Without question, the writing and vision of Jonathan Hickman across the Marvel Universe is my favorite modern run in superhero comics. Working with a roster of incredible artistic storytellers like Esad Ribic, Jerome Opena, and Dale Eaglesham (among many others), the Marvel Hickman-verse is wonderfully plotted and thematically connected from the Dark Reign era Secret Warriors through 2015’s mega-event Secret Wars.
There are a number of coherent visions mapped across the modern Marvel Universe by various creators (Rick Remender, Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, etc), but none are as rewarding as Hickman’s.
Due to its expansive quality, interconnected narratives, and near decade long run time, a good reading order can seriously aid the comic book binge experience.
Below you’ll find a complete chronology and timeline for every Marvel comic book written by Jonathan Hickman, as well as background reading that can help provide context for Hickman’s entrance onto a series or set of characters. At the end of the guide, I also include picks from Jonathan Hickman’s creator-owned work so the ride never stops.
Before we get rolling, if you want to read through the entire Hickman Universe – literally every issue! – you should consider a subscription to Marvel Unlimited!
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Index:
Lead up Marvel Comics
Secret Warriors
S.H.I.E.L.D
Fantastic Four
Ultimates
Avengers and New Avengers
Secret Wars
The Return: Jonathan Hickman’s X-Men!
Need More? The Image Comics of Jonathan Hickman!
The Hickman Marvel Reading Order
0) Marvel Comics Leading Up To The Hickman-Verse
Secret Warriors Background
Shortly after Avengers Disassembled changed the status quo for Marvel’s Avengers and set up the New Avengers, another Brian Michael Bendis written event (with Gabriel Del Otto) changed the status quo for SHIELD and Nick Fury.
In a clear tie to the political environment of 2005, Nick Fury defies orders from the US government and invades the nation of Latveria. The ramifications of this decision lead to Fury’s eventual exile from SHIELD, and status as a man on the run.
Mighty Avengers Secret Invasion
The most important background for Secret Warriors comes in Mighty Avengers, with the entire team assemblage explained.
Mighty Avengers #12 – Nick Fury discovering Secret Invasion plot.
Mighty Avengers #13 – Nick puts the team together.
Mighty Avengers #18 – The Secret Warriors train under the tutelage of Nick Fury and Daisy Johnson.
While you certainly could read all of Secret Invasion with the CBH reading order, really all you need to know is that Hickman’s time with Marvel comes in the aftermath of this event.
Much like Secret Invasion, the relaunch of Thunderbolts as Marvel’s new Dark Avengers helps explain the context of Dark Reign. Particularly relevant for Secret Warriors, this series by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato sets up the character of Ares and the various “criminal” Avengers.
Fantastic Four Background
Millar and Hitch Fantastic Four
The presence of Ultimates creative team Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch was a surprisingly lackluster boost for Fantastic Four. That said, elements of their time on the book – preceding Hickman’s entrance as writer – establishes elements in play such as Nu-World and the growth of Valeria Richards.
Now, in a lot of ways, it’s going to be obvious that Hickman’s time writing Fantastic Four is playing with elements established in the 50+ years of the comic’s publication. After all, he’s starting on issue #570. Nonetheless, I found the “Nu-World” storylines manageable but particularly confusing without this background.
I don’t really recommend reading all of “Fall of the Hulks” except for the biggest comic completists out there. The big development you need to know from this series is the Intelligencia conspire to reduce Doctor Doom’s intellect, and this is the reduced state we find him in during Fantastic Four.
The cosmic elements of Black Bolt’s journey as the Inhumans “Midnight King” stem from the events of “War of Kings.” This cosmic universe event follows hot on the heels of Annihilation and Annihilation Conquest. For a full look at the Marvel cosmic landscape, check out Comic Book Herald’s Marvel Cosmic guide.
Ultimates Background
Brian Michael Bendis writes a three part event that digs the Ultimate Universe out of the wreckage of Ultimatum. Hickman will expand on the reveals in these comics to build one of the Ultimate U’s most lasting creations.
As always, for the full background, I recommend CBH’s complete Ultimate Universe reading order.
Avengers Background
The original Illuminati concept was created by Brian Michael Bendis and Jim Cheung during Bendis’ time writing Marvel’s flagship New Avengers series. The unit – consisting of Black Bolt, Professor X, Reed Richards, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Namor – deals with the biggest universal problems like the Infinity Gems, Beyonder, and more.
It’s a fantastic idea, one of my favorite modern Marvel miniseries, and the inspiration for Hickman’s own time with Mike Deodato on New Avengers.
NewUniversal: Everything Went White
A spiritual predecessor to Avengers from Warren Ellis and Salvador LaRocca. NewUniversal introduces an altered version of the “White Event” as well as a moder reintroduction to Marvel’s New Universe characters like Star Brand and Nightmask. Hickman will play with these identities – particularly Star Brand – during his time on Avengers.
The 2012 Marvel event Avengers vs. X-Men is plotted by an insanely talented group of writers including Hickman, Matt Fraction, Ed Brubaker, Brian Michael Bendis, and Jason Aaron.
Hickman scripts Avengers vs. X-Men #4 (art by John Romita Jr) and Avengers vs. X-Men #6 (art by Olivier Coipel and Mark Morales), but more than anything this event creates the Black Panther vs. Namor feud that plays a major part in New Avengers.
I) Secret Warriors
Hickman’s time writing Marvel Comics begins as a joint project with 2000’s Marvel architect Brian Michael Bendis. As a result of the Bendis and Gabriel Del Otto mini-event Secret War (not to be confused with, you know, the giant Secret Wars), Nick Fury is left cut off from SHIELD and effectively a rogue agent.
The conclusion of Bendis and Leinel Francis Yu’s event Secret Invasion sets the stage for the rise of Norman Osborn as Fury’s successor, and the start of Marvel’s “Dark Reign.” Unwilling to let villains run the show, and trapped with a gut feeling that there’s something more sinister at play in this hostile takeover, Fury assembles a rag tag team of superpowered misfits known as his Secret Warriors.
Secret Warriors, Vol. 1: Nick Fury, Agent of Nothing
Collects: Secret Warriors #1-6, And Dark Reign New Nation Story
Hickman writes portions of the intro platter to Dark Reign, not to be confused with his Doctor Doom short story in Dark Reign: The Cabal #1 (one of my favorite issues in the entire era).
Secret Warriors Vol. 2: God of Fear, God of War
Collects: Secret Warriors #7-10, And Dark Reign: The List – Secret Warriors
Here you’ll want to read as follows:
Secret Warriors #1 to #9
Dark Reign: The List – Secret Warriors
Secret Warriors #10
Secret Warriors, Vol. 3: Wake the Beast
Collects: Secret Warriors #11-16
Secret Warriors, Vol. 4: Last Ride of the Howling Commandos
Collects: Siege: Secret Warriors, Secret Warriors #17 To #19
Read the Siege: Secret Warriors tie-in prior to Secret Warriors issue #17.
Secret Warriors, Vol. 5: Night
Collects: Secret Warriors #20-23
Secret Warriors, Vol. 6: Wheels Within Wheels
Collects: Secret Warriors 25-28
Secret Warriors: The Complete Collection Volume 1
Collects: Secret Warriors 1-16, Dark Reign: The List – Secret Warriors 1, Material From Dark Reign: New Nation 1
Collected Edition from TFAW: Secret Warriors Complete Collection TPB Vol. 01, Price: $27.99
Secret Warriors: The Complete Collection Volume 2
Collects: Secret Warriors 17-28, Siege: Secret Warriors 1
II) S.H.I.E.L.D
While it’s not quite DC’s Final Crisis level advanced, I read Hickman and Dustin Weaver’s S.H.I.E.L.D. relatively early in my Marvel Comics reading journey and was left confounded. Instead of the familiar spy organization helmed by Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Tony Stark, etc., this S.H.I.E.L.D. asserts the organization’s roots spanning back near the dawn of man.
In the process, historical Illuminati like Leanardo Da Vinci, Galileo, Isaac Newtown and Nostradamus are roped into the dense world-owning machinations of the SHIELD and the SPEAR.
S.H.I.E.L.D.: Architects of Forever
Collects: S.H.I.E.L.D. #1-6 (2010-2011)
Hickman’s SHIELD expands the peace keeping force like I never dreamed possible.
Collects: S.H.I.E.L.D. Infinity
Not to be confused with the 2013 Hickman event, Infinity, which comes later! Note that in Marvel Unlimited, the library includes the Infinity one-shot as an unnumbered entry in the S.H.I.E.L.D. (2011) series.
Collects: S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 To #4 (2011)
III) Fantastic Four
Hickman’s time writing Fantastic Four is Marvel’s first family for modern readers who could never get into the team, and only know the lame movies.
Importantly, Hickman’s Fantastic Four is particularly focused on the genius of Reed Richards, and the consequences that come along with such natural hubris. More than any other series, the groundwork is laid in these stories for the developments of Avengers through Secret Wars.
Collects: Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #1-5
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman, Vol. 1
Collects: Fantastic Four #570-574
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 2
Collects: Fantastic Four #575-578
Collects: Fantastic Four #579-582
Collects: Fantastic Four #583-588
Collects: Ff 1-5
Not written by Hickman, but you could also toss in Amazing Spider-Man #658 to #660 after FF #1.
Collects: Ff 6-11
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 5
Collects: Fantastic Four 600-604
Following FF #11, Fantastic Four is relaunched and runs concurrent to issues of FF.
Fantastic Four #600
FF #12
Fantastic Four #601
FF #13
Fantastic Four #602
FF #14
Fantastic Four #603
FF #15
Fantastic Four #604
FF #16
Fantastic Four #605 to #606
FF #17 to #18
Fantastic Four #607 to #608
FF #19 to #21
Fantastic Four #609 to #610
FF #22
Fantastic Four #611
FF #23
FF by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 3
Collects: Ff 12-16
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 6
Collects: Fantastic Four 605.1, 605-611
FF by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 4
Collects: Ff 17-23
IV) Ultimates
Hickman entered Marvel’s Ultimate Universe in the wake of the devastating and status quo shattering event, Ultimatum
While the comic destroyed so much of what fans loved about the Ultimate Universe, the rubble left in its wake left an extremely interesting version of Marvel comics for Hickman and Esad Ribic to play with.
As noted in the earlier background reading, Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley’s work on the Ultimate Enemy trilogy is the first effort to successfully rehabilitate the universe. Hickman picks up those pieces and transforms them into elements that will play a major role in his Avengers, Secret Wars, and Marvel Comics being written today.
Collects: Ultimate Comics Thor #1-4
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man: Death of Spider-Man Fallout
Collects: Ultimate Comics Fallout 1-6
Ultimate Comics Ultimates By Jonathan Hickman – Volume 1
Collects: Ultimate Comics Ultimates 1-6
Collects: Ultimate Hawkeye 1-4
Ultimate Comics Ultimates by Jonathan Hickman – Volume 2
Collects: Ultimate Comics Ultimates 7-12
Avengers and New Avengers Reading Order
Avengers by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: Avengers (2012) 1-23, New Avengers (2013) 1-12, Free Comic Book Day 2013: Infinity 1, Infinity 1-6, Infinity: Against The Tide Infinite Comic 1-2, Astonishing Tales: Mojoworld 1-6, Material From Shang-Chi: Master Of Kung Fu (2009) 1
Avengers by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus Vol. 2
Hickman’s Avengers and New Avengers narrative weaves together at various points, really forming one cohesive epic all together.
New Avengers #1 – #3
Avengers #1 – #6
New Avengers #4 – #6
Avengers #7 – #13
New Avengers #7
Avengers #14 to #17
Infinity #1
New Avengers #8
Avengers #18
New Avengers #9
Infinity #2
New Avengers #10
Avengers #19
Infinity #3
Avengers #20
Infinity #4
Avengers #21
New Avengers #11
Infinity #5
Avengers #22 to #23
Infinity #6
New Avengers #12
Avengers #24 (also labeled #24.NOW)
New Avengers #13 – #15
New Avengers Annual #1
Avengers #25 – #28
Avengers #29 to #34
These issues follow Original Sin #1 to #2
New Avengers #16 to #23
Avengers #34.1, #34.2, #35
New Avengers #24
Avengers #36
New Avengers #25
Avengers #37
New Avengers #26
Avengers #38
New Avengers #27
Avengers #39
New Avengers #28
Avengers #40
New Avengers #29
Avengers #41
New Avengers #30
Avengers #42
New Avengers #31
New Avengers #32
Avengers #43
New Avengers #33
Avengers #44
New Avengers Volume 1: Everything Dies
Collects: New Avengers 1-6
Avengers Volume 1: Avengers World
Collects: Avengers 1-6
Avengers Volume 2: The Last White Event
Collects: Avengers 7-11
New Avengers Volume 2: Infinity
Collects: New Avengers 7-12
Avengers Volume 3: Prelude to Infinity
Collects: Avengers 12-17
Collects: Infinity 1-6, New Avengers 7-12,Avengers 14-23
Collects: Avengers 18-23
New Avengers Volume 3: Other Worlds
Collects: New Avengers 13.Inh, 14-17
Avengers Volume 5: Adapt or Die
Collects: Avengers 24-28
Avengers Volume 6: Infinite Avengers
Collects: Avengers 29-34
New Avengers Volume 4: A Perfect World
Collects: New Avengers 18-23
Collects: Avengers 35-44, New Avengers 24-33
Secret Wars Reading Order
Collects: Free Comic Book Day 2015 Secret Wars 0 (Secret Wars Story), Secret Wars 1-9
Check out the full Comic Book Herald guide to 2015’s Secret Wars!
The Return: Jonathan Hickman’s X-Men! Reading Order
Check out Comic Book Herald’s guide to Hickman’s 2019 return to Marvel with his work across X-Men.
Need More? The Image Comics of Jonathan Hickman
Love this list! Am using it to read all of his Marvel stuff. I know leaving out Avengers vs X-Men must be a deliberate choice on your part due to its being written by a group. But I think it is at least worth mentioning it is part of his Marvel work.
as a kid i read comics, then had a break somewhere in my teen years. i came back with the launch of the ultimate line, and eventually devoured most everything in the 616 as well. after secret wars ended i said to myself, it can NOT get better from here, so i stopped reading comics completely. hickman coming back to marvel for hox and pox has reignited that old comic engine inside me, but itll be years before his x-titles have enough material to keep me sated. so i wanted to go back and read all of his old stuff for the time being.
i finished the ff run in 2 days, and i just wanted to thank you, cuz it woulda been SUCH a pain in the keister to remember his reading order on my own. thx again!
I just finished this run, jonathan hickman is … I don’t know, it’s great the way of writing that this man has … From secret warriors to Secret Wars. Is very good! Everything Lives!