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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.

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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?

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Justice League International Reading Order, by Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis

After what is known as the Justice League Detroit era (or the Detroit League), the crossovers event Crisis on Infinite Earths and Legends, came a new kind of Justice League team. Written by Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis, with art by Kevin Maguire, the Justice League International (JLI) Comics was created in 1987. It was not a team of A-listers. As a matter of fact, it was considered as a joke and–with what they got to work with–Giffen and DeMatteis developed a sitcom-like version of the Justice League. One that is still quite unique to this day.

With most of the usual big Justice League characters unavailable, this new league introduced new characterizations to old characters like Guy Gardner (Green Lantern) and Booster Gold, but also a major new character named Maxwell Lord who was behind the creation of this new league. They fight alongside (and with) Batman, The Black Canary, The Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, Doctor Fate, Doctor Light, The Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle, Big Barda, Green Flame, Ice Maiden, Rocket Red, and more.

But here is the official synopsis from DC Comics: The world’s greatest super-team, the Justice League, are Earth’s greatest and last line of defense against all manner of world-threatening villains… assuming they don’t wipe each other out first! Find out what happens when Batman, Superman and the rest of the gang face a galactic invasion fleet known as the Cluster, exchange harsh words with crazed bounty hunter Lobo and track Mister Miracle back to the hell planet that is Apokolips, and then battle yet another invasion fleet…because that’s how they roll.

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Secret Invasion Reading Order, a Marvel Event

Secret Invasion Reading Order

The reign of Brian Michael Bendis continues, one event after another. This one was published from April through December 2008. After Avengers Disassembled (reading order), House of M (reading order), Decimation (reading order), and Civil War (reading order) comes Secret Invasion. A story about trust that broke the superhero community, already shaken by the events of the Civil War. Dark times are ahead!

Here is the official synopsis: It begins with a brutal battle between the New Avengers and the Hand—one that claims the life of Elektra and reveals that she was a Skrull! What does this mean for Tony Stark and his Mighty Avengers? How about the Illuminati? Soon, the whole Marvel Universe will be asking: who do you trust? As the Secret Invasion stands revealed and the Skrulls attack Earth, which heroes will be exposed as alien impostors? Can the Secret Warriors turn the tide? And can anyone stop the Skrull queen Veranke?!

What to read before Secret Invasion?

Even if the Bendis’ Events were connected (see reading order), Secret Invasion is more self-contained than the other. But it was planned. You can start with Civil War (reading order), then read The New Avengers and The Mighty Avengers.

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The Punisher by Garth Ennis Reading Order (From Marvel Knights to Punisher Max)

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The Punisher by Garth Ennis Reading Order

Garth Ennis’s run on The Punisher Max is generally considered the definitive run on the character. The author used the freedom of the MAX imprint to write more realistic stories.

On a larger scale, The Punisher Max is in the continuity of Ennis’s run on the character that has begun under the Marvel Knights imprint, a period which helped revived Frank Castle’s popularity (and also worth reading).

Whatever the imprint, those series are known for their combining of crime-focused stories with a touch of black humor.

As for the story, here is the official synopsis of the first volume: The Punisher, aka Frank Castle, is a one-man army locked, loaded, and ready to take out anyone in his way. And Frank starts with Ma Gnucci and her entire crime family! Spacker Dave, Joan the Mouse, and Mr. Bumpo all await in one of the most celebrated Punisher stories ever told! And Frank’s war on crime continues as he targets disgraced General Kreigkopf, and has a very unique team-up with Spider-Man!

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Crisis on Infinite Earths Reading Order, The First DC Comics Major Event Crossover

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Published from April 1985 to March 1986, Crisis on Infinite Earths is the name of a 12-issue limited series written by Marv Wolfman and penciled by George Pérez at the heart of the major event of the same name. It’s the first universe redefining crossover comic book event ever, and it came from Wolfman’s desire to simplify and unify the DC Universe in order to help new (and old) readers to get a better understanding and reading experience. There’s a before and an after Crisis, and the industry as a whole changed after that.

Here is the official synopsis: A mysterious being known as the Anti-Monitor has begun a crusade across time to bring about the end of all existence. As alternate Earths are systematically destroyed, the Monitor quickly assembles a team of superheroes from across time and space to battle his counterpart and stop the destruction. DC’s greatest heroes, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Aquaman, assemble to stop the menace, but as they watch both the Flash and Supergirl die in battle, they begin to wonder if even all of the heroes in the world can stop this destructive force.

What to read before Crisis on Infinite Earths?

Nothing. Everything. This is the first event of this kind. Nowadays, DC Comics would have planned a long prelude to the event with some clues here and there, maybe a full storyline with a hero or two. But this was not the case in 1985. If you read a pre-crisis series, Crisis on Infinite Earths is the end. There’s probably a lot to read in order to be familiar with everybody involved, and it’s not feasible to list it here—The Monitor made non-consequential cameos before that could be listed, but it’s just him observing the action, not really useful. What you need to know is in the series anyway. That’s how comics worked back then.

To learn more about this classic event, complement with The History and Legacy of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

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Valerian and Laureline Reading Order: How to read this classic French Sci-Fi series?

Valerian and Laureline Reading Order

Written by Pierre Christin and drawn by Jean-Claude Mézières (RIP), the Valerian and Laureline series is a highly influential Franco-Belgian sci-fi comic book series that takes us to Galaxity, the capital of the Terran Galactic Empire in the 28th century.

There, we met Valerian and Laureline who are two agents of the Service Spatio-Temporel (SST) who protect mankind as they travel the universe through space and time.

Galaxity is an Earth megalopolis and the capital in the XXVIIIth century of a galactic empire. Earth has become, following a dark age, one of the great cosmic powers. The agents of the SST move in time and space to preserve the interests of Galaxity. The rules of the EST forbid them to modify the events of the past. Valerian and Laureline explore new planets, take part in historical experiments, help unknown peoples, settle planetary conflicts, represent Galaxity, etc. They do not intervene to prevent the death of the planet.

They do not intervene to prevent the nuclear explosion of 1986 which transforms the aspect and the organization of the Earth. But it is the future of Galaxity that they rewrite by helping the superintendent of the EST to prevent this cataclysm later. Unfortunately, in this high-risk temporal manipulation, they also cancel the future of their planet.

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Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates Reading Order

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Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1966, Black Panther gained mainstream recognition with the release of the film Black Panther in 2018. As the king of the African nation of Wakanda, T’Challa is both a brilliant scientist and a skilled warrior, enhanced by the mystical herb that grants him extraordinary abilities.

Over the years, he has proven to be one of the most accomplished characters in the Marvel Universe, facing numerous challenges—including his leadership of the Avengers, his decisive stand against Klaw in The Black Panther (1977), and his pivotal role in the iconic Doomwar storyline.

A new era—and a new entry point for readers—began as part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch after the Secret Wars crossover, under the creative vision of Ta-Nehisi Coates, a MacArthur Genius Grant and National Book Award-winning author. His run, starting with A Nation Under Our Feet, revisits T’Challa’s role as both a hero and monarch, setting the stage for an new chapter in Wakanda’s story…

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Robyn Hood Comics Reading Order: The adventures of Robyn Locksley, from the Grimm Fairy Tales universe by Zenescope

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Robyn Hood Comics Reading Order: The adventures of Robyn Locksley, from the Grimm Fairy Tales universe by Zenescope

The Grimm Fairy Tales universe is a dark fantasy comic book world by Zenescope Entertainment that began publication in June 2005. It presents classic fairy tales with modern twists, sexy covers, and some gore inside. Following the success of Return to Wonderland, the first spin-off and limited series (and the other Wonderland titles that followed), Zenescope started to develop other series related to the Grimm Fairy Tales universe.

In 2012, they launched Robyn Hood, which reinvent, you guessed it, the myth of Robin Hood. In this version, Robin Locksley is a young woman born in the realm of Myst but raised on Earth in a horrible home life after her mother’s death. As a teenager, she returned to Myst and became a selfless hero and bandit known as Robyn Hood.

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