Comic Book Herald

A Comic Book Reading Order Guide For Beginners & Fans

Avengers

Avengers by Jonathan Hickman: The Complete Collection Vol. 1 Review!

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Jonathan Hickman is a name associated with high concept science fiction and the exploration of flawed men losing themselves in the pursuit of a greater good. Hickman’s Marvel work is held in high regard with Secret Wars being one of the most memorable cross-overs in the Marvel era, and his entrance on the X-Men with House of X/Powers of X breathing new life into the line and the fandom. Hickman is a name that objectively holds weight, which is why Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers The Complete Collection volume one comes out at such an interesting time to explore what makes a Jonathan Hickman comic a Hickman comic.

For an author known for such complete runs, it’s an interesting time to take a look at how Avengers begins, figuring out how Hickman collaborates with artists on tone between titles, what kind of stories he wants to tell, how much of that comes across at the very start of this run and how we’ve seen all of this develop since then. [Read more…] about Avengers by Jonathan Hickman: The Complete Collection Vol. 1 Review!

32nd Birthday Challenge Pt 2 – Avengers #32 (Hickman Era) & Marvel Futures

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Avengers #32 falls smack in the middle of perhaps the densest portion of the Jonathan Hickman written Avengers that ran from 2012 to 2015 before culminating in the best comic book event of all time, 2015’s Secret Wars. It’s a crucial juncture in the intersecting master plan of Hickman’s New Avengers / Avengers dueling stories, and the kickoff to “Time Runs Out,” when the blend between issues of New Avengers and Avengers wholly consumes the distinct differences in each series.

For more on why I’m reviewing my favorite 32nd issues of comic books, check out the intro review of Amazing Spider-Man #32! [Read more…] about 32nd Birthday Challenge Pt 2 – Avengers #32 (Hickman Era) & Marvel Futures

Avengers: Endgame Review!

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There’s a part of me that buys into the idea – the non-controversial idea – that good stories have endings. This defies my love of superhero comics because the whole shared universe promise is that these stories never actually end. There are exceptions of course (this is why it was such a big deal when Hellboy comics ended this month after 25 years), with breaks for creative runs and conclusions to arcs within the larger tapestry, but endings are for elseworlds and alternate timelines. Avengers are Forever.

Editor’s Note: Let’s just assume this entire review contains spoilers – do not read unless you’ve seen Endgame, or don’t care about spoilers!

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One Comics Rec for Every Avenger in Avengers: Endgame!

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With Avengers: Endgame set to deliver the follow-up to the game-changing Infinity War, it’s a good time to reflect on the best starting places for new comics readers. In addition to comics series that likely share connective tissue or inspiration for the Infinity War / Endgame narrative, I’ve put together my picks for where to start with the major players. [Read more…] about One Comics Rec for Every Avenger in Avengers: Endgame!

The Brian Michael Bendis Marvel Universe Reading Order (2000 – 2018)

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No writer has had more of an influence on Marvel Comics in the 2000’s than Brian Michael Bendis. The prolific Bendis’s output and longevity are unrivaled in superhero comics this millennium, leaving a legacy of characters, comics, and Marvel architecture that speaks for itself.

As Bendis leaves the Marvel offices after 18 years for an opportunity to write DC Comic’s Superman books, it’s worth compiling all that Bendis produced for Marvel.  [Read more…] about The Brian Michael Bendis Marvel Universe Reading Order (2000 – 2018)