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!

X-Men Dark Phoenix Saga Reading Order!

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The “Dark Phoenix Saga” is among the most pivotal stories in Marvel Comics history, and without question one of the X-Men’s most iconic moments. The resurgence of Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, John Byrne and collaborators all builds to a five-years-in-the-making trial by fire of both Jean Grey and Marvel’s merry mutants.

As the My Marvelous Year reading club reads through these essentials in Marvel, I’ll be re-exploring some of the fringe comics and stories that expand the traditional read, both to establish a reading order and to determine how much value is added branching outside the core comics issues.

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G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Reading Order

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Although the G.I. Joe toyline has been a pop culture institution for well over half a century, the version boasting the tag “A Real American Hero” is easily the most recognizable and fan-beloved.

While the brand has existed to varying success on store shelves since the 1960s (scaled roughly in keeping with Barbie dolls), by the late ‘70s/early 1980s toymakers Hasbro are losing a battle to smaller action figures, championed largely by upstart competitor Kenner’s licensing of the Star Wars juggernaut.

Looking to take the fight to this (downsized) arena, a relaunch of Joe is greenlit- except it’s still missing its “hook.” Serendipitously, Marvel Comics is set to reboot a new S.H.I.E.L.D. book roughly envisioned as “Fury Force”- focusing on an all-new elite super-spy/commando team. When Hasbro’s ad execs tap Marvel for a consult on “Operation Joe,” the two projects sort of merge into a multi-format endeavor the likes of which is rarely seen- especially as it continues to endure to this day. [Read more…] about G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Reading Order

The world doesn’t make sense until you force it to: Frank Miller Comics Profile & Chronology

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Daredevil run (1979-1993)

Daredevil

Once upon a time, Daredevil was essentially a proxy of Spider-Man. He was a wisecracking acrobat who used his superior reflexes and his radar to beat up bad guys. Instead of being red and blue, Daredevil was just red. Instead of having web shooters, he had a billy club he swung around on. As a guest star on a Spider book, he was great. But as a solo hero, he was dying on the vine. [Read more…] about The world doesn’t make sense until you force it to: Frank Miller Comics Profile & Chronology

Valkyrie Reading Order!

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Like the comic book adaptation of a certain God of Thunder, Marvel delves back into Norse mythology for a long-standing female protagonist: Valkyrie.

By comparison, though, Thor’s saga is far more straightforward. And this is despite its great many twists, turns and occasional mortal alter egos- something at which our “Sword Girl” friend also excels.

However, the Odinson’s district advantage has always been his solo series and the additional pages it affords in fleshing out his character. For better or worse, Valkyrie is historically a team player, always written as part of an ensemble cast and rarely striking out on her own solo endeavors. [Read more…] about Valkyrie Reading Order!

Metal Men Reading Order!

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The Silver Age was a very strange time. A time of rampant science fiction, where anything was possible and nothing was adequately explained. Where Superman could turn into a tree in Lois’ yard one day, then trying to kill her in space the next. The silver age was a time completely free of consequence. And the Metal Men were perfect for that age, right down to their creation. [Read more…] about Metal Men Reading Order!