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Iron Man 2020 Reading Order, a Robot Revolution by Marvel

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Iron Man 2020, a Marvel Event by Dan Slott

Named after the 1980’s comic of the same name, Iron Man 2020, is a six-issue event comic (and 12 tie-ins) by writers Dan Slott & Christos Gage and artist Pete Woods.

Now, Arno Stark is Iron Man—and has taken control of all Tony’s assets, including his company Stark Unlimited. As Iron Man 2020 steers humanity into a new, cutting-edge dawn, robots from around the world unite to stake their claim on a new Machine Age. Humanity vs. Artificial Intelligence—and only one will emerge victorious.

What to read before Iron Man 2020?

The Iron Man 2020 event is a continuation and conclusion of Dan Slott’s run on Iron Man. You can guess that, for a better experience, you’ll have to dive into this run. You can then read:

Wants to know more about Arno Stark?

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Justice League International Reading Order, by Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis

Keith Giffen and JM Dematteis Justice League International Reading Order

After what is known as Justice League Detroit (or the Detroit League), the crossovers events Crisis on Infinite Earths and Legends, came a new kind of Justice League. Written by Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis, with art by Kevin Maguire, the Justice League International (JLI) was created in 1987. It was not a team of A-listers. In fact, it was considered as a jock and, with what they got, Giffen and DeMatteis created a sitcom-like version of the Justice League. One that is still quite unique to this day.

With most of the usual big Justice League characters unavailable, this new league introduced new characterizations to old characters like Guy Gardner (Green Lantern) and Booster Gold, but also a major new character named Maxwell Lord who was behind the creation of this new league. They fight alongside (and with) Batman, The Black Canary, The Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, Doctor Fate, Doctor Light, The Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle, Big Barda, Green Flame, Ice Maiden, Rocket Red, and more.

But here is the official synopsis: The world’s greatest super-team, the Justice League, are Earth’s greatest and last line of defense against all manner of world-threatening villains… assuming they don’t wipe each other out first! Find out what happens when Batman, Superman and the rest of the gang face a galactic invasion fleet known as the Cluster, exchange harsh words with crazed bounty hunter Lobo and track Mister Miracle back to the hell planet that is Apokolips, and then battle yet another invasion fleet…because that’s how they roll.

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Secret Invasion Reading Order, a Marvel Event

Secret Invasion Reading Order

The reign of Brian Michael Bendis continues, one event after another. This one was published from April through December 2008. After Avengers Disassembled (reading order), House of M (reading order), Decimation (reading order), and Civil War (reading order) comes Secret Invasion. A story about trust that broke the superhero community, already shaken by the events of the Civil War. Dark times are ahead!

Here is the official synopsis: It begins with a brutal battle between the New Avengers and the Hand—one that claims the life of Elektra and reveals that she was a Skrull! What does this mean for Tony Stark and his Mighty Avengers? How about the Illuminati? Soon, the whole Marvel Universe will be asking: who do you trust? As the Secret Invasion stands revealed and the Skrulls attack Earth, which heroes will be exposed as alien impostors? Can the Secret Warriors turn the tide? And can anyone stop the Skrull queen Veranke?!

What to read before Secret Invasion?

Even if the Bendis’ Events were connected (see reading order), Secret Invasion is more self-contained than the other. But it was planned. You can start with Civil War (reading order), then read The New Avengers and The Mighty Avengers.

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The Punisher by Garth Ennis Reading Order (From Marvel Knights to Punisher Max)

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The Punisher by Garth Ennis Reading Order

Garth Ennis’s run on The Punisher Max is generally considered the definitive run on the character. The author used the freedom of the MAX imprint to write more realistic stories.

On a larger scale, The Punisher Max is in the continuity of Ennis’s run on the character that has begun under the Marvel Knights imprint, a period which helped revived Frank Castle’s popularity (and also worth reading).

Whatever the imprint, those series are known for their combining of crime-focused stories with a touch of black humor.

As for the story, here is the official synopsis of the first volume: The Punisher, aka Frank Castle, is a one-man army locked, loaded, and ready to take out anyone in his way. And Frank starts with Ma Gnucci and her entire crime family! Spacker Dave, Joan the Mouse, and Mr. Bumpo all await in one of the most celebrated Punisher stories ever told! And Frank’s war on crime continues as he targets disgraced General Kreigkopf, and has a very unique team-up with Spider-Man!

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Crisis on Infinite Earths Reading Order, The First DC Comics Major Event Crossover

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Published from April 1985 to March 1986, Crisis on Infinite Earths is the name of a 12-issue limited series written by Marv Wolfman and penciled by George Pérez at the heart of the major event of the same name. It’s the first universe redefining crossover comic book event ever, and it came from Wolfman’s desire to simplify and unify the DC Universe in order to help new (and old) readers to get a better understanding and reading experience. There’s a before and an after Crisis, and the industry as a whole changed after that.

Here is the official synopsis: A mysterious being known as the Anti-Monitor has begun a crusade across time to bring about the end of all existence. As alternate Earths are systematically destroyed, the Monitor quickly assembles a team of superheroes from across time and space to battle his counterpart and stop the destruction. DC’s greatest heroes, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Aquaman, assemble to stop the menace, but as they watch both the Flash and Supergirl die in battle, they begin to wonder if even all of the heroes in the world can stop this destructive force.

What to read before Crisis on Infinite Earths?

Nothing. Everything. This is the first event of this kind. Nowadays, DC Comics would have planned a long prelude to the event with some clues here and there, maybe a full storyline with a hero or two. But this was not the case in 1985. If you read a pre-crisis series, Crisis on Infinite Earths is the end. There’s probably a lot to read in order to be familiar with everybody involved, and it’s not feasible to list it here—The Monitor made non-consequential cameos before that could be listed, but it’s just him observing the action, not really useful. What you need to know is in the series anyway. That’s how comics worked back then.

To learn more about this classic event, complement with The History and Legacy of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

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Valerian and Laureline Reading Order: How to read this classic French Sci-Fi series?

Valerian and Laureline Reading Order

Written by Pierre Christin and drawn by Jean-Claude Mézières (RIP), the Valerian and Laureline series is a highly influential Franco-Belgian sci-fi comic book series that takes us to Galaxity, the capital of the Terran Galactic Empire in the 28th century.

There, we met Valerian and Laureline who are two agents of the Service Spatio-Temporel (SST) who protect mankind as they travel the universe through space and time.

Galaxity is an Earth megalopolis and the capital in the XXVIIIth century of a galactic empire. Earth has become, following a dark age, one of the great cosmic powers. The agents of the SST move in time and space to preserve the interests of Galaxity. The rules of the EST forbid them to modify the events of the past. Valerian and Laureline explore new planets, take part in historical experiments, help unknown peoples, settle planetary conflicts, represent Galaxity, etc. They do not intervene to prevent the death of the planet.

They do not intervene to prevent the nuclear explosion of 1986 which transforms the aspect and the organization of the Earth. But it is the future of Galaxity that they rewrite by helping the superintendent of the EST to prevent this cataclysm later. Unfortunately, in this high-risk temporal manipulation, they also cancel the future of their planet.

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Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates Reading Order

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As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch (taking place after the crossover storyline “Secret Wars“), a new Black Panther era began, written by MacArthur Genius and National Book Award-winning writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. It’s a good entry point if you want to read stories about T’Challa and the Wakanda.

Here is the official synopsis of the series: T’Challa is confronted with a dramatic upheaval in Wakanda that will make leading the African nation tougher than ever before. When a superhuman terrorist group that calls itself The People sparks a violent uprising, the land famed for its incredible technology and proud warrior traditions will be thrown into turmoil.

If Wakanda is to survive, it must adapt—but can its monarch, one in a long line of Black Panthers, survive the necessary change? Heavy lies the head that wears the cowl!

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Robyn Hood Comics Reading Order: The adventures of Robyn Locksley, from the Grimm Fairy Tales universe by Zenescope

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Robyn Hood Comics Reading Order: The adventures of Robyn Locksley, from the Grimm Fairy Tales universe by Zenescope

The Grimm Fairy Tales universe is a dark fantasy comic book world by Zenescope Entertainment that began publication in June 2005. It presents classic fairy tales with modern twists, sexy covers, and some gore inside. Following the success of Return to Wonderland, the first spin-off and limited series (and the other Wonderland titles that followed), Zenescope started to develop other series related to the Grimm Fairy Tales universe.

In 2012, they launched Robyn Hood, which reinvent, you guessed it, the myth of Robin Hood. In this version, Robin Locksley is a young woman born in the realm of Myst but raised on Earth in a horrible home life after her mother’s death. As a teenager, she returned to Myst and became a selfless hero and bandit known as Robyn Hood.

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Batman: Arkham Games and Comics in Order

Batman Arkham in Order

Batman: Arkham, sometimes called Arkhamverse, is the name for the shared continuity of the video games launched with Arkham Asylum in 2009.

The franchise consists now of four main installments (and an upcoming spin-off), a few mobile games, a virtual reality game, tie-in comic books, and an animated movie.

It is important to acknowledge that the games are what is canon. The tie-in comics sometimes contradict things introduced during the games (or future games retconned what has been written in the comics).

What is it about? Here is the official synopsis: The Dark Knight was young, inexperienced, and untested when he began his one-man war to save the soul of Gotham City. The vigilante known as Batman was new to the city’s dark streets, and his errors were costly. Though his mind, body and arsenal of crime-fighting gear were all honed to near-perfection, his methods were yet unproven. But Batman’s rookie lessons were just the prelude to far more desperate tales.

Despite becoming an outlaw himself after quelling the Arkham Asylum riots, the World’s Greatest Detective takes it on his shoulders to unravel why the new mayor, Quincy Sharp, wants to create Arkham City–a section of Gotham where heinous criminals and the insane can roam freely. Now not only is the Dark Knight up against City Hall, but also the amassing armies of his numerous enemies–the Penguin, Two-Face, and even The Joker himself.

On top of the machinations of Batman’s full rogues gallery, a new vigilante emerges–the Arkham Knight. It’s a life-or-death battle unlike any other for the Caped Crusader’s allies and enemies, with no end in sight!

What to read before Batman: Arkham?

The franchise Batman: Arkham is not just an adaptation of comic book stories, it is inspired by the character and the mythos in order to give us original stories (with its own timeline).

But of course, some comics have more influence than others and you can then read the two that have helped shape the first game:

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X-Men Decimation Reading Order, the aftermath of House of M

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Before Civil War and right after House of M, Marvel offered us another event, a smaller one. In fact, the goal of Decimation was to deal with the aftermath of House of M for the X-Men.

Here is the official synopsis of the event: It was the worst day in X-Men history. Now it’s the day after. The House of M is over, but the effects will be felt for the rest of their lives. How do the X-Men pick up the pieces in a world that has completely changed?

Plus: Something’s amiss at the House of Xavier! A sneak attack forces the X-Men to re-evaluate just who their friends are, and to align themselves with former enemies!

What to read before X-Men Decimation?

Being a direct follow-up to “House of M,” I recommend starting with that. You can find the full reading order of this event here. Also, for more X-Men, you can take a look at our X-Men Reading Order. Here for the bare minimum:

  • House of M Omnibus 
    Collects House of M #1-8, Spider-Man: House of M #1-5, Fantastic Four: House of M #1-3, Iron Man: House of M #1-3, New Thunderbolts (2004) #11, Black Panther (2005) #7, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #462-465, Wolverine (2003) #33-35, Captain America (2004) #10, Pulse (2004) #10, Cable & Deadpool #17, Incredible Hulk (2000) #83-87, New X-Men (2004) #16-19, Exiles (2001) #69-71, Mutopia X #1-5, Decimation: House of M – The Day After, Giant-Size Ms. Marvel (2006) #1, Secrets of the House of M, Pulse: House of M Special, House of M 1 Director’s Cut, House of M Sketchbook, material from Hulk: Broken Worlds Book One.

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