Hill House debuted in 2019 as a DC Comics pop-up imprint (it technically falls under the broader DC “Black Label” book categorization) with a focus on horror comics curated by writer Joe Hill. The son of Stephen King, Joe Hill is best known in the comics world for his long-running and celebrated series with artist Gabriel Rodriguez, Locke & Key. [Read more…] about Hill House (DC) Comics Reading List!
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!
Taskmaster Reading Order!
They say “those who can’t do, teach,” but the Taskmaster – a mercenary-trainer-for-hire with “photographic reflexes” also known as Tony Masters – proves the phrase wrong. “Anything the Avengers can do, I can do better!” he boasts on the cover of Avengers #196, his first full appearance. All that skill and the heart of an educator to boot? What a catch!
2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the Taskmaster’s introduction at the end of Avengers #195 (May 1980). His capacity to mimic the athletic abilities of anyone he watches immediately made him a formidable foe for countless heroes, often thwarted only through clever tricks, as opposed to physical prowess. Acting as a foil to every hero he faces, the Taskmaster has made it into hundreds of single issues, dozens of episodes of animated television, and video games including Marvel’s Spider-Man
DC Black Label Reading List
At least once per year, my local comic shop runs a “newer comics” sale, where books that are still on their shelves that came out at least a month ago are all $1.50. It’s a great sale, and I typically use it to obsessively collect runs I wasn’t pulling in real time, or in some cases to spot up for atypically expensive oversized specials purely based on the savings.
In 2020, I was most excited for the sale as an opportunity to catch up on DC’s Black Label books. For the unfamiliar, “Black Label” is an imprint within DC Comics that launched in 2018 with Batman Hung Damned, and offers standalone, (generally) out of continuity stories from A-list creative talent. While the exact marketing can get muddled, I think of it as something like Vertigo for just DC superheroes and villains, with stories that are targeted for more mature audiences and gunning hard for “must read” long-term status. [Read more…] about DC Black Label Reading List
Beta Ray Bill Reading Order!
Equal parts Asgardian ally and cosmic hero, Beta Ray Bill debuted in 1983 as part of Walt Simonson’s opening salvo on what would become the best Thor comics run of all time. In the hands of a less monumental creative vision, Bill could have been lost to time as an equine oddity in the Odinson’s mythos, but instead he’s an essential part of the Marvel Cosmic fabric and oath-brother to Thor. [Read more…] about Beta Ray Bill Reading Order!
The Essential Franklin Richards Reading Order!
As the firstborn son of Marvel’s first family, Franklin Richards is both deeply ingrained in Marvel history, and an absolute wild card. Franklin’s a child of the Fantastic Four and an omega level mutant, meaning few character’s in Marvel have every operated with the potential to completely change the course of Marvel history. [Read more…] about The Essential Franklin Richards Reading Order!