• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Comic Book Herald

A Comic Book Reading Order Guide For Beginners & Fans

  • Reading Orders
    • Marvel
    • My Marvelous Year
    • DC Comics
    • All Comic Book Publishers
    • Most Recent
  • Beginner Guides
    • Beginner’s Guide To Comics In 2023
    • Marvel 2023: Where to Start?
    • DC 2023: Where to Start?
    • Best of Lists
    • Tablets for Comics
    • Guides for Digital Readers
  • Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
    • DC Comics
    • Comic Book Movies
    • Comic Book TV
    • Video Games
  • Podcasts & Video
    • My Marvelous Year
    • Best Comics Ever (CBH)
    • CBH on Youtube!
  • About Me
    • My Favorite Comics of All Time
    • Columns
    • CBH Email Newsletter
  • Support Comic Book Herald
    • Ways to support
You are here: Home / Columns / Question of the Week / Question of the Week: What Do I Read Between Civil War & Secret Invasion?

Question of the Week: What Do I Read Between Civil War & Secret Invasion?

June 13, 2014 by Dave 4 Comments

I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about a proper reading order for the period in Marvel history between Civil War and Secret Invasion. It’s almost like you’re saying there’s a gap between January 2007 (when Civil War ends) and June 2008 (when Secret Invasion begins). Sometimes I just don’t understand you guys and gals.

Although World War Hulk falls in between the events, it’s a lot more self-contained of an event with fewer universe-wide implications. This entire time period can probably be best described as “The Initiative,” the period following Civil War with Iron Man’s Superhuman Registration Act in full effect.

So to paraphrase a Twitter question:

→ What comics are essential between Civil War & Secret Invasion? ~ @mattborosweh

Note that text links will take you Marvel Unlimited readers to the series page or issue on MU.

The Initiative Marvel Comics Reading Order

Incredible Hulk #92 – #105 – Planet Hulk

Including the Planet Hulk story arc first so you have it under your belt before you hit World War Hulk. Planet Hulk is not a part of The Initiative, but it is 1) essential backstory for World War Hulk and 2) the single best Hulk story of the decade.

Support For Comic Book Herald:

Comic Book Herald is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a qualifying affiliate commission.

Comic Book Herald’s reading orders and guides are also made possible by reader support on Patreon, and generous reader donations.

Any size contribution will help keep CBH alive and full of new comics guides and content. Support CBH on Patreon for exclusive rewards, or Donate here! Thank you for reading!

Captain America #25 – #42 + Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #1 – #5

The first issue you’re going to want read after completing Civil War is Captain America #25. This begins the 18 issue, three story arc Death of Captain America omnibus, and shades almost everything in the Marvel Universe to come.

Following Cap #25, you will want to pick up Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America. This five issue miniseries deals with various Marvel heroes reactions to Cap’s apparent demise, and Falcon’s speech will be referenced in Captain America #26. After Fallen Son, you can pick the Captain America series back up.

Avengers: The Initiative #1 – #13

Launching in the wake of Iron Man’s defense of the Superhuman Registration Act, the Initiative lays out a bold new status quo for the heroes of the Marvel Universe. The series ties into World War Hulk pretty quickly (issue #4) but can otherwise be read without interruption until Secret Invasion.

The Order #1 – #4

Off the beaten path Initiative tie-in series which documents a newly formed, SHIELD sanctioned team on the West Coast. Written by Matt Fraction.

Iron Man: Director S.H.I.E.L.D. #15 – #32




Tony Stark’s time as the Director of SHIELD after Civil War and before Secret Invasion. Ties into World War Hulk starting with issue #19, but otherwise a pretty self-contained look at Stark’s reign as Top Cop.

Amazing Spider-Man #539 – #543 – Back in Black

Wondering why Spidey is all in black during the Fallen Son tie-in? You’ll need to read the Back in Black story arc as Spider-Man deals with the ramifications of his role in Civil War.

New Avengers #26 – #37

After Civil War, the Avengers break into two separate factions – New Avengers and Mighty Avengers. The New Avengers are the anti-SRA rebels…

Mighty Avengers #1 – #11

And the Mighty Avengers are Stark’s government / SHIELD sanctioned Avenging crew.

Thunderbolts #110 – #121

A surprise stand-out classic comes from the pages of Thunderbolts as Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato begin the “Faith in Monsters” story arc. In the wake of Civil War, Norman Osborne is in charge of the Thunderbolts, the superhumans responsible for enforcing the Superhuman Registration Act. A great read and increasingly essential for purposes of Marvel continuity.

New Avengers: Illuminati #5

Issue should immediately precede starting Secret Invasion.

 

And with those stories under your belt, you should be in pretty darn good shape for Secret Invasion. Enjoy the comics!

Have a question you’d like Comic Book Herald to answer? Hit me up at dave@comicbookherald.com, @comicbookherald on twitter, or on Facebook.

Filed Under: Question of the Week

Heroically Support Comic Book Herald!

If you like Comic Book Herald, and are able to donate, any small contribution will help keep CBH alive and full of new comics guides and content. Donate here! Or, support CBH on Patreon for exclusive rewards! Thank you for reading!

Become a Patron!

About Dave

Dave is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Comic Book Herald, and also the Boss of assigning himself fancy titles. He's a long-time comic book fan, and can be seen most evenings in Batman pajama pants. Contact Dave @comicbookherald on Twitter or via email at dave@comicbookherald.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ruckers says

    July 23, 2016 at 8:06 pm

    Hey Dave,

    I notice several titles that are listed on Marvel Unlimited’s reading order that you left off. Oversight or any particular reason you left these off?

    Black Panther 29-30
    Fantastic Four 544-550
    Moon Knight 11-13
    Ms. Marvel 13-17
    New Warriors 1-8
    Nova 2-3
    Omega Flight 1-5
    Punisher War Journal 6-11
    Sub-Mariner 1-6

    I recently joined Marvel Unlimited to read Civil War (stopped reading comics circa 1994 and this makes it so much easier to get back into it!! Anyway, I love your reading order lists and have found the one for Civil War much more complete than the one on Marvel’s own app.

    Reply
  2. Ang3D says

    May 30, 2015 at 8:06 am

    First of all thanks for the guides, really usefull stuff for a “newbie” in comic reading.

    Now the problem I have is with this essentials guide, I was following the Reading Order guide (complete) but skiping some series like Thunderbolts. In my digital collection (don’t have money to buy all those comics) I have all in this guide except The Order and Thunderbolts.

    But what reading order I use? Should I read ’em using the reading order number 8 just skiping the comics that I don’t have?

    Reply
  3. Matt says

    November 27, 2014 at 11:59 pm

    Hi I just have a quick question…

    First off, awesome website it’s been very helpful as far as reading orders and information goes !

    But regarding Avengers: The Initiave, how necessary is it to read this block for the transition to The Secret Invasion? I honestly can’t stand all the c-list heroes and really can’t get into the story, I understand the the basis of the secret invasion but Is this one necessary?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Dave says

      December 2, 2014 at 10:29 pm

      Good question. I skipped it my first go round and I was fine. If it’s not doing it for you, I’d recommend jumping to the next series.

      Glad you dig the site!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

The Comic Book Herald Podcast!

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsRSS
My Ultimate Year podcast and reading club

Recent Posts

  • X-Men #15-17 in Review—Return to the Vault! March 29, 2023
  • “Mister Mammoth”, “Spy Superb” & “Hairball” with Matt Kindt | CBH Interviews #108 March 28, 2023
  • 2002 Pt. 4: X-Force, Chamber, & Exiles March 27, 2023
  • Pax Americana and The Infinite Loop Of Imperiums March 25, 2023
  • Fall of X Teasers & Al Ewing’s Sins of Sinister | Comic Book Herald Live! March 24, 2023
  • “Sins of Sinister” Part 6: Immoral X-Men #2—in Review! March 23, 2023
  • DESTINY OF X | The Krakoan Empire Divided March 22, 2023
  • “Secret Identity” with Alex Segura | CBH Interviews #107 March 21, 2023
  • 2002 Pt. 3: Daredevil & Elektra March 20, 2023
  • Immoral X-Men #2 and Wolverine vs. Dark Beast! | Comic Book Herald Live! March 17, 2023
  • X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2 Rewatch! March 16, 2023
  • “Sins of Sinister” Part 5: Nightcrawlers #2—in Review! March 15, 2023
  • My Marvelous Interview: Paul Jenkins on Wolverine Origin, Inhumans, Spectacular Spider-Man, & More! March 13, 2023
  • The Dark Knight Trilogy 15 Years Later: Film & Comic Influences! March 11, 2023
  • Sins of Sinister: Nightcrawlers, X-Men #20, New Mutants: Lethal Legion #1 | Comic Book Herald Live! March 10, 2023

Popular Articles

DC Rebirth Guide

Batman Reading Order

DC New 52 Reading Order

Marvel Ultimate Universe Guide

Civil War Reading Order

Marvel Cosmic Reading Order

The Best Comics of All Time!

Deadpool Reading Order

Justice League Reading Order

Complete Thanos Reading Order

X-Men Reading Guide (Modern Era)

Age of Apocalypse Reading Order

Modern Marvel Universe in 25 Trades

Best Tablet For Digital Comics

Is Marvel Unlimited Worth It?

Footer

New to Comic Book Herald?

Hey there - my name's Dave and this is my comic book blog. It's my way of sharing my borderline obsessive addiction to the comic book medium, and I hope you like some of what's going on here.

Most people that come here are looking for my (WIP) Marvel reading order guide. You can probably also get a sense if CBH is for you by taking a look at some of my columns.

If you like what you see, let's connect on Facebook or Twitter. Or, leave a comment on the blog here, I'm always looking for new awesome people in the comic book community.

More on Comic Book Herald

  • Home
  • About
  • Support CBH
  • My Marvelous Year
  • Join!
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

Recent Posts

  • X-Men #15-17 in Review—Return to the Vault!
  • “Mister Mammoth”, “Spy Superb” & “Hairball” with Matt Kindt | CBH Interviews #108
  • 2002 Pt. 4: X-Force, Chamber, & Exiles
  • Pax Americana and The Infinite Loop Of Imperiums
  • Fall of X Teasers & Al Ewing’s Sins of Sinister | Comic Book Herald Live!

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in