This is certainly one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to comic readers, there’s always someone who wants to know: Where to start with reading comics? What do you recommend a comics beginner to read? And other variants.
The answer for a long time was simple. You just buy one. They were just there and most of the stories were standalone. It was a no-brainer. But as the culture around comics evolved, it feels like non-comics readers think that to start reading this type of book is like starting to climb a mountain. It feels insurmountable, you need training, guidance, and you know it will be hard and somewhat dangerous. That is not the case.
The real difficulty is not reading, it’s choosing what to read. Obviously. And even if you don’t realize it yet, comics are not just everlasting narratives about superheroes whose mythology is set in stone. The reason for that is simple. Comics are books. You don’t ask where to start with books. You pick a book in the genre you like, you read a quick synopsis, maybe you like the movie it’s based on or it’s a universally recognized classic. With comic books, it’s the same thing.
Comics are not about superheroes, but the superhero tale is the domineering genre of the medium.
So, how to start reading comics? Our answer at ComicBookTreasury.com is multiple. In fact, we thought of a way to give you the answers you may not find anywhere else. You’ll only have to choose what type of story you’re interested in, and we will suggest at least one book to read.
If you still don’t find something that interests you, leave a comment! Also, go check our selection of the 50 best Comics and Graphic Novels of All Time.
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Where to start reading Superhero Comics?
What follows is a list of series, graphic novels, and runs by specific authors. Some are just about one book, others are long runs, but it’s always about starting somewhere!
I want to start reading DC Comics superheroes
To help you navigate the DC Universe, we’ve put together a guide on How to Start Reading DC Comics in 2025. In addition, most of the characters mentioned below are covered in greater detail through dedicated reading orders, all of which can be found in our comprehensive DC Comics Reading Orders listing.
I simply want to read a good story with the DC Comics superheroes: “DC: The New Frontier” by Darwin Cooke
Where to start reading Batman? “Batman: Year One” by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli
Where to start reading Superman? “Superman: Birthright” by Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu
Where to start reading Wonder Woman? “Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia” by Greg Rucka and J.G. Jones
Where to start reading the Justice League? “JLA: New World Order” by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter
Where to start reading The Flash (Wally West)? “The Flash” by Mark Waid and Greg LaRocque
Where to start reading The Flash (Barry Allen)? “The Flash: Rebirth” by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver
Where to start reading Aquaman? “Aquaman: Rebirth” by Dan Abnett and various artists
Where to start reading Supergirl? “Supergirl: Being Super” by Mariko Tamaki and Joëlle Jones
Where to start reading Green Arrow? “Green Arrow: Year One” by Andy Diggle and Jock
Where to start reading Hal Jordan, Green Lantern? “Green Lantern: Secret Origin” by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis
Where to start reading Harley Quinn? “Harley Quinn: Mad Love” by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm if you’re into Batman’s 90s anime series, but maybe “Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Die Laughing” by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti for a more modern approach.
Where to start reading the Suicide Squad? “Suicide Squad: Trial by Fire” by John Ostrander and Luke McDonnell
Where to start reading Nightwing? “Nightwing: Blüdhaven” by Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel
Where to start reading Batgirl? “Batgirl: Year One” by Scott Beatty, Chuck Dixon, and Marcos Martin
Where to start reading Black Lightning? “Black Lightning: Brick City Blues” by Tony Isabella and Eddy Newell
Where to start reading stories with the Bat-Family? “Detective Comics: Rebirth” by James Tynion IV and Eddy Barrows
Where to start reading Batwoman? “Batwoman: Elegy” by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III
Where to start reading Tim Drake, Robin? “Robin: A Hero Reborn” by Chuck Dixon, Tom Lyle, and Bob Smith
Where to start reading Damian Wayne, Robin? “Batman and Son” by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert
Where to start reading Jason Todd, Red Hood? “Batman: Under the Hood” by Judd Winick and Doug Mahnke
Where to start reading Stargirl? “Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.” by Geoff Johns and Lee Moder
Where to start reading Superboy/Connor Kent? “Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes” by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul
Where to start reading Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)? “Justice League International” by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire
Where to start reading Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes)? “Blue Beetle: Shellshocked” by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner
Where to start reading Cyborg? “Cyborg: Unplugged” by David F. Walker and Ivan Reis
Where to start reading Martian Manhunter? “Martian Manhunter: Son of Mars” by John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake
Where to start reading Catwoman? “Catwoman: Selina’s Big Score” by Darwyn Cooke
Where to start reading Lois Lane? “Superman: Lois Lane – A Celebration of 75 Years” by various writers and artists
Where to start reading The Joker? “Batman: The Man Who Laughs” by Ed Brubaker and Doug Mahnke
Where to start reading Deathstroke? “Deathstroke: The Terminator” by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
Where to start reading John Stewart, Green Lantern? “Green Lantern Corps: Recharge” by Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, and Patrick Gleason
Where to start reading Guy Gardner, Green Lantern? “Green Lantern Corps: Recharge” by Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, and Patrick Gleason
Where to start reading Kyle Rayner, Green Lantern? “Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight/New Dawn” by Ron Marz and Darryl Banks
Where to start reading Alan Scott, Green Lantern? “Green Lantern: 1001 Emerald Nights” by James Robinson and Tony Harris
Where to start reading Hawkman? “Hawkman: Awakening” by Robert Venditti and Bryan Hitch
Where to start reading Hawkgirl? “Hawkgirl: Hawkman Returns” by Walter Simonson and Howard Chaykin
Where to start reading The Huntress? “Batman/Huntress: Cry for Blood” by Greg Rucka and Rick Burchett
Where to start reading Booster Gold? “52” by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Mark Waid, Greg Rucka, Keith Giffen, and various artists
Where to start reading Black Canary? “Birds of Prey Vol. 1” by Chuck Dixon, Gary Frank, Matt Haley, and Greg Land
Where to start reading Zatanna? “Zatanna by Paul Dini” by Paul Dini and various artists
Where to start reading Constantine? “Hellblazer: Original Sins” by Jamie Delano and John Ridgway
Where to start reading Swamp Thing? “Saga of the Swamp Thing” by Alan Moore, Stephen R. Bissette, and John Totleben
Where to start reading Starfire? “The New Teen Titans” by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
Where to start reading Beast Boy? “The New Teen Titans” by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
Where to start reading the Doom Patrol? “Doom Patrol (1987-1995)” by Grant Morrison and Richard Case
I want to start reading Marvel superheroes
To help you navigate the Marvel Universe, we’ve put together a guide on How to Start Reading Marvel Comics in 2025. In addition, most of the characters mentioned below are covered in greater detail through dedicated reading orders, all of which can be found in our comprehensive Marvel Comics Reading Orders listing.
I simply want to read a good story with the Marvel superheroes: “Avengers: The Kree-Skrull War” by Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, and John Buscema.
Where to start reading Spider-Man? “Spider-Man: Blue” by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Where to start reading Miles Morales Spider-Man? “Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man” by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli
Where to start reading Captain America? “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting
Where to start reading Iron Man? “Iron Man: Extremis” by Warren Ellis and Adi Granov
Where to start reading Black Panther? “Black Panther” by Don McGregor
Where to start reading Scarlet Witch? “Avengers: Vision and the Scarlet Witch” by Steve Englehart and Richard Howell
Where to start reading The Hulk? “Incredible Hulk: Planet Hulk” by Greg Pak and Carlo Pagulayan
Where to start reading The Avengers? “Avengers: Avengers Assemble” by Kurt Busiek and George Perez
Where to start reading Clint Barton, Hawkeye? “Avengers: Hawkeye – Earth’s Mightiest Marksman” by Tom DeFalco, Jeff Johnson, and more
Where to start reading Kate Bishop, Hawkeye? “Hawkeye: Kate Bishop” by Kelly Thompson and Leonardo Romero
Where to start reading Black Widow? “Black Widow: The Name of the Rose” by Marjorie Liu and Daniel Acuña
Where to start reading Carol Danvers, Captain Marvel? “Captain Marvel: Higher, Further, Faster, More” by Kelly Sue DeConnick and David Lopez
Where to start reading Kamala Khan, Miss Marvel? “Ms. Marvel Vol. 1: No Normal” by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona
Where to start reading She-Hulk? “Sensational She-Hulk” by John Byrne
Where to start reading The X-Men? “Giant-Size X-Men #1” by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum
Where to start reading Doctor Strange? “Doctor Strange: The Oath” by Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin
Where to start reading Daredevil? “Daredevil: The Man Without Fear” by Frank Miller and John Romita Jr.
Where to start reading Deadpool? “Deadpool” by Joe Kelly, Ed McGuinness, and more.
Where to start reading the Fantastic Four? “Fantastic Four” by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Where to start reading Thor, God of Thunder? “Thor” by Walter Simonson
Where to start reading Thor, Goddess of Thunder? “Thor – Goddess of Thunder” by Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman
Where to start reading The Guardians of the Galaxy? “Guardians of the Galaxy” by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Where to start reading The Falcon? “Captain America and The Falcon: Secret Empire” by Steve Englehart and Sal Buscema
Where to start reading Bucky, the Winter Soldier? “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting
Where to start reading Shang Chi? “Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu” by Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy
Where to start reading Ant-Man (Hank Pym)? “Ant-Man: Season One” by Tom DeFalco and Horacio Domingues
Where to start reading Ant-Man (Scott Lang)? “Ant-Man: Second-Chance Man” by Nick Spencer and Ramon Rosanas
Where to start reading Luke Cage? “Luke Cage, Hero for Hire” by Archie Goodwin, George Tuska, Roy Thomas, and John Romita Sr.
Where to start reading Jessica Jones? “Alias” by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos
Where to start reading Iron Fist? “Iron Fist” by Chris Claremont, Larry Hama, and more
Where to start reading The Punisher? “The Punisher: Welcome Back, Frank” by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon
Where to start reading Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)? “Ghost Rider: Road to Damnation” by Garth Ennis and Clayton Crain
Where to start reading Ghost Rider (Danny Ketch)? “Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch” by Howard Mackie and Javier Saltares
Where to start reading Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes)? “Ghost Rider: Four on the Floor” by Felipe Smith and Danilo Beyruth
Where to start reading Moon Knight? “Moon Knight: From the Dead” by Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey
Where to start reading Blade? “Blade: Vampire Hunter” by Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin
Where to start reading Venom? “Venom: Dark Origin” by Zeb Wells and Angel Medina
Where to start reading Spider-Gwen? “Spider-Gwen: Most Wanted?” by Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez
Where to start reading Gwenpool? “The Unbelievable Gwenpool: Believe It” by Christopher Hastings and Gurihiru
Where to start reading Wolverine? “Wolverine: Weapon X” by Barry Windsor-Smith
Where to start reading Silk? “Silk: The Life and Times of Cindy Moon” by Robbie Thompson and Stacey Lee
Where to start reading Black Cat? “Black Cat: Grand Theft Marvel” by Jed MacKay and Travel Foreman
Where to start reading Silver Surfer? “Silver Surfer: Origin of the Silver Surfer” by Stan Lee and John Buscema
Where to start reading Nova? “Nova: Annihilation” by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Kev Walker
Where to start reading Nova ( Sam Alexander)? “Nova: Origin” by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness
Where to start reading War Machine? “Iron Man: Armor Wars” by David Michelinie, Bob Layton, and Mark D. Bright
Where to start reading Nick Fury? “Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.” by Jim Steranko
Where to start reading Spider-Man 2099? “Spider-Man 2099” by Peter David and Rick Leonardi
Where to start reading Adam Warlock? “Warlock” by Jim Starlin
Where to start reading X-23? “X-23: Innocence Lost” by Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost
Where to start reading Elektra? “Daredevil” by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson
Where to start reading Namor? “Namor, the Sub-Mariner: Enter the Sub-Mariner” by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby, and Gene Colan
Where to start reading Squirrel Girl? “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” by Ryan North and Erica Henderson
Where to start reading Howard The Duck? “Howard the Duck” by Steve Gerber
I want to start reading other superheroes
Where to start reading superhero stories for adults? “Watchmen” by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
Where to start reading another superhero universe? “Invincible” by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley.
Where to start reading a comic deconstructing the superhero genre? “Astro City” by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson
Where to start reading a parody of superhero comics? “The Tick” by Ben Edlund
Where to start reading a crime series with superheroes? “Powers” by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming
Where to start reading classic pulp hero comics (with a modern flavor)? “The Shadow: Year One” by Matt Wagner and Wilfredo Torres
Where to start reading superhero webcomics? “Strong Female Protagonist” by Brennan Lee Mulligan and Molly Ostertag
Where to start reading Non-Superhero Comics?
Where to start reading Non-Superhero comics for Children?
Where to start fantasy adventure comics for Children? “Amulet” by Kazu Kibuishi
Where to start humor comics for Children? “Calvin and Hobbes” by Bill Watterson
Where to start mystery and detective comics for Children? “The Adventures of Tintin” by Hergé
Where to start science-fiction comics for Children? “The Last Kids on Earth” by Max Brallier and Douglas Holgate
Where to start animal adventures comics for Children? “Owly” by Andy Runton
Where to start friendship and slice-of-life comics for Children? “Smile” by Raina Telgemeier
Where to start fairy tales and folklore comics for Children? “Hansel and Gretel” by Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti
Where to start historical fiction comics for Children? “Nathan Hales Hazardous Tales” by Nathan Hale
Where to start sports comics for Children? “Roller Girl” by Victoria Jamieson
Where to start reading crime comics?
Where to start reading gangster stories? “Criminal” by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips
Where to start reading detective/noir stories? “The Good Asian” by Pornsak Pichetshote and Alexandre Tefenkgi
Where to start reading true crime stories? “Green River Killer: A True Detective Story” by Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case
Where to start reading spy stories? “Queen & Country” by Greg Rucka
Where to start reading historical crime stories? “From Hell” by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
Where to start reading Horror comics?
Where to start reading monster stories? “The Goon” by Eric Powell
Where to start reading vampire stories? “American Vampire” by Scott Snyder, Stephen King, and Rafael Albuquerque
Where to start reading cosmic horror stories? “Hellboy” by Mike Mignola
Where to start reading slasher stories? “Hack/Slash” by Tim Seeley and various artists
Where to start reading survival stories? “Y: The Last Man” by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra
Where to start reading zombie stories? “The Walking Dead” by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore then Charlie Adlard
Where to start reading psychological horror stories? “Gideon Falls” by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino
Where to start reading Historical comics?
Where to start reading war comics? “Charley’s War” by Pat Mills and Joe Colquhoun
Where to start reading non-fiction war comics? “Maus” by Art Spiegelman
Where to start reading non-fiction historical (not war!) stories? “March” by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
Where to start reading Ancient history stories? “Age of Bronze” by Eric Shanower
Where to start reading Vikings stories? “Northlanders” by Brian Wood and various artists
Where to start reading stories about the history of music? “Hip Hop Family Tree” by Ed Piskor
Where to start reading Science-Fiction comics?
Where to start reading space-opera stories? “Descender” by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen
Where to start reading time travel stories? “I Killed Adolf Hitler” by Jason
Where to start reading alien invasion stories? “The Eternaut” by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López
Where to start reading post-Apocalyptic stories? “East of West” by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta
Where to start reading cyberpunk stories? “Transmetropolitan” by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson
Where to start reading Fantasy comics?
Where to start reading heroic fantasy stories? “Conan the Barbarian” by Robert E. Howard, Roy Thomas, and Barry Windsor-Smith
Where to start reading dark fantasy stories? “The Sandman” by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, and more
Where to start reading fairy tale stories? “Fables” by Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham (and others)
Where to start reading urban fantasy stories? “The Unwritten” by Mike Carey and Peter Gross
Where to start reading mythological stories? “Norse Mythology” by Neil Gaiman and various artists
Where to start reading humorous Fantasy stories? “I Hate Fairyland” by Skottie Young
Where to start reading other types of Adventure comics?
Where to start reading Swashbuckling Adventure? “Zorro” by Matt Wagner and various artists
Where to start reading Western Adventure? “Blueberry” by Jean-Michel Charlier and Jean Giraud
Where to start reading Romance comics?
Where to start reading Rom-Com stories? “Scott Pilgrim” by Bryan Lee O’Malley
Where to start reading Historical Romance stories? “The Prince and the Dressmaker” by Jen Wang
Where to start reading LGBTQ+ Romance stories? “Heartstopper” by Alice Oseman
Where to start reading Romance stories for adults? “Sunstone” by Stjepan Šejić
Where to start reading Comedy comics?
Where to start reading satirical comics? “Fante Bukowski” by Noah Van Sciver
Where to start reading Parody comics? “Groo the Wanderer” by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier
Where to start reading Slice-of-Life comics?
Where to start reading Family Drama? “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic” by Alison Bechdel
Where to start reading Travel Journal? “French Milk” by Lucy Knisley
Where to start reading YA comics? “Giant Days” by John Allison, Max Sarin, and Lissa Treiman.
Where to start reading comics about making comics? “Pussey!” by Dan Clowes
To Read Before Commenting
This is not a definitive guide. In fact, we are welcoming your help to perfect it. We do not read everything and it’s probable that some books, especially with the superheroes, are more welcoming to new readers than others. Feel free to write your suggestions and your arguments to why it’s better to start with those books!
Also, the different categories/subgenres are not set in stone. We want to propose a larger view of what comics have to offer to new readers. Maybe your favorite genre is not represented here, maybe you have a better suggestion for one or more categories. Once again, don’t hesitate to leave a comment.
