Marvel’s 2026 summer event spirals out of last year’s One World Under Doom, in a world where Victor Von Doom’s disappearance creates a Latverian political power vacuum. Writer Chip Zdarsky (Daredevil, Howard the Duck, that pitch for Watchmen 2 where Dr. Manhattan does full frontal) picks up the pieces of a post-Doom Marvel, in an event Marvel is teasing to have the impact of 2004’s Avengers Disassembled. Even in death, we D.R.E.A.M. (Doom Rules Everything Around Me).
Whether or not Marvel’s perpetual “this changes everything!” proclamation can come true remains to be seen, but the set-up has offered a nice opportunity for Zdarsky to consider the impact and history of American interventionism. This geo-political intrigue is centered through the lens of Captain America, Red Hulk (General “Thunderbolt” Ross), a reforming SHIELD, and of course, Latveria as the proxy nation. This is far from the first time Marvel creators have considered Latverian takeovers (off the top of my head, Fantastic Four #200, John Byrne’s Fantastic Four #247 aka “This Land is Mine,” and Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo’s “Authoritative Action” arc of their Fantastic Four run all come to mind), but Zdarsky’s commentary does directly align with a “ripped from the headlines” feel of America’s current intervention in Iran. Zdarsky surely wrote these scripts well before we fully entered yet another war, but there’s this saying about history… doing something… to itself.
Below you’ll find the complete reading order and checklist for Armageddon, updated as new issues and graphic novels are released.
Note that this guide is not to be confused with reading orders for DC’s Armageddon 2001, nor Warhammer 40k’s own Armageddon event. If you’ve somehow confused this guide with 1998’s Bruce Willis led Armageddon, it’s likely because of my shaved head, leading man charm, and unique ability to drill asteroids unlike anyone on Earth. I do apologize for that confusion.
What To Read Before Marvel’s 2026 Armageddon
The one you need to read to understand the state of Doctor Doom. Alongside Fantastic Four, one of my favorite comics of 2025! You can of course also enjoy the full event via Comic Book Herald’s One World Under Doom reading order!
This one-shot written by Chip Zdarsky serves as an epilogue to North’s OWUD. The focus on the Fantastic Four, plus Zdarsky and North’s chummy background suggest the FF will continue to play a major role in Armageddon. Speaking of espionage and world takeovers, anybody else notice the last three major Marvel events were written by Canadians?!
You really super don’t need to read Red Hulk, the rare series to last 10 issues entirely as a tie-in to One World Under Doom (I haven’t checked, but I’d guess this is the longest running series ever that existed entirely as a tie-in?). Everything that happens in these 10 issues is neatly summarized by Zdarsky in the pages of Captain America. Nonetheless, our boy Thaddeus Ross is a big player in Armageddon, and this is the most recent event explaining where his head’s at these days.
Fairly inessential three issue anthology exploring the supernatural, dangerous weapons left behind by Doctor Doom.
Captain America by Chip Zdarsky
Zdarsky took over Captain America with a new volume in 2025, and it’s easily the most essential reading prior to Armageddon. There hasn’t been a single issue of the run that hasn’t involved Doom and Latveria, as Steve Rogers gets pulled into America’s intervention in the nation time after time. Likewise, there’s a new character introduced in the first arc that will play a role in the “Weapons of Armageddon” miniseries that follows.
Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon
Writer Chip Zdarsky confirmed this was essential Armageddon reading himself! He wouldn’t lie about something like that, would he?!
Armageddon Issue by Issue Reading Order
Prologue:
Will of Doom #1
Captain America #6 to #11
Ultimate Impact: Reborn #1
Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon #1 to #4
Comics Giveaway Day 2026: Armageddon / X-Men #1
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I also would love to have a column on the website, dedicated to updates on things being adjusted and added to the website Unless of course, we already get that in the newsletter?
Great to have an update with a new event, but venom war is still missing from the list and blood hunt goes to the Amazon link instead of a reading order here