The main event of 2019 in the Marvel Universe, The War of the Realms was written by Jason Aaron (with art by Russell Dauterman) who was, at that time, also the writer of the main Thor series. It was the culmination of his run, the conclusion of a story arc he started a long time ago.
For some time now, the Dark Elf known as Malekith the Accursed has been conquering the Ten Realms one by one until there is only one left: Midgard (Earth!). Thor lost his precious Mjolnir, but he’s still fighting to prevent the war. With a lot of Asgardian warriors and Earth’s heroes, they must now fight against a full-on invasion and defeat Malekith.
What to read before The War of the Realms?
Being a Thor Event, The War of the Realms story began in the Thor series. Jason Aaron wrote organically the progression of Malekith the Accursed’s plan into his series from The Goddess of Thunder storyline to the crossover – see the full reading order of his run. That said, you’ll only need to read the last relaunch of the series, Thor #1–11.
It’s optional, but Avengers by Jason Aaron Vol. 2: World Tour is a good introduction to the last iteration of the Avengers team (and the Agents of Wakanda) at the center of The War of the Realms event.
Also, the easiest way to read the essential issues before immersing yourself in The War of the Realms event is a book Marvel published called War of the Realms Prelude.
- Thor Vol. 1: God of Thunder Reborn
Collects Thor (2018) #1-6. - Thor Vol. 2: Road To War Of The Realms
Collects Thor (2018) #7-11. - Avengers by Jason Aaron Vol. 2: World Tour (optional)
Collects Avengers (2018) #7-12 - War of the Realms Prelude
Collects Thor (1966) #344; Thor: God of Thunder #13, 17; Mighty Thor (2015) #1-2, 13-14, 22 and material from Thor: God of Thunder #25; Mighty Thor (2015) #4, 700; Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla.
The War of the Realms Reading Order:
The War of the Realms Reading Order by Collected Editions:
- War of the Realms Omnibus (1576 pages!)
Collects War Of The Realms #1-6, War Of The Realms Omega #1, War Of The Realms: War Scrolls #1-3, War Of The Realms Strikeforce: The Land Of The Giants #1, War Of The Realms Strikeforce: The Dark Elf Realm #1, War Of The Realms Strikeforce: The War Avengers #1, Giant-Man #1-3, War Of The Realms: Journey Into Mystery #1-5, Spider-Man & The League Of Realms #1-3, War Of The Realms: The Punisher #1-3, War Of The Realms: Uncanny X-Men #1-3, War Of The Realms: New Agents Of Atlas #1-4, Asgardians Of The Galaxy #8-10, Tony Stark: Iron Man #12-13, Venom #13-15, Thor (2018) #8-16, Avengers #18-20, Captain Marvel #6-7, Champions #5-6, Deadpool #13-14, Fantastic Four #10, Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur #43, Superior Spider-Man #7-8, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #43-46.
- War of the Realms
Collects War of the Realms #1-6. - Thor Vol. 3: War’s End
Collects Thor (2018) #12-16. - Asgardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2: War Of The Realms
Collects Asgardians of the Galaxy #6-10. - War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery
Collecting: War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #1-5. - War Of The Realms: Uncanny X-Men
Collects War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men #1-3 and material from War of the Realms: War Scrolls #2. - War Of The Realms Strikeforce
Collects War of the Realms Strikeforce: The Land of the Giants, The Dark Elf Realm and The War Avengers. - War Of The Realms: Spider-Man/Daredevil
Collects War of the Realms: Spider-Man & The League of the Realms #1-3 and material from War of the Realms: War Scrolls #1-3. - War Of The Realms: The Punisher
Collects War of the Realms: The Punisher #1-3, War Scrolls #3 and material from War of the Realms: Omega. - War Of The Realms: New Agents Of Atlas
Collects War Of The Realms: New Agents Of Atlas #1-4. - Venom: War of the Realms
Collects Venom (2018) #13-16, Venom: Cult of Carnage #1.
The War of the Realms Reading Order: Issue by Issue
What you need to know is that this crossover is an editorial mess. There are so many tie-in books and it seems half of it doesn’t make sense chronologically speaking. Most of the tie-ins are optional, especially the miniseries.
In truth, I think the main “War Of The Realms” series, “War of Realms Strikeforce Dark Elf Realm,” “War Of The Realms: War Scrolls,” “Thor” “and War Of The Realms Omega” are a must-read for this event. The rest, you read them after War Of The Realms #2 and before War Of The Realms #6, in what order you like.
- Tony Stark – Iron Man #12-13 (considered as part of the event, but really optional)
- War of the Realms #1
- Asgardians of the Galaxy #8
- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #43
- War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #1
- Thor #12
- War of the Realms #2
- War of the Realms: Punisher #1-3
- War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men #1
- War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1
- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #44
- War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #2
- Asgardians of the Galaxy #9
- Fantastic Four #10
- Giant-Man #1
- Avengers #18
- Venom #13-15 (find more about it in Venom by Donny Cates Reading Order)
- War of the Realms #3
- War of the Realms Strikeforce – The Land Of Giants #1
- Superior Spider-man #7-8
- War of the Realms Strikeforce Dark Elf Realm #1
- War of the Realms: War Scrolls #1
- Champions vol. 3 #5
- Avengers #19
- War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #2
- War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #3
- War of the Realms Strikeforce – The War Avengers #1
- War of the Realms #4
- Spider-Man & The League of Realms #1-2
- War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men #2
- Thor #13
- Giant-Man #2
- Avengers #20
- War of the Realms: War Scrolls #2
- War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #3
- War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #4
- War of the Realms #5
- Captain Marvel #6
- Captain Marvel #7
- Deadpool #13-14
- Giant-Man #3
- Asgardians of the Galaxy #10
- Champions vol. 3 #6
- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #45
- War of the Realms: War Scrolls #3
- Spider-Man & The League of Realms #3
- War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #5
- War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men #3
- War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #4
- Thor #14
- War of the Realms #6
- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #46
- War of the Realms Omega
What to Read after The War of the Realms?
In the collected edition, you’ll find issues 15 & 16 of Thor. What happens in those issues occurs after War of the Realms Omega, telling us where the characters are going.
The War of the Realms marks the end of Jason Aaron run on Thor. It is the culmination of his work on the character. The real “end” of his run is not at all connected to the event. In fact, it takes place in the future. Also, the new Valkyrie – Jane Foster began here.