Your Guide to Comic Reading Orders

Navigate the multiverse of comics with confidence

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New timelines

Updated Monthly

DC Absolute Universe

DC Comics

2024-present

The Absolute Universe is DC Comics’ newly reimagined continuity born from the Absolute Power event, offering a streamlined, modern take on classic heroes and their origins within a bold, unified timeline.

In 1 part (so far)

44 Issues (so far)

43 Essential (so far)

Completist Reading Time

23 hours (so far)

Hickman's Marvel

Marvel Comics

2009-present

Jonathan Hickman is the ultimate world builder - his Marvel work spans epic, interconnected sagas that redefined the Fantastic Four, Avengers, X-Men, and the multiverse itself—culminating in universe-shaping events like Secret Wars and House of X.

In 7 parts

333 Issues

292 Essential

Completist Reading Time

159 hours

DC Comics Events

DC Comics

Chronicling the major events that have shaped DC Comics history - includes, crossovers, crises and arcs!

In 39 parts (so far)

1882 Issues

656 Essential

Completist Reading Time

1094 hours

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New event reading orders

We Are Yesterday

DC Comics

2025

Gorilla Grodd gains future‑sight, travels across eras to reassemble the Legion of Doom, and forces the Justice League to battle an enemy armed with knowledge of tomorrow across past and present.

13 Issues

6 Essential

Completist Reading Time

8 hours

Main Teams/Characters

Justice League, Legion of Doom

Event Type

Crossover

Absolute Power

DC Comics

2024

Amanda Waller seizes control of metahuman abilities across the world, forcing Earth’s heroes into a desperate resistance against a global regime that has stripped them of their power and agency.

53 Issues

33 Essential

Completist Reading Time

27 hours

Main Teams/Characters

Amanda Waller, The Trinity of Evil, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman

Event Type

Crossover

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

Civil War

Marvel Comics

2006

The Marvel Universe is divided as Iron Man and Captain America take opposing sides on the Superhuman Registration Act

147 Issues

34 Essential

Completist Reading Time

76 hours

Main Teams/Characters

All major Marvel characters!, Captain America, Iron Man

Event Type

Crossover

Ultimate Universe: Phase 2: Expansion

Marvel Comics

2003

The Ultimate Universe expands its scope with deeper character development, escalating global threats, where the lines between heroes, governments, and personal agendas begin to blur.

191 Issues

181 Essential

Completist Reading Time

87 hours

Main Teams/Characters

Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men, The Ultimates, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Galactus (Gah Lak Tus)

Event Type

Arc

New collection summaries

Absolute Universe

This page collects all the major collected editions from DC’s new Absolute Universe — a bold reimagining of iconic characters in a fresh, unified continuity. Whether you’re curious about new takes on Batman, Wonder Woman, or the Superman family, each series is crafted to stand on its own while contributing to a wider, interconnected world. New to this universe? We recommend starting with the Batman, Superman or Wonder Woman titles. Welcome to a new beginning.

New Ultimate Universe

This page brings together all the key collected editions from Marvel’s newly reborn Ultimate Universe — a fresh, creator-driven world built from the ground up. With bold storytelling and modern reinventions of classic heroes, this line offers a streamlined entry point for both new readers and longtime fans. Not sure where to begin? Start with Ultimate Invasion and Ultimate Universe (2023) #1 to witness the foundation being laid, then dive into Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men, or Ultimate Black Panther to see this new world unfold.

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!