Guide Part 19 (Original Sin)

Who Shot The Watcher?

Original Sin is the Marvel event currently in progress officially complete, centering around the mysterious murder of Uatu, The Watcher. The event began on April 23, with the release of Mark Waid’s prologue, Original Sin #0. I have documented the reading order for Original Sin as books were released with suggested placement and a quick ranking on whether or not the tie-in is one you need to read.

Previously: Marvel NOW!

Original Sin Trade Reading Order

Original Sin Hardcover (Core Series)

Original Sin makes everyone’s life quite a bit easier with two trade collections that pretty effectively capture the event. The first collection of the core series includes a Point One Watcher story, Original Sin #0 – #8, Original Sins #1 to #5, Original Sin Annual #1, and the Original Sin: Secret Avengers Infinite #1 and #2.

Original Sin Companion (Tie-Ins)

The companion collection goes H.A.M. collecting Avengers 29-34, Deadpool 29-34, Mighty Avengers 10-12, All -New Invaders 6-7, Nova 18-20, Original Sin: Hulk vs. Iron Man 3.1-3.4, Original Sin: Thor & Loki 5.1-5.5, Fantastic Four 6-8, Daredevil 6-7, Amazing Spider-Man 4-6, Uncanny X-Men 23-25, Guardians of the Galaxy 18-20, Original Sin: Secret Avengers Infinite Comic 1-2 (again)

Original Sin Issue By Issue Reading List

Original Sin #0: Who is The Watcher?

In case there was any doubt, this prologue to Original Sin from Mark Waid & Jim Cheung offers some pretty essential background into Uatu the Watcher. Not even just the usual “I grew up on a planet of Giant Bald Men” back-story, but a look at what Uato does (and collects) in his spare time. All this seems to be coming into play in the ongoing Original Sin series now.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 10.0 out of 10

Original Sin #1

Mighty Avengers #10

There will be a moment reading Mighty Avengers #10 where you think to yourself: Blade sure is fighting a lot of Were-Roosters. There will be a second moment when you think: Wait, what? WHAT?!! None of that has much to do with Original Sin, but it’s a pretty fun opening 4 pages nonetheless.

The tie-in portion of this issue stems from a nice eulogy from Uatu’s watcher-wife, Ulana, as well as Luke Cage, Falcon, and Spectrum with a battle leftover from Original Sin #1. If you don’t know anything about Ulana, I suggest Matt Fraction and Mike Allred’s excellent Marvel NOW! take on FF.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 7.5 out of 10

Original Sin #2

Nova #18

Released after Original Sin #4, I would actually recommend Nova #18 immediately after Original Sin #2. The vast majority of the issue takes place following the heroes battle with the Mindless Ones (and friends!) in issue #2. Strangely, Nova #18 actually showcases more of the actual battle than what we see in the primary Original Sin issues. A quality tie-in all around.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 8.0 out of 10

Original Sin: Hulk vs. Iron Man #1

Released after Original Sin #4, and sub-numbered Original Sin #3.1 by Marvel. I would actually read this issue in the aftermath of Original Sin #2, and certainly before Avengers #29 based on the interactions between Captain America and Iron Man. I’m not crazy about the general plot direction of this Hulk vs. Iron Man tie-in (at this point the most shocking storyline would be if Tony Stark did something good for the Hulk), but Mark Waid and Kieron Gillen hopefully have some tricks up their sleeves.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 8.0 out of 10

Original Sin: Hulk vs. Iron Man #2 (3.2)

This one’s a little tricky, but I’d go ahead and continue reading the story rather than breaking it up by publish date (this issue isn’t actually released until after Original Sin #5). Almost entirely flash back.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 8.0 out of 10

Original Sin: Hulk vs. Iron Man #3 (3.3)

The more Hulk vs. Iron Man moves into the present day, the harder it is to reconcile with Iron Man’s place in Avengers #29. Nonetheless, you can continue reading this series straight through without any Original Sin overlap.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 8.0 out of 10

Original Sin: Hulk vs. Iron Man #4 (3.4)

Hulk vs. Iron Man ultimately plays out more satisfying than I would have guessed. In theory, all of the events in these issues could occur before Iron Man interacts with Captain America in Avengers #29.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 8.0 out of 10

Thor & Loki: The Tenth Realm (Original Sin #5.1)

Although this is marked Original Sin #5.1 and published after Original Sin #5, the issue can be best read in the aftermath of Original Sin #2 (I can’t even begin to explain why it’s suggested alongside issue #5). Must take place before Avengers #29 based on Thor’s presence in Asgard.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 8.0 out of 10

Thor & Loki: The Tenth Realm #2 (Original Sin #5.2)

Once you start Thor & Loki, you can carry on with the series (at least so far).  At the latest, you’ll want to read this before Original Sin #4 based on Rocket Raccoon’s appearance. I’d also recommend brushing up on your Bendis Guardians of the Galaxy (particularly the Angela issues beginning with GoTG #5).

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 7.5 out of 10

Thor & Loki: The Tenth Realm #3 (Original Sin #5.3)

See above. This series is now entirely under the Thor, Loki, Angela umbrella, but it’s clearly going to be an essential one for the Marvel Universe moving forward.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 7.5 out of 10

Thor & Loki: The Tenth Realm #4 (Original Sin #5.4)

See above. This series is now entirely under the Thor, Loki, Angela umbrella, but it’s clearly going to be an essential one for the Marvel Universe moving forward.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 7.5 out of 10

Amazing Spider-Man #4

Actually released after Original Sin #6, but takes place in the immediate aftermath of Original Sin #2. Highly enjoyable return to Peter Parker from Dan Slott and co., in an issue that references J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr’s AMS heavily. Seriously, if you haven’t read that early 2000’s series, you’ll want to catch up before the mega Spider-Verse event hits later this year. This issue is ultimately more tied to introducing Spider-Verse than Original Sin.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 8.0 out of 10

Amazing Spider-Man #5

Definitely read before Original Sin #6 and any assembling of Avengers.

Original Sin: Secret Avengers Infinite Comic #1

This Infinite Comic (think a comic that puts digital panel layouts and developments first) showcases Nick Fury (the new, Samuel L. Jackson inspired young one) dealing with his “original sin.” It’s a quality SHIELD romp that clearly occurs in the direct aftermath of Original Sin #2.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 6.5 out of 10

Deadpool #29

Enjoyable Deadpool lunacy, but only ties into the event in the sense that Deadpool’s SHIELD crew witnesses the end of Original Sin #2. Loose tie-in.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 2.0 out of 10

Fantastic Four #6

Released after Original Sin #4, but begins with the Avengers prior to Avengers #29. A looser tie-in that focuses on the Human Torch’s original sin against the Thing.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 3.0 out of 10

Fantastic Four #7

Continues the awfulness of the Original Sin unleashed upon us in Fantastic Four #6. You definitely don’t need this issue for the main event plot, and probably only if you like beating dead horses.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 1.0 out of 10

Fantastic Four #8

Daredevil #6

Shoehorns DD (now living on the West Coast) into the battle of Original Sin. Occurs before Avengers #29 based on the appearance of Hawkeye. Like most titles, thematically deals with Daredevil confronting a secret from his past.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 4.5 out of 10

Daredevil #7

A continuation of the Daredevil “origin secret” started in #6. DD specific at this point and only Original Sin in theme.

How Essential a Tie-in Is This? 3.5 out of 10

Avengers #29

Avengers #30

Jonathan Hickman’s run on Avengers has been wonderful, and these two issues tie back strongly to his take on the Illuminati: New Avengers. For those who have read New Avengers, Avengers #29 will start off strongly like a long recap, although with clear purpose. Captain America’s realization of what was done to him and his anger at Tony Stark sparks an essential Marvel Universe story in the making.

It’s unclear at this point how deeply these events will tie into the main Original Sin event, but given that Hickman is dealing with a Civil War-esque internal Avengers conflict, it seems safe to say these are important books. At the very least, they’re wildly entertaining and recommended on their own merits.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 9.0 out of 10

Avengers #31

Issue #31 is actually released the same week as Original Sin #4. Nonetheless, you can read this story in conjunction with the other Avengers issues, as they remain in their own world and time, unimpaired by the events of Original Sin thus far.

An alternative approach (now that Avengers #34 has been released) would be to read Avengers #31 – #34 after the core Original Sin event issues. It doesn’t totally add up chronologically, but it might just make for a more coherent read.

Avengers #32

See above.

Avengers #33

See above above. Far flung future story involving Cap, Ultron, and comic book science philosophy! Take note that I don’t suggest reading Avengers #34 until all the way through Original Sin #7!

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 9.0 out of 10

Original Sin: Secret Avengers Infinite Comic #2

The two-part Infinite Comic winds up not having much to do with the main plot line. It’s enjoyable enough if you like Nick Fury Jr. and Agent Coulson, and I’m always a fan of the digital tricks of Infinite Comics, but you don’t need this one to enjoy the event.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 3.0 out of 10

Mighty Avengers #11

Deal’s with the secrets revealed to Luke Cage about his father in the aftermath of Original Sin #2. Largely a throw-back noir 70’s series that continues the stories in Mighty Avengers #10. Not overtly tied to the Original Sin main event, but driven by the Watcher’s secrets.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 4.5 out of 10

Mighty Avengers #12

Continues the plot of issue #11.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 3.5 out of 10

All-New Invaders #6

Uses the Sin bomb in Original Sin #2 to drive the plot, but otherwise operates independently.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 2.5 out of 10

All-New Invaders #7

Deadpool #30

Decreasingly enjoyable Deadpool lunacy, but only ties into the event in the sense that Deadpool’s SHIELD crew witnesses the end of Original Sin #2. You don’t need this as part of Original Sin, only if you like reading Deadpool.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 1.0 out of 10

Deadpool #31

Deadpool #32

Deadpool #33

Original Sin #3

This issue takes Original Sin to a whole new level. Holy smokes! A number of the tie-ins above (All-New Invaders, Mighty Avengers #11) are actually published after Original Sin #3. Nonetheless, they clearly occur in the direct aftermath of Original Sin #2 and can be read there. Reading ahead to Original Sin #3 will not spoil any of those issues, but it’s not necessary for story chronology.

Original Sins #1

Three short stories dealing with the aftermath of the Sins released at the end of Original Sin #2. The opening Deathlok story is awesome and sets up a spy, sleeper agent story from Nathan Edmundson in October. That’s followed by new Young Avengers (yay!) dealing with the mess made by Marvel-Boy’s ex, the surprise Original Sin villain Exterminitrax. All in all, it’s a fun dive into the aftermath of Original Sin, and although it’s a little off the beaten path, one I’d recommend.

How Essential Is This Tie-In? 7.5 out of 10

Original Sins #2

Three more short stories, although really only Young Avengers is tied into Original Sin. Young Avengers continuing saga is book ended by a very interesting Black Knight story, and then a quick hit Howard the Duck snippet played for laughs.

How Essential Is This Tie-In?: 6.5 out of 10

Original Sins #3

I’m still very much enjoying Original Sins, largely because it’s 2/3 a new Young Avengers title, and 1/3 previews for upcoming comics. This week tackles the Inhumans and a J. Jonah Jameson two-pager, alongside the continued adventures of Marvel Boy, Hulkling, and Prodigy.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 6.5 out of 10

Original Sins #4

Continually one of my favorite titles in the entire Original Sin saga. This issue features an excellent Dr. Doom short story drawn by Alex Maleev.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 6.5 out of 10

Nova #19

Should be read before Original Sin #4 based on the involvement of Rocket Raccoon. The book gets more focused on Nova’s discovery of his father’s original sin from here on out, and less closely connected with the overall event.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 6.0 out of 10

Nova #20

See above.

Original Sin #4

Original Sin #5

Original Sin #6

Original Sins #5

Placed here based on the extremely impactful Nick Fury and Dum Dum Dugan short story.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 9.0 out of 10

Original Sin #7

Original Sin #8

Avengers #34

Suggesting Avengers #34 is read all the way after the core Original Sin issues above based on the Avengers apparent camaraderie in Original Sin.

As noted above, technically this issue actually (likely) occurs before Original Sin #6 and #7 when Captain America calls in the Avengers. It is possible that he is simply masking his feelings about certain Avengers for the sake of dealing with the prime threat in Original Sin. Sure. I prefer this issue after the Avengers have dealt with Original Sin simply because it feels more coherent. If you do choose this approach, you could actually read Avengers #31 – #34 here.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 9.0 out of 10

Original Sin Annual #1

Chronologically you could likely read this Annual #1 after Original Sin #5. Nonetheless, the issue was published a full month and a half after the event’s conclusion, and reads as a coda to the series. The issue is extremely peripheral to the event and instead focuses on the past history that led Nick Fury to his role revealed in this issue. Honestly it felt unnecessary, but it elaborates on an interesting new concept in the Marvel Universe.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 6.o out of 10

Guardians of the Galaxy #18

An Original Sin tie-in strictly in the sense that it reveals a major GoTG secret. In this case, we finally start to get an answer to how Brian Michael Bendis’ run on Guardians fits within the story established by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (the whole, “I thought certain characters were dead now?” thing).

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 7.5 out of 10

Guardians of the Galaxy #19

Released weeks after Original Sin although still hanging on to the Original Sin tie-in banner. This issue continues the revelations of how the Guardians of the Galaxy came out of The Thanos Imperative so in tact. It’s going to drive a lot of Marvel Cosmic fans bonkers, but this is the first explanation since Marvel Now.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This? 6.5 out of 10

Uncanny X-Men #23

As far as I can tell, you can read the start to “The Last Will and Testament of Charles Xavier” at any point. So far it’s more closely aligned with Secret Invasion than Original Sin. Placing here to align with publishing schedule.

Uncanny X-Men #24

“The Last Will and Testament of Charles Xavier” is particularly interesting if you’re invested in the post Avengers vs. X-Men world of mutants. If not, it’s only really tied into Original Sin thematically, with yet another “sin” of Charles Xavier’s.

How Essential a Tie-In Is This?: 5.o out of 10 – Not big for Original Sin, but important for the Marvel Universe as a whole.

Uncanny X-Men #25

See above

Next: Axis

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