Skip to content

Marvel

Generation X Reading Order (part of the X-Men Universe)

  • by

After New Mutants and X-Force, Generation X is another Marvel Comics series set in the X-Men Universe. Created by Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo, the Generation X team first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #318 (November 1994) during the “Phalanx Covenant” storyline and immediately got its own monthly series.

Generation X is the first team of X-Men not mentored by Charles Xavier, but by Banshee and former supervillainess Emma Frost (aka the White Queen). In fact, these young mutants did not attend Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters in upstate New York, but the Massachusetts Academy, located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

During the first volume, Generation X consisted of Jubilee (Jubilation Lee), Chamber (Jonothon “Jono” Starsmore), Husk (Paige Guthrie), M (Monet St. Croix), Mondo, Penance, Skin (Angelo Espinosa), Synch (Everett Thomas), and Gaia.

Read More »Generation X Reading Order (part of the X-Men Universe)

Captain America Reading Order

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

If several heroes bearing the flag motif didn’t survive and are forgotten today, the man known as Steve Rogers found his way back to the public when The Avengers got him out of ice in 1964. He became a man out of time but one still committed to fighting evil in all its forms. Though he sometimes struggles to maintain his ideals, Cap never gives up and always stands up for what he believes is right. It’s no wonder he became a highly respected figure both with the American public and in the superhero community, serving as the long-time leader of the Avengers.

More than a man, Captain America is an American icon, a symbol of hope. For this reason, other men have taken the mantle of Captain America in Steve Rogers’ various absences, including John Walker, Bucky Barnes, and Sam Wilson. 

Read More »Captain America Reading Order

Heroes Reborn: Marvel Heroes, Image Style, the famous 1996 relaunch

  • by

In 2021, Marvel published a new Heroes Reborn storyline. The company loves confusing readers by using the same titles over and over. But why Heroes Reborn? The 1996 original storyline was not a success and does in fact has not the best reputation. Let’s take a look back at that strange pure 1990s experiment.

Everything started in 1992 when Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld, Erik Larsen, Whilce Portacio, Jim Valentino, and Marc Silvestri left Marvel to form Image Comics. Those creators found big success at Marvel. In fact, they were quite famous and wanted the company to recognize that in ways that were not agreeable for Marvel—they wanted better treatment, pay, and rights.

Everybody thought that they were coming back quickly, but Image became an instant hit that changed the industry forever. And then, the comic speculator bubble burst in 1993, changes in the distribution of comics created cash flow difficulties for some publishers, and poor sales numbers certainly didn’t help.

In fact, 1996 was a very bad year for Marvel. In January, the stock price dropped, and 275 staffers were laid off, and it was not the first time nor the last that year. In December, Marvel Comics declared bankruptcy—in truth, that was mostly the result of a battle to control the company between leaders that didn’t care for comics.

Read More »Heroes Reborn: Marvel Heroes, Image Style, the famous 1996 relaunch

Adam Warlock Reading Order

  • by

Originally introduced in 1967 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby under the name “Him” in Fantastic Four #66-67, Adam Warlock really started in Marvel Premiere #1 (April 1972) written by Roy Thomas and penciled by Gil Kane.

Adam Warlock is a synthetic lifeform created in the image of a perfect human being. He is one of the most powerful heroes of the entire cosmos–and possessed magical abilities and has to use them to fight The Magus, his malevolent future self.

At the start, a coalition of scientists known as The Enclave incubated Warlock in an artificial cocoon. Once out, he rebelled against his creators after realizing they were nefarious. When he re-emerged, years later, he was named “Warlock” by the High Evolutionary and was gifted the Soul Gem. He didn’t become a hero on Earth, but on Counter-Earth–a new planet generated from a chunk of Earth and set in orbit on the opposite side of the sun.

A few years later, Jim Starlin revived the character and made him more of a cosmic hero, twice. The first time, it only lasted for a few issues, but he brought Adam Warlock back for his Infinity Saga eleven years later–during the 1990s.

During the 2000s, when Marvel decided to revive its cosmic universe, Warlock made his comeback, playing his part in the Annihilation Saga.

Read More »Adam Warlock Reading Order

Cable Reading Order

  • by

Cable looks straight at you with his signature intensity

Meet Nathan Summers, time-traveling soldier, powerful mutant, and original X-Force leader, with this Cable comics reading list, covering everything from his first appearance to his team-ups with Deadpool, his X-Men days, the Messiah Trilogy, and more.

X-Men Reading Order - X-Logo

Few characters at Marvel have a backstory as complicated as Cable (with the possible exception of Psylocke). Born Nathan Christopher Charles Summers, Cable is the time-traveling son of Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Madelyne Pryor (a clone of Jean Grey). Behind his conception lurks the mad geneticist Mr. Sinister, who planned to use the child as a weapon to destroy his archenemy, Apocalypse.

As an infant, Nathan was infected by a deadly techno-organic virus incurable in the present. To save him, Cyclops gave Nathan up, sending him 2,000 years into the future (Earth-493) where he could be treated and raised. There was no hope for Scott to ever see his son again… or so he thought.

In this future world, Nathan was raised by the Askani Clan to become the warrior known as Cable, a sworn enemy of Apocalypse. The religious order was led by Mother Askani, a time-displaced version of Rachel Summers, Cable’s half-sister.

Read More »Cable Reading Order

Guardians of the Galaxy Reading Order

  • by

First appearing in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (Jan. 1969), the Guardians of the Galaxy is a superhero team that originated from an idea Roy Thomas had about “super-guerrillas fighting against Russians and Red Chinese who had taken over and divided the USA.” Thomas didn’t have the time to research it so Stan Lee gave it to Arnold Drake. He took it and placed it in space.

Penciled by Gene Colan, the first story introduced us to an alternative timeline of the Marvel Universe known as Earth-691, in the 31st century. The members of the Guardians of the Galaxy were Major Vance Astro, an astronaut from 20th century Earth who spends a thousand years traveling to Alpha Centauri in suspended animation; Martinex T’Naga, a crystalline being from Pluto; Captain Charlie-27, a soldier from Jupiter; and Yondu Udonta, a blue-skinned “noble savage” from Centauri-IV.

Together, they fight against the Badoon, a reptilian alien species, determined to conquer Earth’s Solar System. The team grew as the fight went on. And when the Guardians defeated the Badoon, the evil Korvac became their main foe. They traveled in time, developed into a multiple-team organization, and simply continued to fight… up until Guardians of the Galaxy #62 (July 1995).

In May 2008, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning introduced a new version of the Guardians of the Galaxy following the Annihilation: Conquest event–the old team appeared as guest stars during the series and got a new title, Guardians 3000.

The new roster united Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Phyla-Vell, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Adam Warlock. Together, they play an important part in the Annihilation storylines that relaunched the Cosmic Universe of Marvel.

With the movie coming out, the team was pushed to the front, and, in 2012 with the launch of the Marvel NOW! initiative, Brian Michael Bendis became the main writer of the series (drawn by Steve McNiven). New members joined, spin-offs were developed, and guest appearances in other titles multiplied. The Guardians of the Galaxy became big players in the Marvel Universe.

Read More »Guardians of the Galaxy Reading Order

Black Panther Reading Order, The King of Wakanda

Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, Black Panther made his first comic book appearance in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966). He was introduced as T’Challa, the ruler and protector of Wakanda, a fictional African nation that is the most technologically advanced country in the Marvel Comics Universe. This hidden nation owes much of its advancements to Vibranium, a nearly indestructible metal that crash-landed in Wakanda centuries ago, shaping its scientific and cultural evolution.

T’Challa is not only a formidable warrior but also one of the most intelligent minds in the Marvel Universe. He ranks among the top ten smartest characters, alongside Reed Richards, Tony Stark, and Amadeus Cho. His genius extends to physics, engineering, and political strategy, making him an exceptional leader. Beyond his intelligence, T’Challa possesses enhanced physical abilities granted by the Heart-Shaped Herb, which links him to the Panther God, Bast. This connection allows him to access the knowledge and experiences of every Black Panther who came before him. His combat skills, agility, superhuman strength, endurance, and heightened senses make him one of the most formidable heroes in Marvel Comics.

Initially introduced as a guest character in Fantastic Four, Black Panther soon became a recurring hero, later joining The Avengers. He starred in Jungle Action during the 1970s, a critically acclaimed series that explored themes of colonialism and racial identity. Over the years, he has played major roles in Marvel storylines, serving as a member of the Illuminati, The Ultimates, and various Avengers teams.

Black Panther made his live-action debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portrayed by Chadwick Boseman. His first appearance in Captain America: Civil War (2016) was quickly followed by the solo film Black Panther (2018), which became a cultural and box office phenomenon. The film’s success cemented Black Panther as one of Marvel’s most iconic and influential characters.

Read More »Black Panther Reading Order, The King of Wakanda

Thor Reading Order

 

Based on the Norse mythological god of the same name, Thor Odinson–or simply Thor–is a Marvel Superhero created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby that was introduced in Journey into Mystery #83 (August 1962)–possibly as an unofficial equivalent to DC’s Superman.

In order to make the Asgardian god of thunder (whose enchanted hammer Mjolnir–called the ‘Uru Hammer’ at first–enables him to fly and manipulate weather) relatable for the average American reader, Stan Lee imagined a secret identity (à la Clark Kent). Partially disabled human medical student Donald Blake only had to strike his walking stick to transform into the thunder god.

As Donald Blake, the hero took care of his patient in his private practice, working with nurse Jane Foster. As Thor, he defended humanity from his numerous Evil enemies, and notably his adoptive brother Loki, but also the Absorbing Man, the Destroyer, the Wrecker, Zarrko, the Radioactive Man, the Lava Man, the Cobra, Mister Hyde, the Enchantress, the Executioner, and more.

Thor joined the Avengers, fall in love with Jane Foster, opposed his father’s will, and went on epic adventures, alone or with allies from Earth and Asgard. As the years went by, we learned more about Thor and Asgard’s real origins, the Gods, and their enemies. Also, Thor was freed from Donald Blake. Like a lot of Marvel heroes, Thor died (Loki and Odin too), but came back to life. Asgard was destroyed and rebuilt. Even Mjolnir disappeared at one point.

Read More »Thor Reading Order

Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu Reading Order

  • by

Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu Reading Order

In the early 70s in the United States, the United States was bitten by a craze for all things kung fu. It was during that particular cultural time that Shang-Chi was created. At first, writer Steve Englehart and artist Jim Starlin wanted to adapt the television series Kung Fu into a comic book. They approached DC Comics with their proposition, as the parent company, Warner Communications, owned the rights to the series. DC passed as they thought that this interest in Asian martial arts will soon pass.

The duo went to see Marvel, still determined to do a comic book focused on kung fu. Contrary to DC, Marvel Comics was more into kung fu and even acquired the rights to Sax Rohmer’s Fu Manchu stories. So they were interested in Englehart and Starlin’s proposition, with the demand they include Fu Manchu in their stories. They agreed and created Zheng Shang-Chi as the unknown son of Fu Manchu, who would rebel against his father and become a hero in his own right. Marvel would later lose the comic book rights to Fu Manchu and had to downplay the connection between the two characters until they just renamed Shang-Chi’s father Zheng Zu. Unfortunately for Shang-Chi, these copyright issues will result in fewer appearances on his part during a time.

Shang-Chi was introduced in Special Marvel Edition #15 (Dec. 1973) before the title was renamed The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. Thanks to all the martial arts popularity, the title became quite popular and survived the 70s, going into the early 80s, until issue #125 (June 1983). During that time, Shang-Chi is more of an independent hero, as he doesn’t interact a lot with other Marvel characters.

This changed with time, as Shang-Chi became more immersed in the world of superheroes, appeared in several events, joined Heroes for Hire, The Avengers, The New Agents of Atlas, and mentored and trained heroes like Spider-Man. And now, Shang-Chi is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he is played by Simu Liu. 

Discover more about Shang-Chi in our reading order!

Read More »Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu Reading Order

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

  • by

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!

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