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Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu Reading Order

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Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu Reading Order

In the early 1970s, a “Kung Fu craze” swept across the United States, forever changing the landscape of pop culture. It was during this particular cultural time that Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung Fu, was born. Originally conceived by writer Steve Englehart and artist Jim Starlin, the character’s origin is a fascinating tale of creative ambition and corporate licensing.

The duo originally hoped to adapt the television series Kung Fu into a comic book. Because Warner Communications (DC’s parent company) owned the rights to the show, they first approached DC Comics with their proposition. The publisher passed on this opportunity, doubting the longevity of the martial arts trend. On the other hand, Marvel was all in this craze, having acquired the rights of the licensed pulp world of Sax Rohmer’s Fu Manchu. At the House of Ideas, Shang-Chi was reimagined as the villain’s rebellious son.

When Marvel eventually lost the rights to the Fu Manchu characters, Shang-Chi entered a period of relative obscurity, with fewer appearances. His father was also renamed Zheng Zu to distance the character from the expired license, and with time, the character simply transition as a Martial art hero more immersed in the world of superheroes, joining teams like the Heroes for Hire, The Avengers, and The New Agents of Atlas, and even mentoring heroes like Spider-Man. Today, Shang-Chi is even part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), played by Simu Liu. 

You can, right now, Trace the path of the Dragon, and explore the martial arts corner of Marvel  with our complete Shang-Chi comics reading guide.

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Vampirella Reading Order

Created by writer Forrest J Ackerman and artist Trina Robbins, Vampirella is a vampire who made her first appearance in the black-and-white horror comics magazine Vampirella #1 (Sept. 1969) from Warren Publishing.

The Vampirella magazine was a horror anthology like Creepy and Eerie, and Vampirella was the hostess. But unlike the others like her, she also starred in her own stories (with a lot of art by Jose Gonzalez). Once Warren Publishing filed for bankruptcy, Harris Publications started to publish Vampirella stories. From 1991 to 2007, Harris launched multiple series and miniseries, but also reprinted old materials.

In 2010, Dynamite Entertainment acquired the rights to Vampirella from Harris Comics and started a new ongoing series. Through the years, the vampire got multiple spin-offs, her series was rebooted more than once, and she took part in crossovers.

With a publishing history like that, it’s not surprising that her (back)story changed through the years. At first, Vampirella was from the planet Drakulon where the Vampiri live, and blood is their water. With droughts menacing their future, the Vampiri needed a new blood supply. After an American space shuttle crashed on Drakulon, Vampirella traveled to Earth.

Later, Harris Comics tasked writer Kurt Busiek to write a new origin story. Vampirella became the daughter of Lilith. Other retcons followed later, changing Drakulon into a place in Hell, and the relationship between Lilith, Vampirella, and God. The variations were multiple for sure. The writers working for Dynamite incorporated a lot of elements from the past and developed a more solid continuity.

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Aquaman Reading Order, the King of Atlantis

Aquaman emerged from the sea during the Golden Age, making his first appearance in More Fun Comics #73. It was only one month after Wonder Woman‘s first appearance, and it was the same issue as Green Arrow and Speedy. Since then, he has been one of the more enduring heroes of DC Comics. Yet, the King of the Sea is still often overshadowed and overlooked. Even his splash on the big screen where he was played by Jason Momoa didn’t change the situation.

Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, Aquaman from the Golden Age was quite different from the hero we know today. First, this version of the character – known today as the Aquaman of Earth-2 – was not a true denizen of Atlantis. He had no particular powers. His father was a scientist and undersea explorer who discovered the ancient city of Atlantis. He taught his son how to survive and breathe underwater, and how to use all the power of the sea to make him strong and swift. Then, he was erased from existence with Crisis on Infinite Earths.

His origin story has been revised a few times since then. He is now known as Arthur Curry, half Atlantean, half-human, and undersea royalty. Since his debut and his gained popularity from his 1960s animated appearances, DC worked at making Aquaman more powerful and edgier, but failed to give him a more defined role and purpose. For a very long time, DC Comics didn’t know what to do with the character.

If Aquaman is more of a joke for some people, the character has lived some great, strange, colorful, and exciting adventures. He has gained a devoted fan base and the respect that he is due as one of the top-tier DC superheroes. Long live the King!

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Batman: Hush Reading Order

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Not unlike The Batman Who Laughs, Hush is a DC Comics supervillain, and more precisely, an adversary of Batmanto created during the Modern Age (aka the Post-Crisis era). Recognized for his distinctive visual design and lethality, Hush has become one of the more memorable additions to Batman’s rogues’ gallery in the 21st century.

The character was created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee, making his debut in Batman #609 (2003), the opening chapter of the 12-part story arc Batman: Hush. In this storyline, we learn that Hush is Dr. Thomas “Tommy” Elliot, a brilliant surgeon and childhood friend of Bruce Wayne. Elliot orchestrates an elaborate campaign against Batman, manipulating several of Gotham’s most notorious villains while concealing his own identity beneath his trademark bandaged visage.

Following the conclusion of the Hush storyline, the character reappeared in multiple Batman titles and related media, cementing his status as a recurring foe. However, with the launch of DC Comics’ New 52 initiative in 2011, which rebooted much of the company’s continuity, Hush’s presence temporarily diminished. He was later reintroduced in the weekly series Batman Eternal (2014–2015), where aspects of his backstory and motivations were reinterpreted. During the DC Rebirth (2016), elements of pre-New 52 continuity were reintroduced, and new developments followed. Hush returned once more, clashing not only with Batman but also with members of the extended Bat-Family.

Outside the mainline comics, Hush has appeared in various adaptations, including the animated film Batman: Hush (2019), video games, and merchandise, further solidifying his cultural impact.

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Star Wars: Crimson Reign Reading order, the follow-up to War of the Bounty Hunters

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If the War of the Bounty Hunter is over, the story continues in another Star Wars event, Crimson Reign. Written by Charles Soule and penciled by Steven Cummings, this is the second part of a trilogy that is supposed to reshape the Star Wars galaxy during the Age of Rebellion! 

As the official synopsis reveals, “The criminal organization known as the Crimson Dawn has risen — but what is their goal, and how do they plan to achieve it? And how will the Rebel Alliance and the Empire both react to this new galactic power player? Featuring the return of beloved characters, shocking twists, epic feats of the Force, and a story that will reach from the darkest underworld all the way to the Imperial Palace on Coruscant.”

What to read before Star Wars: Crimson Reign?

This event takes place during the Age of the Rebellion. Check out our Star Wars Comics Canon Reading Order to learn more about it.

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Stargirl Reading Order (Courtney Whitmore)

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Created by Geoff Johns and Lee Moder, Courtney Whitmore made her first appearance in Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #0 (July 1999)–she was in part based on Johns’ sister Courtney, who died in the explosion of TWA Flight 800 in 1996.

Courtney is the stepdaughter of Pat Dugan, the inventor of the powered armor suit S.T.R.I.P.E. and former sidekick of the original Star-Spangled Kid. Before becoming Stargirl, she was in fact the new Star-Spangled Kid. She joined the Justice Society of America (JSA) and, after being given Starman Jack Knight’s cosmic staff, she officially became known as Stargirl.

She stayed with the JSA for a long time, until the moment when DC rebooted its universe and launched the New 52 era. Then, Stargirl became a member of the new Justice League of America title. Her origin story was also rewritten. In this version, she found the staff and the rest of the uniform in Pat Dugan’s office who was then Barbara Whitmore’s boyfriend. Pat agreed to train her, and she became a full-time superhero.

Of course, there’s now a Stargirl TV Show. You may have seen it. Brec Bassinger is playing the young Courtney/Stargirl. The character also appeared in other TV shows, live or animated, through the years (and also in Video Games).

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Green Lantern New 52 Reading Order, with the Green Lantern Corps, Red Lanterns, New Guardians and Sinestro

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Green Lantern New 52 Reading Order

A new era started in the DC Universe with the New 52. But the impact on the Green Lantern was quite limited. Geoff Johns took over creative duties on Green Lantern with the limited series Green Lantern: Rebirth in 2004 and was still the main writer for this relaunch with Doug Mahnke as penciler.

Like most DC characters, Green Lantern Hal Jordan was five years younger than his previous incarnations but there was no change in his history — all of Johns’ run on the Green Lantern title was still part of the continuity. During Geoff Johns’ time, Green Lantern Corps vol. 3 was written by Peter Tomasi, and the new Red Lantern series (written by Peter Milligan) was launched, as well as the Green Lantern: New Guardians series (written by Tony Bedard).

After issue #20, all the teams were changed with writer Robert Venditti and artist Billy Tan taking over as the main creative team for Green Lantern Vol. 5. Venditti also co-wrote Green Lantern Corps vol. 3 with Van Jensen before the latter became the sole writer. The Red Lanterns series continued with Charles Soule (#21-37) and Landry Q. Walker (#38-40), and the Green Lantern: New Guardians series was written by Justin Jordan (#21-40). The new Sinestro was launched, written by Cullen Bunn.

What to read before Green Lantern New 52?

First, you can check out our Green Lantern Reading Order which covers the history of the GL characters from start to finish. But it may be a bit too big. After all, we are here for the New 52 era. The DC Universe was rebooted after the Flashpoint event. It is not required reading, but you could take a look at it before reading anything else.

If New 52 was presented as a jumping point for new readers, Geoff Johns was the main writer for Green Lantern for almost 7 years at this stage, and, as said above, his run stayed in continuity. The events in Green Lantern Vol. 5 take place immediately after the last two books, War of the Green Lanterns and Aftermath. Don’t hesitate to check out Geoff Johns’ massive and celebrated run before entering the New 52 era. 

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Amadeus Cho Reading Order, from sidekick to Totally Awesome Hulk and Brawn

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Amadeus Cho is a 19-year-old Korean-American genius, one of the smartest people on earth. Actually, he was credited as the 7th smartest person in the world, a title he obtained after winning the Excello Soap Company’s “Brain Soap” competition (he’s maybe only the 8th or 10th smartest person in the world, but who’s counting?). It’s also where his story begins, as the game’s creator tries to kill Cho to preserve his ranking. His attempt failed but Cho’s parents were killed, and our young man had to flee for his life.

It didn’t take long for him to run across The Hulk who saved his life. As a result, Amadeus became his sidekick, a sort of modern-day Rick Jones before moving on to Hercules. But Amadeus Cho was too smart and too cocky to stay in this sidekick role and was destined to become a hero in his own right. Cho became the Totally Awesome Hulk but lost control at some point. He was somehow depowered when he finally succeeded in destroying the rage monster inside him. Amadeus chose to be called Brawn in this new form. He has also been a member of two superhero teams: The Champions and Agents of Atlas.

This reading order was requested by one of our readers! Don’t hesitate to leave a comment or write to us with some other suggestions!

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Birds of Prey Reading Order

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A force to be reckoned with, the Birds of Prey is traditionally an all-women group of DC vigilantes founded in the late ’90s. Discover all their adventures in Gotham and beyond with our Birds of Prey comics reading list, covering the full history of the team, from their first appearance to Gail Simone’s celebrated run and the recent relaunch by Kelly Thompson.

Birds of Prey Logo

At its core, the Birds of Prey started as a partnership between Black Canary and Oracle, gradually expanding over time to include more superheroines. Their relationship was first established in Showcase ’96 #3, written by Jordan B. Gorfinkel—who also gave the team its name in the first issue of the ongoing series by writer Chuck Dixon and artist Gary Frank.

Chuck Dixon described the dynamic between Oracle and Black Canary as a clash of values, with “Dinah’s more idealistic approach” being at the heart of the book. Dinah Laurel Lance, alias Black Canary, is portrayed as passionate and idealistic, while Barbara Gordon, alias Oracle, has a strong sense of morality but is also less morally conflicted, per Dixon’s words who described her as a woman who knows that, sometimes, you have to kill to save lives–even if she’s not comfortable with that fact.

While Barbara and Dinah formed the heart of the team, other crimefighters joined throughout the series. One of the most prominent additions was Helena Bertinelli, a.k.a. Huntress, who became a key member during Gail Simone’s run.

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Scarlet Witch Reading Order, The Wanda Maximoff Story

Also known as Wanda Maximoff, Scarlet Witch first appeared in the comic book The X-Men #4 (March 1964) by legendary Marvel writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. Initially, her powers were limited to probability manipulation, but over time, she evolved into one of the most powerful sorceresses in the Marvel Universe—capable of reshaping reality itself. For decades, she was considered a mutant, but her origins were retconned in recent years.

Wanda’s journey has been full of important transformations. She debuted as a reluctant supervillain alongside her twin brother, Pietro Maximoff (Quicksilver), as members of Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. However, disillusioned by Magneto’s ruthlessness, the twins soon abandoned the Brotherhood and switched sides, joining the Avengers and becoming true heroes.

Her personal life has been just as tumultuous. She married her fellow Avenger, the android Vision, in 1975 and later found a way to have children—only for it all to end in tragedy (they would later reappear and are now the heroes called Wiccan and Speed). Over time, Wanda’s story took darker turns, involving brainwashing, newfound abilities, struggles with mental instability, and a reality-altering catastrophe that changed everything.

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