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Your Guide to Comic Reading Orders

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New timelines

Dark Nights: Metal to Death Metal

Dark Nights: Metal to Death Metal

DC Comics
2017-2021

A forbidden discovery unleashes the Dark Multiverse, leading to a villain-fueled uprising that fractures the DC Universe and culminates in a cosmic war to reset reality itself.

In 9 parts
265 Issues
85 Essential
Completist Reading Time
154 hours
Hickman's Marvel

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
326 Issues
285 Essential
Completist Reading Time
155 hours
X-Men - Age of Krakoa

X-Men - Age of Krakoa

Marvel Comics
2019-2024

Mutants rise as a unified nation on Krakoa, forever reshaping their destiny!

In 5 parts
4 parts completed
535 Issues (so far)
296 Essential (so far)
Completist Reading Time
270 hours (so far)

New event reading orders

Ultimate Universe: Year 1

Ultimate Universe: Year 1

Marvel Comics
2023

Reimagining iconic heroes within a radically altered reality shaped by the Maker, where figures like Iron Lad, Doom, and a mature Peter Parker rise to challenge a world where heroism was suppressed before it could begin.

43 Issues
43 Essential
Completist Reading Time
22 hours
Main Teams/Characters
Ultimate Spider-Man, The Ultimates, Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Black Panther, The Maker
Event Type
Arc
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
Dark Nights: Death Metal

Dark Nights: Death Metal

DC Comics
2020

In a warped, dying universe ruled by the Batman Who Laughs, the heroes of Earth mount a final rebellion to restore hope and reboot the multiverse.

24 Issues
13 Essential
Completist Reading Time
18 hours
Main Teams/Characters
Wonder Woman, Justice League, The Batman Who Laughs
Event Type
Crisis
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
Geoff Johns' Green Lantern (2005-2013)

Geoff Johns' Green Lantern (2005-2013)

DC Comics
2005

Geoff Johns reinvents the Green Lantern mythos by expanding its cosmic lore, deepening Hal Jordan’s legacy, and introducing epic, emotionally charged storylines that redefined heroism.

154 Issues
139 Essential
Completist Reading Time
88 hours
Main Teams/Characters
Green Lantern
Event Type
Author

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!