Comic Book Herald

A Comic Book Reading Order Guide For Beginners & Fans

Comic Book Herald Reading Orders

Click the following link if you're looking for the CBH Marvel Reading Order. Otherwise, enjoy a smattering of comic book reading orders below!

Cosmic Ghost Rider Reading Order!

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Take 90s Marvel comics, mix them all up together, bake them into a single character, and you’ll get the Cosmic Ghost Rider. A servant of Thanos, he is a Ghost Rider imbued with Galactus’ Power Cosmic, and if all that isn’t enough, (and spoiler alert for the Rider’s identity – highlight following text to see!) he’s also an alternate timeline version of Frank Castle, the Punisher.

Created by Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw in the 2019 Thanos miniseries as part of the Thanos Wins storyline, the Rider is an incredibly powerful character, who sounds like the ultimate trump card in a “who would win in a fight?” argument. “Oh, you think your character is powerful? Well my character has the Power Cosmic and a cool Hell-powered space motorcycle with chains made from the bones of Cyttorak, whatcha gotta say to that!?”.

Since Thanos Wins, the Rider has joined the main Marvel Universe as a Deadpool-like figure, mixing violence and self-aware jokes. (coming from a future timeline, he already knows Marvel history and tends to interfere with events when he’s not supposed to). [Read more…] about Cosmic Ghost Rider Reading Order!

Hulkling Reading Order!

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It’s a rare thing, getting to see a character go from a 2000s legacy teen hero to becoming a main player in the Marvel universe. That’s why it’s so great to see Teddy Altman—or “Hulkling”—become the King of Space, unifier of the Kree-Skrull Alliance, and central focus of the 2020 Empyre event.

Even more noteworthy is the fact that Hulkling—one of, if not the most important character in the cosmic side of Marvel—is not only a gay man but one in a loving relationship with fellow Young Avenger Wiccan (their recent space wedding being no doubt the best part of Empyre.) Moreover, his actions as King have repercussions all across the cosmic titles of Marvel, from Al Ewing’s SWORD to the royal couple’s recent appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy. [Read more…] about Hulkling Reading Order!

History of the Time Variance Authority & Time Keepers

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Marvel’s Time Variance Authority – now stars of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s TV series on Disney+ – is a combination of parody, inside editorial jokes, and somehow also tremendous power in the Marvel Comics universe. Operating in “null-time,” The TVA are literal continuity cops, sending their agents to disrupt anyone messing with the timestream, and returning them to the familiar banality of paperwork and office life that is maintaining all of time!

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Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius) Reading Order!

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Spider-Man doesn’t lack iconic villains, from the Green Goblin to Venom and Carnage or even Kraven and Mysterio. But if there’s one representing the wall-crawler’s mirror image, his darker reflection, it’s Otto Octavius. From fighting Spider-Man as the supervillain and mad scientist Doctor Octopus to replacing him as the Superior Spider-Man, Otto might not have ruined Peter’s life quite as much as Norman Osborn has, but he has challenged our hero in a way no one else can, as a constant reminder of the worst-case scenario of who he could become.

In recent years, Otto has turned towards a possible redemption and tried his luck at being a superhero, but he still has a lot to make up for despite his efforts. Currently, it would seem Otto is back to his roots of supervillainy, but who knows what the future may hold for the eight-limbed scientist with the best bowl cut in the Marvel Universe.

Related:

Spider-Man

Green Goblin

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The Mandarin Reading Order!

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Throughout his history, the Mandarin has risen to become not only Iron Man’s true nemesis but a force to be reckoned with across the Marvel universe. He’s been a criminal mastermind, an evil businessman, a powerful martial artist… many talents that have all been, at many points in time, focused solely on destroying the Armored Avenger. So much so that, decades after his creation by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck in 1964, he was retconned into having played a part in Tony Stark’s origin story, tying the two enemies together for good.

The Mandarin is especially known for his superpowered rings (giving their name to the upcoming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, in which the Mandarin will be the main antagonist), each one granting a different power from freezing rays to mind control or electricity. He obtained the Ten Rings from a crashed ship belonging to an alien dragon species. Through various retcons and flashbacks, a lot more has been revealed about the rings throughout the years (from their ability to link with the Mandarin’s mind to the possibility that they might hold ancient souls). With the rings and the advanced science he stole from the alien ship, the Mandarin plots to conquer China and the entire world, which has put him at war with the Chinese army, Iron Man, other Marvel heroes, and even villains. [Read more…] about The Mandarin Reading Order!