Question of the Week: When Should I Read The Life & Death of Captain America Story Arc?

This week’s question is a two-parter:

I noticed that Civil War: Peter Parker, Spider Man ( sensational) is in the trade list but nowhere to be seen in the issue by issue list. Where do you think they should go? Also how does the death ( and life) of Cap America flow into this at the end? ~ Deb

Civil War’s Sensational Spider-Man

Spider-Man plays a major role in the events of Marvel’s Civil War, so it should come as no surprise that he has not one but two tie-in trades. In addition to the flagship title Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel also produced some tangential, Spidey universe stories under Sensational Spider-Man.

I referenced the trade in Civil War reading order, but Deb noticed these issues were not included in the issue-by-issue guide.

That issue has now been corrected, and you’ll find the Sensational Spider-Man issues included along with the rest of the complete Civil War guide. The long and short of it is issues #28 – #31 of Sensational Spider-Man must take place after Civil War #2, whereas issues #32 – #34 must all take place after Civil War #5.

You can read Sensational Spider-Man on Marvel Unlimited.

The Right Time for The Death of Cap

In the past, I’ve avoided referencing the Life and Death of Captain America as a storyline for fear of spoilers, but it’s time I faced facts: that’s the name of the story! There’s really no way around it.

That said, the question as to the placement of this Captain America story arc is a good one.

Let’s say you just finished reading Civil War. You had a grand old time, and you’re wondering where to turn next.

Now, according to the chronology of my event order, you’ll turn to World War Hulk. You could also understandably turn to The Amazing Spider-Man: Back in Black or Iron Man: Director of SHIELD, as comics that seem to tie most directly to Civil War’s aftermath.

Really, though, nothing beats a Civil War follow up like the Life and Death of Captain America, and it’s time the old guide started to reflect that. After all, the first issue of Cap you’ll read begins immediately following Cap’s situation at the end of Civil War.

The story arc begins with Captain America #25, but realistically the story is the culmination of plots and schemes that begin all the way back in Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting’s start on the run in Captain America #1. If you haven’t, I would highly recommend my modern Cap reading order for the full experience.

The one major twist in the Cap reading experience is that after you read Captain America #25, rather than jumping ahead to Cap #26, I’d recommend you dive into Fallen Son. This is a six issue mini series showcasing various Marvel character’s response to what happens to Cap.

Apart from that tie-in, you can then largely proceed with as much Captain America as you like until Secret Invasion rears its ugly head.

There’s a lot of talk lately that Captain America 3 will actually be based around this Life & Death of Captain America story arc. It’s largely conjecture, and largely based on the inclusion of a certain Crossbones easter egg in Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier, but that would make a LOT of sense for Cap 3. Give it a read for yourself to determine if that would be the right move for Captain America 3.

Have a question of your own? Give me a shout @comicbookherald, dave@comicbookherald.com, or do what feels right to you in the comments.