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Marvel Cosmic Reading Order

The beginning of a beautiful friendship

It’s easy to forget, but the Marvel Universe covers just that – an entire fictional (wait, what?) universe with cosmic entities like Eternity (personified), Lord Chaos & Master Order (super into 50 Shades of Grey), and the all-time coolest, Galactus (hungry).

So while the vast majority of Marvel Comics are spent protecting, destroying, reconstructing, and generally gallivanting about New York City, Marvel has carefully, and sometimes quietly, built up one of the most entertaining space sagas this side of Star Wars and Star Trek. And more often than not, these events revolve around a cast of characters not named Spider-Man, Captain America, or Iron Man (aww, wait, what?!).

Below you’ll find a guide so you can get to know the Marvel Cosmic Universe, and all-time greats like Nova, the human rocket, the Guardians of the Galaxy (of silver screen fame!), and Ronan the Accuser. In many ways, the modern Marvel cosmic structure starts with Annihilation, a mega-event that occurs right around the time of Marvel’s Civil War.

If you want an all-inclusive list of Marvel cosmic stories from before this time, I recommend Comic Book Herald’s completely insane Marvel Cosmic Comics from 1963 to Present. Otherwise the comics below will flow from Annihilation Day Plus 0.

If you have any questions/comments, let me hear about it. Enjoy!

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Modern Marvel Cosmic Reading Order

Annihilation Classic

Annihilation Classic is a bit of a hodge-podge throwback offering the origin issues of the key players in the coming Marvel Cosmic lineup. Collects Bug #1, Tales to Astonish #13, Nova #1, Quasar #1, Rocket Raccoon #1-4, Marvel Spotlight #6, Logan’s Run #6, and Marvel Premiere #1. A good guide to Marvel Unlimited older issues to prep for Marvel Cosmic.

Marvel Universe: The End

Thanos (#1 – #12)

After several years away from the character, creator Jim Starlin returns for a Thanos solo series. This follows hot on the heels of Marvel Universe: The End, so be prepared for that backstory. Also, I’ve got you covered if you’re looking for the full Thanos reading order.

Weird little Groot!

Drax The Destroyer: Earthfall (#1 – #4)

The book that rewrites the character of Drax the Destroyer. An immense improvement for his role in the coming events. Worth noting that these issues also come packaged in the Annihilation Book One trade.

You can find the backstory for Drax in Comic Book Herald’s Drax the Destroyer reading order.

Beta Ray Bill: Stormbreaker

Intriguingly this one actually registers as an Avengers Disassembled tie-in, although it’s pretty explicitly only tied-in to the events of Thor (#81 – #85) which occur during, yet separate, from the earth-bound Disassembled story arc. You’re going to want to read the Beta Ray Bill saga after the events of Thor: Disassembled.

Annihilation Reading Order

Annihilation: Conquest Reading Order

It’s around this time that you can also consider checking out Comic Book Hearld’s Guardians of the Galaxy reading order.

Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter

War of Kings Reading Order

S.W.O.R.D.

Realm of Kings Reading Order

The Thanos Imperative

If you’re reading on Marvel Unlimited, the order is Ignition, Thanos Imperative (#1 – #6), Devastation.

Annihilators

Annihilators: Earthfall

The Marvel Cosmic Saga continues in Marvel NOW!All-New All-Different Marvel, and Comic Book Herald’s mega guide to every Marvel cosmic story from 1963 to present!




Related Cosmic Reading Orders

Thanos

Guardians of the Galaxy

Silver Surfer

Star-Lord

Rocket Raccoon

Groot

Gamora

Drax the Destroyer

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View Comments (43)

  • Are these lists (Specifically Guardians of the Galaxy) going to be updated soon?

    Thanks for all you do!! =)

  • Is there an issue by issue reading order instead of a trade reading order?
    Also, how far back can you go?
    Is there another reading order for earlier Marvel instead of modern?

    Thank you!

  • Whoa! What a resource you've created. I've been a casual fan of the Marvel movies for years but they were more of a guilty pleasure. I was really at heart a Star Wars fan, and those are the only comics I really read in the past. That all changed when I recently watched Guardians of the Galaxy several months back. I was floored at how good it was, which is crazy because when I saw the commercials for it a couple years back I thought it looked silly. Anyway, I have since revisited all the Marvel movies and I wanted more so I figured I'd read the comics and start with Guardians. Luckily there is Marvel Unlimited and thanks to that and your list(s) I've now plowed through most of the Cosmic list (up to Thanos Imperative). I always assumed comics were all superheroes fighting crime but this cosmic stuff is right up my alley. I'm looking forward to doing the Thanos list next. Thanks a bunch for putting this together, a much deserved donation is on its way!

  • Where does 'GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOLUME 1 ROAD TO ANNIHILATION GRAPHIC NOVEL'
    fit in with the marvel cosmic reading list?

    • There is a vol 2, then it's on to annihilation book 1,2, and 3. After that is annihilation conquest vol 1 and 2. Road to war of kings, war of kings, then realm of kings. Thanos imperative, annihilators, and annihilators earthfall

  • Dave,

    I propose you expand this guide to include ALL Marvel Cosmic! There are so many fantastic events and characters:

    Silver Surfer's litany of events from the silver age onward, Kree/Skrull War, Korvac Saga, Captain Marvel, Warlock, Quasar, Kang, The High Evolutionary, The Eternals Saga, Celestial Quest, Celestial Madonna, Operation Galactic Storm, Avengers Infinity Classic, etc., etc.!

    People are entitled to know that Marvel Cosmic proper existed long before the present millennium.

    • I won't pretend I haven't thought about it :)

      The Thanos Reading Order kinda covers some of what you're looking for, but a good idea to be certain.

  • Hey Dave ! I come from the "From Avengers Disassembled to House of M" guide and I read the first two parts of the guide before so I remember "Marvel Universe : the end" but don't recall reading "Anihilation Classic". That's why I'm wondering whether you have included all steps of this guide into the global Marvel reading guide excepts Anihilation Classic (that may be because I started with the 00's comics) or only a few and the others are specific to this guide ? I hope you included all bits of this guide into the global one because I'm very excited to know about the cosmic plots and most particularly knowing what's going on on planet earth at the same time if she's not involved !

  • I would like to read Jonathan Hickman's Fantastic Four and FF run within this reading order. What is the best way to read it? Before or after Annihilators / Annihilators Earthfall

  • I want to read these alongside your main reading order but I'm not sure when I should read them. Any hints or are all these already included in your main reading order guide?

    • Read everything first, then work out the order for future re-readings, I'm currently doing that for the whole marvel continuity.

      Bear in mind that the guides on this web are not completely accurate, and some comics will spoil others, so be prepared to read everything first and then enjoy the re-read much more.

      I suggest patience

  • Ok I have a question that may not have an answer but... I LOVE Jim Starlin and everything he did with thanos, warlock, surfer, etc. Do you know why he left in the middle of thanos 1-12?? I know what came after lead to annihilation which was amazing and I really enjoy it, however that thanos series just loses something when it shifts gears after Starlin's first 6 issues.

    Also, Starlin came back and did some cool thanos stories and even tied in annihilus recently, which even makes me more upset he wasn't there through that thanos series and annihilation! Why Dave? Why??

  • Question. I'm more of a fan of Abnett and Lanning. Could I just read Annihilation and Conquest but skip war of kings and go straight to the Thanos Imperative or should i read it all? Seems like a lot of material.

    • Kind of - you'll at least need to make sure you read the Nova / Guardians issues that crossover during War of Kings. Stick to those Abnett and Lanning titles, and you're good to go for Thanos Imperative.

  • Why is Marvel Unlimited missing Marvel Two - In-One Annual #2 which is the 2nd part of the Thanos story which began in Avengers Annual #7. I can't seem to find it listed anywhere.

  • Thank you for this reading order - it's fab! When should I read Annihilation: Conquest (according to your Marvel reading order)?

    • After Annihilation. His Reading Orders are listed in order. Start from the top and go down.

      Annihilation, Annihilation Conquest, War of Kings, Realm of Kings, Thanos Imperative.

      That set, in that order, is the reason why I read comics now, and I have yet to read anything near as wonderful it was.

      • I meant in accordance to the Marvel Reading Order Dave has created. In the guide, it shows Annihilation goes before Civil War, but how about the other arcs?

        • Loving the reading order! I'm wondering the same thing about the cosmic reading order and the complete marvel list you've put together.

  • Hey thanks for these awesome guides. I started following them with Civil War, then went back to get filled on everything else prior to that. My question is this. I just finished reading Annihilation. I'm about to start reading the Planet Hulk Storyline. I see that some parts of Annihilation Conquest and Secret War tie in together and may have overlapping stories. What's the best way to weave in between reading Marvel Cosmic along with what's happening on Earth. Luckily since I had already finished Civil War when Nova showed up after Annihilus I wasn't suddenly surprised by the Registration Act passing but I want to get all the tie in's and everything.

  • Hello again!
    Just wondering if you have any suggestions on what order there is to reading the current Guardians series and Legendary Star Lord? I've become a massive sucker for following shiz like that as correctly as possible (the new Thor starting so early in AXIS, yet based after it, threw me out of whack as you could imagine :P). I'm not asking for a literal issue by issue, but in the case of team + solo series I'm never quite sure how to go, as some are independent (Invincible Iron Man + the numerous Avengers for example) while others tie-in closely.

    Should I just alternate with 1 Guardians and then 1 Star Lord, by publishing order or what?

    • You can read the newer cosmic items by publication date. I think Guardians is something like 15 issues into the run before Star-Lord launches.

      You will want to be cognizant of Infinity reading order.

      I'm planning to get a little more specific with this in the coming month as well.

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