The Initiative Brings Registered Heroes to America
Dave’s Note: There is now a more complete Initiative guide with comics getting you from Civil War to Secret Invasion. Check that out for more comics!
Following the implementation of the Superhuman Registration Act during Civil War, the Marvel Universe proceeds to enter a new non-event era: The Initiative. The Avengers Initiative is less an event than a universe-wide status quo where Superhumans are required to register with the government and Tony Stark is the new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. The Initiative itself is Stark’s grand plan to train and register new heroes in all 50 states. It’s a similar idea as West Coast or Great Lakes Avengers (“Hey, all the heroes are in New York… shouldn’t we maybe we have some out here?”) except applied on a governmental, nation-wide scale. Hooray for government!
As you’d expect, there’s plenty of conflict during this time, including continued resistance from the losing side of the Civil War. You’ll also find that the initiative carries over into World War Hulk before continuing on with the Initiative landscape.
A bit of a change up in guide structure here as I have all the essential story lines from this time period compiled in my Initiative overview. That will give you all the necessary stories to transition from Civil War on to Secret Invasion without missing much of anything. The Initiative link above also includes links to Marvel Unlimited series and Amazon trades for the Initiative.
If you really want to go wild with all the Marvel issues released during this time period, I have a hodge podge list below. Again, personally, I prefer and recommend my essential story lines above, but want to make this available to those true believers out there:
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Essential Initiative Reading Order List
Previously: Civil War reading order
Marvel The Initiative Comic Issues
Fallen Son – The Death of Captain America 1
Fallen Son – The Death of Captain America 2
Fallen Son – The Death of Captain America 3
Fallen Son – The Death of Captain America 4
Fallen Son – The Death of Captain America 5
Fallen Son – Daily Bugle Special
Ms. Marvel 13
Ms. Marvel 14
Moon Knight 11
Moon Knight 12
Omega Flight 1
Omega Flight 2
Omega Flight 3
Omega Flight 4
Omega Flight 5
Moon Knight 13
New Avengers 27
New Avengers 28
New Avengers 29
New Avengers 30
New Avengers 31
Thunderbolts 110
Thunderbolts 111
Thunderbolts 112
Thunderbolts 113
Fantastic Four 544
Fantastic Four 545
Fantastic Four 546
Black Panther 27
Black Panther 28
Black Panther 29
Black Panther 30
Mighty Avengers 1
Mighty Avengers 2
Mighty Avengers 3
Mighty Avengers 4
Mighty Avengers 5
Mighty Avengers 6
Captain America 26
Captain America 27
Captain America 28
Captain America 29
Captain America 30
Black Panther 26
Fantastic Four 550
Marvel Spotlight Captain America
Iron Man 16
Avengers – The Initiative 1
Ms. Marvel 15
Ms. Marvel 16
Ms. Marvel 17
Avengers – The Initiative 2
Avengers – The Initiative 3
Thunderbolts 114
Thunderbolts 115
Fantastic Four 547
Fantastic Four 548
Fantastic Four 549
Avengers – The Initiative 4
Iron Man 17
Iron Man 18
Avengers – The Initiative 5
Avengers – The Initiative 6
Avengers – The Initiative 7
The Punisher – War Journal 6
The Punisher – War Journal 7
The Punisher – War Journal 8
The Punisher – War Journal 9
The Punisher – War Journal 10
The Punisher – War Journal 11
Nova 2
Nova 3
New Warriors 1
New Warriors 2
New Warriors 3
New Warriors 4
New Warriors 5
New Warriors 6
New Warriors 7
New Warriors 8
Sub-Mariner 1
Sub Mariner 2
Sub-Mariner 3
Sub-Mariner 4
Sub-Mariner 5
Sub-Mariner 6
The Order 1
The Order 2
The Order 3
The Order 4
Penance 1
Penance 2
Penance 3
Penance 4
Penance 5
Next: World War Hulk
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seems you’re missing Iron Man 15 ?
Totes here
New Avengers 26 isn’t listed here or in the Civil War reading order. Seems like one that shouldn’t be skipped…
Agreed. I include in my essential Initiative reading.
Dave – first, I wanted to say that this a fantastic site; thank you for taking the time and effort in putting all of this together.
One question – where would the first few issues of the JMS run of Thor fit into your timeline? Apologies in advance if this has been answered elsewhere.
Thanks again!
Glad you like the site!
Good question – Thor fits into this Initiative timeframe. I’m actually working on an update to this time period that will reflect this (and a bunch of other reads), but for now if you’re post Civil War you can start reading Thor from JMS. Enjoy!
Hey Dave
i have marvel unlimited so I’m reading EVERYTHING. You’re reading orders are always my go to for the big events but do you think it’ll screw me up too much if I read everything by release date? If I do that it puts iron man 17 well before ms marvel. Etc
What’s your opinion?
Release date is a pretty safe way to go most of the time. It’s not always perfect (hence the guides), but I’d say go for it. It’s like reading the books as they came out in the shop, which is generally fun.
I have no idea if this is intentional, but is there a reason why the Fantastic Fours are out of order?
Ditto
Same with black panther 26.