Since the ’80s with the big success of ”Secret Wars,” Marvel Comics has produced many crossover stories combining characters from different series of comics. It became a big part of the business, but also of the way stories are built. Even after the near extinction of the industry following the speculator boom of the ’90s, big events and crossovers kept multiplying. Some are forgettable, others are unmissable parts of the overall mythology surrounding the superhero’s adventures, from Spider-Man to the Guardians of the Galaxy, from Captain America to the X-Men.
This article is a list of the crossover events, big and small, involving superheroes and characters from different Marvel series. It will be updated with links to the dedicated reading orders, as they are published, and, of course, with new entries as Marvel continues to announce more and more of them.
The ’70s Marvel Crossovers
While Secret Wars is considered the first modern Marvel event, the publisher started producing crossover stories before that…
Avengers/Defenders War (1973) – They are the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and greatest Defenders. They have thwarted the attacks of aliens, monsters and even gods. But now, they face their greatest foe: each other!
Thanos War (1973-74) – Before he eradicated half the Marvel Universe, Thanos fought his first Infinity Gem-powered wars against Captain Marvel, Adam Warlock and the combined might of the Avengers.
The Private War of Doctor Doom (1976-77) – Doom on the water! In an epic spanning from New York to Louisiana to California to Maryland to the Atlantic Ocean, the Avengers are forced into Dr. Doom’s latest scheme by the Atlantean Attuma, who wants Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to keep Doom from conquering the world – so he can conquer it, instead!
The ’80s Marvel events and Crossovers
It started with Contest of Champions – Marvel’s first published limited series – and it continued with Secret Wars, considered the first modern Marvel event! Following its success, it was quickly followed by a sequel.
However, if we have to be honest, the eighties belongs to the X-Men, starting with two major storylines (Dark Phoenix Saga and Days of Future Past, set before Contest of Champions), then finding success with the Mutant Massacre Crossover which prompted Marvel to held more mutant crossovers.
This decade concluded with Acts of Vengeance, in which Marvel’s heroes are fighting different hero’s villains. While this event has no impactful consequences, it covers almost every Marvel title, and can be a great way to become familiar with the Marvel Universe of this period!
Marvel Super-Hero Contest of Champions (1982) – Marvel’s first miniseries, an event so big it required every hero Earth has! Time and again, the Grandmaster sets heroes against heroes in cosmic games with billions of lives at stake! Daredevil vs. Iron Fist! Captain America vs. Mockingbird! Iron Man vs. She-Hulk! Black Knight vs. Moon Knight! Wolverine vs. Black Panther! Thor vs. Wonder Man! Plus: Bucky, Mar-Vell, Dracula, Drax, the Green Goblin, the Red Guardian and so many more!
Wraith War (1984-85) – A new, more powerful invasion force of Dire Wraiths attack the Earth. Reading Order: Rom #52, Incredible Hulk #296, Rom #53, Avengers #244-245, Rom #54-59, Uncanny X-Men #185-188, Rom #60-66. Not collected.
Secret Wars (1984-85) – The first modern Marvel event where a separate limited series was launched and then all other tie-ins followed from that. Secret Wars II got a large amount of media attention, and after that, Marvel started having annual crossover events where a mini-series was launched for the event and it impacted most Marvel comic books.
Drawn from Earth across the stars, the Marvel Universe’s greatest heroes and villains are set against one another by the mysterious and all-powerful Beyonder — with the winner promised the ultimate prize! But as battle lines are drawn, new alliances forged, and old enemies clash, one among them is not willing to settle for anything less than godhood. Can even the combined might of the Avengers, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men prevent Doctor Doom from becoming the most powerful being in the universe? Now, the greatest superhero war of all time is collected alongside an untold chapter of Thor’s time on Battleworld, Titania’s incredible origin, and “What If?” tales that offer very different endings to the Secret Wars! And don’t forget to read the great and funny Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars as a companion piece!
Secret Wars II (1985-86) – A year after kidnapping the most powerful beings on Earth and pitting them against one another in a “Secret War” on a distant world, the omnipotent Beyonder comes to Earth to continue his study of humanity. However, a being so powerful and so naïve is a dangerous combination. As the Beyonder’s understanding slowly grows, so too do his own desires – and even the lord of lies, Mephisto, fears what the Beyonder might finally decide he desires. Because if the Beyonder decides he wants to end all that is, even the combined might of the universe’s cosmic powers might not be enough to stop him! Here is the full reading order.
Mutant Massacre (1986) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. An unexpected Success, this X-Men Crossover helped the X-Men title sales and prompted Marvel’s policy of holding mutant crossovers annually. The Morlocks: a community of mutant outcasts living beneath the streets of Manhattan. The Marauders: professional mutant assassins, employed by a mysterious evil to wipe the Morlocks out! Between the two stand some of Marvel’s most heroic: the X-Men, X-Factor, the New Mutants, Power Pack, Daredevil, and the Mighty Thor!
Kraven’s Last Hunt (1987) – Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson are getting married! But Kraven the Hunter is going to make sure the wall-crawler ends up six feet under – literally! It begins with an all-time classic encounter with Wolverine that changes Spidey’s life forever, leading to the death of one of his best friends! In the wake of tragedy, Peter pops the question – but the honeymoon is short-lived, as Kraven goes to extreme lengths to prove himself superior to his greatest foe! As one of comics’ most introspective, psychological sagas ever unfolds, the Hunter will learn that it’s one thing to defeat Spider-Man – but another to expect him to stay down! This story is part of our selection of the Best Marvel Comic Books to read.
Fall of the Mutants (1988) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. Witness the transformation of the carefree, high-flying Angel into the dark and brooding iron-winged Archangel, as Apocalypse’s shadow falls over X-Factor. Relive the tragedy of the New Mutants, as their innocence is lost along with the life of a teammate. And watch as the legendary X-Men make the ultimate sacrifice, charging headlong into death itself to protect a world that hates and fears them!
The Evolutionary War (1988) – The High Evolutionary declares war on Earth in this eighties Annual extravaganza, and heroes across the globe must rally to stop him! The reading order: X-Factor Annual #3, The Punisher Annual #1, Silver Surfer Annual #1, New Mutants Annual #4, Fantastic Four Annual #21, The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #22, X-Men Annual #12, Web of Spider-Man Annual #4, West Coast Avengers Annual #3, The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #8 and The Avengers Annual #17.
X-Men: Inferno (1988-89) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. The flames are fanned as Sinister’s Marauders attack the X-Men, while a demonic horde preys upon the helpless, horrified populace of New York – and Illyana Rasputin battles for her soul!
Atlantis Attacks (1989) – Evil undersea monarchs Ghaur and Llyra plot to summon the elder god Set — and the surface world’s greatest heroes must unite to stop the demonic creature from rising! The Atlantean villains quickly dispatch Namor, and kidnap seven super-powered women — including She-Hulk, Storm and the Scarlet Witch — to become enthralled “brides” for Set’s seven serpent heads. As Atlantean forces assault the surface world, Earth’s heroes must act quickly to stop every facet of the villains’ complex plot!
Acts of Vengeance (1989-90) – Loki’s villainous schemes play out across the Marvel Universe, as an array of heroes face unfamiliar enemies! The Fantastic Four face an army of foes during a congressional hearing! The gray Hulk battles the Grey Gargoyle! The Punisher takes aim at Bushwacker – and Doctor Doom! And Frank joins Moon Knight to take on Flag-Smasher and Ultimatum! Daredevil fights outside his weight class against Ultron, while Power Pack grapple with Typhoid Mary! And Hobgoblin, the Enchantress, and Arkon spell trouble for Doctor Strange! Luckily, Damage Control is around to pick up the pieces!
The 1990s Marvel events and Crossovers
Driven by the Economic Boom, The Marvel Universe lived through some Dark Times during the nineties. Marvel almost perished under the weight of its commercial ambitions and gave us too many events and series to follow.
It was a time filled with some bad art, forgotten storylines but also some iconic stories! This was during this decade that Thanos came back from the dead for Jim Starlin’s epic Cosmic Saga; that the World of Spider-Man was turned upside down in the Clone Saga; that the original X-Men made their comeback and lived through an Age of Apocalypse before sort of destroying the Marvel Universe with the Onslaught Saga!
Days of Future Present (1990) – An annual crossover event and sequel to Days of Future Past. A man from the future, desperately searching for the safety of his past, returns to those he once loved to save them from a future of tyranny and death. But in doing so he may have brought with him the greatest threat of all… the mutant killer Ahab.
Lifeform (1990) – An annual crossover event. After a scientist is exposed to a deadly virus, he becomes an erratic, unstable, and constantly mutating superbeing now named Lifeform. As he grows more powerful by the day, and infecting more people as he evolves, it will be up to heroes like Hulk, Daredevil, Silver Surfer, and Punisher to halt the growing threat of Lifeform.
Spidey’s Totally Tiny Adventure (1990) – An annual crossover event. Amazing Spider-Man Annual 24, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 10, and Web of Spider-Man Annual 6.
The Terminus Factor (1990) – An annual crossover event. The return of the alien conqueror Terminus the Destroyer, his Deviant successor Jorro and the robotic Termini. Reading Order: Captain America Annual (vol. 1) #9, Iron Man Annual (vol. 1) #11, Thor Annual (vol. 1) #15, West Coast Avengers Annual (vol. 2) #5, and Avengers Annual (vol. 1) #19.
X-Tinction Agenda (1990-1991) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. The X-Men, New Mutants, and X-Factor are targeted for X-Tinction! To rescue a friend, the X-Men must invade the mutant-enslaving island nation of Genosha – but the Genoshans’ memories are long, and their revenge will be terrifying! As the Magistrates strike, X-Factor and the New Mutants are drawn into the conflict…and soon discover old foe Cameron Hodge powered up and pulling the strings!
Kings of Pain (1991) – An annual crossover event. The terrorist organization A.I.M. seek to resurrect the powerful reality-altering mutant named Proteus, and it’s up to the various X-teams and the New Warriors to stop them.
The Korvac Quest (1991) – An annual crossover event. Has the tyrant from the 31st century returned? Has Korvac come back to our time? And what part does Galactus play in all of this? This mytery will span the cosmos and many centuries as the Fantastic Four, Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Silver Surfer fight to preserve our universe! Buy The Korvac Quest on Amazon
Subterranean Wars (1991) – An annual crossover event. The Subterranean Wars rage and the Vault prison becomes a death trap filled with deadly menaces–including Venom!
Vibranium Vendetta (1991) – An annual crossover event. When synthetic Vibranium, created by the Roxxon corporation, may end up in the wrong hands, it will be up to Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Black Panther to stop the likes of Kingpin, Ghost, and a new player in the super-powered Sunturion. The situation escalates when Kingpin makes a deal with Ultron, who may be more powerful than the three heroes can handle if he gets control over the new synthetic Vibranium!
The Von Strucker Gambit (1991) – An annual crossover event. Hydra is genetically engineering deadly assassins, and three of them are loose on the streets, on a murderous spree. Reading Order: Daredevil Annual #7, The Punisher Annual #4, and Captain America Annual #10 (not collected together but available in the Epic Collection for each character).
Muir Island Saga (1991) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. After warnings from Forge and Banshee, the X-Men and Professor X investigate Muir Island, whose inhabitants have been taken over by the Shadow King.
We recommend reading at least the two issues story The Thanos Quest which introduces the Infinity Stones and Thanos before starting Jim Starlin’s Infinity Saga.
The Infinity Gauntlet (1991) – The Mad Titan Thanos has seized control of the Infinity Gauntlet and with it near-omnipotent power! Who can stop this deadly new overlord? All of Marvel’s top heroes star in this epic of cosmic proportions! The story continues in The Infinity War.
The Infinity War (1992) – After Adam Warlock’s return in ‘Infinity Gauntlet’, his worse half Magus wasn’t far behind. The struggle for ultimate power over the universe continues when a stockpile of evil twins overwhelms the Fantastic Four, Avengers, X-Men, and more. Will the universe be saved, destroyed, or both? The story continues in The Infinity Crusade in 1993.
Operation: Galactic Storm (1992) – The Kree/Shi’ar War! When two of the galaxy’s most ancient and powerful races clash, it’s up to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to play cosmic peacekeepers! With Earth in the crossfire, the Avengers are drawn into the conflict – and end up as alien invaders on war-torn worlds of wonder! Assemblers East and West are embroiled in an epic too big for even two Avengers titles – one that will shake the team to its very foundations! Superheroes from three galaxies clash in a war filled with incredible action – including Thor versus Gladiator of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard!
Assault on Armor City (1992) – An annual crossover event. Tony Stark’s past continues to haunt him as the repercussions from Armor Wars still linger. Mistaking Darkhawk for some of his stolen tech, Iron Man attacks the young hero! After their skirmish, When Stark learns of an A.I.M. plot to use his designs for their terror-filled purposes and he’ll need to recruit Darkhawk and the Avengers West Coast to stop them. But when a new Iron Monger armor is unleashed, A.I.M. may reign supreme.
Citizen Kang (1992) – An annual crossover event. An annual crossover event. In the unassuming town of Timely, Wisconsin, the Vision has disappeared, and it’s up to the Fantastic Four and the Avengers to save him! But Timely is connected to Kang’s city of Chronopolis, which spans the entire history of the Earth and is guarded by the deadliest warrior’s of every age, the Anachronauts! Can the Avengers and the Fantastic Four stop battling each other long enough to defeat Kang and the conniving Terminatrix?
The Hero Killers (1992) – An annual crossover event. Spider-Man and the new Warriors delve into the mystery surrounding the disappearances of several superheroes–but their investigation leads them to more than they can handle when they witness the resurrection of the supremely powerful Sphinx! Also included in this wondrous web-filled volume are tales of the Black Cat, Cloak & Dagger, and Venom!
Return of the Defenders (1992) – An annual crossover event. What mystery could be so all-encompassing that the original Defenders would reunite? Demons, spells, possessions…all across the globe. The original non-team superhero team will come together once more to save the world!
Shattershot (1992) – An annual crossover event. When Arize of Mojoworld sets out to free his dimension, the resulting mayhem draws in the X-Men and X-Factor – and the X-Force of the future! But what does it have to do with Longshot and Shatterstar?
The System Bytes (1992) – An annual crossover event. Punisher, Deathlok, Daredevil, Wonder Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy confronts an artificial intelligence after Micro’s computer becomes infected by a virus. Reading Order: Punisher Annual #5, Daredevil Annual #8, Wonder Man Annual #1, and Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #2.
Dead Man’s Hand (1992) – Wilson Fisk has fallen. Hydra, the Secret Empire, the Hand and more are looking to step into Fisk’s oversized shoes. Chaos is in the cards – and when violent vigilantes Nomad and the Punisher arrive in Sin City, all bets are off!
Rise of the Midnight Sons (1992) – Johnny Blaze and Dan Ketch race side-by-side as the Spirits of Vengeance, as Marvel’s Midnight Sons rise to face a hellish threat like no other!
X-Cutioner’s Song (1992-93) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. When Cyclops and Phoenix are kidnapped – and Cable seemingly assassinates Professor X – the X-Men, X-Factor, and X-Force go to war…with each other! Witness epic battles around the globe and on the moon as Mr. Sinister’s subtle plan of vengeance on Apocalypse unfolds and major revelations are made about the true identities of Cable and his twisted doppelganger Stryfe!
For Love Nor Money (1993) – Luke Cage, Terror, and Silver Sable compete with each other in the quest of Vatsayana’s Tryst, each looking for it for their own reasons.
Maximum Carnage (1993) – Symbiotes clash – with Spidey in the middle! Carnage, the spawn of Venom, has assembled an army of the web slinger’s criminally insane adversaries to spread his message of hostility, chaos and wholesale slaughter
The Infinity Crusade (1993) – The Goddess, Adam Warlock’s unadulterated good side, has come to bring peace and love to the universe. She has stopped all crime. Captain America and Spider-Man are on her side. Thanos and Mephisto stand against her. So how can the Goddess be the bad guy? As Earth’s heroes turn against one another, the Goddess’ true goals become apparent -and Adam Warlock must seek answers within! Prepare for a cosmic crisis…of faith!
Fatal Attractions (1993) – As Magneto’s Acolytes amp up their attacks on Homo sapiens everywhere, the X-teams join forces to put an end to the villainous zealots’ mad crusade once and for all. But has their leader, messianic madman Magneto, returned from the dead? And as a mysterious and fatal disease begins creeping through the mutant community, which X-Man will lose a loved one – and buckle under the strain?
Avengers/X-Men: Bloodties (1993) – Direct sequel to Fatal Attractions. Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. The X-Men and Avengers head for Genosha where civil war has erupted and Exodus & Cortez have arrived to fan the flames! Can even the X-Men and Avengers combined bring peace to a nation at war and defeat two madmen?
Midnight Massacre (1993) – Second Midnight Sons event, after Rise of the Midnight Sons. Blade gets possessed by a Darkhold page and transformed into the demon Switchblade. He then goes on a murdering spree targeting all supernatural beings. The Midnight Sons attempt to save him. Reading Order: Nightstalkers #10, Ghost Rider Vol. 3 #40, Darkhold #11, Morbius: The Living Vampire #12, Spirits of Vengeance #13
Thor: Blood & Thunder (1993-94) – When the God of Thunder goes berserk, the most powerful heroes in the universe may not be able to stop him! See Thor tear through the ranks of Beta Ray Bill, Silver Surfer, Adam Warlock, Dr. Strange, Drax the Destroyer and even Thanos! And when the mad Thor gets his hands on the Infinity Gem of Power, even Odin may be powerless to stop him!
Siege of Darkness (1993-94) – Sequel to the Rise of the Midnight Sons crossover. The demonic union of Zarathos and Lilith spells supernatural trouble for Earth unless the Midnight Sons can stop the carnage. Not collected.
Starblast (1994) – The Starblasters kidnap Uatu the Watcher, then install two thrusters on the Moon to push it out of orbit onto our planet. While Quasar and other Earth superheroes gather to investigate the changes of the Moon, the Starblasters also kidnap Kayla Ballantine, the actual owner of the Star Brand. Not collected.
Child’s Play (1994) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. The X-Force teams up with one of the most popular teams of heroes to come out of the nineties – the New Warriors! When the villainous Upstarts target former members of the New Mutants and Hellions for their latest hunt, the two teams find themselves in the crosshairs!
Hands of the Mandarin (1994-95) – Determined to end the age of technology and return the world to a feudal state, the Mandarin brings an all-out assault on Hong Kong, and the Force Works team must defeat him while Iron Man and War Machine’s friendship is brought to the breaking point.
Legion Quest (1994-95) – Prelude to Age of Apocalypse (includes in the reading order.) Legion’s once-shattered psyche is finally united, with a singular purpose – to make up for all the misery he has visited on his father, Charles Xavier. And to do it, he plans to make Xavier’s dream a reality – by traveling back in time to kill its greatest obstacle, Magneto! The X-Men scramble to stop him from altering history – but, lost in the past, can they thwart Legion’s misguided mission before the entire Marvel Universe is wiped away?
Age of Apocalypse (1995-96) – Charles Xavier is dead–killed in the past during a time-travel accident–and without his dream, the world has become a nightmare! Apocalypse rules with an iron fist, ruthlessly enforcing his “survival of the fittest” creed…but hidden among a downtrodden humankind are Magneto’s ragtag freedom fighters: the X-Men! Here is the full reading order.
Clone Saga (1994-96) – Peter Parker’s world is rocked like never before by the return of his clone, long thought dead. For years, the clone has lived in peace as “Ben Reilly,” but now he will be drawn back into wall-crawling action as the Scarlet Spider! But who or what is Kaine? Here is the full reading order.
The Crossing (1995) – A confluence of treason, transformation, and time travel! Warriors from the future and secrets from the past abound when Kang the Conqueror sets the Avengers and Force Works against each other in a game for a prize no one can imagine! This event was created to redefine Iron Man in the Marvel Universe and was followed by First Sign.
Onslaught Saga (1996-98) – One of the most powerful villains the Marvel Universe has ever seen changes everything for the Children of the Atom and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! Behold the psionic force of nature known as Onslaught – but what dread foe could terrify the unstoppable Juggernaut? As Cable battles Post, herald of the oncoming doom, Nate Grey faces a ghost from his past- and Onslaught gathers his forces! The Avengers join the X-Men to work out a battle plan – but could the answers lie with finding Magneto? And Charles Xavier has a troubling proposal for the Fantastic Four. But when Onslaught’s identity is revealed, who will be the traitor to the cause? Here is the full reading order.
Heroes Reborn (1996-97) – Marvel’s greatest heroes, revamped and reborn! Featuring Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, the FF and more — on a whole new world, boldly reimagined by the founders of Image Comics. Learn more about Heroes Reborn here.
Operation: Zero Tolerance (1997) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. A rogue government strike force, backed by powerful international forces and led by the mystery man known only as Bastion, has launched a massive strike against the X-Men. Jubilee and Professor X are already Bastion’s captives, and now Operation: Zero Tolerance and its insidious new Prime Sentinels have overrun the X-Mansion and imprisoned half the X-Men -leaving Iceman to fend for himself on the streets of New York! Now, Cable and the X-Men must fight a war on many fronts -but it’s a war they’re losing. Can even the arrival of Marrow, Maggott, and Cecilia Reyes turn the tide?
Eighth Day (1999) – Farallah, Cyttorak, Balthakk, Ikonn, Raggadorr, Watoomb, Valtorr, and Krakkan. Each of them created a totem which held a fraction of their vast power, and would transform the first human who touched into an exemplar, a living embodiment of that power.
Contest of Champions II (1999) – Earth’s heroes engage in a duel to near death…all for the amusement of the Badoon! Comic legend Chris Claremont delivers a gladiatorial showdown between Human Torch and Spider-Man! Only one hero can walk away with his life.
The Shattering (1999) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. The X-Men have stayed together in the face of countless threats, but what happens when the team’s leader simply disbands it? Marvel’s mightiest mutant mind snaps the team into pieces – but an unholy alliance of ancient and alien evils isn’t calling it quits, so neither will the X-Men!
The 2000s Marvel events and Crossovers
After the arduous ’90s, Marvel Comics came back from the brink with the Ultimate Universe, Marvel Knights, New X-Men, and… Big Events! Brian Michael Bendis became the Avengers’ main writer in 2004 and started his run by the destruction of the traditional roster of the team. From then on, the heroes of Marvel had to face One Event after Another. While House of M redefines the place of the X-Men, the superhero community imploded with the Civil War. If it wasn’t enough, a Secret Invasion happened and led the world into a Dark Reign.
We also entered The modern era of Marvel Cosmic, orchestrated by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. From the introduction of the actual Guardians of the Galaxy to the reinvention of Nova, the rise of the Inhumans, and epic space battles, this was simply the creation of a new classic epic saga!
The Twelve/Ages of Apocalypse (2000) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. Setting his grand plan for godhood into motion, Apocalypse dispatches his agents to capture the world’s most powerful mutants, the fabled Twelve: Professor X, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Iceman, Sunfire, Polaris, Cable, Bishop, Mikhail Rasputin, the Living Monolith, and Magneto. Having planted the seeds of the Twelve Legends, Apocalypse hopes to siphon their power, granting him omnipotence.
Nefaria Protocols (2000) – The T-Bolts and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes stand side-by-side against Count Nefaria, master of ionic energy! But before they can confront the Count, they’ll have to deal with their own ion-empowered teammates, Atlas and Wonder Man – both of whom have fallen under Nefaria’s thrall and now act as his henchmen.
Maximum Security (2000-01) – Welcome to Earth: penal colony for the universe’s deadliest villains! When the civilized alien races-influenced by the Supreme Intelligence and his newly evolved Kree-tire of Earth’s involvement in their affairs, they decide to make it their new prison planet! Here is the full reading order.
Dream’s End (2001) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. For too long mutants were threatened by the twin specters of the Legacy Virus and anti-mutant politics. Now, the X-Men hope to end both threats, but at what cost to their oldest and dearest? Are there deaths from which even the X-Men can’t return?
Eve of Destruction (2001) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. Magneto menaces the world once again – but while he threatens to spread war, the X-Men are trapped in Genosha! It’s up to Phoenix to lead a new team to victory, but can she manage it? Can they? Guest-starring Dazzler, Northstar, Corsair of the Starjammers and more!
Kang Dynasty (2001-02) – The warlord known as Kang the Conqueror returns – and this time he’s enslaving the entire Earth!
Infinity Abyss (2002) – Spider-Man. Doctor Strange. Adam Warlock. Pip the Troll. Captain Marvel. Five classic costumed champions, whose combined strength can move planets and change the course of time itself. What threat could be dire enough to bring these heroes together? Only the most feared villain in the entire cosmos: Thanos! For the vengeful Eternal seeks not only the death of his enemies – he seeks the eradication of life itself.
Secret War (2004-05) – When Nick Fury finds a disturbing connection between many of Marvel’s deadliest villains, he puts together a ragtag team of the MU’s most misunderstood heroes for a secret mission to do what the US government could never allow, eventually leading to a super-powered blowout between a who’s who of NYC heroes and mutants.
Avengers Disassembled (2004-05) – It begins with the return of a team member thought dead – and by the time it’s over, everything you know about the Avengers will have changed! Here is the full reading order.
House of M (2005) – The Scarlet Witch is out of control, and the fate of the entire world is in her hands. Will Magneto help his daughter or use her powers to his own benefit? Here is the full reading order.
Wild Kingdom (2005) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. Investigating a sudden outburst of strange, mutated wild animals in Africa, the X-Men – led by Storm – come face to face with something worse: mutant bio-organisms the likes of which the world has never seen. The key to unraveling their secret – and defeating them – may lie in that region’s protector – the Black Panther!
The Other: Evolve or Die (2005-06) – The lives of Peter Parker and everyone close to him change forever! Haunted by unsettling dreams. Disturbed by a growing sense of dread. Convinced that people are out to get him. A portrait of someone on the edge of a nervous breakdown? Nah. Simply a typical day for Peter Parker, as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has to contend with a new and deadly opponent named Tracer, self-defense lessons with Captain America and some disturbing news that will change his life in a distinctly negative manner.
Civil War (2006-07) – The Marvel Universe is changing. In the wake of a tragedy, Capitol Hill proposes the Super Hero Registration Act, requiring all costumed heroes to unmask themselves before the government. Divided, the nation’s greatest champions must each decide how to react – a decision that will alter the course of their lives forever! Here is the full reading order.
Annihilation (2006-07) – First part of the modern Marvel Cosmic saga. Marvel’s cosmic superstars return in explosive, widescreen sci-fi style! Annihilus, lord of the Negative Zone, has declared war! And as his unstoppable Annihilation Wave swarms into the Marvel Universe, demolishing all in its path, only a handful of heroes can resist the destruction! As Nova learns the ways of war from Drax the Destroyer, the Silver Surfer seeks out his former master Galactus for aid, the Super-Skrull fights for his son’s life, and Ronan the Accuser faces Gamora and her woman warriors! Nova and Quasar’s army leads the charge, but as heroes fall and Annihilus rises, the universe’s one remaining hope may be Thanos, the Mad Titan! Here is the full reading order.
Silent War (2007) – Old friends become deadly enemies as Gorgon leads a terrorist attack on New York and the Fantastic Four rally to defend their city against the Inhumans.
World War Hulk (2007) – It is recommended to read Planet Hulk before as this storyline leads us into this event. Hulk versus the world, in an epic story of anger unbound! Exiled by his so-called friends, the Hulk has raged, bled, and conquered the alien planet Sakaar. Now, he returns to Earth to wreak terrible vengeance on Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Doctor Strange, and Black Bolt -and anyone else who gets in the way! Madder than ever, stronger than ever, and accompanied by his monstrous Warbound allies, this time the Hulk may just tear this stupid planet in half! Here is the full reading order.
Endangered Species (2007) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. With three little words, the entire race was nearly obliterated. Every mutant who dies is one number closer to zero.
Messiah CompleX (2007-08) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. With no more mutants being born, the future of Homo superior has never looked bleaker. At the seeming end of their evolutionary cycle, a miracle arrives – in the form of the first child born with the X-gene since the tragic events of M-Day! But this sudden source of hope spawns a bloody, violent – and tragic – conflict for control over the baby girl’s fate. It is a battle in which every mutant on the planet has a stake.
Annihilation: Conquest (2008) – Second part of the modern Marvel Cosmic saga. In the aftermath of the Annihilation War, a devastated galaxy struggles to rebuild. The Nova Corps are destroyed, leaving only Richard Rider. Who will rise to guard the galaxy from the threat of Ultron? When the Kree homeworld is invaded by the techno-organic Phalanx, Star-Lord must lead a ragtag team into battle behind enemy lines with a lineup that includes Mantis, Bug, Groot and Rocket Raccoon! Here is the full reading order.
Secret Invasion (2008) – The shape-shifting alien race known as the Skrulls has secretly infiltrated every super-powered organization on Earth with one goal – full-scale invasion! Filled with shocking revelations and powerful action, this adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat as Marvel’s greatest heroes and villains ask – Who do you trust? Here is the full reading order.
Dark Reign (2008-2009) – Not a crossover or an event, Dark Reign was a branding used by Marvel to define the period dealing with the aftermath of the Secret Invasion. In total, it lasted more than 300 issues. This story came to an end with the event Siege. Here is the full reading order.
War of Kings (2009) – Third part of the modern Marvel Cosmic saga. A cosmic epic connecting the Inhumans, X-Men, and Guardians of the Galaxy! The Inhumans leave Earth and take their destined place as rulers of the Kree Empire! Meanwhile, Cyclops and Havok’s power-mad brother Vulcan claims the Shi’ar Empire’s throne, bringing the galaxy to the brink of destruction! With the Nova Corps, Starjammers, and Guardians caught in the middle, two empires make cosmic war…and the fallout might tear the galaxy in half! Here is the full reading order.
Messiah War (2009) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. Months ago, Cyclops gave Cable custody of the first mutant born since M-Day, an infant many see as mutantkind’s last hope. Cable took her into the future but soon found himself trapped there – with the relentless Bishop in hot pursuit, intent on killing the child. Now, Cyclops has finally located Cable, and is sending the black-ops squad X-Force forward in time to help – but Bishop has a horrifying new ally, and X-Force will find a death trap waiting for them! Is the child called Hope the savior of mutantkind, or the bringer of the Apocalypse? The past, present, and future converge in one blockbuster blowout!
Utopia/Nation X (2009) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. He has his own Avengers team and now Norman Osborn has his own Dark X-Men team. But what happens when Osborn turns his sights on the Uncanny X-Men? Then comes Nation X.
Necrosha (2009-10) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. The psychic vampire Selene is on a mad quest to devour enough souls to ascend to godhood, commencing a terrible reign over the planet! The X-Men, X-Force, and New Mutants stand ready to oppose her, but the Black Queen has brought backup–an undead army of the X-Men’s deceased friends and foes!
Siege (2009-2010) – The lines have been drawn in the final battle! Siege is the conclusion of the last full years full of events that began with Avengers Disassembled – and extended through House of M, Civil War, and Secret Invasion. On the brink of madness, Osborn, in his final bid to take total control, targets the final obstacle in his mission…Asgard. Events are set in motion forcing our heroes to put aside the deep rifts that have grown over the past seven years. Opposing them stand a horde of evil that has begun to take down the gods of the Golden Realm! Here is the full reading order.
Fall of the Hulks (2009-10) – The Hulk is gone–transformed back into Bruce Banner, seemingly forever. But Banner knows the Hulk never stays buried. He knows he must prepare. Banner locates Skaar, the Hulk’s half-alien son, who burns for revenge on his father. But he’s not nearly a match for the Hulk. So now it’s up to Banner to train the boy – to kill him once and for all!
Realm of Kings (2010) – Follow-up to War of Kings! In the final confrontation of the War of Kings, the wicked Vulcan and the Inhumans’ Black Bolt both disappeared in a violent explosion. And though that epic conflagration brought sudden order to the Shi’ar and Kree galaxies, it also ripped open a wound in the stars a galaxy-wide. Now, the power players in the new order must face the threat of a dangerous realm known as The Fault in their own unique ways…or die trying!
The 2010s Marvel Events and Crossovers
Superheroes dominated the Box Office during the 2010s, and it had an impact on the comic book pages. Many relaunches happened during this decade while Marvel was trying to find the good formula between cinema synergy, legacy characters, and new superheroes! Dan Slott’s tenure on Spider-Man made him one of the successes of this decade, with the development of the Spider-Verse. Captain America made the news by saying ‘Hail Hydra’, a story that found its conclusion in the Secret Empire Event.
Let’s not forget that the Marvel Universe was destroyed and relaunched following the Secret Wars, marking the conclusion of Jonathan Hickman’s shared Marvel Comics stories (let’s call it something like that). To conclude in beauty, Jason Aaron’s run on Thor came to an end with War of the Realms.
The Thanos Imperative (2010) – The dangerous cosmic fissure known as The Fault has ripped opened a portal to the Marvel Universe, spilling out the demented forces of a horrific mirror universe where there is no death and life prevails unchecked – the Cancerverse! From this dark realm, the evil Lord Mar-Vell – a twisted version of the legendary Captain Marvel – leads his army to claim our universe for their own! The greatest cosmic champions rise to stop them, but when even they cannot stop the forces of the Cancerverse, the fate of the universe lies in the hands of the cosmos’ never-say-die underdogs, the Guardians of the Galaxy!
World War Hulks (2010) – The FALL is over. Long wage the WAR. Red Hulk and Banner have failed, and their worst nightmares have come to kill them. Will they die fighting M.O.D.O.K. and his army of Hulks, or die at the hands of the Hulked-Out Heroes?
Second Coming (2010) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. As the mutant population declines, Cable returns from the future with Hope, the first mutant child in years, whom many believe to be a messiah, provoking the most formidable attack the X-Men have ever faced.
The Heroic Age (2010) – Like Dark Reign, The Heroic Age is a branding affecting several Marvel Books dealing with the new status quo following Siege. It mostly serves as relaunching the Avengers line.
Shadowland (2010) – It’s the battle for the soul of New York! After taking over the Hand, Daredevil attempts to convert the league of merciless ninja assassins into his own private army and begins doling out a darker brand of justice as he transforms Hell’s Kitchen into the Shadowland! With his forces now in control of the streets, not even the police are welcome. Spider-Man, Wolverine, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist led a group of heroes to confront their long-time ally, but Daredevil isn’t feeling diplomatic! Here is the full reading order.
Chaos War (2010) – Since the end of Secret Invasion, the Chaos King has amassed his army of alien slave gods—and the time to strike Earth is NOW! Only the greatest Marvel heroes can oppose him–all led by the newly returned god of heroes–Hercules! But are even his incredible new powers enough to stand against a mad god who seeks to destroy Reality itself?
Curse of the Mutants (2010-11) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. A human bomb explodes in San Francisco’s Union Square. Dozens are covered in blood. Jubilee is one of them. The former X-Man soon falls victim to a strange manufactured virus–all part of the plan of Xarus, son of Dracula! Xarus is the new lord of the vampires, having slain his father, and he has an ultimatum for the X-Men: join his ranks as vampires, or perish!
Age of X (2011) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. In a world where the X-Men never existed and mutantkind has been hunted to extinction, the few remaining Homo Superiors have banded together to make their last stand. The weary mutants spend each day securing the walls of their stronghold, Fortress X, in a seemingly endless battle to beat back the anti-mutant forces that would see them wiped out. But when a conspiracy is discovered within Fortress X itself, could it be that mutantkind’s last bastion will crumble from the inside out? When the dust settles, no one will be left unscathed–but what is the terrible truth about the Age of X?
Schism (2011) – Go to the X-Men Reading Order for more information. It’s never been a more dangerous time to be a mutant. Even with their numbers at a record low, the world refuses to trust mutantkind. And after a mutant-triggered international incident, anti-mutant hatred hits new heights. Of course, it’s at this moment, when the mutant race most needs to stand together, that a split begins that will tear apart the very foundation of the X-Men. The aftermath was dealt under the “X-Men: Regenesis” branding.
Fear Itself/Shattered Heroes (2011) – When a powerful and ancient evil overtakes our world, each hero must make a sacrifice to save the Earth. But as the Serpent’s mystical hammers transform friend and foe alike into unstoppable agents of destruction, as terror takes hold and the Serpent’s power grows, as Odin prepares to burn the Earth to cinders to save his people–it’s not these sacrifices the Avengers fear. It’s the knowledge that no matter what price they pay, this battle may be unwinnable. Heroes will fall, gods will die, and fear will rule the day–as the hammer falls! Here is the full reading order.
Exiled (2012) – A forgotten hero returns! He’s mightier than Thor himself, but will the truth behind his exile consume them all? Gods are made mortal, with mutants their only hope for survival! Undead cannibals are on the loose, and San Francisco is turned inside out by forbidden magic!
Spider-Island (2012) – Longtime Spider-foe the Jackal has unleashed an insidious virus upon New York City; now, Manhattan is crawling with a million people possessing all the powers of Spider-Man – but none of the responsibility! Spidey’s doing all he can to restore order, but it’ll take a lot more than just one Spider-Man to save the day! Enter the Avengers, Spider-Girl, Black Panther, Hercules, and more of Marvel’s greatest heroes! Here is the full reading order.
Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) – The world-destroying Phoenix Force is back — and while the Avengers are intent on stopping it, Cyclops and his X-Men have other ideas. To Captain America, the Phoenix threatens doom. To Cyclops, it could mean salvation. Marvel’s two greatest leaders wage war, with the Phoenix’s chosen host — Hope Summers — caught in the middle. Here is the full reading order.
Following the conclusion of Avengers vs. X-Men, Marvel relaunched under the “Marvel NOW!” banner.
Age of Ultron (2013) – For years, the Marvel Universe has lived in fear that the artificial intelligence known as Ultron would one day evolve to fulfill its greatest desire: to wipe out all organic life and take over the Earth. That day has arrived! The impossible has happened and Ultron rules the planet! And as the few superhero survivors that remain try desperately to stay alive, Luke Cage learns the staggering secret of Ultron’s victory. Here is the full reading order.
Infinity (2013) – To save the world from ever-greater dangers, the Avengers got bigger. Yet when the oldest race in the universe marks Earth for destruction, it’s time for Captain America to think grander still. As the most powerful Avengers team ever assembled heads into space to join an intergalactic alliance against the ancient Builders, an old enemy deems their home unprotected. Thanos, the Mad Titan, unleashes his forces on Earth in the latest chapter of his endless quest for death. Here is the full reading order. This is recommended to be read with Hickman’s run on Avengers/New Avengers.
Inhumanity (2013-14) – For millennia, they were hidden in plain sight. They could be your doctor. Your mailman. Maybe even you. But now the kingdom of Attilan has fallen to Earth. Its royal family has been torn apart. And the Terrigen Bomb has revealed the Inhumans in mankind’s midst. As individuals across the globe manifest uncanny new abilities, the Avengers, X-Men, Hulk, Spider-Man, and more face a world forever altered. And with her husband gone, Queen Medusa must unite her scattered people and lead them into a new Inhuman Age. Here is the full reading order.
X-Termination (2013) – Nightcrawler just wants to get home, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get there. With the fabric of reality at stake, Wolverine calls in a team to confront the doppelganger of their dead friend. But are they ready to do what’s necessary?
The Enemy Within (2013) – Vicious echoes of the Avengers’ past are cropping up all over Manhattan…but Captain Marvel, grounded since a recent and mysterious power loss, refuses to be left behind. Who is the sinister figure behind these incursions, and what does it have to do with Carol Danvers’ mysterious condition? And the most disturbing question of all…is this villain even real? Or just a figment of Captain Marvel’s increasingly deadly imagination?
Battle of the Atom (2013) – In a desperate bid to save Xavier’s dream, the Beast brought the original X-Men forward to the present. Now, with the timeline – and all of existence – in jeopardy from their presence, they must go back. But faced with the horror of what fate would have in store for them, young Cyclops and Marvel Girl are intent on staying and forging their own destiny.
Revolutionary War (2014) – The UK’s greatest heroes come together for the first time in 20 years to face a threat that could destroy the world! A troubling vision in Darkmoor Castle portends the horrible truth: the sinister MyS-Tech organization has returned! When their magical cloning experiments are discovered, Dark Angel and the Knights of Pendragon have no choice but to return to action!
The Trial of Jean Grey (2014) – When an alien race discovers that Jean Grey – host of the destructive Phoenix Force – is back on Earth, they decide to hold her accountable for the heinous acts of Dark Phoenix! Now, it’s up to the spacefaring Guardians of the Galaxy to help the All-New X-Men save Jean from twisted intergalactic justice!
Original Sin (2014) – Who shot the Watcher? Uatu, the mysterious space god who’s been watching mankind from the moon for as long as we can remember…is dead. Thus begins the greatest murder mystery in Marvel history! As Nick Fury leads the heroes of the Marvel Universe in an investigation, other forces are marshaling and other questions are arising. Here is the full reading order.
AXIS (2014) – The Red Onslaught is broadcasting waves of telepathic hate across the globe–and Marvel’s greatest heroes have turned on their moral axis! What will the Avengers and X-Men find in the Red Skull’s bleak “re-education camps”? What is Tony Stark’s dark secret? And with the heroes “inverted” to evil, who will stand against them? How about an army of villains?! Here is the full reading order.
Death of Wolverine (2014) – Set at the beginning of AXIS. The man called Logan is no stranger to death. Now, at the end of a long and violent life, he faces his own date with the reaper–but you can be sure Wolverine will go out fighting! The impact of his demise will be felt far and wide–as X-23, Daken, Sabretooth, Mystique, and Lady Deathstrike continue to shape Logan’s legacy. But who are the latest subjects of the revamped Weapon X program? Here is the full reading order.
Spider-Verse (2014-15) – When the evil Inheritors begin exterminating spider characters throughout the Multiverse, every single Spider-Man ever is needed to save the day! An interdimensional Spider-Army gathers to fight Morlun and his deadly family, but none of them is safe as the Prophecy comes to fruition! What will this brutal war for survival mean for Peter Parker and the rest of the spiders? Here is the full reading order.
The Black Vortex (2015) – The Black Vortex, an ancient artifact imbued with immeasurable power, is now in the hands of Mr. Knife! With billions of lives potentially at stake, Peter Quill, the Legendary Star-Lord, is going to have to dust off his thieving gloves. But with Knife’s Slaughter Squad protecting him, Peter’s probably going to need some help…
Time Runs Out (2014) – This is a prelude to Secret Wars. After the revelation of the Illuminati’s desperate, world-shattering actions, the Avengers are fragmented. While one group seeks out the Illuminati for a confrontation, another takes the fight to the new Cabal! But what has become of Tony Stark and Doctor Strange?
Secret Wars (2015-16) – The interdimensional Incursions have eliminated each and every alternate universe one by one. And now, the Marvel Universe and Ultimate Universe have collided…and been destroyed! All that exists in the vast empty cosmos is a single, titanic patchwork planet made of the fragmented remains of hundreds of devastated dimensions: Battleworld! And the survivors of this multiversal catastrophe all bend their knees to Battleworld’s master: Doctor Doom! Here is the full reading order.
The Marvel Universe has been destroyed. A new universe has been established. This is the beginning of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel” branding.
Spider-Women (2016) – Jessica Drew, Spider-Woman, has decided to step up her mentoring of the younger, less-experienced Gwen Stacy and Cindy Moon (go to Silk Reading Order). But when the trio gets trapped in Gwen’s Universe, at the hands of an alternate Cindy Moon and her sinister organization S.I.L.K., there’s not time for any more practice.
Avengers: Standoff! (2016) – Three shield-wielders past and present–Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, and Sam Wilson–find themselves in a standoff, with high and very personal stakes. And this tense conflict quickly escalates out of control, drawing in several Avengers teams! But it all begins in the small town of Pleasant Hill, an idyllic community with friendly neighbors…and a terrible, dark secret.
Civil War II (2016) – A new Inhuman emerges, with the ability to profile the future, and the ramifications ripple into every corner of the Marvel Universe. Lines are drawn, bodies fall, and the Marvel Universe will be rocked to its very core. Here is the full reading order.
Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy (2016-17) – The Jackal is back and has conquered mortality–now many of Spider-Man’s firmest friends and fiercest foes are dead no more! Outmatched by this classic army, does the wall-crawler have a chance? Should he even stand in the way if the Jackal has the key to eternal life? If Spider-Man doesn’t have the answers, ask…Doctor Octopus! Here is the full reading order.
Monsters Unleashed (2017) – It’s all hands on deck across the Marvel Universe to deal with the giant-size fallout! But who are these Leviathons that have been unleashed across the Earth? Who controls them? And can even the combined forces of the Avengers, Champions, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and Inhumans stop them before they trample everything into dust?!
Death of X (2016) – This is an optional introduction to the Inhumans vs. X-Men events. The Inhumans travel to Japan where one of the Terrigen Clouds creates a shocking new Inhuman. The X-Men travel to Muir Island where the second Terrigen Cloud causes something truly terrible. When these two events collide a war of catastrophic proportions explodes!
Inhumans vs X-Men (2016-17) – The X-Men and Inhumans have been on a collision course ever since the link was proven between the Inhumans’ precious Terrigen Mist and the sickness and death of many mutants. And when the Beast discovers that mutantkind has only two weeks left before planet Earth becomes completely uninhabitable for them, an Inhuman/mutant war is unavoidable! Here is the full reading order.
Secret Empire (2017) – Captain America, Sentinel of Liberty, is living a lie! The Cosmic Cube has remade the world’s greatest hero into a secret true believer in the cause of Hydra, wholly dedicated to its mission of progress through authority and unity through adversity! Now, using the trust and respect he’s been accorded by the great powers of the Marvel Universe, Steve Rogers makes Hydra’s ideals a reality–and changes the landscape of the world dramatically! Here is the full reading order.
Following the conclusion of Secret Empire, Marvel brought a bigger focus on the core superheroes with the “Marvel Legacy” relaunch
Weapons of Mutant Destruction (2017) – The mutant-hunting Weapon X Program and its new director are out to end Homo superior once and for all with their army of cyborg killers – and they’ve put a target on the back of Amadeus Cho as well! To save his gamma-infused hide, the Hulk must ally with Old Man Logan, Sabretooth, and more – but, in the company of killers, what will he become?
Worlds Collide (2017-18) – The countdown has started as the High Evolutionary sets the Earth on a collision course with destruction! The Avengers and the Champions are ready to meet this threat–but not everyone agrees on how best to combat it!
Poison X (2018) – X-Men Blue and Venom must band together in the cold reaches of space to protect our universe from a threat more diabolical than you can imagine. But will Eddie Brock, his faithful symbiote Marvel Girl, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, and Angel be enough to save this universe?
Damnation (2018) – The city of sin gets its biggest sinner yet! When Doctor Strange raises Las Vegas up from its destruction during Secret Empire, he inadvertently opens a big door for the embodiment of evil, Mephisto! The devilish villain takes the city for himself and sets his sights on the rest of the world. It’s going to take heroes from all over the Marvel Universe to defeat him, but there’s nothing simple about fighting the lord of Hell. Here is the full reading order.
It’s time for a Fresh Start, the latest Marvel relaunch!
Infinity Wars (2018) – The Infinity Stones are back. Individually, they grant their wielders great power. Together, they bestow the power of a god! As each stone’s location is discovered, forces converge for a battle that will send the universe down a dark path…to the end! Featuring the Chitauri, the Raptors, the Nova Corps, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Adam Warlock, and more surprising Stone-wielders! But who, or what, is Requiem? When she warps the Marvel Universe in half, what surprising heroes will assemble to stand against her? And when death comes at last, who will fall? Here is the full reading order (including Infinity Countdown).
Extermination (2018) – The original team of teen mutants brought together by Professor Charles Xavier many years ago has been shunted through time to find a world they barely recognized but were determined to help. Now, finding themselves targeted for death, the future of mutantkind ays squarely in the hands of its past.
Spider-Geddon (2018) – The Inheritors have escaped their radioactive prison planet and made their way to the Marvel Universe. As the villains draw first blood, a whole Spider Army must reunite to keep them at bay! Here is the full reading order.
Age of X-Man (2019) – The X-Men have helped make the world into a utopia where no one lives in fear and hatred is a thing of the past. All people are united under the banner of mutantkind, and all of mutantkind idolize the X-Men. Jean Grey! Colossus! Storm! X-23! X-Man! Nature Girl! Magneto! And of course, the amazing Nightcrawler! When danger threatens the world, the Marvelous X-Men set things right for the good of all. And no one dares say otherwise. Here is the full reading order.
War of the Realms (2019) – Malekith, king of the Dark Elves, has been conquering the Ten Realms and now has his sights set on the last one: Earth. And with armies of Frost Giants, Fire Goblins, trolls, angel warriors, Roxxon corporate soldiers, the Enchantress and the prince of lies himself, Loki, at his side, Malekith may just succeed. Asgardia is no more, Old Asgard is in ruins, and the majority of Asgardians are refugees on Earth. Now Thor and Earth’s heroes are all that stand in Malekith’s way! Here is the full reading order
Absolute Carnage (2019) – Carnage, the psychotic offspring of Venom, has returned–and he plans to slaughter everyone who’s ever worn a symbiote! Cletus Kasady has skirted the periphery of the Marvel Universe for months, but now he stands poised to make his grand return to New York–and he’s more powerful than ever! Here is the full reading order.
Annihilation Scourge (2019) – The Negative Zone is under siege! Now the Lord of the Negative Zone, Annihilus, makes a call for help to the very heroes he once fought against! It’s an all-out battle as Nova, Silver Surfer and some of your favorite cosmic heroes try to prevent the next annihilation. Here is the full reading order.
The 2020s Marvel Events and Crossovers
This is where we are now!
Empyre (2020) – Old allies make a distress call to the Avengers with news of a terrible enemy that could wipe out humanity itself. The Celestial Messiah has returned – but is Earth ready to hear his message? Meanwhile, in the most unlikely of places, the Fantastic Four witness the final conflict of the Kree/Skrull War…and a long-hidden Elder of the Universe stands revealed! With the Kree and the Skrulls united under a new emperor, their war fleet charts a course – for Earth! Here is the full reading order.
X of Swords (2020) – A tower. A mission. A gathering of armies. Swords will be drawn in the first epic crossover of the astonishing Dawn of X! Wolverine, the X-Men, Cable, X-Force, Excalibur, X-Factor, the New Mutants, the Marauders, the Hellions and the rest of Krakoa’s residents will all feel the effects — but which ten mutants will wield the blades? Here is the full reading order.
Iron Man 2020 (2020) – Now, Arno Stark is Iron Man—and has taken control of all of 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. Here is the full reading order.
Outlawed (2020) – Our young heroes are facing federal pressure as the United States passes a new law in the wake of a devastating tragedy making superheroes under the age of 21 become outlaws. Here is the full reading order.
King in Black (2021) – After a campaign across the galaxy, Knull’s death march arrives on Earth and, worse yet, he hasn’t come alone! With an army of hundreds of thousands of symbiote dragons at his command, the King in Black is a force unlike any Earth’s heroes have ever faced. Here is the full reading order.
Hellfire Gala (2021) – The X-Men are rolling out the red carpet for the biggest Krakoan event of the season—and this high-class hardcover details every drink, dance, dalliance, and deception at the Hellfire Gala! You are cordially invited to join the mutant party to end all mutant parties. Everyone will be there—all of your favorite X-Men, their closest allies … and even their worst enemies. For Emma Frost and the Hellfire Trading Company, it’s an opportunity to show off the newfound power for both herself and for Krakoa as a nation. The very first elected team of Krakoan X-Men will at last be revealed to the world … and that’s just the first of the surprises in store for the evening! Here is the full reading order.
Heroes Reborn (2021) – A world without Avengers! Welcome to a world where Tony Stark never built an Iron Man armor. Where Thor is a hard-drinking atheist who despises hammers. Where Wakanda is dismissed as a myth. And where Captain America was never found in the ice because there were no Avengers to find him. Instead, this world has always been protected by Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Squadron Supreme of America. And now the Squadron faces an attack from some of their fiercest enemies. But why is the Daywalker Blade the one man alive who seems to remember that the entire world has somehow been…reborn? Here is the full reading order.
The Last Annihilation (2021) – The entire galaxy is under attack, the likes of which haven’t been seen since Annihilus first waged war. Now, five different planets are simultaneously under threat from a mysterious foe. This is what the new Guardians were built to do. But will it be too much? This summer… the war to end all wars begins. And not everyone’s going to come home. Here is the full reading order.
Spider-Man: Sinister War (2021) – Doctor Octopus is Back! Ock’s got a new Sinister Six and if you think he’s thought big in the past, think again. What Ock DOESN’T know is that the VULTURE has a sextet of his own: THE SAVAGE SIX! It’s an all-out WAR between two of the greatest villains in the Marvel Universe, and the only person they hate more than each other is SPIDER-MAN! Here is the full reading order.
Death of Doctor Strange (2021) – Doctor Stephen Strange is known as the world’s greatest neurosurgeon and Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme (except for that time when, you know, Loki took that title). He defends our planet from the supernatural and interdimensional threats no other hero is equipped to handle. But what would happen if he unexpectedly died? Who would protect Earth and keep the mystical evils at bay? And most importantly…who killed Stephen Strange?! Here is the full reading order.
Devil’s Reign (2021) – Kingpin, the mayor of New York, has declared war on Superheroes. So now Daredevil, Spiderman, and a lot of other heroes fight back an army of Supervillains at The Kingpin’s command. Here is the full reading order.
Reckoning War (2022) – A cosmic saga years in the making! Before the Kree, Skrull, or Shi’ar Empires…before the emergence of Galactus…before the birth of Asgard…there was the First War. The greatest conflict to ever rage across the Multiverse. Today, it is reignited. This…is the Day of Reckoning! And all that stands between all of reality and revenge from the dawn of time are the heroes of Earth – and the mind of Mister Fantastic! Here is the full reading order.
A.X.E.: Judgment Day (2022) – The battle for the planet is here! The X-Men claim they’re Earth’s new gods. The Eternals know that the position is already filled. And the Avengers are about to realize exactly how many secrets their so-called friends have been keeping from them! Years of tension are about to lead to a volcanic eruption — and two worlds will burn! Who has leaked the X-Men’s secrets to their latest foes? Why is Tony Stark abducting an old friend? And who stands in judgment over the whole world? Here is the full reading order.
Dark Web (2022) – The worlds of Spider-Man and the X-Men collide, thanks to the unholy alliance of Madelyne Pryor, AKA the Goblin Queen, and Ben Reilly, now known as Chasm! The two most famous and famously wronged clones are back…and they’re going to claim what’s rightfully theirs! The Dark Web they spin over Manhattan is going to change the NYC skyline forever! Here is the full reading order.
X-Men Sins of Sinister (2023) – From his vaunted position on the Quiet Council of Krakoa, Mister Sinister has plotted and schemed. Now, at last, his plans come to fruition beyond his wildest dreams … and his darkest nightmares! Can the X-Men survive the experience? Can anyone? Here is the full reading order.
Captain America: Cold War (2023) – Bucky Barnes, the newest player in a nefarious game that spans all of civilization, makes his most deadly move yet — teaming up with Sam Wilson’s nemesis, Hunter, the White Wolf! When Steve Rogers’ adoptive son Ian, A.K.A. Nomad, is abducted by someone Steve thought a friend, he suspects Bucky’s hand at work and calls upon the people who know Ian best–Sam, Sharon Carter, and Misty Knight–to help him get to the bottom of the attack. Here is the full reading order.
Summer of Symbiotes (2023) – With his soul trapped within the Extrembiote Armor created by Tony Stark during the King in Black event, Cletus has the means to level an untold amount of chaos and, well, carnage on New York City and the entire Marvel Universe. But like any good Tony Stark invention, the Extremis coursing through Cletus’ symbiotic veins needs POWER, and that means Cletus is HUNGRY. Good thing Brooklyn’s very own Spider-Man is there to stand in his way! If he survives their first encounter, that is. Here is the full reading order.
Contest of Chaos (2023) – An annual crossover event. Recently rejuvenated and more powerful than ever, Agatha has more stake in the future of the Marvel Universe than ever before, and readers and characters alike are about to see just how committed she is to reshaping Marvel magic!
Marvel’s Gang War (2023) – Hobgoblin, Mr. Negative, the Owl, Shotgun, Diamondback, A.I.M., Hydra, and more battle with and against each other to gain total control of the city. To stop this folly, Spider-Man has to lead a group of heroes–including Spider-Man Miles Morales, She-Hulk, Daredevil, Shang-Chi, and Spider-Woman–in order to take down the super-gangs in under 48 hours. Here is the full reading order.
Blood Hunt (2024) – The skies have gone dark, the sun hiding its face from the carnage to come. The children of the night, the vampires, have risen from the dark and hidden places of the world as one to drown the Marvel Universe in blood. Earth’s final night has fallen—can even the heroes of this doomed world stem the tide of blood that is to come? A dawn might assuredly come, but not before the universe is drenched in crimson!” Here is the full reading order.
The Infinity Watch (2024) – An annual crossover event. Coming Soon!
I just want to send a big thanks for your work on this site. This is truly a major undertaking, it changed my reading of the DC and Marvel comic. Thank you!
Thank you for your comment! We’re happy our website helps you have a better reading experience!
Hi, I saw that some of the comics were unlinked. Is that because you guys haven’t gotten it yet?
Hi Khaleb,
There are several events we haven’t yet covered. If we have covered them, we indicate it with a “full reading order here”.
If there are no links at all, in general, it is because the event has not been collected, there is no edition in TPB or other available.
Hope it helps!
Where does Planet Hulk fit in amongst all this?
Planet Hulk is the storyline that lead to World War Hulk (see the reading order)
I’m confused. Is this supposed to be chronological? It seems not since the X-Men Reading Orders have events in an order that is contrary to this list. I’m attempting to combine this with Avengers, Spider-Man, Hulk(s), and X-Men.
Please answer? Anyway I decided after failing too many times to just read the main stories first and proceed with the different groups/individuals after. I’s far too complicated to merge all the stories of Spider-Man, Venom, Carnage, X-Men, Avengers, Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, and Deadpool into one continuity.
To answer your question, I’ll need more details. There are multiple decades of X-Men stories to go through and a LOT of events.
We are interested in rectifying errors or explaining some choices made–this particular page follows the chronological order of publication and we are talking about Marvel, so it’s no surprise that there may be some confusion. The goal of this page is not to be a reading order, but a list of all of the events and crossovers as there are always more stories between each event.
Anyway, I would not recommend you to try merging all those characters if you cherish your sanity. I almost lost mine doing the X-Men guides and I need to go back to them to try to make them easier to follow as new printings of old stories help streamline some parts that are almost impossible to read properly in any possible way.