Comic Book Herald

A Comic Book Reading Order Guide For Beginners & Fans

Marvel

Marvel Mini Books – The World’s Smallest Marvel Comics Review!

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I love comic book ephemera from Marvel’s Silver Age, the early 60’s through early 70’s when Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Stan Lee and the mighty Marvel bullpen were turning Marvel Comics into one of the biggest pop culture phenomena in the world. Sure, I love the comics first and foremost, but the historical treasures from the era – things like the Marvel Bullpen album Stan insisted they make – are a delightful trip down an out-of-state nostalgic highway.

So naturally when Abrams ComicArts publishing reached about sending me a copy of Marvel Mini Books to review, I didn’t hesitate to explore. Simply put, these minis (and their history) offer short and sweet spells of delight for longtime Marvel fans. [Read more…] about Marvel Mini Books – The World’s Smallest Marvel Comics Review!

Captain America: The First Avenger – Assembling a Timeless Hero

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There’s a romantic idealism at the center of Captain America. A figure who’s both a relic of the past and a timeless source of inspiration across generations. And while longtime readers have loved Captain America for decades, one film bridged past and present to set the hero on the big screen adventure of a lifetime.

In 2011, Marvel Studios brought Steve Rogers to life in Captain America: The First Avenger, a World War II-set story that sees the transformation of weak and sickly Rogers into a powerful beacon of heroism in a time of conflict and fear. Locked in battle with the vicious Red Skull and fighting the forces of Hydra across Europe, The First Avenger is the fifth installment in the expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, and one of its purest examples of old fashioned heroism. [Read more…] about Captain America: The First Avenger – Assembling a Timeless Hero

When Superheroes Go Bad (22 Times In Chronological Order!)

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Superheroes turning bad is a staple of comic books. From sudden tragic twists to long falls from grace, heroes becoming villains is a storied tradition. It’s also a great way of grabbing readers’ attention and raking in the cash. But what are the long and short term effects of turning a well-loved hero evil? And what does it take to bring heroes, and legions of angry readers, back?

Let’s take a look at a long history of when superheroes go bad in comic books, character by character in chronological order.

For the sake of time, we’re not going to include villainous superhero replacements (sorry Azrael and John Walker) or when superheroes get mind controlled and turn evil for like 1 issue. We’ll also skip alternate universes or we’ll be here all day. And look, I’m gonna miss some. I can only cover so many. [Read more…] about When Superheroes Go Bad (22 Times In Chronological Order!)

Magik (Illyana Rasputin) Reading Order!

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The tale of Illyana “Magik” Rasputina is a tragic one, full of torture, dashed hopes, and betrayal. Born and raised to early childhood behind the Iron Curtain, Illyana’s young life was saved from a tractor accident when the mutant powers of her brother Piotr manifested. Piotr went on to become the X-Man Colossus, and Illyana eventually joined him in the United States under the supervision of Charles Xavier. That’s the happy part of the story. 

Illyana spent 7 years in the Limbo dimension as the captive of an evil sorcerer named Belasco, during which time her own mutant abilities of teleportation presented themselves. Illyana also learned to use magic under the tutelage of another reality’s version of Storm. When Illyana finally emerged from Limbo, almost no time had passed in the real world. Illyana was never quite the same after this. Joining the New Mutants and becoming friends with her teammates helped, but the dark aspect of Illyana’s soul never healed, even after a death and rebirth.  [Read more…] about Magik (Illyana Rasputin) Reading Order!

1980s Marvel Toy Comics for Dummies

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Toys and comics have gone hand-in-hand for a long time. This is true up to this very day; I myself have Marvel Legends figures displayed with my comics, and even hand-picked what characters and issues would go well together. It’s great to have such a comforting piece of childhood stretch into my adulthood (now that I have my own money and don’t have to beg my parents for nice things!).  But certainly, when I was growing up in the Eighties, comics and toys had a similarly symbiotic relationship—perhaps, even stronger than it is now. [Read more…] about 1980s Marvel Toy Comics for Dummies