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Reading Order

Power Rangers Comics Reading Order (by Boom! Studios)

It’s morphin’ time! Based on the Japanese franchise Super Sentai, The Power Rangers became a pop-culture phenomenon with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series that aired on Fox Kids between 1993 and 1998 and, of course, a large line of toys.

The adventures didn’t stop there for the five teenagers with an attitude, as the franchise expanded with other television series, movies, more toys, video games, books, and… Comic books! Since the first release by Hamilton Comics, a spin-off of the television series, several Power Rangers Comics have been published by different publishers, including Marvel Comics, Image, and, since 2016, by Boom Studios!

This line of Power Rangers Comics is based on the television series, telling new stories in a contemporary setting, mixing classic concepts with new ideas. Since the official launch in 2016 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the Power Rangers Boomverse has expanded with several spin-offs, crossovers, and relaunch/reboots.

It’s now time to morph into action and discover the comic book adventures of the Power Rangers with our Reading Guide!

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Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Reading Order (plus Green Lantern Corps, Blackest Night, Red Lanterns and more!)

When you look into Green Lantern comics, Geoff Johns’s run is considered the one to read. It certainly is influential and led to the famous Blackest Night event. It was epic and full of colors.

Johns started by bringing back Hal Jordan in the Green Lantern Corps (he became The Spectre after his redemptory appearance as Parallax in the 1996 event The Final Night), then he introduced new concepts and expanded the Green Lantern mythos in a big way that still defined it to this day–see The Emotional Spectrum Explained for more detail.

If Geoff Johns is mostly credited for the success of the Green Lantern comics at that time, he was not alone. Peter Tomasi was in charge of the Green Lantern Corps comic book series, and reading the two together is highly recommended.

Here is the official synopsis: It’s been years since the death of Hal Jordan and the end of the Green Lantern Corps. But as the Torchbearer Kyle Rayner is about to find out, the adventure of epic and mythological proportions is about to begin as the former Lantern returns to the land of the living to atone for his sins. And the cosmos will never be the same as Sinestro wages his war against the Green Lanterns with his newly founded, Sinestro Corps!

What to read before Green Lantern by Geoff Johns?

It’s a new beginning. You can go ahead with Green Lantern Rebirth, but if you want to know the basics about Green Lantern, these two books are recommended:

  • Green Lantern: Secret Origin
    Collects Green Lantern #29-35
  • DC Universe by Alan Moore
    Collects Action Comics #584, Batman Annual #11, Dc Comics Presents #85, Detective Comics #549-550, Green Lantern #188, The Omega Men #26-27,  Secret Origins #10, Superman #423, Tales Of The Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 & 3, Superman Annual #11 and Vigilante #17-18.

Read More »Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Reading Order (plus Green Lantern Corps, Blackest Night, Red Lanterns and more!)

World War Hulk Reading Order, a Smashing Marvel Event

Published by Marvel Comics in 2007, and written by Greg Pak at the end of his run on the character Hulk with art by John Romita, Jr., World War Hulk rapidly became one of the most famous crossover storylines about the green monster.

Here is the official synopsis: Hulk versus the world, in an epic story of anger unbound! Exiled by his so-called friends, the Hulk has raged, bled, and conquered on the alien planet Sakaar. Now, he returns to Earth to wreak terrible vengeance on Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Doctor Strange, and Black Bolt—and anyone else who gets in the way! Madder than ever, stronger than ever, and accompanied by his monstrous Warbound allies, this time the Hulk may just tear this stupid planet in half!

What to read before World War Hulk?

When people talk about World War Hulk, they often include Planet Hulk in the package, but it’s a different storyline. Planet Hulk is where the story really begins. It’s not completely indispensable, but it’s still recommended to read it before going into World War Hulk. For more information, I refer you to our main Hulk Reading Order.

  • Hulk: Planet Hulk Omnibus
    Collects Fantastic Four (1998) #533-535, Incredible Hulk (2000) #88-105, Giant-Size Hulk (2006) #1, What If? Planet Hulk, Planet Hulk: Gladiator Guidebook And Material From New Avengers: Illuminati (2006) #1 And Amazing Fantasy (2004) #15.

Read More »World War Hulk Reading Order, a Smashing Marvel Event

DC Rebirth Reading Order: A Guide to the Best Comics of the Era

Following our New 52 Reading Order, I thought about doing something similar for Rebirth, but have to admit not being quite content with my work. I found it way too massive and, in consequence, not easy to tackle. So, for the Rebirth era, I decided to not go full order and opt to highlight some of the best this era has to offer (what follows does not include out-of-continuity).

But first, what is Rebirth? We are in 2016 when DC relaunched its entire line of ongoing monthly superhero comic book titles. Using the end of The New 52 initiative in May 2016 as its launching point, DC Rebirth restored the DC Universe to a form much like that prior to the 2011 “Flashpoint” storyline while still incorporating numerous elements of The New 52, including its continuity. Like New 52, it was also a new entry point. Nearly all characters had their designs revised, some (like Wally West) reappeared, and others were revised.

It all begins with DC Universe: Rebirth (2016) #1. DC also issued one-shot Rebirth specials for the major characters, which are all collected in the DC Rebirth Omnibus Vol. 1, for those who want a taste and maybe choose the series you want to read. You don’t have to read them, and most of them are also collected in the first trade paperback of each character.

And now… Let’s explore a little bit of the DC Rebirth era!

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Wolverine by Jason Aaron Reading Order Guide

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Created by Roy Thomas, Len Wein, and John Romita Sr., Wolverine is a fierce Canadian mutant known for his animal-like senses, enhanced physical abilities, a remarkable healing factor, and three retractable claws in each hand.

But I’m sure none of this is new to you. After all, Wolverine is one of the most iconic X-Men—one of the coolest characters in the franchise—who captivated readers and secured his place in pop culture with his unforgettable role in X-Men: The Animated Series and Hugh Jackman’s portrayal in the X-Men movie franchise. He’s also the only X-Men character to have maintained a solo comic series consistently since his debut in 1988.

Over the years, many writers have written celebrated stories for the character, from Claremont and Miller’s first mini-series to Barry Windsor-Smith’s Weapon X, Jenkins’ Origins, Millar’s Enemy of the State, and more. Today, we take a closer look at Jason Aaron’s run on the iconic mutant, written before his epic run on Thor. It’s hard to think of Jason Aaron’s time at Marvel without Wolverine, as his journey started after winning a writing contest, which helped launch his significant run on the character.

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Batman by James Tynion Reading Order

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After a divisive 85-issue run on the main Batman comics, Tom King stopped writing the series and James Tynion IV took over the book. Initially, it was announced it was just there to take the series to its 100 issues. Plans changed.

Finally, Tynion stayed, until he surprised everybody when he revealed he was leaving Batman for writing newly created-owned (non-DC) titles. His run on the Batman comics was not without events and, even if it’s not the longest, you may need a few pointers.

But first, here is the official synopsis of the story when James Tynion IV started writing the Batman series: It’s a new day in Gotham. Bane has been vanquished, but both the city and its champion are still struggling to pick up the pieces. Deathstroke, the world’s greatest mercenary, is back in town under a new contract. Soon other hired killers follow, and Batman is surrounded by assassins—as well as Gotham’s own dangerous players, from the Riddler to the Penguin to Harley Quinn.

As the Caped Crusader draws closer to uncovering the figure pulling the strings, the love of his life, Catwoman, holds the sinister secret in her claws. Can Batman pry it from her without tearing their relationship apart? And will it be enough to stop the coming plot against him?

Like a lot of writers on Batman comics, James Tynion IV worked with a lot of established characters but also introduced some of his own creations like Punchline, Ghost-Maker, Clownhunter, and more. 

What to read before Batman by James Tynion?

First, James Tynion IV wrote Detective Comics at the beginning of the Batman Rebirth era–following the Batman Modern Age era and The Batman New 52 era. It’s not an obligatory read before going into his Batman comic book run, but if you are curious:

Being that James Tynion IV picked up where Tom King left off, even if it is sold as a “new start” that you can presumably read without prior knowledge, you may want to read the last King’s storyline: City of Bane.

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Cosmic Ghost Rider Reading Order

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Created by Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw as recently as 2018, Cosmic Ghost Rider is such a wild concept that, despite being quite new, couldn’t do anything less than leave a big impression on the readers.

Who is Cosmic Ghost Rider, really? In an alternate future, he was known as The Punisher, before making a deal with the devil to become the Ghost Rider. An alliance with Galactus made him cosmic. And a dark bargain with Thanos made him … dead?! 

So yes, the Cosmic Version of Ghost Rider is a version of Frank Castle (from Earth-TRN666) and you can discover his complicated timeline and history of those cosmic stories!

What to read before Cosmic Ghost Rider?

There is no pre-required reading for Cosmic Ghost Rider, before his first appearance in Cates’ run on Thanos. We still recommend reading the entire Thanos volume, beginning with Jeff Lemire’s issues (because why not):

See also: Ghost Rider Reading Order, our guide to the famous Marvel character from which Cosmic Ghost Rider is an alternate version.

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The October Faction Reading Order: How to read the IDW horror comics by Steve Niles?

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The October Faction Reading Order

Published by IDW, The October Faction is a horror series written by Steve Niles (Kick-Ass, 30 Days of Night) with art by Damien Worm (Dark Souls) that was adapted for television by Netflix (but canceled after only one season).

The October Faction tells the adventures of retired monster-hunter Frederick Allan and his family, his wife Deloris, and their two children Geoff and Vivian… which include a thrill-killer, a witch, and a warlock.

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Hulk Reading Order (Peter David, Immortal Hulk, and more…)

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In 1962, Marvel put an end to the title Teen-Age Romance after 86 issues. Its replacement was not romantic, it was The Incredible Hulk #1. It was obviously a comment on the arms race coming from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Scientist Bruce Banner created a g-bomb—“g” is for gamma!—and was not the one who wanted to test it as fast as possible (it was General “Thunderbolt” Ross), but it happened.

During the experimental detonation of a gamma bomb, the life of teenager Rick Jones was put in danger. Bruce Banner saved him but, by doing so, was hit by the blast resulting in the absorption of gamma radiation.

Banner didn’t die, but something changed in him. He became the Jekyll/Hyde of the Marvel Universe, two “men” in one body, transforming from the mild-mannered bespectacled physicist into the gray-skinned monster named “the Hulk” when he loses control.

Feeling guilty, Rick Jones stayed by his side, helping him to become a superhero. You can read a lot more about all that in our article about the story of the Hulk, his creation, and a lot more. And if you want to learn a bit more about The Hulk entourage, check out The Hulk Family Tree.

Read More »Hulk Reading Order (Peter David, Immortal Hulk, and more…)

Iron Man 2020 Reading Order, a Robot Revolution by Marvel

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Iron Man 2020, a Marvel Event by Dan Slott

Named after the 1980’s comic of the same name, Iron Man 2020, is a six-issue event comic (and 12 tie-ins) by writers Dan Slott & Christos Gage and artist Pete Woods.

Now, Arno Stark is Iron Man—and has taken control of all Tony’s assets, including his company Stark Unlimited. As Iron Man 2020 steers humanity into a new, cutting-edge dawn, robots from around the world unite to stake their claim on a new Machine Age. Humanity vs. Artificial Intelligence—and only one will emerge victorious.

What to read before Iron Man 2020?

The Iron Man 2020 event is a continuation and conclusion of Dan Slott’s run on Iron Man. You can guess that, for a better experience, you’ll have to dive into this run. You can then read:

Wants to know more about Arno Stark?

Read More »Iron Man 2020 Reading Order, a Robot Revolution by Marvel