I love Jim Starlin cosmic comics, although I’ll admit more often than not I think of Thanos and the dark side of Marvel cosmic. If you’re going to enjoy Starlin’s 70’s, 90’s and 2000’s space opera, though, inevitably that means an affection and respect for the cosmic embodiment of good to Thanos’ evil: Adam Warlock.
Warlock (not to be confused with the later New Mutants alien, Warlock) is heady 70’s philosophy and expanding consciousness come to life on the page. Within his first years Warlock comics deliver a clear Jesus allegory and have him tackle organized religion and the nature of the soul. Conceptually, Adam Warlock wants it all.
Below you’ll find a proper reading order for Adam Warlock comics, including his Jim Starlin stories, as well as the comics that come before and after.
Related Reading Orders:
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Adam Warlock Comics Reading Order
Adam Warlock Origins
Collects: Fantastic Four #66 to #67, Thor #165
In one of the absolute weirdest Marvel historical oddities, Adam Warlock technically debuts in the pages of the Fantastic Four as the entitty “Him.” No really: “Him.” Jack and Stan’s “The Coming of Galactus” this ain’t,” but for true Adam Warlock heads it all begins here. Honestly, “Him,” doesn’t represent the shape Adam Warlock would take really at all, so you could easily skip ahead.
Marvel Masterworks: Warlock Volume 1
Collects: Marvel Premiere (1972) 1-2, Warlock (1972) 1-8, Incredible Hulk (1968) 176-178
Although most frequently tied to Marvel Cosmic new god Jim Starlin, Warlock’s official 1972 debut comes from the pen of Marvel’s Roy Thomas. If you’re most intested in the Starlin era and Warlock’s connection to Thanos, you could skip these issues, although they will be referenced repeatedly in the coming stories.
Jim Starlin’s 70’s Marvel Cosmic to 90’s Infinity Trilogy
Warlock by Jim Starlin: The Complete Collection
Collects: Strange Tales 178-181, Warlock 9-15, Avengers Annual 7, Marvel Two-In-One Annual 2
This is where the most well known Adam Warlock elements begin, with Jim Starlin introducin Pip the Troll, Gamora, the Magus, and the very special connection between Adam Warlock and Thanos. Some of the best 70’s Marvel Cosmic comics this side of Captain Marvel.
Collects: Silver Surfer (1987) 34-38, 40, 44-60; Thanos Quest 1-2; Infinity Gauntlet 1-6; Cloak & Dagger (1988) 18; Spider-Man (1990) 17; Incredible Hulk 383-385; Dr. Strange, Sorceror Supreme 31-36; Quasar 26-27; Sleepwalker 7
The 1990’s return of Thanos in Infinity Gauntlet is one of my favorite Marvel events, and in many ways it’s Adam Warlock’s strongest showing. Warlock unites the Marvel Universe in a way no other hero can, and comes away with all-new purpose in Warlock and the Infinity Watch.
Collects: Silver Surfer (1987) 60-66, Dr. Strange : Sorcerer Supreme 36, Warlock & The Infinity Watch 1-6, Material From Silver Surfer Annual 5
Adam Warlock forms the Infinity Watch, comprising a core unit of Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Pip the Troll, Moondragon, and of course a mysterious sixth person.
Collects: Collects Infinity War #1-6, Warlock And The Infinity Watch #7-10 & Marvel Comics Presents #108-111
Infinity War somehow gets even more Warlock heavy featuring Warlock’s evil alter-ego The Magus as the main Marvel Universe villain. Infinity War gets overshadowed by the admittedly superior Gauntlet, but is still well worth your time.
Collects: Warlock & The Infinity Watch 11-17, Silver Surfer/Warlock: Resurrection 1-4, Quasar 41-43; Material From Marvel Comics Presents (1988) 112, Marvel Holiday Special 2, Marvel Swimsuit Special 2
Collects: Infinity Crusade #1-3, Warlock Chronicles #1-3 & Warlock And The Infinity Watch #18-19
If the Magus is the manifestation of Adam Warlock’s “evil,” what does his “good” side look like? That’s the question asked by Infinity Crusade, the conclusion to Starlin’s 90’s Infinity trilogy.
Collects: Infinity Crusade #4-6, Warlock Chronicles #4-5 & Warlock And The Infinity Watch #20-22
Collects: Infinity Watch #1 To #22
Note that all twenty-two issues of Infinity Watch are included in various Infinity Gauntlt through Infinity Crusade trades listed above. Nonetheless, if you want the pure Watch, you can start here.
Collects: Thor #468–471, Silver Surfer #86–88, Warlock Chronicles #6–8, Warlock And The Infinity Watch #23–25
Collects: Warlock Chronicles 6, Warlock And The Infinity Watch 26-42
2000’s Return of Thanos and Warlock
Collects: Infinity Abyss #1-6
The next three stories consist of Starlin’s 2000’s return to Thanos, and as you might expect, concentrate more directly on ol’ purple puss. Nonetheless, Warlock cameos throughout.
Collects: Marvel Universe : The End 1-6
Collects: Thanos 1-12
Warlock by Greg Pak and Charlie Adlard
Collects: Warlock #1 To #4
The rarest of birds in the Marvel Universe to date: An Adam Warlock series from a writer other than Jim Starlin!
Annihilation to the New Infinity Saga
Collects: Annihilation: Conquest – Quasar #1 To #4
Honestly, if you’re going to read these Annihilation Conquest tie-ins, I highly recommend you read the full Comic Book Herald guide to Marvel Cosmic. Annihilation through The Thanos Imperative include varying degrees of Adam Warlock, as the character becomes more and more essential through the excellent 2000’s cosmic narrative.
Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning: The Complete Collection Volume 1 
Collects: Guardians Of The Galaxy (2008) 1-12
The fast track approach through Adam Warlock’s Marvel Cosmic appearances would be to simply read the Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning run through Guardians of the Galaxy, concluding with Thanos Imperative.
Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning: The Complete Collection Volume 2
Collects: Guardians Of The Galaxy (2008) 13-25
Collects: Thanos Imperative #1 To #6
Collects: Thanos Annual #1
Thanos: The Infinity Revelation
Collects: Original Graphic Novel
Although Starlin’s mid-2000’s return to Thanos graphic novels is titled as a Mad Titan feature, Adam Warlock is as central to these stories as he was to the 90’s Infinity trilogy. Must reads for Warlock fans who may have missed the first time around.
Thanos: The Infinity Relativity
Collects: Original Graphic Novel
Collects: Original Graphic Novel
While It’s My Least Favorite Of The Jim Starlin Thanos And Warlock Graphic Novels, Infinity Entity Results In The Greatest Major Developments For Adam Warlock’S Place In The Marvel Universe.
Collects: Original Graphic Novel
The 1998 series collected in Guardians of the Galaxy: Road to Annihilation Vol. 1 is missing and should be placed before Infinity Abyss
Also, Warlock by Greg Pak and Charlie Adlard (Collects: Warlock #1 To #4) is outside of normal continuity and features a different Adam Warlock which should probably be noted
I think this is missing the 1998 4 comic series where Warlock fights Siphon along with Drax and Gamora. Otherwise, great job with this!
I would also insert Thor Vol 1 #166, directly after #165. Thor fights Him and retrieves Sif.
This is awesome, Adam Warlock is one of my favourite characters (mostly because of his involvement with the Infinity trilogy and the 2008 Guardians series). However I never read any of his solo series, nor did I read Warlock and the Infinity Watch. Though that was mainly because the issues weren’t available on Marvel Unlimited, which they are now (except for Infinity Watch 23-42). This is one of the reading orders I’ll follow after I finish reading 2015 Secret Wars.