Criminal Comics Reading Order

In 2006, comics creators Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips launched Criminal via Icon Comics (Marvel’s creator-owned Vertigo-esque publication imprint that ran for about a decade). The duo had previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed 24 issues of Sleeper set in DC’s Wildstorm Universe, and each had a strong reputation just shy of comics superstardom. Phillips was likely most well-known for Marvel Zombies (no disrespect to his decade of Vertigo work!), while Brubaker was fresh off “The Winter Soldier” saga in the pages of Captain America.

The following year, Criminal would win the Eisner Award for best new comics series (one of three the title has earned all time), and Brubaker and Phillips were on their way to the most respected, consistent creative collaboration of the entire 2000s. Though Criminal went more or less on hiatus following 2011, the series returned in 2018 (or 2019 depending on your math) and is kicking out great graphic novels 20 years after starting. Plus, as I write this, the Amazon Prime TV adaptation of the work is well underway.

Below, you’ll find a complete guide to the Criminal Universe comics in a recommended reading order. I’ve included two lists – one by release date, and one according to the fictional world’s chronology. I recommend you start with the first reading order (by release date) as this is how the creator’s considered the comics in the moment. Personally, I’m excited about starting a chronological dive next…

Criminal Vol. 1: Coward

Collects: Criminal #1-5

“Coward” starts it all, establishing the style of down-and-dirty noir Brubaker and Phillips will hone across the entire series. Their are some wonderfully inventive detours along the way, but otherwise it’s pretty amazing how tight Criminal works right out of the box.

Criminal Vol. 2: Lawless

Collects: Criminal #6-10

The CBLDF presents: Liberty Comics #1

Short story, “No One Rides For Free.”

Criminal Vol. 3: The Dead and The Dying

Collects: Criminal vol. 2 #1-3

Criminal Vol. 4: Bad Night

Collects: Criminal vol. 2 #4-7

Criminal Vol. 5: The Sinners

Collects: Criminal: The Sinners #1-5

Criminal Vol. 6: The Last of the Innocent

Collects: Criminal: The Last of the Innocent #1-4

“The Last of the Innocent” is my favorite Criminal arc, as Brubaker and Phillips bring their vision for crime comics to Archie-inspired flashbacks. It’s an ambitious, experimental fusion of famously kid-friendly classic comics and this modernized vision for dark, seedy reality.

Following “The Last of the Innocent” in 2011, the last of two Criminal miniseries, Criminal comics more or less go on hiatus until 2018!

Criminal Vol. 7: Wrong Time, Wrong Place

Collects: Criminal Special Edition (Savage Sword of Criminal) and Criminal 10th Anniversary Special (Deadly Hands of Criminal)

Dueling Criminal special issues that fill the gap between 2011 and 2018 as the creators focused on the likes of Fatale and Kill or Be Killed.

My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies

Collects: Original standalone graphic novella

This 2018 release was the soft hiatus breaker, not originally intended to be the “official” return of Criminal. Nonetheless, the work was met eagerly enough that Criminal officially relaunched via Image Comics in single issue format in 2019.

Noir: A Collection of Crime Comics

“21st Century Noir” short story!

Bad Weekend (Hardcover)

Collects: Criminal (2019) vol. 3 #2-3, with additional material

The second and third issues of the relaunched Criminal were so good, they’ve since been expanded and repackaged as a standalone graphic novel. “Bad Weekend” is absolute catnip for comics fans, bringing the Criminal Universe to the world of comic cons and a Jack Kirby analog!

Cruel Summer (Deluxe Hardcover)

Collects: Criminal (2019) vol. 3 #1 and #5-12

Image! 30th Anthology #9

Includes Brubaker and Phillips short story “Teeg’s Christmas Carol.”

The Knives: A Criminal Book

Collects: Original graphic novel

In the 2020s, Brubaker and Phillips move to the model of a new graphic novel released annually, and since 2025 that’s meant new Criminal once a year!

Five Gears in Reverse: A Criminal Book

Collects: Original graphic novel

One of my favorite graphic novels of 2026!

Deluxe Editions

Criminal Deluxe Edition Vol. 1

Collects: Criminal #1-10 and Criminal vol. 2 #1-3

Criminal Deluxe Edition Vol. 2

Collects: Criminal vol. 2 #4-7, Criminal: The Sinners #1-5, and Criminal: The Last of the Innocent #1-4

Criminal Deluxe Edition Vol. 3

Collects: Criminal Special Edition (Savage Sword of Criminal), Criminal 10th Anniversary Special (Deadly Hands of Criminal), My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies, Bad Weekend, Criminal (2019) #1, and Criminal (2019) #4