Ladies and gentleman, children of all ages, we are gathered here today to mourn the death of the nuclear family. Our finest television preachers and our sweatiest politicians spent decades warning us that we were headed this way. They decried music, drugs, and dancing, and we eradicated those … [Read More...] about What the Hell is Anime? Part 4 – Fullmetal Alchemist, The Promised Neverland, and Orphans
Main Content
Marvel Fresh Start Reading Order!
Marvel Fresh Start Reading Order
Marvel Fresh Start is the 2018 summer rebranding of the Marvel Comics publishing line, following hot on the barely-walking-yet heels of late 2017’s Marvel Legacy. As the name suggests, Marvel is desperately positioning this rebrand as a great time to jump onboard with any number of comics getting … [See the Reading Order!] about Marvel Fresh Start Reading Order
Where To Start?
The Complete Marvel Reading Order Guide
Welcome to the Comic Book Herald Complete Marvel Reading Order Guide. Some quick words of explanation that should help answer the most frequent questions. In the years I've worked editing and updating this guide, I've focused primarily on the modern era of comics from the late 90's through the … [See the Reading Order!] about The Complete Marvel Reading Order Guide
Recommended Reading Order!
War of the Realms Reading Order
The longest running "run" in Marvel Comics of the 2010's escalates to a full out Marvel Universe event with 2019's War of The Realms spiraling out of the pages of Thor. Writer Jason Aaron began his time in Asgard with 2012's Thor: God of Thunder, through the Jane Foster era of Thor, … [See the Reading Order!] about War of the Realms Reading Order
Featured Reading Order
DC Rebirth Reading Order
In May 2016, DC Comics launched a refreshed comic book universe, calling the initiative DC Rebirth. The publication of DC Universe Rebirth #1 marked the end of DC's New 52, which controversially rebooted the DCU from 2011 to 2016. The promise of DC Rebirth is a return to the long and rich … [See the Reading Order] about DC Rebirth Reading Order
Recent Posts
Mysterio Reading Order
Mysterio’s always been one of the more interesting Spider-Man villains by virtue of his idiosyncratic approach to crime. In a rogues gallery full of animal-powers (Rhino, Scorpion, Lizard), goblins (Green, Hob, etc), and Octopi with advanced degrees, the dramatic actor with a half fish bowl helmet and relatively vague power of trickery certainly stands out. […]
Previously On #72: The Wild Storm, Measuring Vertigo’s Popularity, & Commuter Comics
This week on “Previously On,” I review the Warren Ellis written The Wild Storm, discuss the closure of Vertigo and how it fits in today’s culture, and celebrate the few, the proud, the floppy comic readers on public transit.
Marvel Year Nine: 1970 Pt. 1
Marvel Comics of 1970. A new Iron Man! Spidey and Ock! Stilllllllllllttttttt-Mannnnnnnn!!!
The Road to Hickman’s X-Men!
I provide background and recommended reading to set you up for Marvel’s all-new series by Jonathan Hickman, House of X and Powers of X. You can watch it all via my Road to Hickman’s X-Men video!
The Stupidest Super-Vehicles Ever and the Science Behind Them
We have all come to accept that men and women can fly. That aliens walk among us. And that, with the right fashion accessory, any one of us could construct an old-timey elevator out of green light and use it to bring people to space. These are accepted facts. So why then does it seem […]
The Marvel 52: One Graphic Novel Per Week To Understand Marvel Comics
Given the nature of Comic Book Herald, I’m regularly thinking about “on ramps” for new comics readers. This is the premise for My Marvelous Year, the reading club and podcast where we go through the most essential storylines in Marvel history, year by year. For a significantly more streamlined approach, though, I thought it would be […]
The Best Solo Marvel Villain Stories!
Evil-doing adversaries are an integral part to superhero storytelling, but it’s actually kind of a rarity that they ever get to helm their own series. Sure, you have fence-straddling “anti-heroes” such as Venom or Deadpool and even grey-area vigilantes like the Punisher, but the straight-up baddies? Maybe it’s this lack of respect that keeps them […]
Comic Book Reviews
Comic Con Revolution Chicago 2019
Now that I am a certified press member who attends comic cons regularly (... Twice. I've done this twice) I've been thinking more about what it is that I'm looking to get from attending a comic book convention. I attended Comic Con Revolution in … [Read the Review] about Comic Con Revolution Chicago 2019
Previously On #70: Doom Patrol Season One Review!
This week on “Previously On,” I review the first season of Doom Patrol, and consider where DC Universe now stands in the digital comics subscription market. … [Read the Review] about Previously On #70: Doom Patrol Season One Review!
Dark Detective – Steve Englehart vs DC Comics, and Everyone Else
Englehart, Pre-DC Steve Englehart is one of the great, unsung heroes of the Bronze Age. Englehart got his start as a member of the Crusty Bunkers (a team of largely uncredited artists who helped out at Neal Adams' studio), where his official role … [Read the Review] about Dark Detective – Steve Englehart vs DC Comics, and Everyone Else
Marvel Comics Without Movies (Options for the Future of the MCU!)
It’s only been a few short weeks since the release of Avengers: Endgame and, as expected, speculation is huge as to what comes next. Certainly, there’s already some definite franchises to anchor the MCU into Phase 4 and beyond. However, for as much … [Read the Review] about Marvel Comics Without Movies (Options for the Future of the MCU!)
Avengers: Endgame Review!
There’s a part of me that buys into the idea - the non-controversial idea - that good stories have endings. This defies my love of superhero comics because the whole shared universe promise is that these stories never actually end. There are … [Read the Review] about Avengers: Endgame Review!