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Your Guide to Comic Reading Orders

Navigate the multiverse of comics with confidence

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New timelines

Fantastic Four by Four

Fantastic Four by Four

Marvel Comics
1981-2012

A timeline of Fantastic Four reading orders centered on four of the most influential FF authors - each a jump on point for any new FF readers. Follow the team’s evolution through Byrne’s character-driven reinvention, Simonson’s cosmic epics, Waid’s emotional re-grounding, and Hickman’s multiversal saga of legacy and destiny.

In 4 parts
182 Issues
182 Essential
Completist Reading Time
86 hours
Geoff Johns' DC (by series)

Geoff Johns' DC (by series)

DC Comics
1999-present

Geoff Johns’ DC Comics work is defined by revitalizing iconic characters and teams—like Green Lantern, The Flash, and the Justice League—while weaving epic storylines that blend continuity reverence with modern twists. Note: This isn't really in a chronological reading order, but rather broken down into his work on each major series. You can find links to crossovers within each reading order.

In 13 parts
759 Issues
693 Essential
Completist Reading Time
442 hours
Watchmen

Watchmen

DC Comics
1986-2019

A shadowy timeline spanning decades, this DC saga threads together Before Watchmen and Watchmen with the main DC Universe through reality-shifting events like The Button, Superman: Reborn, and The Oz Effect, culminating in Doomsday Clock, where past and present collide to reshape the future of continuity itself.

In 3 parts
89 Issues
61 Essential
Completist Reading Time
51 hours

New event reading orders

Spider-Man: Dark Web

Spider-Man: Dark Web

Marvel Comics
2022

Dark Web sees Peter Parker and his clone Ben Reilly clash as demonic forces overtake New York in a supernatural battle fueled by twisted memories and vengeance.

27 Issues
11 Essential
Completist Reading Time
12 hours
Main Teams/Characters
Spider-Man, X-Men
Event Type
Crossover
Doomsday Clock

Doomsday Clock

DC Comics
2017

Geoff Johns masterfully blends Watchmen’s complex moral questions with the broader DC Universe, delivering an ambitious, character-driven saga that redefines hope, legacy, and the metatextual power of superhero stories.

40 Issues
12 Essential
Completist Reading Time
23 hours
Main Teams/Characters
Watchmen
Event Type
Arc
Secret Wars (2015)

Secret Wars (2015)

Marvel Comics
2015

The multiverse collapses into a patchwork world ruled by godlike power, where remnants of realities clash for dominance and survival.

246 Issues
10 Essential
Completist Reading Time
99 hours
Main Teams/Characters
All major Marvel characters!
Event Type
Crossover
Forever Evil

Forever Evil

DC Comics
2013

Following on from Trinity War, Forever Evil sees the Justice League’s greatest enemies rise to power in a world without heroes, forcing unlikely alliances to stand against the Crime Syndicate’s reign.

92 Issues
14 Essential
Completist Reading Time
50 hours
Main Teams/Characters
No main characters listed
Event Type
Crossover
Ultimate Universe: Phase 1: Foundation

Ultimate Universe: Phase 1: Foundation

Marvel Comics
2000

This foundational phase of the Ultimate Universe reintroduces iconic Marvel heroes through fresh origin stories and interconnected arcs, establishing a modern, grounded continuity that reshapes familiar legends for a new generation.

110 Issues
81 Essential
Completist Reading Time
44 hours
Main Teams/Characters
No main characters listed
Event Type
Arc

New collection summaries

Green Lantern

Green Lantern

This page brings together the key collected editions from across Green Lantern’s history. Each era is a great place to dive in, depending on what you're looking for. Not sure where to start? We recommend kicking things off with the Geoff Johns era (2005) — it's a fan-favorite and a fantastic entry point. Enjoy exploring the cosmos!

Justice League

Justice League

This page gathers the essential collected editions from Justice League history, spanning every major era of the team. Whether you're into multiversal crises, political intrigue, or classic super-heroics, each era is a starting point for you. New to the League? We recommend jumping into the New 52 era (2011) or the Grant Morrison run (1997). Dive in and discover why they're called the World's Greatest Super-Heroes!