Originally intended to launch as a one-shot graphic novel 'Marvel World of Tomorrow' under Stan Lee and John Byrne, Marvel's 'futureverse' project instead became a line of 2099 titles set in a dystopian future of Earth-928. A new 'Age of Heroes' would dawn in this corporately-controlled America as future versions of pre-existing characters would begin... Continue Reading →
Marvel Cosmic Reading Order: Guarding the Galaxy (2008-2011)
The galaxy has been taking a pounding (see our previous Marvel Cosmic Reading Order). First, the Annihilation Wave tore through, wiping out whole worlds and killing the entire Nova Corps. Then the attempt by the Phalanx to take control of the Kree Empire caused further harm. Now the Earth is about to be invaded by... Continue Reading →
Marvel Cosmic Reading Order: Annihilated (2003-2008)
The cosmic side of the Marvel Universe had taken a back seat for a few years, but we’d really see Marvel start dipping our toes back into those space-centric tales in the early 2000s with Captain Marvel (Genis-Vell) returning to space, Thanos gaining his own series and Beta Ray Bill returning to the spotlight. But,... Continue Reading →
The Spot Reading Order: Jonathon Ohnn (1984-present)
When the Kingpin tasks scientist Dr Johnathon Ohnn with emulating Cloak's powers, he gains the ability to tap into the Spotted Dimension and use wormholes as weapons. As the Spot, Ohnn's criminal career is sporadic, with the character veering from laughing stock to homicidal nightmare. Must Reads: Story arcs marked with a ✔ are must-read stories... Continue Reading →
MODOK Reading Order: George Tarleton (1967 – present)
The outlandish Jack Kirby design and some weird and wild stories featuring the gigantic-headed sociopath, make it hard not to love this oddball bad guy. The Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing - aka MODOK – has been a thorn in the side of the Hulk, Fantastic Four, Captain America, Iron Man and more while acting as the head (no pun intended)... Continue Reading →
Authority Reading Order: The WildStorm Years (1999-2011)
Warren Ellis took the reins of WildStorm Universe’s StormWatch series from Image Comics in 1996, and dragged it to new heights - mixing more mature storytelling with a semi-political edge. Following a relaunch that added Bryan Hitch as the title’s semi-regular new artist, Ellis wiped out almost the entire line-up with the FINAL ORBIT crossover... Continue Reading →
Invincible Universe Reading Order: Guarding the Globe & Beyond (2002-2018)
If you think Invincible is just another superhero comic, then give it a shot and stick with it. This series regularly breaks the rules in terms of what’s ‘supposed’ to happen in superhero titles. The mistakes Mark Grayson makes far outweigh any errors in judgement that Peter Parker’s ever made. Characters die and don’t come... Continue Reading →
Outerverse Reading Order: Tales from the Outer Dark (2010-Present)
Entirely separate to the Hellboy Universe, the Outerverse still centres around the occult but features a world that’s been so greatly impacted by it that it diverges quite heavily from our own. Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden created two illustrated novels – ‘Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire’ and ‘Joe Golem and... Continue Reading →
Man-Thing Reading Order: Project Sulfer (1971-1989)
Working under Project Sulfur, Dr Ted Sallis creates a new Super-Soldier Serum. When AIM agents and his own wife try to steal the SO-2 Serum from him in the Everglades, he escapes and injects it before falling into the swamp. Transformed in a muck-monster dubbed the Man-Thing, the mindless creature that was once Ted Sallis becomes the guardian of the Nexus of All Realities - the... Continue Reading →
Justice League Dark Reading Order: The Death of Magic (2011-2016)
As part of DC Comics' New 52 initiative that saw the birth of a modernised DC Universe, the Justice League Dark are a team made up of key magic users who gather to combat mystical and supernatural threats. Even though the line-up make it clear they don't want to be a team, fate will keep bringing them together until they... Continue Reading →
High Evolutionary Reading Order: Herbert Wyndham (1966-Present)
Obsessed with evolving humanity to its next stage ahead of time the High Evolutionary has been both a help and a hindrance to the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, X-Men and Adam Warlock over the years. He’s created intelligent animal-beings, a citadel that can launch into space and an entire planet. And he comes from Manchester.... Continue Reading →
Doom Patrol Reading Order: The New Earth/Vertigo Era (1987-2011)
Known for some of the most bizarre stories in the DC Universe, the Doom Patrol are about to get stranger! Following the death of the original line-up at the hands of Madame Rouge and General Zahl, Robotman became part of a new Doom Patrol when he met Celsius, Negative Woman and Tempest. The team remained... Continue Reading →
Aliens vs Predator vs the Omniverse (1991-2019)
Dark Horse Comics picked up the licenses for Aliens and Predator in 1988 and, in 1989, decided pit them both against each other in Dark Horse Presents #34-36. A year later, they battled it out in Aliens vs Predator #1-4 and Dark Horse realised they were onto something. By the ‘90s, intercompany comics crossovers were... Continue Reading →
Ultimate Spider-Man Reading Order: Peter Parker (2000-2018)
Sure there are some truly amazing Spider-Man stories out there, but Marvel realised there's an intimidating amount of history for potential new readers to take on, so they launched a fresher take on the Marvel Universe in 2000. The Ultimate Universe began with Ultimate Spider-Man as its flagship series and what a fantastic series it was! Taking Spider-Man back to his roots, this teenage Peter Parker was... Continue Reading →
Kang Reading Order: Nathaniel Richards (1963-Present)
Kang the Conqueror has been one of the Avengers’ most intriguing enemies. His main goal has been to dominate not just the world, but every world in every era. He's the master of time and that means there are numerous versions of him, often leading Kang to try and outdo his past and future selves,... Continue Reading →