during which the Falcon made his first appearance (in Captain America #117) and led to the series being retitled Captain America and the Falcon. But this isn’t one of the most celebrated runs in the character’s history. The importance level varies depending on your interests, your familiarity with the characters, and what you’re looking to get out of the stories.

      Hope this helps!

    1. Carole
      Reply

      Hi Zach,

      Most of those trades can be considered stand-alone and be read whenever you like.

      With that said, Captain America: Theater of War collects stories mostly set during WWII (one during the Gulf War).

      Captain America: Hail Hydra is set across different periods, starting in WWII and concluding during the Heroic Age (around Steve Rogers: Super Soldier maybe?)

      And Captain America: Forever Allies takes place during Bucky’s tenure as Captain America. So you can check it out before “Captain America & Bucky The Life Story of Bucky Barnes”

      Hope it helps!

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