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You are here: Home / Featured / Adam Warlock Reading Order

Adam Warlock Reading Order

April 8, 2017 by Dave 5 Comments

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:

Thanos

Guardians of the Galaxy

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Marvel Cosmic

Adam Warlock Comics Reading Order

Adam Warlock Origins

Warlock: Him

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.

starlin warlock

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.

Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus

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.

Infinity Gauntlet Aftermath

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.

Infinity War

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.

Infinity War Aftermath

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

Infinity Crusade, Vol. 1

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.

Infinity Crusade – Volume 2

Collects:  Infinity Crusade #4-6, Warlock Chronicles #4-5 & Warlock And The Infinity Watch #20-22

Infinity Watch Vol. 1

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.

Thor: Blood & Thunder

Collects: Thor #468–471, Silver Surfer #86–88, Warlock Chronicles #6–8, Warlock And The Infinity Watch #23–25

Infinity Watch Vol. 2

Collects: Warlock Chronicles 6, Warlock And The Infinity Watch 26-42

2000’s Return of Thanos and Warlock

Thanos: Infinity Abyss

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.

Marvel Universe: The End

Collects: Marvel Universe : The End 1-6

Thanos: Redemption

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!

Abnett and Lanning Guardians

Annihilation to the New Infinity Saga

Annihilation: Conquest Book 1

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

The Thanos Imperative

Collects: Thanos Imperative #1 To #6

Thanos Annual #1

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

The Infinity Entity

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.

Thanos: The Infinity Finale

Collects: Original Graphic Novel

Filed Under: Featured, Marvel Characters Tagged With: Adam Warlock

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About Dave

Dave is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Comic Book Herald, and also the Boss of assigning himself fancy titles. He's a long-time comic book fan, and can be seen most evenings in Batman pajama pants. Contact Dave @comicbookherald on Twitter or via email at dave@comicbookherald.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. JB says

    May 26, 2019 at 4:59 am

    The 1998 series collected in Guardians of the Galaxy: Road to Annihilation Vol. 1 is missing and should be placed before Infinity Abyss

    Reply
    • JB says

      May 27, 2019 at 10:58 am

      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

      Reply
  2. Michael says

    April 4, 2019 at 8:02 pm

    I think this is missing the 1998 4 comic series where Warlock fights Siphon along with Drax and Gamora. Otherwise, great job with this!

    Reply
  3. MoFo says

    August 10, 2017 at 11:52 am

    I would also insert Thor Vol 1 #166, directly after #165. Thor fights Him and retrieves Sif.

    Reply
  4. James says

    April 9, 2017 at 6:55 pm

    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.

    Reply

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