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Collecting Marvel Universe Events as graphic novels

A comprehensive guide to line-wide Marvel Events – including story overviews, characters, issue lists, and how they can be read via omnibuses, hardcovers, and trade paperbacks. Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated May 2024 with titles scheduled for release through December 2024.

Marvel Events HandbookSecret Wars. Inferno. Age of Apocalypse. Civil War. Secret Invasion. Avengers vs. X-Men. When it comes to epic-sized comic book events, Marvel Comics is the all-time champion.

These line-wide Marvel Events are overarching stories that can involve dozens of Marvel heroes – if not all of them, all at once! Events occur as either or both of  direct crossovers between ongoing titles and special limited-series.

That can make them hard to keep track of, especially at the current rate of one or more events each year. It’s also hard to track down every issue or graphic novel. It’s easy to miss issues or buy the same comic in overlapping collections.

That’s why I created this page – it includes summaries, issue lists, and collection info for every major Marvel event, ever.

Click the links below to leap down the page to the corresponding section. I have omitted most line-specific crossovers with only one or two cross-line spinoffs, such as X-Men’s Mutant Massacre and Fall of the Hulks.

Join the Crushing On Crushing Krisis mailing list for a notice whenever this page is updated with new collections – plus, a not-more-than-weekly ping about new comics content.

Marvel Event - Contest of Champions

1982: Contest of Champions

Marvel’s first limited series, which pitted Earth’s greatest heroes against each other as pawns in a game with cosmic stakes. The event would be lightly retconned in a pair of later Avengers annuals.

Characters: Though this was primarily an Avengers story, it prominently featured the X-Men and Fantastic Four (but not Spider-Man!) and several international heroes like Darkstar.

Contest of Champions #1-3 are collected as Avengers: The Contest in Marvel Premiere Classic Hardcover [eBay], paperback [eBay], oversize gallery edition, & digital, which also include Avengers Annual 16 and West Coast Avengers Annual 2. [Contest of Champions single issues on eBay]

1984-85: Secret Wars

Marvel revisited the idea of a cosmic being pitting heroes against each other in a high stakes game of war with this year-long, 12-issue maxi-series. Godlike entity The Beyonder whisks a cross-section of heroes and villains to a Battle World of his design to fight for supremacy.

Characters: The entire early-80s X-Men team (less Kitty Pryde, but plus Magneto!) participates in the epic, alongside 3/4 of the Fantastic Four, an abbreviated group of Avengers, Spider-Man, and Hulk – plus a selection of their super-villains, including Dr. Doom, Dr. Octopus, Kang, and most of Thor’s rogues’ gallery.

Marvel Event - Secret Wars

Unlike many comic events with tie-in issues in the ongoing titles of their stars, Secret Wars did not bleed into any other books during its run. Characters were whisked away and returned with little time passing in their own titles – sometimes between panels!

Secret Wars #1-12 are collected in Marvel Secret Wars Omnibus [eBay] & paperback [digital] [eBay], reprinted in 2023. The Omnibus also contains a retroactive tie-in Thor #383 and a retcon from She-Hulk (2004) #10, plus What If? #4 & 114. [Secret Wars single issues on eBay]

[Ed. Note: There are two different dust jackets for the Omnibus – the original cover of Secret Wars #1, and a modern re-illustration. The book inside is identical.]

In 2015, Secret Wars I and II were reprinted in an all-inclusive box set [eBay] of eleven standard-size hardcovers. Unfortunately, that pulled in a lot of weak and not especially relevant material along with a small amount of coveted stuff I’ll cover the Secret Wars I books here, and the Secret Wars II books below.

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: to Battleworld and Back Premiere HC, collecting the issues surrounding our heroes’ departure to Battleworld: Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #251–252, Incredible Hulk (1968) #294-295, Iron Man (1968) #181-182, Thing (1983) #10, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #180-181, Captain America (1968) #292, Avengers (1963) #242-243, Thor (1966) #341 and material from Fantastic Four (1961) #265

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Premiere HC, collecting Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1-12

Thing: Battleworld Premiere HC, collecting Thing’s continuing adventures on Battleworld: Thing (1983) #11-22, and Fantastic Four (1963) #274 and #277

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Aftermath Premiere HC, collecting retcon stories referring to the event: Thor (1966) #383, Code Of Honor #3, She-Hulk (2004) #10, Deadpool Team-Up (1998) #1, Marvels: Eye Of The Camera #4, Quasar #8, Fantastic Four (1961) #351, Thanos #8-10, and material from Fantastic Four Annual #23-24 and #26-27.

The box also includes Secret Wars II Vol. 1-4 HCs, Secret War Premiere HC (which has nothing to do with any of this except for its name!), Beyond The Secret Wars Premiere HC, and Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: Behind The Scenes Premiere HC

The aftermath of the event was felt by many characters – none moreso than Spider-Man, who inherited his black symbiote suit from the ordeal. Also, the Thing left the Fantastic Four for a year in the wake of the event.

In 2024, Marvel revisited this period with a retcon series, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: Battleworld (2023) #1-4 (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302950842 / digital), which is set entirely during Secret Wars #12 on page 36 between panels 4-5! It is a lightweight story that is mostly a beat-em-up that focuses on pulling in some characters previously unseen in Secret Wars to put Spidey’s new black suit to the test.

Although there were no traditional tie-in issues to Secret Wars at the time, many ongoing series did reference the sudden disappearance and reappearance of their heroes. They included:

1985-86: Secret Wars II

Marvel Event - Secret Wars IIMarvel tried to strike gold a second time with a sequel to Secret Wars – this time occurring on Earth and involving into dozens of tie-in issues. In this saga, Earth’s heroes must repel a meddling and reality-warping Beyonder from their planet.

Characters: This saga really did hit the entire Marvel Universe, with nearly every ongoing title including a tie-in issue. Dr. Doom and Mephisto feature prominently.

Secret Wars II #1-9 [digital] are collected in Marvel Secret Wars II Omnibus [eBay] & paperback [eBay], and reprinted in 2023 (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302952730 / digital). [Secret Wars II single issues on eBay]

Tie-in issues collected by the massive Omnibus (but not the paperback) include:

Alpha Flight #28; Amazing Spider-Man #268 & 273-274; Avengers#260-261 & 265-266; Captain America #308; Cloak & Dagger #4; Daredevil #223; Dazzler #40; Deadpool Team-Up #1; Defenders #152; Doctor Strange #74; Fantastic Four #282, 285, 288 & 316-319;  Incredible Hulk #312;  Iron Man #197; New Mutants #30 & 36-37;   Peter Parker, Spectacular Spider-Man #111; Power Man & Iron First #121; Power Pack #18; Quasar #8; Thing #30; Thor #363;  Uncanny X-Men #196 & #202-203; and Web of Spider-Man #6;

[Ed. Note: There are two different dust jackets for the Omnibus – the original cover of Secret Wars II #1, and a modern illustration. Both books are the same.]

In 2015, Secret Wars I and II were reprinted in an all-inclusive box set [eBay] of eleven standard-size hardcovers. This broke the massive Secret Wars II Omnibus into four books! I’ve listed them below.

Secret Wars II Vol. 1 Premiere HC, collecting Secret Wars II #1-3, New Mutants (1983) #30, Captain America (1968) #308, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #196, Iron Man (1968) #197, Web of Spider-Man (1985) #6, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #268, Fantastic Four (1961) #282 andAvengers (1963) #260.

Secret Wars II Vol. 2 Premiere HC, collecting Secret Wars II #4-6, Daredevil (1964) #223, Incredible Hulk (1968) #312, Alpha Flight (1983) #28, Dazzler #40, Avengers (1963) #261, Thing (1983) #30, Doctor Strange (1974) #74, Fantastic Four (1961) #285 and Cloak & Dagger (1985) #4

Secret Wars II Vol. 3 Premiere HC, collecting Secret Wars II #7-8, Power Pack (1984) #18, Thor (1966) #363, Power Man & Iron Fist #121, New Mutants (1983) #36-37, New Defenders #152, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #273, Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #111 and Uncanny X-Men (1981) #202

Secret Wars II Vol. 4 Premiere HC, collecting Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #274, Avengers (1963) #265-266, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #203, and Fantastic Four (1961) #288 and #316-319

The box also includes Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: to Battleworld and Back Premiere HC (above), Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Premiere HC (above), Thing: Battleworld Premiere HC (above), Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Aftermath Premiere HC (above), Secret War Premiere HC (which has nothing to do with any of this except for its name!), Beyond The Secret Wars Premiere HC, and Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: Behind The Scenes Premiere HC

Additional tie-in issues include:

  • The Incredible Hulk (1968) #313: Not collected; may not actually tie in
  • Micronauts: The New Voyages (1984) #16: Not collected due to licensing issues
  • ROM Spaceknight (1979) #72: Not collected due to licensing issues

Also, issue #5 is the first appearance of Boom Boom and is sometimes collected alongside New Mutants and X-Factor material. See Guide to New Mutants or Guide to X-Factor.

1988: Evolutionary War

Marvel Event - The Evolutionary WarMarvel’s first all-Annuals crossover, where each of the summer double-sized annual issues was a single, largely self-contained chapter in a larger story of the High Evolutionary trying to force Earth’s denizen’s to take the next steps on their evolutionary path.

Characters: The X-Men, Avengers, Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man all serve significant roles in this event, which began in the pages of X-Factor and ends thanks to the Avengers.

The entire Evolutionary War story is collected in Evolutionary War Omnibus (2011 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785155478 / [eBay]) (full contents below). Individual issues are also collected in various TPB volumes, by title. [Evolutionary War single issues on eBay]

The Omnibus includes (in order) X-Factor Annual 3, Punisher Annual 1, Silver Surfer Annual 1, New Mutants Annual 4, Fantastic Four Annual 21, Amazing Spider-Man Annual 22, Uncanny X-Men Annual 12, Web of Spider-Man Annual 4, West Coast Avengers Annual 3, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 8, and Avengers Annual 17.

1988-89: Inferno

The X-Men take the lead in a Marvel line-wide crossover for the first time! Inferno stemmed from character developments to Madelyne Prior in Uncanny X-Men and Illyana Rasputin in New Mutants, causing a demonic infestation of New York City.

Characters: The X-Men, X-Factor, and New Mutants drive the central event, but tie-ins included the titles of all New York-based characters, including The Avengers, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Spiderman.

Marvel Event - Inferno

Inferno was Marvel’s first line-wide crossover not driven by a limited series and including direct crossover between monthly issues of ongoing titles.

All of Inferno and its tie-in issues are collected in a single X-Men Inferno Omnibus
(2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302928544)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #239-243; X-Factor (1986) #33-40; X-Terminators (1988) #1-4; New Mutants (1983) #71-73; Power Pack (1984) #40 & 42-44; Avengers (1963) #298-300; Fantastic Four (1961) #322-324; Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #311-313; Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #146-148; Web of Spider-Man (1985) #47-48; Daredevil (1964) #262-263 & 265; Excalibur (1988) #6-7; Mutant Misadventures of Cloak and Dagger (1988) #4, material from X-Factor (1986) Annual 4

The main story is collected in Inferno oversized hardcover [digital] [eBay] and 1997 paperback [eBay]. Both reprint Uncanny X-Men #239-243, New Mutants #71-73, X-Factor #33-40 & 4, and, X-Terminators #1-4. [Inferno single issues on eBay: New Mutants, Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, X-Terminators]

A pair of 2016 paperbacks broke the story into two parts and pulls in some tie-in issues that had been relegated to the original “Crossovers” HC.

Inferno, Volume 1 collects Power Pack (1984) #40, 42-43; X-Factor (1986) #33-36; X-Terminators #1-4; Uncanny X-Men #239-240; New Mutants (1983) #71-72.

Inferno, Volume 2 collects Uncanny X-Men (1981) #241-243, Excalibur (1988) #6-7, X-Factor (1986) #37-40, New Mutants (1983) #73, Cloak & Dagger (1988) #4, Power Pack (1984) #44

The core of UXM and X-Factor issues are also collected in Essential X-Men Vol. 9.

Additional non-X issues are collected in Inferno Crossovers hardcover [eBay], which includes a pair of Excalibur issues (the title was not tightly integrated into the X-line until the mid-90s): Power Pack (1984) #40 & #42-44, Avengers (1963) #298-300, Fantastic Four (1961) #322-324, Amazing Spider-Man (1962) #311-313, Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #146-148, Web of Spider-Man #47-48, Daredevil (1964) #262-263 & 265, Excalibur (1988) #6-7, and Cloak & Dagger (1988) #4.

A 2016 Inferno Crossovers TPB [digital] does not included that full issue range, since some of it was covered in the re-issued TPBs. Its contents are Avengers (1963) #298-300; Fantastic Four (1961) #322-324; Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #311-313; Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #146-148; Web of Spider-Man (1985) #47-48; Daredevil (1964) #262-263, 265

Individual issues are also collected in various TPB volumes, by title.

Marvel Event - Atlantis Attacks

1989: Atlantis Attacks

Another line-wide crossover via Annuals, this time telling the story of the Atlantean Serpent Crown and the return of the Serpent God Set. This story was strictly serialized, with each issue directly progressing from the prior.

Characters: X-Titles played a relatively large part in this evolving story, though it is ultimately driven by the Avengers and Fantastic Four. Namor features prominently.

Collected in Atlantis Attacks Omnibus (2011 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785144922 / [eBay]) and Atlantis Attacks: The Original Epic (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302930318 / digital) in order as Silver Surfer Annual 2, Iron Man Annual 10, Marvel Comics Presents #26, Uncanny X-Men Annual 13, Amazing Spider-Man Annual 23, Punisher Annual 2, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 9, Daredevil Annual 4, Avengers Annual 18, New Mutants #76 & Annual 5, X-Factor Annual 4, Web of Spider-Man Annual 5, Avengers West Coast #56 & Annual 4, Thor Annual 14, and Fantastic Four Annual 22. [Atlantis Attacks single issues on eBay]

Individual issues are also collected in various TPB volumes, by title.

1989-1990: Acts of Vengeance

Marvel Event - Acts of VengeanceA line-wide event dispersed through individual runs in many different ongoing series, where Loki convinced villains to cross over to fight atypical foes.

Characters: The event mostly focused on The Avengers, with tie-ins from Fantastic Four and Spider-Man. X-titles participated in this crossover, but were not central to the main theme – though, the Uncanny X-Men issues of Psylocke’s transformation are considered modern-day essentials.

Main story collected in Acts of Vengeance Omnibus [eBay], including Avengers #311-313 and Annual 19, Avengers Spotlight (1989) #26-29, Avengers West Coast (1989) #53-55,  Captain America (1968) #365-367, Iron Man (1968) #251-252, and Thor (1966) #411-413.

Additional issues collected in Acts of Vengeance Crossovers Omnibus [eBay], including Fantastic Four #334-336; Wolverine (1988) #19-20; Dr. Strange (1988) #11-13; Incredible Hulk #363; Punisher #28-29; Punisher War Journal #12-13; Marc Spector: Moon Knight #8-10; Daredevil #275-276; Power Pack #53; Alpha Flight (1983) #79-80; New Mutants (1983) #84-86; Uncanny X-Men (1963) #256-258; X-Factor (1986) #49-50;  Web of Spider-Man (1985) #64-65; and the Damage Control mini-series.

It was later recollected in three paperbacks in 2021-2021.

Acts of Vengeance: Avengers (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302922733 / digital) collects all of the main omnibus, above, plus Quasar (1989) #5-7 and Mutant Misadventures of Cloak and Dagger (1988) #9.

Acts of Vengeance: Marvel Universe (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923105 / digital) collects Fantastic Four (1961) #334-336; Incredible Hulk (1968) #363; Punisher (1987) #28-29; Punisher War Journal (1988) #12-13; Marc Spector: Moon Knight (1989) #8-10; Daredevil (1964) #275-276; Power Pack (1984) #53; Damage Control (1989B) #1-4; material from Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) #11-13.

Acts of Vengeance: Spiderman & The X-Men (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923112 / digital) collects Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #326-329; Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #158-160; Web of Spider-Man (1985) #59-61 & 64-65; Wolverine (1988) #19-20; Alpha Flight (1983) #79-80; New Mutants (1983) #86; Uncanny X-Men (1963) #256-258; and material from X-Factor (1986) #50.

Individual issues are also collected in various TPB volumes, by title.

1990: Annual Crossovers

FFv1 - Ann23

After two years of line-wide annual crossovers, 1990 marked the beginning of a new summer crossover strategy for Marvel. They grouped their titles into fan-friendly lines of three-to-five titles and ran a series of smaller crossovers. This first foray yielded the classic “Days of Future Present” story that further solidified the link between the future fate of the X-Men and Fantastic Four.

Though the crossovers themselves were not a line-wide event, the crossover theme and graphic design of the event was applied uniformly across all annuals – which is why they are listed in this guide.

Days of Future Present: Fantastic Four Annual 23, 2, New Mutants Annual 6, X-Factor Annual 5, and Uncanny X-Men Annual 14. See Uncanny X-Men for collection information.

Lifeform: Punisher Annual 3, Daredevil Annual 6, Incredible Hulk Annual 16, and Silver Surfer Annual 3. Not collected except for Hulk and Punisher in Essential Punisher, Vol. 3.

Spidey’s Totally Tiny Adventure: Amazing Spider-Man Annual 24, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 10, and Web of Spider-Man Annual 6. See Spider-Man for collection information.

The Terminus Factor: Captain America Annual 9, Iron Man Annual 11, Thor Annual 15, West Coast Avengers Annual 5, and Avengers Annual 19. See Avengers for collection information.

1991: Annual Crossovers

In a second year of a smaller-scale of annual summer crossovers, Marvel slightly shuffled their titles for a different line-up of heroes in each story compared to the prior year. None of this year’s events were particularly notable, though Kings of Pain featured the debut adventure of X-Force, and The Vibranium Vendetta starred Black Panther and Ultron with an appearance from Venom!

WoSM - Ann07Though the crossovers themselves were not a line-wide event, the crossover theme and graphic design of the event was applied uniformly across all annuals – which is why they are listed in this guide.

Kings of Pain: New Mutants Annual 7, New Warriors Annual 1, Uncanny X-Men Annual 15, and X-Factor Annual 6. See New Mutants for collection information.

The Korvac Quest: Fantastic Four Annual 24, Thor Annual 16, Silver Surfer Annual 4, and Guardians of the Galaxy Annual 1. Not collected.

Subterranean Wars: Avengers Annual 20, Incredible Hulk Annual 17, Namor The Sub-Mariner Annual 1, Iron Man Annual 12, and West Coast Avengers Annual 6. Not collected except for the Hulk annual in Hulk Visionaries: Peter David, Vol. 7.

The Vibranium Vendetta: Amazing Spider-Man Annual 25, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 11, and Web of Spider-Man Annual 7. See Spider-Man for collection information.

The Von Strucker Gambit: Daredevil Annual 7, The Punisher Annual 4, and Captain America Annual 10. Not collected except the Punisher annual in Essential Punisher, Vol. 4.

1991: The Infinity Gauntlet

Marvel Event - The Infinity GauntletThe first line-wide crossover focused on Marvel’s cosmic heroes, The Infinity Gauntlet saw villain Thanos wielding the Infinity Gems to master the universe in his continuing efforts to court Death.

This crossover used the modern model of a primary limited series (written by Jim Starlin) with a number of tie-in titles.

Characters: Though Infinity Gauntlet includes nearly every Marvel hero, it mostly focuses on Thanos and Adam Warlock. Silver Surfer plays a prominent role.

Marvel released an Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus (2014 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785154686 / 2020 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302926380 / digital) containing Infinity Gauntlet #1-6, plus lead-ins and tie-ins including Silver Surfer #34-38, 40, 44-60; Thanos Quest #1-2; Cloak & Dagger (1988) #18; Spider-Man (1990) #17; Incredible Hulk #383-385; Dr. Strange, Sorceror Supreme #31-36; Quasar #26-27; and Sleepwalker #7.

A lead-in story from Silver Surfer #34-38, The Thanos Quest #1-2, and Logan’s Run #6 is collected as Silver Surfer: The Rebirth of Thanos hardcover and paperback.

Infinity Gauntlet #1-6 are collected in paperback and Marvel Premiere Classic hardcover. An Infinity Gauntlet Deluxe 2019 paperback collects those issues along with promotion and background materials (think of it as a Director’s Cut). It’s collected in oversize hardcover format in 2019 as Infinity by Starlin & Hickman Omnibus (along with the 2013 Infinity). Marvel re-released it in hardcover as Infinity Gauntlet Marvel Select Edition in 2020.

Infinity Gauntlet Aftermath paperback collects Silver Surfer (1987) #60-66 and material from Annual 5, Dr. Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #36, and Warlock & the Infinity Watch #1-6.

In 2018, the 1990s Infinity Trilogy was reprinted in an all-inclusive Infinity Gauntlet Box Set Slipcase of 12 standard-size hardcovers. This set offers a truly comprehensive coverage of the events, as well as their tie-ins and aftermaths.

Infinity Gauntlet Prologue Premiere HC collects the lead-in issues Silver Surfer (1987) #34-38, 40, 44-50 and Thanos Quest# 1-2

Infinity Gauntlet Premiere HC collects Infinity Gauntlet (1991) #1-6

Infinity Gauntlet Crossovers Premiere HC collects almost all of the same tie-ins as the Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus (but not quite all of them): Cloak and Dagger (1988) #18, Spider-Man (1990) #17, Incredible Hulk (1968) #383-385, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #34-35 (and material from #31-33), Silver Surfer (1987) #51-59, Quasar #26-27, and Sleepwalker #7

Infinity Gauntlet Aftermath Premiere HC is the same as the existing “Aftermath” paperback, collecting Silver Surfer (1987) #60-66 (and material from Annual 5), Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #36, and Warlock and The Infinity Watch #1-6

Infinity Gauntlet Companion Premiere HC collects Thanos Annual 1; What If? (1989) #49 & 104; What The-?! #20 (and material from 24); Avengers & The Infinity Gauntlet #1-4 (not in continuity); Infinity Gauntlet (2015) #1-5 (a Secret Wars series); and material from What If: Newer Fantastic Four

The set also includes books for Infinity War and Crusade, the contents of which are covered in their sections below.

Additional lead-in stories included:

  • Silver Surfer #44-50 – Included in Omnibus, above
  • Quasar #24 – Not collected
  • Cloak and Dagger #18 –  Included in Omnibus, above

Official tie-in issues included the following (noted if they do not appear in the Omnibus, above):

Additional related issues included:

  • What If…? (1989) #34, 49, 104

1992: Operation Galactic Storm

This crossover between the Avengers, Avengers solo titles, and Quasar never quite reached linewide proportions, but at the time it was one of Marvel’s most far-reaching direct crossover between monthly titles.

Avengers Epic Collection: Operation Galactic Storm (Epic Vol. 22)
Collects the entire space crossover epic from Avengers (1963) #345-347, Avengers West Coast #80-82, Quasar #32-36, Wonder Man (1991) #7-9, Iron Man (1968) #278-279, Thor (1966) #445-446, and material from Captain America (1968) #398-400

Previously collected in a pair of paperbacks…

Avengers: Galactic Storm, Vol. 1 (ISBN 0785120440)
Collects the first half of the crossover from Avengers #345-346, Avengers West Coast (1989) #80-81, Captain America (1968) #398-399, Iron Man (1968) #278, Quasar (1989) #32-33, Thor (1966) #445, and Wonder Man (1991) #7-8.

Avengers: Galactic Storm, Vol. 2 (ISBN 0785120459)
Collects the second half of the crossover from Avengers #347, Avengers West Coast (1989) #82, Captain America (1968) #400-401, Iron Man (1968) #279, Quasar (1989) #34-36, Thor (1966) #446, Wonder Man (1991) #9, and What If…? (1989) #55-56.

1992: Annual Crossovers

XMv2 - Ann01

Marvel’s final year of summer annual crossovers expanded to six storylines with the addition of new titles Darkhawk, X-Force, and X-Men Vol. 2. Citizen Kang has since been referenced, and Shattershot includes the final X-Men work from Jim Lee.

Though the crossovers themselves were not a line-wide event, the crossover theme and graphic design of the event was applied uniformly across all annuals – which is why they are listed in this guide.

Assault on Armor City: Darkhawk Annual 1, West Coast Avengers Annual 7, and Iron Man Annual 13. Not collected.

Citizen Kang: Captain America Annual 11, Thor Annual 17, Fantastic Four Annual 25, and Avengers Annual 21. Collected as Avengers: Citizen Kang.

The Hero Killers: Amazing Spider-Man Annual 26, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 12, Web of Spider-Man Annual 8, and New Warriors Annual 2. See Spider-Man for collection information.

The Return of the Defenders: Incredible Hulk Annual 18, Namor The Sub-Mariner Annual 2, Silver Surfer Annual 5, and Dr. Strange Sorcerer Supreme Annual 2. See The Defenders for collection information.

Shattershot: X-Men Vol. 2 Annual 1, Uncanny X-Men Annual 16, X-Factor Annual 7, and X-Force Annual 1. See X-Men, Vol. 2 for collection information.

The System Bytes: The Punisher Annual 5, Daredevil Annual 8, Wonder Man Annual 1 (Thanks, Stephen!) and Guardians of the Galaxy Annual 2. Not collected except for the Punisher annual in Essential Punisher, Vol. 4.

1992: The Infinity War

This second Jim Starlin cosmic limited series explored the ramifications of the Infinity Gauntlet’s conclusion, once again pitting Marvel’s heroes against a universal threat. This is represented in part by a pack of evil doppelgangers of heroes. As with Gauntlet, a number of ongoing titles had tie-in issues.

Marvel Event - The Infinity War

Characters: This focuses on Adam Warlock and Thanos, but Quasar and the Fantastic Four also make significant appearances. There are also many familiar doppelgangers! The X-Men are not prominently involved in this event.

Infinity War Omnibus (2019 oversize hardcover) collects Infinity War #1-6, plus lead-ins and tie-ins including Fantastic Four (1961) #366-370; Spider-Man (1990) #24; Deathlok (1991) #16; Daredevil (1964) #310; Warlock and The Infinity Watch #7-10; Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #42-47; Silver Surfer (1987) #67-69; Wonder Man (1991) #13-15; Alpha Flight (1983) #109 (excerpts) & 110-112; Silver Sable & The Wild Pack #4-5; Guardians Of The Galaxy (1990) #27-29; Quasar #37-40; New Warriors (1990) #27; Marc Spector: Moon Knight #41-44; Nomad (1992) #7; Sleepwalker #18; and material from Captain America (1968) #408; Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #108-112.

Infinity War #1-6 are collected in paperback, which also includes Warlock and the Infinity Watch #7-10 (and, possibly a brief story from Marvel Comics Presents #108-111).

Infinity War Aftermath paperback collects Warlock & The Infinity Watch #11-17, Silver Surfer/Warlock: Resurrection #1-4, Quasar #41-43; and material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #112, Marvel Holiday Special #2, and Marvel Swimsuit Special #2

In 2018, the 1990s Infinity Trilogy was reprinted in an all-inclusive Infinity Gauntlet Box Set Slipcase of 12 standard-size hardcovers. This set offers a truly comprehensive coverage of the events, as well as their tie-ins and aftermaths.

Infinity War Premiere HC collects Infinity War #1-6

Infinity War Crossovers Vol. 1 Premiere HC collects Fantastic Four (1961) #366-368, Spider-Man (1990) #24, Deathlok (1991) #16, Daredevil (1964) #310, Warlock and The Infinity Watch #7, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #42-44, Silver Surfer (1987) #67-69, Wonder Man (1991) #13, Alpha Flight (1983) #110, Silver Sable & The Wild Pack #4, Guardians Of The Galaxy (1990) #27, Quasar #37, New Warriors (1990) #27, Marc Spector: Moon Knight #41-42; and material from Captain America (1968) #408, Alpha Flight (1983) #109, and Marvel Comics Presents (1988) 108-111

Infinity War Crossovers Vol. 2 Premiere HC collects Warlock and The Infinity Watch #8-10, Quasar #38-40, Alpha Flight (1983) #111-112, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #45-47, Nomad (1992) #7, Guardians Of The Galaxy (1990) #28-29, Silver Sable & The Wild Pack #5, Wonder Man (1991) #14-15, Marc Spector: Moon Knight #43-44, Sleepwalker #18, Fantastic Four (1961) #369-370; and material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #112

Infinity War Aftermath Premiere HC duplicates the contents of the existing paperback, collecting Warlock and The Infinity Watch #11-17, Silver Surfer/Warlock: Resurrection #1-4, Quasar #41-43; and material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #112, and Marvel Holiday Special #2 (the original paperback also listed Marvel Swimsuit Special #2)

The contents of the five books focused on Infinity Gauntlet are covered above. The box also includes three additional books covering Infinity Crusade, the contents of which are covered in their sections below.

Additional tie-in issues included:

  • Alpha Flight (1983) #110-112
  • Captain America (1968) #408: Only the non-Infinity A-story of this issue is collect Captain America: Man and Wolf
  • Daredevil (1964) #310
  • Deathlok (1991) #16
  • Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) #42-47
  • Fantastic Four (1961) #366-370: See Fantastic Four
  • Guardians of the Galaxy (1990) #27-29
  • Marc Spector: Moon Knight (1989) #41-44
  • The New Warriors (1990) #27
  • Nomad (1992) #7
  • Quasar (1989) #38-40
  • Silver Sable and the Wild Pack (1992) #4-5
  • Silver Surfer (1987) #67-69
  • Sleepwalker (1991) #18
  • Spider-Man (1990) #24
  • Wonder Man (1991) #13-14

1993: The Infinity Crusade

Marvel Event - Infinity CrusadeA third installment in Marvel’s Jim Starlin cosmic saga, this limited series follows a second thread of ramifications from the original Infinity Gauntlet. The result pits heroes against heroes as the “good” portion of Adam Warlock – The Goddess – wages war to control the universe.

The main story of this crossover alternated between the titular limited series, Warlock and the Infinity Watch, and Warlock Chronicles.

Characters: This focuses on Adam Warlock, with significant appearances by Thanos, Mr. Fantastic, Iron Man, Vision, Silver Surfer, and Professor X .

In a single omnibus

Infinity Crusade Omnibus (2021 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302923495 / digital)
Collects Infinity Crusade (1993) #1-6; Warlock Chronicles (1993) #1-5; Warlock and the Infinity Watch (1992) #18-22; Thor (1966) #463-467; Iron Man (1968) #294-295; Avengers West Coast (1989) #96-97; Darkhawk (1991) #30-31; Cage (1992) #17; Alpha Flight (1983) #124-125 & 127; Marc Spector: Moon Knight (1989) #57; Silver Surfer (1987) #83-85; Deathlok (1991) #28; and material from Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) #54-56; Alpha Flight (1983) #122-123 & 126; Web of Spider-Man (1985) #104-106; Silver Sable & The Wild Pack (1992) #16-17; and Deathlok (1991) #29

Collected in two volumes:

  • Infinity Crusade, Vol. 1: Collects Infinity Crusade #1-3, Warlock Chronicles #1-3, and Warlock and the Infinity Watch #18-19.
  • Infinity Crusade, Vol. 2: Collects Infinity Crusade #4-6, Warlock Chronicles #4-5, and Warlock and the Infinity Watch #20-22.

In 2018, the 1990s Infinity Trilogy was reprinted in an all-inclusive Infinity Gauntlet Box Set Slipcase of 12 standard-size hardcovers. This set offers a truly comprehensive coverage of the events, as well as their tie-ins and aftermaths.

The contents of the five books focused on Infinity Gauntlet and four books covering Infinity War are listed above.

Infinity Crusade Premiere HC is effectively both of the previous paperbacks, collecting Infinity Crusade #1-6, Warlock Chronicles #1-5, and Warlock and The Infinity Watch #18-22.

Infinity Crusade Crossovers Vol. 1 Premiere HC collects Thor (1966) #463-464, Iron Man (1968)
#294-295, Avengers West Coast #96-97, Darkhawk #30, Cage (1992) #17, Alpha Flight (1983) #124 (and material from #122-123), Marc Spector: Moon Knight #57; and material from Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #54-55 and Web of Spider-Man (1985) #104-105

Infinity Crusade Crossovers Vol. 2 Premiere HC collects Alpha Flight (1983) #125 & 127 (and material from #126); Thor (1966) #465-467; Darkhawk #31; Silver Surfer (1987) #83-85; Deathlok (1991) #28 (and material from #29); and material from Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #56, Silver Sable & The Wild Pack #16-17, and Web of Spider-man (1985) #106

Additional tie-in issues included:
  • Alpha Flight (1983) #122-124
  • Avengers West Coast (1989) #96-97: See Avengers West Coast
  • Cage (1992) #17
  • Darkhawk (1991) #30-31
  • Deathlok (1991) #28-29
  • Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) #54-56
  • Iron Man (1968) #295: See Iron Man
  • Marc Spector: Moon Knight (1989) #57
  • Marvel Age (1983) #124
  • Silver Sable and the Wild Pack (1992) #16-17
  • Silver Surfer (1987) #83-85
  • Thor (1966) #463-467: See Thor.
  • Web of Spider-Man (1985) #104-106

Marvel Event - Age of Apocalypse

1995: Age of Apocalypse

When Charles Xavier’s son Legion travels back in time with the intention of killing Magneto, his actions cause an alternate timeline to form. Without Xavier’s leadership and peaceful philosophy to stop him, Apocalypse usurps control of the entire mutant race and enslaves the entire world.

This innovative crossover was not truly line-wide, but it interrupted the monthly run of all X-titles to replace them with four months of tightly-coordinated alternate-reality versions of themselves. While non-X characters appeared throughout the tale, the crossover did not have any effects or tie-ins with non-X titles.

Characters: Every X-Men active as of 1995 is represented in the initial run of the story save for Psylocke. Wolverine, Jean Grey. Magneto, and Sabretooth all appear very prominently. Appearances of non-X characters are largely limited to a pair of X-Universe tie-ins.

The complete “present day” portion of this story is collected in X-Men: Age of Apocalypse Omnibus (reprinted in 2016), which contains lead-ins Uncanny X-Men (1963) #320-321, X-Men (1991) #40-41, and Cable (1993) #20, and then the main thrust of the story in X-Men Alpha, Amazing X-Men #1-4, Astonishing X-Men (1995) #1-4, Factor X #1-4, Gambit & The Externals #1-4, Generation Next #1-4, Weapon X (1995) #1-4, X-Calibre #1-4, X-Man #1-4, X-Men Omega, Age Of Apocalypse : The Chosen and X-Men Ashcan #2.

The history (and future) of the timeline – as well as some ancillary present-day stories – are collected in X-Men: Age of Apocalypse Omnibus Companion – X-Men Chronicles #1-2, Tales from the Age of Apocalypse #1-2, X-Man #-1 & 53-54, Blink #1-4, X-Universe #1-2, Exiles (2001) #60-61, X-Men: Age of Apocalypse (2005) one-shot & #1-6, What If? (1989) #77 & 81, What If? X-Men Age of Apocalypse; and portions of Hulk: Broken Worlds #2, X-Men Prime, X-Man Annual 96, X-Men: Endangered Species, Exiles: Days of Then & Now, and the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Age of Apocalypse 2005.

The timeline’s history and present day were previously collected in a single integrated order in Age of Apocalypse Epic Volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4, which are entirely covered by both Omnibus volumes. These volumes started in Volume 1 from the oldest chronological stories in X-Men Chronicles, included retcon stories like X-Man and Blink, and ended with X-Men: Omega & Prime. However, they have none of the real world X-Men run-up stories, which are in the Omnibus.

AOA was reprinted in trades again starting in 2015, but with different contents than the last set of trades! The middle three editions cover the Omnibus (including the real world lead-in stories) plus X-Universe, but the Companion (minus X-Universe) is split between a “Dawn” volume adding the prequel stories and the “Twilight” adding the follow-ups.

  • Vol. 0: Dawn: X-Men Chronicles 1-2, Tales From The Age Of Apocalypse #1-2, X-Man #-1, Blink #1-4; and material from X-Men: Age Of Apocalypse One-shot and X-Man Annual ’96
  • Vol. 1: Alpha:  Uncanny X-Men (1981) #320-321, X-Men (1991) #40-41, Cable (1993) #20, X-Men Alpha, Generation Next #1, Astonishing X-Men (1995) #1, Gambit and the X-Ternals #1, Weapon X (1995) #1, Factor X #1, X-Man #1, X-Calibre #1, Amazing X-Men (1995) #1, and X-Men: Age of Apocalypse Ashcan Edition
  • Vol. 2: Reign: Astonishing X-Men (1995) #2-3, Amazing X-Men (1995) #2-3, Gambit and The X-Ternals #2, Generation Next #2, Weapon X (1995) #2, X-Calibre #2-3, Factor X #2-3, X-Man# 2-3, X-Universe #1, and material from X-Men: Year Of The Mutants Collectors’ Preview
  • Vol. 3: Omega: Weapon X (1995) #3-4, Generation Next #3-4, Gambit and The X-Ternals #3-4, Astonishing X-Men (1995) #4, X-Man #4, X-Calibre #4, Factor X #4, Amazing X-Men (1995) #4, X-Universe #2, X-men Omega, and Age Of Apocalypse: The Chosen
  • Vol. 4 Twilight: Includes issues that were retconned onto AOA. X-Man #53-54; X-Men: Age Of Apocalypse #1-6; Exiles (2001) #60-61; What If? (1989) #77 & 81; What If? X-Men Age Of Apocalypse #1; and material From X-Men: Age Of Apocalypse One-Shot, Hulk: Broken Worlds #2, X-Men Prime, X-Men: Endangered Species, and Exiles: Days Of Then and Now #1

The 2005 revisitation of the series was previously collected as X-Men: The New Age of Apocalypse.

Years later, the timeline is continued in Uncanny X-Force #11-19 (see Uncanny X-Force), which leads to Age of Apocalypse Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and finally X-Termination.

1996-97: Onslaught

Capitalizing on five years of accumulated hints across the X-Men titles, this long-simmering plot exploded to threaten the entire Marvel Universe and resulted in the cancellation of the entire Avengers and Fantastic Four lines of titles, all of which would see relaunch in their own separate continuity.

Onslaught consisted of two framing issues bearing the Onslaught title, a direct crossover in a core of X-Men books and Fantastic Four, and outlying tie-in issues in the X-Men, Avengers, and Spider-Man lines.

Characters: Though this event began in the X-Men line, it is a true line-wide event that touched nearly every ongoing title (although, Spider-Man is involved only glancingly). The Fantastic Four play a significant role, and the Avengers figure heavily into the climax.

Marvel Event - Onslaught

There have been three different printed sequences of Onslaught collections, presented below with their associated issue ranges.

First, there is a single volume X-Men/Avengers Onslaught Omnibus (2015 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785192626 / 2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302931612 / digital) with the following contents:

Cable (1993) #32-36; Uncanny X-Men (1963) #333-337; X-Force (1991) #55 & 57-58; X-Man #15-19; X-Men (1991) #53-57 & Annual ’96; X-Men Unlimited (1993) #11; Onslaught: X-Men, Marvel Universe, Epilogue; Avengers (1963) #401-402; Fantastic Four (1961) #415; Incredible Hulk (1968) #444-445; Wolverine (1988) #104-105; X-Factor (1986) #125-126; Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #415; Green Goblin #12; Spider-Man (1990) #72; Iron Man (1968) #332; Punisher (1995) #11; Thor (1966) #502; X-Men: Road to Onslaught 1; and material from Excalibur (1988) #100, Fantastic Four (1961) #416.

Note that the omnibus does not collect X-Men #50 from the “Prelude to” Epic TPB, below – that issue was recollected in a series of “Road to Onslaught” paperbacks rather than be repeated in the omnibus. However, it adds X-Force #55, which was not collected in paperback.

The “Complete Epic” is a five-book paperback collection of Onslaught material. I checked these ranges with the actual books open in front of me – many other sites have them listed incorrectly.

  • X-Men: Prelude to Onslaught (ISBN 0785144633)
    Collects (in this order) X-Men #50, Cable #32, Uncanny X-Men #333, X-Man #15-17, and Cable #33. Also, interspersed with those entire issues are related portions of UXM #287, XMv2 #25, X-Man #10, UXM #322, Wolverine #93, XMv2 #46, XMv2 #49, X-Force #52, X-Men Unlimited #10, UXM #331, Wolverine #100, Generation X #15, Cable #31, X-Men Unlimited #11, and Excalibur #99.
  • X-Men: The Complete Onslaught Epic, Book 1 (ISBN 0785128239)
    Collects X-Men #53-54, Uncanny X-Men #334-335, Avengers #401, Onslaught: X-Men, X-Man #18, X-Force #57, Cable #34, Incredible Hulk #444, and additional excerpts listed below. The correct reading order is:  XMv2 #53, UXM #334, XMv2 #54, (one page of FF #414), (one page of Avengers #400), X-Men: Onslaught, UXM #335, Avengers #401, FF #415, Cable #34, and Hulk #444.
  • X-Men: The Complete Onslaught Epic, Book 2 (ISBN 0785128247)
    Collects Amazing Spider-Man #415, Fantastic Four #415, Green Goblin #12, Punisher #11, Spider-Man #72, X-Factor #125-126, X-Force #57, X-Man #18, and Wolverine #104. The correct reading order is: (several pages of Excalibur #100), Wolverine #104, X-Factor #125-126, (final page of Sensational Spider-Man #9), Amazing Spider-Man #415, Green Goblin #12, Spider-Man #72, X-Man #18, X-Force #57, and Punisher #11.
  • X-Men: The Complete Onslaught Epic, Book 3 (ISBN 0785128255)
    Collects Avengers #402, Cable #35, Incredible Hulk #445, Invincible Iron Man #332, Thor #502, Uncanny X-Men #336, Wolverine #105, X-Force #58, X-Man #19, and X-Men #55. The correct reading order is: XMv2 #55, UXM #336, Cable #35, X-Force #58, X-Man #19, Hulk #445, Iron Man #332, Avengers #402, Thor #502, and Wolverine #105.
  • X-Men: The Complete Onslaught Epic, Book 4 (ISBN 0785128263)
    Collects Cable #36, Fantastic Four #416, Onslaught: Marvel Universe, Onslaught: Epilogue, Uncanny X-Men #337, X-Men #56-57, and X-Men: Road to Onslaught. The correct reading order is: FF #416, XMv2 #56, Onslaught: Marvel Universe, Cable #36, UXM #337, XMv2 #57, Onslaught: Epilogue, (one spread from Iron Man #6),  and X-Men: Road to Onslaught (which itself is a collection of a myriad of reprinted pages, sometimes four-up on a single page!)

This more sprawling version is no longer in print. I do not own these volumes, so I cannot verify their contents or order.

All of the Onslaught collections omit a handful tie-in issues, including Generation X #18-19, Thor #502, and X-Men Unlimited #12.

Finally, some series have been collected individually under the “Onslaught” banner

Cable & X-Force: Onslaught!
Collects Cable (1993) #32-39, X-Force (1991) #57-61, Incredible Hulk (1968) #444, X-Man (1995) #18-19, and X-Force/Cable Annual ’96. The annual follows Cable #36 and bookends Cable’s appearances in X-Force (1991) #59-61

1997: Heroes Reborn

Marvel Event - Heroes RebornAs a result of Onslaught, the Avengers and Fantastic Four lines splintered into their own pocket universe for a year before returning to the main Marvel 616-timeline and a series of newly relaunched titles, with high-profile creators like Jim Lee and Rob Liefield.

Characters: Fantastic Four and The Avengers, which for this purpose included Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, Wonder Man, Black Knight, Swordsman, Hellcat, Vision, Hank Pym, and The Wasp. Dr. Doom and Enchantress are major foes. Hulk’s appearances leave some room for question, since he was also appearing in the main Marvel Universe at the time!

Collected in:

Note: The four Heroes Reborn series crossed over at issue #13 for a story titled “World War III” that has not been collected because it featured Wildstorm studios characters.

1999: Contest of Champions II

This mini-series followed up on the original Marvel event by offering one-on-one battles with fan-voted outcomes.

Contest of Champions II #1-6 are collected in trade paperback.

2000: Maximum Security

Marvel Event - Maximum SecurityA council of representatives from most of the sentient worlds in our universe decide that Earth’s heroes have meddled in galactic events beyond their reach one too many times (in this particular instance, Professor X is to blame).

Sounds reasonable, right? Except, as punishment (and protection of their planets), they render Earth’s solar system as an intergalactic prison for the worst offenders in the galaxy!

The main plot of the crossover is driven by a one-shot and subsequent three-issue mini-series, but the action spills into all of the Avengers and X-Men ongoing titles.

Characters: The Avengers, Thor, Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, Silver Surfer, Gambit, Bishop.

The prelude Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet #1 and the main series of Maximum Security #1-3 are collected in Avengers/X-Men Maximum Security, along with Captain America (1998) #36, Thor (1998) #30, Uncanny X-Men #387, Bishop: the Last X-Man #15, Iron Man (1998) #35, Avengers (1998) #35, Gambit (1999) #23, X-Men (1991) #107, and X-Men Unlimited (1993) #29.

This event is set up by the events of the Avengers Infinity mini-series.

However, that volume omits eight issues that were a part of the storyline:

  • The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2, #24
  • Black Panther vol. 3, #25 – Reprinted in Marvel Super Hero Team-Up TPB
  • Captain Marvel vol. 3, #12
  • The Incredible Hulk vol. 3, #21 – Reprinted in Incredible Hulk: Past Perfect TPB
  • Marvel Knights vol. 1, #6
  • Maximum Security: Thor vs. Ego #1 – Reprints Thor #133 and 160-161
  • Peter Parker: Spider-Man #24
  • Thunderbolts vol. 1, #45

Marvel Event - Infinity Abyss

2002: Infinity Abyss

This continues the Jim Starlin penned saga of the anti-hero Thanos, yet it is a mere mini-series – not a true line-wide event. I have included it here simply to complete the “Infinity” cycle of Starlin mini-series.

Hybrid clones of Thanos and five powerful heroes – Professor X, Doctor Strange, Gladiator, Iron Man, and Galactus – are set loose and intent on ending the universe as we know it!

Characters: Thanos, Adam Warlock, Captain Marvel, Dr. Strange, Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, and Pip the Troll.

Infinity Abyss #1-6 are collected in trade paperback (and previously in an out-of-print paperback). They are recollected in full by Guardians of the Galaxy: Road to Annihilation, Vol. 1.

This story is prefaced by Thanos appearances in Avengers: Celestial Quest #1-8 and a run of Thor issues included in Thor by Dan Jurgens & John Romita Jr. Vol. 4.

Thanos next appears in his own 2003 series, collected as Thanos: Redemption.

2004: Avengers Disassembled

The Avengers, having just merged back into the original numbering of their first volume of release, are briskly deconstructed at the hands of writer Brian M. Bendis and the fractured psyche of The Scarlet Witch.

Marvel Event - Avengers Disassembled

This indirect crossover was centered in The Avengers, though its effects were felt throughout the entire Avengers line of titles. Though the Disassembled tag also affects Spider-Man and Fantastic Four, their crises do not directly tie into the main Avengers storyline in the main book and the titles of its three biggest heroes.

Though this saga does not touch the X-Men, it can viewed as an extended prologue to the upcoming House of M crossover.

Characters: Very nearly every Avenger ever! Prominently featuring Captain America, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Dr. Strange, She-Hulk, and Hawkeye.

Avengers #500-503 and Avengers: Finale are collected in hardcover and paperback. Accompanying stories are collected in Avengers Disassembled: Iron Man, Thor, & Captain America hardcover ALso, this material is routinely collected with Brian Bendis’s run on New Avengers – see Guide to New Avengers (2005 – 2010)

The latter was previously available as three separate TPBs:

Additionally, there are a pair of contemporaneous volumes that are fringe tie-ins to the main story:

Marvel Event - Secret War

2004-05: Secret War

This Brian M. Bendis-penned Avengers-centric mini pits heroes against super-villains who have received a massive technology upgrade from a mysterious benefactor. Due to many delays in publication, this five-issue limited series stretched across two years.

Characters: Nick Fury leads a team of Spider-Man, Captain America,Wolverine, Daredevil, and Luke Cage. Joss Whedon’s cast of Astonishing X-Men appear in issue #5. Fantastic Four also makes a limited appearance.

Secret War #1-5 are collected in hardcover and paperback. Also includes Secret War: From the Files of Nick Fury (2005).

A Secret War by Brian Bendis Omnibus (2025 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302963828 / digital TBA) collects Secret War (2004) #1-5, Pulse (2004) #6-9, and Secret War: From the Files of Nick Fury (2005) #1.

In 2015, Secret Wars I and II were reprinted in an all-inclusive box set of eleven standard-size hardcovers that inexplicably included a volume covering this unrelated Secret War. That volume collects New Avengers: Illuminati (2007) #3, Secret War #1-5, Pulse #6-9, and Secret War: From the Files of Nick Fury

Additional tie-in issues The Pulse #6-9 are collected in The Pulse, Vol. 2. This story indirectly leads to the 2009 series Secret Warriors.

2005-2006: House of M & Decimation

Marvel replicates the execution of Age of Apocalypse across nearly its entire line of titles by plunging the entire Marvel Universe into an alternate reality at the hands of the Scarlet Witch. The main story takes place in an eight-issue limited series, with the alternate lives of various heroes playing out in their own titles (if their creators chose to play along – participation was optional).

Both the X-Men and the Avengers would feel the far-ranging impact of this event. However, due to its status as an alternate reality story, none of the contents of the event itself directly impact the world aside from the final words spoken by Scarlet Witch.

Some characters do gain new motivation from a glimpse at their alternate selves – especially Wolverine and Ms. Marvel. The X-Men’s portion of the fallout is collected in a series of trades under the “Decimation” banner, and unofficially in the relaunched X-Factor.

Characters: Though this story affects the entire Marvel line, the main drives in the mini-series are The X-Men (largely Cyclops, Emma Frost, and Wolverine) & The Avengers (including Spider-Man). Magneto, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver.

House of M #1-8 are collected in oversize hardcover and paperback.

House of M Omnibus (2023 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302948221 / digital)
Collects House of M (2005) #1-8, Spider-Man: House of M #1-5, Fantastic Four: House of M #1-3, Iron Man: House of M #1-3, New Thunderbolts #11, Black Panther (2005) #7, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #462-465, Wolverine (2003) #33-35, Captain America (2004) #10, The Pulse #10, Cable & Deadpool #17, Incredible Hulk (2000) #83-87, New X-Men (2004) #16-19, Exiles (2001) #69-71, Mutopia X #1-5, Decimation: House of M – The Day After, Giant-Size Ms. Marvel #1, Secrets of The House of M, The Pulse: House of M Special, House of M #1 Director’s Cut, House of M Sketchbook, and material from Hulk: Broken Worlds #1.

House of M Omnibus Companion (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302953768 / digital TBA)
Collects Excalibur (2004) #8-14, New Avengers (2004) #16-20, House of M: Avengers (2007) #1-5, Civil War: House of M (2008) #1-5, House of M: Masters of Evil (2009) #1-4, What If? Spider-Man: House of M (2009) #1, House of M (2015) #1-4, and material from What If? House of M.

Both Avengers Disassembled (above) and Excalibur, Vol. 3 can be considered prologues to this event, though neither are essential reading to understand the storyline.

Additional tie-in issues were recently consolidated into a series of three oversized hardcovers, which are highly recommended for ease-of-collection.

Previously, the various tie-in issues were collected by title as follows:
Three later series also tied-in to this reality:

The subsequent Decimation mini-event is collected in:

X-Men: Decimation Omnibus (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN TBA / digital TBA)
Collects House of M #8, Mutopia X #5, Decimation: House of M – The Day After, X-Men (1991) #177-179, New X-Men (2004) #20-24, X-Factor (2005) #1-4, Generation M (2005) #1-5, Son of M #1-6, X-Men: The 198 #1-5, Sentinel Squad O*N*E #1-5, New Avengers (2004) #16-20, X-Men Unlimited (2004) #13, X-Men: The 198 Files

or, as originally collected…

New Avengers, Vol. 4: The Collective is a non-Decimation epilogue to House of M, collected in hardcover and paperback, or in oversized hardcover.

Finally, new ongoing titles launched as a result of House of M include:

2006-07: Annihilation

A wave of terror sweeps across the galaxy from where space meets the Negative Zone. As the destruction moves towards the home planet of the Nova Corps and the Skrull Homeworld, Marvel’s galactic heroes (and Galactus!) spring into action to try to contain it.

Annihilation’s main story was told in a primary mini-series, while four supporting mini-series with the Annihilation banner addressed different fronts of the war. As a whole, it served to reintroduce Marvel’s cosmic line of heroes.

Characters: Thanos, Drax and Cammi, Annihilus, Nova, Silver Surfer, Ronan The Accuser and The Kree, Gamora, Peter Quill (Starlord), and Moondragon.

Collected entirely in a single Annihilation Omnibus (2014 oversized hardcover, ISBN 978-0785188896 / 2019 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302921651 / 2022 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302934071 / 2025 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302963576 / digital TBA) or in three volumes:

  • Annihilation Volume 1 oversized hardcover and paperback collects Drax the Destroyer #1-4, Annihilation Prologue, Nova #1-4.
  • Annihilation Volume 2 oversized hardcover and paperback collects Silver Surfer #1-4, Super Skrull #1-4 and Ronan #1-4.
  • Annihilation Volume 3 oversized hardcover  and paperback collects Annihilation #1-6, Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #1-2 and the Annihilation: The Nova Corps Files handbook.

The long out-of-print Thanos: Samaritan TPB acts as a prologue to this event. The 2007 Nova series was a spin-off of the event, with the first hardcover and paperback bridging to the next stage of this event sequence, Annihilation: Conquest (below).

Additional background on the major characters of Annihilation is collected in Annihilation Classic hardcover and paperback.

2006-07: Civil War

In 2006 Marvel took a major risk by splitting its heroes down the middle in a Civil War of epic proportions – the event touched almost 100 individual issues!

It wasn’t a risky move just because of its epic scope. Civil War splintered the Avengers flagship just two years after they had been re-assembled, and just months after a decimation of the entire X-Men line. It also meant instituting an actual ideological divide between characters (and fans) that could not be easily resolved with a handshake at the end of the event.

All the risk paid off. Civil War is a rich, multi-layered event that brought out the best in nearly every book it touched, and turned The Avengers into a diverse multi-book line to equal the X-Men. Though the main title moves relatively briskly without the associated events from tie-in titles, it’s still an incredibly compelling read – one of Marvel’s inarguable modern-day milestones.

Characters: Though this event touches nearly all of the Marvel Universe, it specifically features Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Hank Pym, Luke Cage, Ms. Marvel, Wolverine, Tigra, Punisher, The Fantastic Four, and the New Warriors. The X-Men play an extremely limited role in Civil War, as they were still dealing with the ramifications of Decimation. As a result, their tie-in book is especially tangential.

A Road to Civil War TPB acts as a prelude to this event, but a New Warriors lead-in was later repackaged as Civil War Prelude.

Civil War #1-7 are collected in hardcover (reprinted in 2016 and with a movie cover) and paperback.

In 2016, this was reprinted in an all-inclusive box set of eleven standard-size hardcovers. The result is an exhaustive coverage of the event! While six of these books seem to align to the oversize hardcover editions, below, their contents are not the same. Here are the contents of the set:

Civil War Prologue Premiere HC, collecting New Warriors (2005) #1-6, New Avengers: Illuminati (2006) #1, Fantastic Four (1961) #536-537, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #529-531

Civil War Premiere HC, collecting Civil War (2006) #1-7, Daily Bugle: Civil War Special Edition, material from Civil War (2006) #1 Director’s Cut

Civil War: Avengers Premiere HC, collecting New Avengers (2005) #21-25, Ms. Marvel (2006) #6-8, Captain America (2005) #22-24, Iron Man/Captain America: Casualties Of War, Iron Man (2005) #13-14, Winter Soldier: Winter Kills

Civil War: Fantastic Four Premiere HC, collecting Fantastic Four (1961) #538-542, Black Panther (2005) #18-25, material from Fantastic Four (1961) #543

Civil War: Front Line Premiere, collecting Civil War: Front Line #1-11

Civil War: Marvel Universe Premiere, collecting She-Hulk (2005) #8-9, Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #1-4, Heroes For Hire (2006) 1-3, Civil War: Choosing Sides, Punisher: War Journal (2007) #1-3, Civil War: The Return, Punisher War Journal (2007) #1 B&W Edition

Civil War: Spider-Man Premiere HC, collecting Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #532-538, Sensational Spider-Man (2006) #28-34, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11-16

Civil War: The Underside Premiere HC, collecting Thunderbolts (1997) #103-105, Moon Knight (2006) #7-12, Civil War: War Crimes, Ghost Rider (2006) #8-11

Civil War: X-Men Premiere HC, collecting Wolverine (2003) #42-48, X-Factor (2006) #8-9, Cable & Deadpool #30-32, Civil War: X-Men #1-4, Blade (2006) #5

Civil War Aftermath Premiere HC, collecting Captain America (2005) #25, #25 Director’s Cut; Civil War: The Confession; Civil War: The Initiative; Fallen Son: The Death Of Captain America – Wolverine, Avengers, Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man; What If: Civil War; Daily Bugle: Civil War – Fallen Son; material from What If: Fallen Son

Civil War Files Premiere HC, collecting Civil War Files, Civil War: Battle Damage Report, Civil War: Opening Shot Sketchbook, Civil War: Script Book TPB, Marvel Spotlight: Mark Millar/Steve Mcniven, Marvel Spotlight: Civil War Aftermath

Tie-in issues were consolidated (with scant exceptions) into a series of six hardcovers, which are highly recommended for ease-of-collection. (The individual issue ranges for each title are listed in the next list, below.)

Previously, the various tie-in issues were collected by title as follows:

As one of the consequences of Civil War, the US government charters an Avengers-like superhero team in every one of the fifty states! This epilogue storyline featured the banner “Civil War: The Initiative.”

Finally, the following books were unofficial tie-ins:

  • Eternals #1-7, which played alongside Civil War
  • Death of Captain America Omnibus is an epilogue that would drive the next several years of Captain America stories.
  • Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Vol. 02 – Mystery Date
  • The Sensational Spider-Man, Vol. 02 – Civil War, reprinted in 2016
  • Spider-Man: One More Day in hardcover and paperback is an epilogue that resets certain elements of Spider-Man’s continuity. It is despised by fans and critics alike.
  • Silent War, which was an Inhumans-centric epilogue to both Civil War and House of M. It acts as a launching point for War of Kings (below).
  • Civil War: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1: Marvels Snapshots (2021 hardcover, 978-1302924966) – One of a series of flashback one-shots inspired by the classic Marvels mini-series. Collects Sub-Mariner: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Fantastic Four: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Captain America: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, X-Men: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Avengers: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Spider-Man: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Civil War: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, Captain Marvel: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1

2006-07: Planet Hulk, World War Hulk, & Aftersmash

The Hulk takes center stage in his first ever line-wide crossover!

Over the years, Bruce Banner has been a hero, a villain, and an unaligned force of sheer destruction. That meant he sometimes ran afoul of the heroes of the Marvel Universe, and eventually an elite group of heroes including Tony Stark and Professor Xavier decided that The Hulk was too dangerous to inhabit Earth! Their exile of Hulk to the outer reaches of space initiates the Planet Hulk storyline.

Due to a twist at the end of Planet Hulk, an enraged Hulk returns to Earth set on a singular goal – to destroy the men who sent him to space, as well as all that they love! The event is followed by a brief epilogue, Aftersmash.

Though Hulk is not typically Marvel’s most marquee hero, World War Hulk is a solid storyline that manages to weave itself into several lines of heroes.

Characters: Hulk, Hulk’s Warbound team, and The Illuminati – Iron Man, Black Bolt, Professor X, Dr. Strange, and Mr. Fantastic.

First, Planet Hulk is presaged by New Avengers: Illuminati, which also acts as a prequel to Civil War – it is collected as described above. The main prequel is Planet Hulk Prelude, which collects Incredible Hulk #88-91. (Meanwhile, She-Hulk dealt with Planet Without a Hulk.)

This storyline is now most effectively collected in two omnibuses:

Hulk: Planet Hulk Omnibus
(2017 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302907693 / 2023 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302949686 / digital)
Collects Fantastic Four (1998) #533-535, Incredible Hulk (2000) #88-105, Giant-size Hulk (2006) #1, What If? Planet Hulk, Planet Hulk: Gladiator Guidebook, Material From New Avengers: Illuminati (2006), Amazing Fantasy (2004) #15

Hulk: World War Hulk Omnibus
(2017 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302908126 / 2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302957674 / digital)
Collects World War Hulk Prologue: World Breaker, World War Hulk #1-5, Incredible Hulk (2000) #106-111, Iron Man (2005) #19-20, Avengers: The Initiative #4-5, Irredeemable Ant-Man #10, World War Hulk: X-Men #1-3, Ghost Rider (2006) #12-13, Heroes For Hire (2006) #11-15, Punisher War Journal (2007) #12, World War Hulk: Gamma Corps #1-4, World War Hulk: Front Line #1-6, World War Hulk: Aftersmash One-shot, WWH Aftersmash: Damage Control #1-3, WWH Aftersmash: Warbound #1-5, and Planet Hulk Saga

It was previously collected in a series of smaller books:

Planet Hulk is collected in hardcover and paperback, including issues #92-105 and Giant-Size Hulk.

Next, World War Hulk #1-5 is available in hardcover and paperback, which also collect an Aftersmash one-shot. Supporting issues are collected ina number of tie-in volumes.

Finally, the reprecussions of the story are addressed in Aftersmash:

2007-08: Annihilation: Conquest

After the galaxy-wide destruction of Annihilation, another enemy takes advantage of the resulting chaos to vie for control of some of the oldest civilizations in the universe – The Phalanx!

Originally an X-Men foe in the 1990s, the Phalanx are race of hive-minded techno-organic entities that sweep across worlds, assimilating their organic species. They infiltrate the Kree empire, completely subverting it … but it’s an even older villain who is behind their evil plot!

Characters: The Phalanx, The Kree, The Badoon, Star-Lord, Ronan The Accuser, Wraith, Super-Skrull, Nova, Quasar, Moondragon, Adam Warlock, High Evolutionary, Ultron, and The Guardians of the Galaxy (including Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Mantis).

Annihilation: Conquest Omnibus collects this event in its entirety. Individual issues are listed below.

The primary story is collected in two volumes:

2008: Secret Invasion

The nefarious, shape-shifting Skrulls have repeatedly infiltrated Earth’s society of super-heroes for decades, sometimes living for years as sleeper-agents playing the part of teammates and lovers. In Secret Invasion, The Skrulls pose the alarming question: have we really found all of the imposters?

The result is a world-altering, line-wide crossover that – for once – takes its cues from years of accumulated continuity stretching back to the earliest issues of Fantastic Four!

Characters: The Avengers, Reed Richards, Spider-Woman, Elektra, Hank Pym, Norman Osborn, The Hood, Hawkeye

First, Infiltration addressed the clues leading up to the full-blown invasion. The main Infiltration story is collected in Secret Invasion: The Infiltration – including Collecting Fantastic Four #2, New Avengers: Illuminati #1 and #5, New Avengers #31-32 and #38-39, Mighty Avengers #7, and Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1. Other Infiltration issues included:

  • Captain Marvel (2008) #4-5 in Captain Marvel: Secret Invasion hardcover (oversized?) and paperback
  • Marvel Spotlight: Secret Invasion in Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust
  • Ms. Marvel (2006) #25-27 in Ms. Marvel, Vol. 5: Secret Invasion hardcover and paperback

Then, the invasion began!

Secret Invasion #1-8 are collected in paperback and hardcover. The main limited series reads a little disjointed without the battles taking place in the tie-ins – particularly in Avengers titles.

In 2018, Marvel issued a Secret Invasion omnibus (ISBN 9781302912154) that included all the major tie-in issues written by Brian Bendis. The full contents are Secret Invasion #1-8, Prologue; New Avengers (2004) #31-32 & 39-49; Mighty Avengers (2007) #7 & 12-20; and New Avengers: Illuminati (2007) #1 & 5.

Alongside that omnibus, they released the Secret Invasion: Rise Of The Skrulls paperback (ISBN 9781302912468), collecting a concise history of the Skrulls via Fantastic Four (1961) #2, 18, & Annual 19; Avengers (1963) #97 & Annual 14; Silver Surfer (1987) #25; Marvel: The Lost Generation #11; Captain Marvel (2007) #1-5; Ms. Marvel (2006) #25-27; material From Fantastic Four (1961) #257, Marvel Westerns: Kid Colt And The Arizona Girl, Avengers: The Initiative Annual 1, and Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust?

Tie-ins to Secret Invasion included:

Secret Invasion also spawned a number of mini-series and one-shots:

2009: Dark Reign

Dark Reign was not a direct crossover or even a limited series, which makes explaining it a little difficult. Instead, it was a sort of villainous pallor that hung over the Marvel Universe for a year – totaling over 300 issues! – as a result of the conclusion of Secret Invasion.

Without dropping any major spoilers, the final pages of Secret Invasion put a particularly despicable classic Marvel Villain in a position of power and trust in America. While he does his worst to undermine the traditional slate of Marvel heroes, his warped justice actually yields a few positive results for the American people – making this period even more confusing and twisted!

The closest this sequence comes to a central series is a pair of framing collections – Dark Reign: Accept Change and Dark Reign: The List hardcover and paperback – collecting a series of eight one-shots: Avengers, Daredevil, Hulk, Punisher, Secret Warriors, The Amazing Spider-Man, Wolverine, X-Men.

However, perhaps a better example of this period is the X-Men / Dark Avengers: Utopia crossover, collected in oversized hardcover and paperback.

Dark Reign crossed over into a number of ongoing series:

Dark Reign also spawned a number of mini-series:

2009-10: War of Kings & Realm of Kings

Years of galactic sub-plots come to a head in this stellar run of cosmic series, which follow the fates of the Inhumans, Shi’ar, and Kree, as well as heroes including Guardians of the Galaxy, Nova, and X-Men Havok, Polaris, and Rachel Summers.

War of Kings Prelude: Road to War of Kings Omnibus (2017 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302904463) collects the many threads of the full lead-in story to War of Kings – Son of M #1-6, X-Men: Deadly Genesis #1-6, Silent War #1-6, Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1-4, Guardians Of The Galaxy (2008) #1-12, Nova #13-22, Nova: The Origin Of Richard Rider, War Of Kings Saga

Inhumans / X-Men: War of Kings Omnibus (2016 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302902254 / 2023 oversize hardcover, ISBN / digital) collects the majority of the War of Kings storyline – Uncanny X-Men #475-486, X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #1-5, Secret Invasion: War Of Kings, X-Men: Kingbreaker #1-4, War Of Kings: Darkhawk #1-2, War Of Kings: Warriors #1-2, War Of Kings #1-6, War Of Kings: Ascension #1-4, War Of Kings: Savage World Of Sakaar, Nova #23-28, Guardians Of The Galaxy #13-19, War Of Kings: Who Will Rule?, and Marvel Spotlight: War Of Kings.

War of Kings Aftermath: Realm of Kings (2017 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1-302-90447-0) collects all of the Realm of King storyline, its tie-ins, and subsequent Annihilators stories – Realm Of Kings #1, Realm Of Kings: Inhumans #1-5, Realm Of Kings: Imperial Guard #1-5, Realm Of Kings: Son of Hulk #1-4, Nova (2007) #29-36, Guardians Of The Galaxy (2008) #20-25, Thanos Imperative #1-6, Ignition, & Devastation, Annihilators #1-4, Annihilators: Earthfall #1-4, Thanos Sourcebook, and material From I Am An Avenger #3

The correct sequence to read this far-reaching story is:

This story continues in various places – the Inhumans/Kree thread in FF, Vol. 2 in hardcover and paperback, and the rift in space/time in Thanos Imperative (hardcover/paperback), followed by Annihilators (hardcover/paperback) and  Annihilators: Earthfall.

2009-10: Siege

Seige is the grand finale of the epic three-year cycle of stories that began with Civil War. As a result of events in Dark Reign, the mythical city of Asgard has fallen to Earth – hovering above the American Midwest.

While Earth’s heroes attempt to assuage locals and restore the city to its mythological home, Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers and the anti-hero community sets their sights on shattering the home of the Norse Parthenon for good!

Siege sounds like a Thor-centric event, but it’s much more about his extended supporting cast – particularly Loki. It also marks the end of Osborn’s multi-year arc.

Collected in Seige hardcover and paperback along with Siege: The Cabal and a Free Comic Book Day issue, as well as oversized hardcover (which also collects the New Avengers and Dark Avengers issues, below). Reprinted in 2024 (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302952792 / digital)

There was also a Siege Prelude paperback, which introduced the major themes of the event.

Tie-in issues included:

  • Avengers: The Initiative (2007) #31-35 see Avengers: The Initiative
  • Dark Avengers (2009) #13-16 see Dark Avengers
  • Dark Wolverine (2009) #82-84 in Siege: X-Men hardcover and paperback
  • The Mighty Avengers (2007) #35-36 see Mighty Avengers
  • New Avengers (2005) #61-64 see New Avengers
  • New Mutants (2009) #11 in Siege: X-Men (above) and with Thor (below). See also New Mutants.
  • Origins of Siege (2010) #1 in the Siege HC (above), but not TPB
  • Sentry: Fallen Sun (2010) #1 – Not collected
  • Siege: Captain America (2010) #1 in Siege: Battlefield in hardcover or paperback
  • Siege: Embedded (2010) #1-4 in hardcover or paperback
  • Siege: Loki (2010) #1 in Siege: Battlefield (above) and with Thor (below)
  • Siege: Secret Warriors (2010) #1 in Siege: Battlefield (above). See also Secret Warriors
  • Siege: Spider-Man (2010) #1 in Siege: Battlefield (above)
  • Siege: Storming Asgard – Heroes & Villains (2010) #1 in Siege: X-Men (above)
  • Siege: The Cabal (2010) #1 in Siege (above)
  • Siege: Young Avengers (2010) #1 in Siege: Battlefield (above)
  • Thor (1966) #607-610 in Thor: Siege hardcover and paperback and Thor by Kieron Gillen Ultimate Collection
  • Thunderbolts (1997) #141-143 in Thunderbolts, Vol. 6 hardcover and paperback
Epilogues to Siege appear in Thor: Siege Aftermath. Osborn’s story continues in Osborn: Evil Incarcerated.

2010: Heroic Age

Like Dark Reign before it, Heroic Age was a decentralized event without a main story. It put the focus back on tried-and-true Marvel heroes doing what they do best – saving the world.

Since heroes being heroes is a more nebulous framing device than Dark Reign’s concept of villains taking over, not all comics bearing the Heroic Age banner have special significance.

Two primary anthology titles were collected as Age of Heroes, with a number of the new series debuts collected as Heroic Age.

It was primarily used as a platform to relaunch the Avengers line with Avengers, New Avengers, Avengers Prime, Secret Avengers, and Avengers Academy – plus solo books Black Widow, Hawkeye & Mockingbird, Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier.

In the X-Men line, the Heroic Age coincided with the end of the massive Second Coming crossover. X-Men Vol. 3 launched under the banner of the Heroic Age, as did the Five Lights arc in Uncanny X-Men and Collision in X-Men: Legacy.

2010-11: Shadowland

A bloody, back-alley brawl of an event that allowed the street-level heroes of Marvel’s NYC a rare chance to shine without being shoehorned into a universe-spanning threat.

Daredevil takes control of The Hand in Hell’s Kitchen, but with his new responsibilities he adopts a violent take on crime-stopping. As his crime-fighting friends decide how to confront the suddenly deadly Daredevil, a new Man Without Fear takes to the streets of New York.

Daredevil: Shadowland Omnibus
Collects Dark Reign: The List – Daredevil #1; Daredevil (1998) #501-512; Shadowland #1-5; Shadowland: Elektra, Bullseye, Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, After The Fall; Shadowland: Moon Knight #1-3; Shadowland: Blood On The Streets# 1-4; Shadowland: Daughters Of The Shadow #1-3; Shadowland: Power Man #1-4; Thunderbolts (1997) #148-149; Daredevil: Reborn #1-4

Shadowland #1-5 are collected in hardcover and paperback, as well as:

  • Daredevil #508-512 in Daredevil: Shadowland hardcover and paperback (also includes Shadowland: After the Fall)
  • Shadowland: Blood on the Streets in hardcover and paperback
  • Shadowland: Moon Knight in hardcover and paperback
  • Shadowland: Power Man in hardcover and paperback
  • Thunderbolts #148-149 in Shadowland: Thunderbolts hardcover and paperback
  • Shadowland: Daughters of the Shadow in Shadowland: Street Heroes hardcover and paperback, which also collects the following four one-shots
    • Shadowland: Bullseye
    • Shadowland: Elektra
    • Shadowland: Ghost Rider
    • Shadowland: Spider-Man
Daredevil: Reborn in hardcover and paperback acts as an epilogue to Daredevil’s arc in this event, which then leads to a new acclaimed series Daredevil by Mark Waid, Vol. 1 in hardcover and paperback.

2010-11: Chaos War

Stemming from events culminating in The Incredible Hercules: Assault on New Olympus and The Incredible Hercules: The New Prince of Power, this fight against the Chaos King and its tie-ins were outright despised by fans (except for Hercules fans, who thought it was a decent resolution to his title, if a bit of a letdown).

The negative reception is only partially due to the impenetrable story. It’s also the fault of duplication – the X-Men had just endured a similar back-from-the-dead saga with Necrosha a year before, and the entire Marvel Universe was about to battle a god of fear in Fear Itself.

Chaos War #1-4 are collected in paperback, with additional limited series issues collected in three other TPBs.

Hercules’s story continues in Fear Itself: Herc hardcover.

2010-2012: Children’s Crusade

This is way trickier than it ought to be ;)

Children’s Crusade is a nine-issue limited series that follows the Young Avengers as they try to discern if two of their members – Wiccan and Speed – are related to the Scarlet Witch. Of course, that mission is bound to be tricky, since the Scarlet Witch has been missing in action since the end of House of M!

How does this limited series classify as an event? Because it was released over the course of two years, and includes The Avengers including Spider-Man and Wolverine, a Pre-Schism X-Men including Magneto, and Dr. Doom as a villain – even though he is presently a hero in Fantastic Four!

Avengers: The Children’s Crusade (2010) #1-9 are collected in Avengers: Children’s Crusade oversized hardcover, along with the Young Avengers: Children’s Crusade One Shot and material from Uncanny X-Men #526.

Later, this was recollected in the Young Avengers By Heinberg & Cheung Omnibus
(2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302933890 / digital)
Collects Young Avengers (2005) #1-12, Young Avengers Special (2005) #1, Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways (2006) #1-4, Young Avengers Presents (2008) #1-6, Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers (2008) #1-3, Dark Reign: Young Avengers (2009) #1-5, Siege: Young Avengers (2010) #1, Avengers: the Children’s Crusade (2010) #1-9, Avengers: The Children’s Crusade – Young Avengers (2011) #1, Young Avengers (2005) #1 Director’s Cut, and material from Uncanny X-Men (1963) #526

Why have I placed it here when Marvel SVP Tom Brevoort claims that the running order of 2011 events is Fear Itself > Children’s Crusade > Spider-Island > Schism? Because that’s almost certainly not the case for X-Men and FF fans.

Children’s Crusade kicks off with a brief scene with Magneto from Uncanny X-Men #526. All of Magneto and Rogue’s appearances in X-Men Legacy starting from #245 occur after Fear Itself, since they they all happen in a quick sequence that terminates with Schism – we know this due to the involvement of Legion and Rachel Summers.

Also, due to Doom’s villainy, this absolutely must occur prior to the beginning of the FF series. If we trust Brevoort’s placement, we agree to put the first twelve issues of FF after Fear Itself. That clearly can’t be the case because of Thing and Invisible Woman’s participation in Fear Itself as members of FF, the issue of which is actually collected in Spider-Island’s companion book! Oh, and Magneto takes a brief trip with FF in X-Men, Vol. 3 #16-19 that includes Doom as a member of FF.

And that doesn’t even mention how much suffering The Avengers (and the world) endure in Fear Itself, which goes without mention in Children’s Crusade.

Yikes!

The much easier solution is that Children’s Crusade occurs directly prior to Fear Itself. Ta-Da! It creates very few conflicts.

2011: Fear Itself, Shattered Heroes, & Battle Scars

Another event with Thor and Asgard playing the most prominent role, though its effects reached into every corner – and nearly every title! – of the Marvel Universe.

The Serpent of Asgardian legend rises in the form of a man, and he is determined to usurp control of Asgard and plunge the Earth into a worldwide epidemic of fear. To aid him in his battle, seven corrupting hammers descend upon Earth, empowering heroes and villains alike as ultimately powerful, unstoppable forces of evil.

The main story played out in a seven plus three issue series. However, as has been the case with recent limited-series driven events, the limited contains only the main bash … story elements are spread out across the line of titles. Fans and critics generally disliked the main book, but applauded many of the tie-ins for excellent storytelling and action.

Fear Itself #1-7 are collected in hardcover and paperback (along with prologue “Book of the Skull).

Later, this event was included in the Thor by Matt Fraction Omnibus (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302934804 / digital)

Fear Itself spawned a number of one-shots and limited series:

  • Fear Itself: Black Widow #1 in Fear Itself: Secret Avengers hardcover and paperback
  • Fear Itself: Deadpool #1-3 in Fear Itself: Deadpool / Fearsome Four hardcover and paperback
  • Fear Itself: The Deep #1-4 in Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force / The Deep hardcover and paperback
  • Fear Itself: FF #1 in Fear Itself: Spider-Man hardcover and paperback
  • Fear Itself: Fearsome Four #1-4 Fear Itself: Deadpool / Fearsome Four hardcover and paperback
  • Fear Itself: Fellowship of Fear #1 is uncollected (or, content was spread between multiple books). It was a combination Saga recap and Handbook of characters.
  • Fear Itself: The Home Front #1-7 in hardcover and paperback
  • Fear Itself: Hulk Vs. Dracula #1-3 in hardcover and Fear Itself: Hulk/Dracula paperback
  • Fear Itself: The Monkey King #1 may be uncollected.
  • Fear Itself: Sin’s Past #1 was a reprint issue collecting Captain America #355-357
  • Fear Itself: Spider-Man #1-3 in Fear Itself: Spider-Man hardcover and paperback
  • Fear Itself: Spotlight #1 in various
  • Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force #1-3 in Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force / The Deep hardcover and paperback
  • Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #1-6 in hardcover and paperback
  • Fear Itself: The Worthy #1-8 was a digital series collected with Spider-Man, above.
  • Fear Itself: Wolverine #1-3 in Fear Itself Wolverine/New Mutants hardcover and paperback
  • Alpha Flight #1-4 by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, Vol. 1 hardcover and paperback
Fear Itself also crossed over into a number of ongoing series:

Finally, there have been several epilogues to Fear Itself, including:

  • The Fearless was a 12-issue maxi-series featuring Valkyrie’s hunt for the remaining hammers, collected in hardcover and paperback. [Ed. Note: I loved it!]
  • Battle Scars hardcover and paperback & titles carrying the “Battle Scars” banner
  • Journey Into Mystery: Fear Itself Fallout hardcover and paperback
  • Shattered Heroes hardcover

A new, short-lived Defenders series launched in the wake of this event with Defenders by Matt Fraction hardcover. Alpha Flight continued for an additional four issues, collected Alpha Flight by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, Vol. 2 hardcover.

2011: Spider-Island

A rare spider-centric crossover that reached past the Spider-Man family of books to pull in other NYC heroes like Black Panther, Luke Cage, The Avengers, and Cloak & Dagger.

This was well-received by fans and critics as a fun, fast-paced story worthy of a crossover.

Collected in Spider-Island oversize hardcover and paperback, with supporting issues collected in Spider-Island Companion oversize hardcover and paperback.

(Yes, it’s really that simple!)

Below, I’ve listed what those two books contain. Note that the only ongoing series to cross over into the event along with Amazing Spider-Man were Venom, Herc, and Black Panther – everything else was contained to a mini-series.

Spider-Island: The Infested Prologues From Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #659-660 & #662-665, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #666-673, Venom (2011) #6-8, Spider-Island: Deadly Foes, and material from Spider-Island Spotlight.

Companion: The Amazing Spider-Girl #1-3, Spider-Island: Cloak & Dagger #1-3, Spider-Island: Deadly Hands Of Kung Fu #1-3, Herc #7-8, Spider-Island: Avengers #1, Spider-Island: Spider-Woman #1, Spider-Island: I Love New York City, Black Panther #524, Spider-Island: Heroes For Hire, and material from Spider-Island Spotlight.

2012: Avengers vs. X-Men (AvX)

In 2012 Marvel pitted two of their big three franchises against each other over the coming of the Phoenix Force!

Characters: While the entire cast of X-Men and Avengers participate, the main action is driven mostly by Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, Magik, Hope, Scarlet Witch, Iron Fist, Iron Man, Captain America, and Spider-Man, which appearances by Hawkeye, Luke Cage, Red Hulk, Thing, Storm, and Magneto.

The crossover itself consisted of two main series – Avengers vs. X-Men and Avengers vs. X-Men: Vs – plus a number of tie-in issues across both lines of books – though Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief promises the crossing will only occur if “Avengers” or “X-Men” is part of a book’s actual title.

Road to AvX TPB collects key lead-up issues from the past few years. The entire Avengers: Children’s Crusade series can also be considered a prologue, as can Avengers: X-Sanction in hardcover and paperback.

The oversized hardcover Avengers vs. X-Men collects Collecting Avengers vs. X-Men #0-12, AVX: VS #1-6, Avengers vs. X-Men Infinite Comics, and material from Marvel Point One.

If you want Avengers vs. X-Men in paperback, you’ll need to pick up the pair of Avengers vs. X-Men (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785163183 / 2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302951511 / 2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302951511 /  digital)  as well as Avengers vs. X-Men: Vs (ISBN 0785165207).

To grab all of the tie-ins in one place, you simply need Avengers vs. X-Men Companion, which collects all of the tie-ins listed below as well as the epilogue from Consequences.

The epilogue is the five-issue Avengers vs. X-Men: Consequences (ISBN 0785166467).

Later, all of that material was collected in a single Avengers Vs. X-Men Omnibus (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302946777 / digital)
Collects Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) #0-12; Point One (2011) #1 (AVX story); AVX: Vs (2012) #1-6; Avengers vs. X-Men: Infinite (2012) #1, 6, 10; Avengers Academy (2010) #29-33; Secret Avengers (2010) #26-28; Avengers (2010) #25-30; New Avengers (2010) #24-30; X-Men Legacy (2008) #266-270; Wolverine & the X-Men (2011) #9-16 & 18; AVX: Consequences (2012) #1-5; Uncanny X-Men (2011) #11-20; A-Babies vs. X-Babies (2012) #1.

Tie-ins to the event included:

2013: Age of Ultron (AoU)

Events-Age-of-Ultron-Alt-Heroes-PromoLong-time Avengers scribe Brian Bendis began teasing an apocalyptic future ruled by Ultron early in his Heroic Age run on The Avengers. Though Bendis broke ground on the series with artist Brian Hitch around that time, with Avengers vs. X-Men on the horizon, Marvel delayed the event from 2012 to 2013. In retrospect, you can feel how the two events are interchangable in their potential to set up Marvel Now.

Fans widely panned the event due to its awkward fit into continuity and lack of action. It’s a strangely somber affair – half-composed of battle-scarred heroes wandering through post-apocalyptic cities, the other half featuring the unlikely time-traveler Wolverine traveling with unlikely ally Invisible Woman.

Due to the significant shift in timing of this event and the self-contained nature of the story, it did not include many tie-ins – but those that it did are universally strong, if a bit depressing.

The oversized hardcover Age of Ultron collects Age of Ultron #1-10 as well as all of its tie-ins: Avengers Assemble 14AU -15AU , Fantastic Four 5AU , Fearless Defenders 4AU, Superior Spider -Man 6AU , Ultron 1AU , Uncanny Avenger s 8AU, Wolverine & the X-Men 27AU, and Avengers 10AI.

A pair of paperbacks split the series between the main event and tie-ins.

In the wake of this event:

  • Hunger #1-4 acts as an epilogue to Age of Ultron, showing how Galactus contends with one of its major effects. This leads to the Cataclysm event in the Ultimate Comics universe, collected with Hunger as Cataclysm: The Ultimates’ Last Stand hardcover
  • Guardians of the Galaxy #5-7 also deals with a particular ramification of the end of the event; it is collected in hardcover
  • The new series Avengers A.I. launches

2013-14: Infinity & Inhumanity

Infinity Promo PosterBilled as “the first crescendo” of Jonathan Hickman’s planned multi-year run on The Avengers, Infinity brings back Thanos as an ultimate bad-guy threatening both Earth in specific and the universe as a whole. As a result of the event, The Inhumans and their Terrigan Mists are thrust into prominence in decentralized event lead by writer Matt Fraction.

The main event Infinity runs through Infinity #1-6 and directly relates with nine accompanying issues of Avengers – Avengers #18-23 and New Avengers #9-12. The continuity of those issues is shown on the map at the right – put together by Hickman himself!

Characters: Thanos, The Builders, The Avengers – particularly, Captain America, Captain Marvel, & Ex Nihilo, The Illuminati – Iron Man, Black Bolt, Dr. Strange, Mr. Fantastic, Namor, Black Bolt & Beast plus their prisoner Black Swan, and The Inhumans.

Infinity #1-6 is collected (in story order!) in oversize hardcover and paperback, which also includes New Avengers #7-12, Avengers #12-23, and Infinity Infinite Comic #1-2 (Infinite comic may not appear in paperback).

The same material minus the prologue from Avengers #12-13 and the Infinite Comic was recollected in oversize hardcover format in 2018 as Infinity by Starlin & Hickman Omnibus (along with the 1992 Infinity Gauntlet).

The entire Jonathan Hickman run on Avengers through the end of Infinity is collected in Avengers by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus, Vol. 1 – Avengers (2012) #1-23, New Avengers (2013) #1-12, and Infinity Free Comic Book Day and Infinity #1-6 (and Infinity: Against The Tide Infinite Comic #1-2). Plus, this adds two stories not recollected elsewhere – Astonishing Tales: Mojoworld (starring Cannonball and Sunspot) and material from Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu (2009) one-shot.

All of the Infinity tie-in issues (listed below in bullets) are collected in Infinity Companion Oversize Hardcover.

Click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge.

The following titles were official tie-ins to Infinity:

  • Avengers Assemble #18-20
  • Captain Marvel #15-16
  • Fearless Defenders #10
  • Guardians of the Galaxy #8-9
  • Infinity: The Heist #1-4
  • Infinity: The Hunt #1-4
  • Mighty Avengers #1-3
  • Nova #8-9
  • Secret Avengers #10-11
  • Superior Spider-Man Team-Up #3-4
  • Thunderbolts #14-18
  • Wolverine and the X-Men Annual 1

Inhumanity consists of a new series – Inhuman – plus several tie-ins, collected in the Inhumanity oversized hardcover and paperback. However, several other series displayed the effects of Inhumanity – notably, the launches of Ms. Marvel and New Warriors.

  • Avengers A.I. 1 #7
  • Avengers Assemble #21-23
  • Indestructible Hulk #17-19
  • Inhumanity #1-2
  • Inhumanity: The Awakening 1 #1-2
  • Inhumanity: Superior Spider-Man
  • Iron Man #20
  • Mighty Avengers #4-5
  • New Avengers #13
  • Uncanny X-Men #15

2014: Original Sin

ORIGINAL_SIN_ELEMENTS

Marvel’s omnipotent Watcher has been murdered, and the secrets his eyes have witnessed are being released across the Earth! The main series will follow an unlikely investigative team including Black Panther, Emma Frost, Moon Knight, Punisher, and Thor as they seek the murderer. Meanwhile, many titles will tie-in and examine the impact of long-kept secrets as they are released!

Original Sin #0-8 & Original Sins #1-5 (plus material from Marvel Now .1) are collected in Original Sin oversized hardcover. Original Sins stars Young Avengers.

The two series were later collected separately in paperback as Original Sin and Original Sins (the latter of which includes Annual 1 – which is not presently listed as being included in the hardcover).

All Original Sin tie-in issues (listed below in bullets) are collected in Original Sin Companion oversized hardcover.

Operation S.I.N.: Agent Carter #1-5 is a follow-up series that is a flashback to the 19050s but also a tie-in to the event. It is collected in paperback alongside Captain America and The First Thirteen.

The “secrets revealed” concept of Original Sin made it easy to tie-in any Marvel title without them directly impacting the main story of the event – in fact, hardly any of them do. Instead, they are loosely plotted around some revealed secret that changes the course of their plot.

axis_promo2014: Avengers & X-Men: Axis

The Red Skull uses his newfound psychic powers to flip the roles (and traits) of heroes and villains, with terrifying results both for the Marvel Universe and the heroes themselves. This event rose from the ongoing plot of Uncanny Avengers, and despite a few tie-ins it is largely contained to the event book itself.

The stories immediately leading up to the event are collected in Uncanny Avengers: Axis Prelude, which includes Uncanny Avengers #23-25 & Annual 1 and Magneto #9-10.

Avengers & X-Men: Axis #1-9 are collected in oversized hardcover and paperback. Specific hero vs. villain grudge matches are detailed in Axis: Revolutions, collecting #1-4 of that series.

The full range of tie-ins are yet to be revealed, but they will include:

2014-15: Spider-Verse

ASMv4 - 0015 promoThe first spider-centric event since 2011’s Spider-Island! This event features every spider-powered character ever – plus introduce a few new ones – as a Spidey-villain hunts down super spiders in every dimension.

Note: the collection information for this event changed significantly from what was originally solicited at the end of 2014.

Spider-Verse was collected as an all-in-one oversize hardcover and paperback collection that includes every issue from the chronology of the event, from start to finish. However, you will be missing establishing stories for several characters found in Edge of the Spider-Verse, below

They collect Amazing Spider-Man #7-15, Superior Spider-Man #32-33, Material from Free Comic Book Day 2014, Spider-Verse #1-2, Spider-Verse Team-Up #1-3, Scarlet Spiders #1-3, Spider-Woman #1-4, Spider-Man 2099 #6-8.

Later, this same material was recollected alongside a second event, Spider-Geddon, in Spider-Verse / Spider-Geddon Omnibus (2023 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302947422 / digital)

Related collections:

2015: Secret Wars

SW15 - 0001Jonathan Hickman’s Secret Wars is the result of all the various Marvel universes colliding into one savage battleworld, merging realities and pitting factions from famous Marvel stories against each other.

Secret Wars Prelude gathers the essential beginnings of the story, while all of Avengers and New Avengers act as a lead-in to this event. The period directly preceding the event ties to it most closely. That is collected as Avengers: Time Runs Out in oversize hardcover, which collects Avengers #35-44 and New Avengers #24-33.

Concurrent with that are the “Last Days” titles. These all occur just days – or even minutes – prior to the proverbial big bang that kicks off the main Secret Wars event. They are collected as Secret Wars: Last Days of the Marvel Universe oversize hardcover. Individually, they are collected below, sometimes along with other preceding or proceeding issues:

  • Ant-Man: Last Days #1 in The Astonishing Ant-Man, Vol. 1
  • Black Widow #19-20 in Vol. 3: Last Days – shows Black Widow on a final mission before she participates in the beginning of Secret Wars
  • Captain America and the Mighty Avengers #8-9 as Vol. 2: Last Days
  • Loki: Agent of Asgard #14-17 in Vol. 3: Last Days
  • Magneto #18-21 in Vol. 4: Last Days – Shows Magneto directly engaged in the opening conflict of Secret Wars, which is likely retconned in the subsequent continuity
  • Ms. Marvel #16-19 in Ms. Marvel, Vol. 4 – Tells a heartbreaking, human story of Ms. Marvel trying to be a good hero to her town while Captain Marvel battles in Manhattan
  • The Punisher #19-20 in Vol. 3: Last Days
  • Silk #7 in Vol. 0: The Life and Times of Cindy Moon – Considerably advances Silk’s story of searching for her family
  • Silver Surfer #13-15 in Vol. 3: Last Days – In perhaps the most significant Last Days tie-in (and the only one to occur during Secret Wars), Silver Surfer and Dawn have the chance to remake the universe from their own experiences.
  • Spider-Woman #10 in Vol. 2: New Duds – A clever issue of Spider-Woman getting reeled back into Avengers business by Black Widow, placing her with the refugees in the opening scenes of Secret Wars.

None of that is essential to read to enjoy the main event – it has absolutely zero impact on the story.

Secret Wars #1-9 and Free Comic Book Day 2015 Secret Wars #0 are collected in an oversized hardcover and paperback. Alternately, collect it in an omnibus with its direct lead-in arcs from Avengers and New Avengers in Secret Wars by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN TBA / digital TBA).

Secret Wars is split into two major types of tie-ins – Battle World (dealing with the construction and conflicts of the world) and War Zones (bash-em-up stories of direct conflict). In some cases, books continued with the creative time from the titles that lead into them and offered some sense of continuity of story – those are noted below. A few continue directly into new series – they are also noted.

As recollected in omnibus:

 Secret Wars: Battleworld, Vol. 1 (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN TBA)
1602: Witch Hunter Angela (2015) #1-4; 1872 (2015) #1-4; A-Force (2015) #1-5; Age of Apocalypse (2015) #1-5; Age of Ultron vs. Marvel Zombies (2015) #1-4; Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows (2015) #1-5; Armor Wars (2015) #1/2, 1-5; Captain Britain and the Mighty Defenders (2015) #1-2; Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps (2015) #1-4; Civil War (2015) #1-5; Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars (2015) #1-4; E is for Extinction (2015) #1-4.

Battleworld titles

Warzones titles

Other titles

2016: Civil War II

Civil War II invents a new inciting incident to divide the Marvel Universe – this time, putting the Inhumans and a particular future-seeing member of their race in the middle of a divide lead by Iron Man on one side and Captain Marvel on the other.

Civil War II #0-8 and Free Comic Book Day 2016 is written by Brian Bendis and collected in oversize hardcover, paperback (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1302901578 / 2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302952747), and digital.

Civil War II tie-ins so far include the following collections; the collections that are not exclusively branded as “Civil War” may include non-tie-in issues:

2016-17: Death of X and Inhumans vs. X-Men

First, Death of X #1-4 works as a sort of prelude to this event. It depicts previously unseen events happening in the months directly following Secret Wars II as the Terrigen cloud on earth becomes toxic for mutants.

Then, all of All-New All-Different Marvel from 2016 occurs in Inhumans and X-Men titles, which leads inevitably to:

Inhumans Vs. X-Men #0-6 by Charles Soule and Jeff Lemire in oversize hardcover and paperback.

Tie-in collections include:

2017: Monsters Unleashed

This is a light-weight, light-on continuity event that sees massive monsters break loose across the Marvel Universe as penned by Cullen Bunn with a rotating cast of Marvel’s top artists.

Monsters Unleashed #1-5 are collected in Monsters Unleashed: Monster-Size Hardcover, which is EVEN TALLER than an omnibus! Seriously, it’s really huge, it might not fit on your shelf. There’s also a (normal size) paperback version.

Monsters Unleashed Prelude doesn’t really collect lead-up issues, so much as recent or significant appearances by the monsters in question from Fearless Defenders #8, Marvel Zombies (2015) #1, Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur #1, Totally Awesome Hulk #2-3 and material from Strange Tales (1951) #73 & 90, Tales To Astonish (1959) #11-13, 15, 17, 19, & 23; and Tales Of Suspense #15, 17, 19 and 22.

Monsters Unleashed: Battleground collects Monsters Unleashed tie-ins from Avengers 1.mu, Spider-Man/Deadpool 1.mu, All-New X-Men 1.mu, Champions 1.mu, Doctor Strange 1.mu, Uncanny Inhumans 1.mu, Guardians Of The Galaxy 1.mu, and The Totally Awesome Hulk 1.mu

A new, ongoing Monsters Unleashed volume continued out of this series for Volume 1: Monster Mash and Volume 2: Learning Curve.

2017: Secret Empire (and 2016’s Standoff & 2018’s Damnation)

Although Standoff was released prior to Civil War II, in a way it is a prologue to this event, as it introduces the status quo for Steve Rogers that leads to Secret Empire. Some elements of this event are collected along with Cap material – see Guide to Captain America – Steve Rogers for more options.

Avengers: Standoff (oversize hardcover / paperback) includes Welcome To Pleasant Hill Prologue #1, Assault On Pleasant Hill Alpha #1, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. #3-4, Uncanny Avengers #7, All-New All-Different Avengers #7-8, New Avengers #8-10, Captain America: Sam Wilson #7-8, Uncanny Avengers #8, Illuminati #6, Howling Commandos #6, Assault On Pleasant Hill Omega #1. Available in oversize hardcover.

Then, after a year of development (and stories in both Captain America titles), Secret Empire broke out.

Secret Empire (oversize hardcover / paperback) collects Secret Empire (2017) #0-10, Omega, and Free Comic Book Day 2017.

Secret Empire tie-ins were collected in two paperbacks.

Secret Empire: Brave New World collects the five-issue supporting anthology series.

Secret Empire: United We Stand collects a number of supporting issues, all of which were strong reads that added context to the main series: Secret Empire: United #1, Secret Empire: Underground #1, Secret Empire: Uprising #1, and Uncanny Avengers #24-25.

Many series tied in to the event directly:

A year after Secret Empire began, Doctor Strange created an epilogue for the story with Damnation, his attempt to right one of the greatest wrongs of the corrupted Captain America’s administration – the destruction of Las Vegas.

Doctor Strange: Damnation
Collects Damnation (2018) #1-4, Johnny Blaze: Ghost Rider (2018) #1, Doctor Strange #386-389, Iron Fist #78-80, Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider (2017) #15-17. (Probably also collects Doctor Strange #390).

2017: Generations & Marvel Legacy

Generations and Marvel Legacy are two events that aren’t really events – they’re just included here because so many other titles refer to them!

The ten Generations one-shots spin out of a single moment in Secret Empire #10. Each one of them sends a second-generation hero who has inherited a mantle back in time to have a singular experience with their mentor. None of these connect to Secret Empire! Many of them are written by the actual ongoing writers of their series, who incorporated them into their continuing runs to various degrees – none moreso than Hawkeye, which actually continued its story from the one-shot.

Generations (oversize hardcover / paperback) collects the 10 standalone Generations one-shots.

  • Generations: All-New Wolverine & Wolverine AKA The Best
  • Generations: Banner Hulk & The Totally Awesome Hulk AKA The Strongest
  • Generations: Captain Marvel & Captain Mar-Vell AKA The Bravest
  • Generations: Hawkeye & Hawkeye AKA The Archers
  • Generations: Iron Man & Ironheart AKA The Iron
  • Generations: Miles Morales Spider-Man & Peter Parker Spider-Man AKA The Spiders
  • Generations: Ms. Marvel & Ms. Marvel AKA The Marvels
  • Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey AKA The Phoenix
  • Generations: Sam Wilson Captain America & Steve Rogers Captain America AKA The Americas
  • Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor AKA The Thunder

Then, Marvel released a one-shot to kick off their “Marvel Legacy” era. This one-shot did a peculiar double-duty, giving two-page previews of plot upcoming in several Marvel titles but also teasing a broader Avengers story that wouldn’t come to fruition until Jason Aaron took over the franchise in Fresh Start over six months later.

Marvel Legacy (oversize hardcover / paperback ISBN 9781302911027) collects the oversized Marvel Legacy one-shot and all of the three-page “Marvel Primer” stories that ran in initial Legacy titles to help readers catch up.

2018: Infinity Countdown & Infinity Wars

Writer Gerry Duggan asked Marvel to cancel his run on Guardians of the Galaxy because his plans for the Guardians were much bigger than a single series could contain! The story arc that could have ended the Marvel Legacy volume of Guardians became Infinity Countdown, an event series that merited several tie-ins. The action from that story exploded into Infinity Wars at the beginning of Marvel’s Fresh Start.

Infinity Countdown collects Infinity Countdown (2018) Prime & #1-5 and Infinity Countdown: Adam Warlock

Infinity Countdown Companion collects Infinity Countdown: Black Widow, Infinity Countdown: Captain Marvel, Infinity Countdown: Champions #1-2, Infinity Countdown: Daredevil

Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk collects Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk (2018) #1-4

Infinity Wars collects Infinity Wars (2018) Prime & #1-6

Infinity Wars: Sleepwalker collects Infinity Wars: Sleepwalker (2018) #1-4

Infinity Warps: Two-in-One collects all of the merged Marvel character series that took place between issues #3-4 of Infinity Wars. Collects Infinity Wars: Soldier Supreme #1-2 (Cap + Strange), Infinity Wars: Iron Hammer #1-2 (Iron Man + Thor), Infinity Wars: Arachknight #1-2 (Spider-Man + Moon Knight), Infinity Wars: Weapon Hex #1-2 (X-23 + Scarlet Witch), Infinity Wars: Ghost Panther #1-2 (Ghost Rider + Black Panther), and Infinity Wars: Infinity Warps #1-2

2019: War of the Realms

The culmination of over six years of Jason Aaron’s epic run on Thor, War of the Realms brings the ongoing conflict between Thor and Makelith to a head.

lead-in collections…

Thor Vol. 2: Road to War of the Realms (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302912901 / digital)
Collects Thor (2018) #7-11. See Guide to Thor, The Odinson for more information.

War of the Realms Prelude (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302916633 / digital)
An introductory volume with issues and subplot pages that lead up to the event. Collects Thor (1966) #344; Thor: God of Thunder (2013) #13 & 17; Mighty Thor (2015) #1-2, 13-14, & 22 and material from Thor: God of Thunder (2013) #25; Mighty Thor (2015) #4 & 700; Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla (2018) #1.

the main event…

War of the Realms (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302914691 / digital)
Collects War of the Realms (2019) #1-6

in a single volume…

War of the Realms Omnibus (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302934019 / digital)
Collects War of the Realms (2019) #1-6, War of the Realms Omega (2019) #1, War of the Realms: War Scrolls (2019) #1-3, War of the Realms Strikeforce: The Land of the Giants (2019) #1, War of the Realms Strikeforce: The Dark Elf Realm (2019) #1, War of the Realms Strikeforce: The War Avengers (2019) #1; Giant-Man (2019) #1-3, War of the Realms: Journey into Mystery (2019) #1-5, Spider-Man & the League of Realms (2019) #1-3, War of the Realms: The Punisher (2019) #1-3, War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men (2019) #1-3, War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas (2019) #1-4, Asgardians of the Galaxy (2018) #8-10, Tony Stark: Iron Man (2018) #12-13, Venom (2018) #13-15, Thor (2018) #8-16, Avengers (2018) #18-20, Captain Marvel (2019) #6-7, Champions (2019) #5-6, Deadpool (2018) #13-14, Fantastic Four (2018) #10, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #43, Superior Spider-Man (2019) #7-8, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015b) #43-46.

event tie-ins…

Asgardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: War of the Realms (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302916923 / digital)
Collections Asgardians of the Galaxy (2018) #6-10. See Guide to Valkyrie or Guide to Angela for more information.

Avengers By Jason Aaron Vol. 4: War of the Realms (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302914622 / digital)
Collects Avengers (2018) #21-25. See Guide to Avengers Flagships (2010 – Present Day) for more information.

Thor Vol. 3: War’s End (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302914455 / digital)
Collects Thor (2018) #12-16. See Guide to Thor, The Odinson for more information.

Tony Stark: Iron Man Vol. 3: War of the Realms (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302914431 / digital)
Collects Tony Stark: Iron Man (2018) #12-14, Iron Man (1998) #25. See Guide to Iron Man, Tony Stark for more information.

Venom Vol 4 The War of the Realms (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302916961 / digital)
Collects Venom (2018) #13-15 and Web of Venom: Cult of Carnage (2019) #1. See Guide to Venom for more information.

War of the Realms: Giant-Man (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302918286 / digital)
Collects Giant-Man (2019) #1-3 and material from War of the Realms: War Scrolls (2019) #1 (2nd and 3rd stories), and The Astonishing Ant-Man (2015) #6. See Guide to Ant-Man for more information.

War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302918347 / digital)
Collects War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery (2019) #1-5

War of the Realms: New Agents Of Atlas (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302918774 / digital)
Collets War Of The Realms: New Agents of Atlas (2019) #1-4

War of the Realms: The Punisher (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919054 / digital)
Collects War of the Realms: The Punisher (2019) #1-3 and material from War of the Realms Omega (2019) #1 (Punisher Story) & War of the Realms: War Scrolls (2019) #3 (2nd and 3rd stories). See Guide to Punisher for more information.

War of the Realms: Spider-Man/Daredevil (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919283 / digital)
Collects War of the Realms: Spider-Man & The League of the Realms (2019) #1-3 and material from War of the Realms: War Scrolls (2019) #1-3. See Guide to Spider-Man, Peter Parker (2018 – Present Day) or Guide to Daredevil for more information.

War of the Realms: Strikeforce (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302918552 / digital)
Collects War of the Realms Strikeforce: the Land of the Giants (2019) #1, War of the Realms Strikeforce: the Dark Elf Realm (2019) #1, and War of the Realms Strikeforce: the War Avengers (2019) #1.

War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919191 / digital)
Collects War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men (2019) #1-3, Uncanny X-Men (2018) #17, and material from War of the Realms: War Scrolls #2. I have personally confirmed that it includes UXM #17. See Guide to Uncanny X-Men (2011 – 2019) for more information.

2019: Absolute Carnage

the main event…

Absolute Carnage (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919085 / digital)
Collects Absolute Carnage (2019) #1-5 and material from Free Comic Book Day 2019 (Spider-Man/Venom) #1

in a single volume…

Absolute Carnage Omnibus (2020 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302925291 / digital)
Collects Absolute Carnage (2019) #1-5, Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool (2019) #1-3, Absolute Carnage: Captain Marvel (2019) #1, Absolute Carnage: Immortal Hulk (2019) #1, Absolute Carnage: Symbiote Spider-Man (2019) #1, Absolute Carnage: Symbiote of Vengeance (2019) #1, Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors (2019) #1-3, Absolute Carnage: Avengers (2019) #1, Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales (2019) #1-3, Absolute Carnage: Weapon Plus (2019) #1, Absolute Carnage: Scream (2019) #1-3, Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety (2019) #1, Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #29-31, Venom (2018) #16-20, and Absolute Carnage stinger pages from various issues across the line.

event tie-ins…

Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920975 / digital)
Collects Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool (2019) #1-3, Absolute Carnage: Captain Marvel (2019) #1, and Ravencroft stinger pages from Captain Marvel (2019) #8, Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #24, Deadpool (2018) #14, and Black Cat (2019) #2. See Guide to Deadpool and Guide to Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers for more information.

Absolute Carnage: Immortal Hulk and Other Tales (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302924485 / digital)
Collects Absolute Carnage: Immortal Hulk (2019) #1, Absolute Carnage: Symbiote Spider-Man (2019) #1, Absolute Carnage: Symbiote of Vengeance (2019) #1, stinger pages from Symbiote Spider-Man (2019) #3 and Immortal Hulk (2018) #20. See Guide to Hulk, Bruce Banner, Guide to Ghost Rider, and Guide to Spider-Man, Peter Parker (2018 – Present Day) for more information

Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920135 / digital)
Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors (2019) #1-3, Absolute Carnage: Avengers (2019) #1, and stinger pages from Invaders (2019) #7, Avengers (2018) #22, Fantastic Four (2018) #11, Venom (2018) #15.

Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920142 / digital)
Collects Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales (2019) #1-3 and Absolute Carnage: Weapon Plus (2019) #1. See Guide to Spider-Man, Miles Morales and Guide to Weapon X for more information.

Absolute Carnage: Scream (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920159 / digital)
Collects Absolute Carnage: Scream (2019) #1-3 and Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety (2019) #1

Amazing Spider-Man By Nick Spencer Vol. 6: Absolute Carnage (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302917272 / digital)
Collects Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #29-34 and Red Goblin: Red Death (2019) #1 (which I have verified in a digital copy). See Guide to Spider-Man, Peter Parker (2018 – Present Day) for more information

Venom by Donny Cates Vol. 3: Absolute Carnage (2020 paperback, ISBN  978-1302919979 / digital)
Collects Venom (2018) #16-20 (and not Web of Venom: Funeral Pyre (2019) #1, as mentioned in some solicits – I have personally verified this). See Guide to Venom for more information.

event follow-ups…

Scream Vol. 1: Curse of Carnage (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302921002 / digital)
Collects Scream: Curse of Carnage (2019) #1-6 (I have personally confirmed this issue range)

2020: Empyre

Empyre was an Avengers and Fantastic Four semi-cosmic event that pulled in some other lines to participate. This event was interrupted by the pandemic, and as a result some of its originally-solicited series were solicited but canceled outright.

lead-in collections…

Empyre: Road to Empyre (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302925888 / digital)
Collects Incoming (2019) #1, Road to Empyre: The Kree/Skrull War (2020) #1, Empyre Handbook (2020) #1

the main event…

Empyre (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302924386 / digital)
Collects Empyre: Avengers (2020) #0, Empyre: Fantastic Four (2020) #0, Empyre (2020) #1-6, Empyre Aftermath: Avengers (2020) #1, and Empyre Fallout: Fantastic Four (2020) #1

in a single volume…

Empyre Omnibus (2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302928254)
Collects Collecting Incoming (2019) #1, Road to Empyre: The Kree/Skrull War (2020) #1, Empyre: Avengers (2020) #0, Empyre: Fantastic Four (2020) #0, Empyre (2020) #1-6; Empyre Aftermath: Avengers (2020) #1; Empyre Fallout: Fantastic Four (2020) #1; Empyre: X-Men (2020) #1-4; Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling (2020) #1, Lords of Empyre: Celestial Messiah (2020) #1, Lords of Empyre: Swordsman (2020) #1; Empyre: Savage Avengers (2020) #1; Empyre: Captain America (2020) #1-3, Empyre: Avengers (2020) #1-3, X-Men (2019) #10-11; Fantastic Four (2018) #21-23; Captain Marvel (2019) #18-21; Immortal She-Hulk (2020) #1; Web of Venom: Empyre’s End (2020) #1; Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda (2019) #7-8; and Empyre Handbook (2020) #1, as well as behind-the-scenes material from the canceled titles. It does not collect Guardians of the Galaxy (2020) #7-8.

event tie-ins…

Captain Marvel (2019) #18-21 – See Guide to Captain Marvel

Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda (2019) #7-8 – See Guide to Black Panther

Empyre: Captain America & The Avengers (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302925901 / digital)
Collects Empyre: Captain America (2020) #1-3 and Empyre: Avengers (2020) #1-3

Empire: X-Men (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302925758 / digital)
Collects Empyre: X-Men (2020) #1-4. Also, see Guide to X-Men, The Age of Krakoa

Fantastic Four (2018) #21-23 – See Guide to Fantastic Four

Guardians of the Galaxy (2020) #7-8 – See Guide to Guardians of the Galaxy. These are aftermath issues.

Immortal She-Hulk (2020) #1 – See Guide to She-Hulk – Jennifer Walters or Guide to Hulk – Bruce Banner

Lords of Empyre (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302925918 / digital)
Collects Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling (2020) #1, Lords of Empyre: Celestial Messiah (2020) #1, Lords of Empyre: Swordsman (2020) #1, and Empyre: Savage Avengers (2020) #1

Web of Venom: Empyre’s End (2020) #1 – See Guide to Venom

X-Men (2019) #10-11 – See Guide to X-Men, The Age of Krakoa

cancelled tie-ins…

  • Empyre: Ghost Rider (2020) #1
  • Empyre: Spider-Man (2020) #1-3
  • Empyre: Squadron Supreme (2020) #1
  • Empyre: Stormranger (2020) #1
  • Strikeforce (2020) #10

2020-2021: Outlawed

This event primarily centered on Ms. Marvel and focusing on the super-powered teens of New York City was unfortunately truncated by the pandemic, with everything but its initial one-shot delayed and one title canceled.

the main event…

Champions: Outlawed (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302922900 / digital)
Collects Outlawed (2020) #1 and Champions (2020) #1-5, sometimes known as Champions: Outlawed. Also, see Guide to Champions

event tie-ins…

2020-2021: King in Black

King in Black (2020) #2This event spins out of the ongoing run on Venom (2018) by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman and is a sequel to Absolute Carnage.

the main event…

King in Black (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1846533112)
Collects King in Black (2020) #1-5 and Venom (2018) #31-34, which are both written by Donny Cates and intertwine with each other. Just the event issues alone are collected in digital format.

in a single volume…

King in Black Omnibus (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302946432 / digital)
Collects King in Black (2020) #1-5; King in Black: Gwenom vs. Carnage (2021) #1-3; King In Black: Namor (2020) #1-5; King in Black: Planet of the Symbiotes (2021) #1-3; King in Black: Return of the Valkyries (2020) #1-4; King in Black: Thunderbolts (2021) #1-3; Symbiote Spider-Man: King in Black (2020) #1-5; Black Cat (2020) #1-3; Daredevil (2019) #26-27; Deadpool (2019) #10; Fantastic Four (2018) #29-30; Guardians of the Galaxy (2020) #10; Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2018) #23; S.W.O.R.D. (2020) #2-4; Savage Avengers (2019) #17-19; Spider-wWman (2020) #7-8; The Union (2020) #1-2; Venom (2018) #31-34; King in Black one-shots – Black Knight (2021), Black Panther (2021), Captain America (2020), Ghost Rider (2020), Immortal Hulk (2020), Iron Man/Doctor Doom (2020), Marauders (2021),  Wiccan and Hulkling (2021), Scream (2021), and Spider-Man (2021); and King In Black Handbook (2021).

event tie-ins…

King in Black: Atlantis Attacks (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302924560 / digital)
Collects Atlantis Attacks (2020) #1-5

King in Black: Avengers (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302930349 / digital)
Collects a number of one-shots, including King in Black: Black Panther (2021) #1, King in Black: Captain America (2021) #1, King in Black: Ghost Rider (2021) #1, King in Black: Immortal Hulk (2021) #1, King in Black: Iron Man/Doom (2021) #1, King in Black: Wiccan and Hulkling (2021) #1

King in Black: Gwenom vs. Carnage (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302928117 / digital)
Collects King In Black: Gwenom vs. Carnage (2021) #1-3, King in Black: Scream (2021) #1, and King in Black: Spider-Man (2021) #1

King in Black: Namor (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302928131 / digital)
Collects King in Black: Namor (2020) #1-5. This story is told entirely in flashback and has little connection to the event other than establishing historic links to symbiotes in the Marvel Universe.

King in Black: Planet of the Symbiotes (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302928100 / digital)
Collects King In Black: Planet of the Symbiotes (2021) #1-3 and King in Black: Black Knight (2021) #1

King in Black: Return of the Valkyries (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302928087 / digital)
King In Black: Return of the Valkyries (2021) #1-4. This connects strongly to the main event, but also is part of the ongoing arc of Jane Foster series released in this period.

King in Black: Thunderbolts (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302928094 / digital)
Collects King in Black: Thunderbolts (2021) #1-3 and King in Black: Marauders (2021) #1.

The full list of tie-ins:

2021: Heroes Reborn

Heroes Reborn (2021) #1An alternate reality event spinning out of Jason Aaron’s run on Avengers (2018). While this pulls in some heroes from other lines, like Spider-Man and Magneto, it had no real impact outside of the Avengers line. See Guide to Avengers flagship titles (2010 – present) for more information.

the main event…

Heroes Reborn: America’s Mightiest Heroes (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302929572 / digital)
Collects Heroes Reborn (2021) #1-7 and Heroes Return (2021) #1

in a single volume…

Heroes Reborn: America’s Mightiest Heroes Omnibus (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302945190 / digital)
Collects Heroes Reborn (2021) #1-7; Heroes Return (2021) #1; Heroes Reborn: Hyperion & The Imperial Guard (2021) #1; Heroes Reborn: Peter Parker, The Amazing Shutterbug (2021) #!; Heroes Reborn: Magneto & The Mutant Force (2021) #1; Heroes Reborn: Young Squadron (2021) #1; Heroes Reborn: Siege Society (2021) #1; Heroes Reborn: Squadron Savage (2021) #1; Heroes Reborn: Marvel Double Action (2021) #1; Heroes Reborn: American Knights (2021) #1; Heroes Reborn: Night-Gwen (2021) #1; and Heroes Reborn: Weapon X & Final Flight (2021) #1.

event tie-ins…

Heroes Reborn: America’s Mightiest Heroes Companion, Vol. 1 (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302931131 / digital)
Collects Heroes Reborn: Hyperion & the Imperial Guard (2021) #1, Heroes Reborn: Peter Parker, the Amazing Shutterbug (2021) #1, Heroes Reborn: Magneto & the Mutant Force (2021) #1, Heroes Reborn: Young Squadron (2021) #1, Heroes Reborn: Siege Society (2021) #1.

Heroes Reborn: America’s Mightiest Heroes Companion, Vol. 2 (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302931148 / digital)
Collects Heroes Reborn: Squadron Savage (2021) #1, Heroes Reborn: Marvel Double Action (2021) #1, Heroes Reborn: American Knights (2021) #1, Heroes Reborn: Night-Gwen (2021) #1, Heroes Reborn: Weapon X & Final Flight (2021) #1.

 

2021-2022: Devil’s Reign

Devil's Reign (2021) #6An end-of-year event in 2021 that took the place of Daredevil (2019) Chip Zdarsky & Marco Checchetto, acting as the mid-run climax before they continued to a second series.Tha tmeans it is also collected along with their run on Daredevil – see Guide to Daredevil for more details.

Tie-ins to this event explored how heroes and villains contended with a suddenly lawless New York City during a power vacuum during a major transition for the city.

the main event…

Devil’s Reign (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302932848 / digital)
Collects Devil’s Reign (2021) #1-6 and Devil’s Reign: Omega (2022) #1.

in a single volume…

Devil’s Reign Omnibus (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302952921 / digital)
Collects Devil’s Reign (2022) #1-6, Spider-Woman (2020) #18-19, Daredevil: Woman Without Fear (2022) #1-3, Devil’s Reign: Superior Four (2022) #1-3, Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire (2022) #1-3, Devil’s Reign: Winter Soldier (2022) #1, Devil’s Reign: X-Men (2022) #1-3, Devil’s Reign: Spider-Man (2022) #1, Moon Knight (2021) #8, Devil’s Reign: Moon Knight (2022) #1, Devil’s Reign: Omega (2022) #1.

event tie-ins…

  • Devil’s Reign: Superior Four (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302945893 / digital) – Collects Devil’s Reign: Superior Four (2022) #1-3 and Devil’s Reign: Spider-Man (2022) #1
  • Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire (2022 paperback, ISBN / digital) – Collects Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire (2022) #1-3 [effectively a Thunderbolts title] and Devil’s Reign: Moon Knight (2022) #1
  • Devil’s Reign: X-Men (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302934590 / digital) – Collects Devil’s Reign: X-Men (2022) #1-3 and Devil’s Reign: Winter Soldier (2022) #1

tie-in issues…

2022: A.X.E.: Judgment Day

AXE: Judgment Day (2022) Omnibus released by Marvel Comics January 17 2024Avengers / X-Men / Eternals: Judgment Day was an event that acted as the final chapter of Kieron Gillen’s run on Eternals, as well as a major act-break in the run-up to the Fall of Krakoa in the X-Men line. Though the Avengers were in the title, they played a much smaller role than the other teams – only Captain America and Iron Man appears significantly.

Judgment Day is notable because Kieron Gillen wrote half of all of the issues of the event – including tie-ins! If you then count issues written by his close collaborators on X-Men flagship titles (Gerry Duggan & Al Ewing), this is one of the most tightly-coordinated linewide events in all of Marvel history. That makes for a very satisfying read where all of the major developments and characterizations make sense. Only one or two issues stray from fitting into an explicit reading order.

the main event…

A.X.E.: Judgment Day (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302947002 / digital)
Collects A.X.E.: Judgment Day (2022) #1-6, A.X.E.: Avengers (2022) #1, A.X.E.: X-Men (2022) #1, A.X.E.: Eternals (2022) #1, and material from Free Comic Book Day 2022: Avengers/X-Men 1 (A.X.E. story).

A.X.E.: Judgment Day Companion (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302947927 / digital)
Collects essential issues to understand the action of the event, as well as an unrelated Fantastic Four tie-in – A.X.E.: Eve of Judgment (2022) #1, A.X.E.: Judgment Day Omega (2022) #1, A.X.E.: Death to the Mutants (2022) #1-3, A.X.E.: Starfox (2022) #1, A.X.E.: Iron Fist (2022) #1, Fantastic Four (2018) #47-48.

in a single volume…

Judgment Day Omnibus (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302952907 / digital)
Collects Free Comic Book Day 2022: Avengers/X-Men #1; A.X.E.: Eve of Judgment (2022) #1; A.X.E.: Judgment Day (2022) #1-6; A.X.E.: Death to the Mutants (2022) #1-3; A.X.E.: Avengers (2022) #1; A.X.E.: X-Men (2022) #1; A.X.E.: Eternals (2022) #1; A.X.E.: Starfox (2022) #1; A.X.E.: Iron Fist (2022) #1; A.X.E.: Judgment Day Omega (2022) #1; Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #10; Avengers (2018) #60; Captain Marvel (2019) #42; Fantastic Four (2018) #47-48; Immortal X-Men (2022) #5-7; Legion of X (2022) #6; Marauders (2022) #6; Wolverine (2020) #24-25; X-Force (2020) #30-33; X-Men (2021) #13-14; X-Men Red (2022) #5-7.

The Crushing Comics Judgment Day Reading Order (with an assist from my co-reader AdjectiveNoun)
This differs significantly from other orders on the internet and from the Omnibus. It focuses heavily on story flow and avoiding significant spoilers.

Click to expand the Judgment Day Reading Order

The full list of tie-ins (alphabetical by title)…

Click to expand the list of Judgment Day Tie-Ins

2024: Blood Hunt

Details of this vampire-centric 2024 event are still emerging, but it sounds like it will be an event with a huge scope , with tie-ins hitting many individual characters and titles.

the main event…

Blood Hunt (2024) #1-5 (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302957377 / digital TBA)
Will likely also collect a story from Free Comic Book Day 2024 – Blood Hunt / X-Men #1

tie-in mini-series, one-shots, & collections…

  • Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302958619 / digital TBA) – Collects Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt (2024) #1-3, Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #49, and Miles Morales Spider-Man (2023) #21-22
  • Blood Hunt: Marvel Universe (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302958633 / digital TBA) – Collects Black Panther: Blood Hunt (2024) #1-3, Strange Academy: Blood Hunt (2024) #1-3, and Hulk: Blood Hunt (2024) #1
  • Blood Hunters (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302958954 / digital TBA) – Collects Blood Hunters (2024) #1-4, starring Hawkeye, Man-Wolf, and Dagger, among others.
  • Midnight Sons: Blood Hunt (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302958626 / digital TBA) – Collects Midnight Sons: Blood Hunt (2024) #1-3 and Dracula: Blood Hunt (2024) #1-3
  • Union Jack The Ripper: Blood Hunt (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302958640 / digital TBA) – Collects Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt (2024) #1-3 and Werewolf by Night: Blood Hunt (2024) #1
  • X-Men: Blood Hunt (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302958664 / digital TBA) – Collects X-Men: Blood Hunt – Jubilee (2024) #1, X-Men: Blood Hunt – Magik (2024) #1, X-Men: Blood Hunt – Psylocke (2024) #1, X-Men: Blood Hunt – Laura Kinney the Wolverine (2024) #1, and Wolverine: Blood Hunt (2024) #1-4

ongoing series tie-ins

The Crushing Comics Blood Hunt Reading Order (currently in-progress!)
As always, this order focuses heavily on story flow and avoiding significant spoilers.

Click to expand the Blood Hunt Reading Order

Back to Crushing Comics

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephen Perigo says

    I have been reading chronologically through the events. It turns out that the 1992 annual crossover “The System Bytes” has one more part. Part 3 is Wonder Man Annual #1.

    Reply

    • krisis says

      Wow, thanks for that catch, Stephen! I just added it. I’d love to hear more about how your chronological read is going – I’ll send you an email when I’m done writing my next few posts.

      Reply

  2. Ryan says

    I keep coming back to this site, over and over again, because I am trying to collect as many of these story arcs in order as I can. I copied everything into a notes tab on my phone as a checklist sort of, and have been using that as a reference every time I want to go and grab a new book. This is absolutely my go to guide for anything I need to know for my collection, so thank you so much for putting in all of this time and effort.

    Reply

  3. Al says

    First of all, I love this site! It’s been an awesome resource that I continually reference to complete my comic book collection.

    I just wanted to add something that you may have overlooked… for the Secret Wars Warzones, there’s a title called Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps.

    Keep up the great work!

    Reply

  4. KingBurger says

    Have you thought of expanding to include other crossovers such as Korvac Saga, Thanos War, Avengers/Defenders war, Kree/skrull war, mutant massacre, fall of the mutants, dark Phoenix saga, messiah complex, black vortex.

    Reply

    • krisis says

      This page is explicitly for crossovers that extend across several Marvel lines, although I do make the occasional exception for something as massive as Spider-Verse. Everything in your comment was either a single-book storyline or a minor single-line crossover with a tie-in or two, with the exception of Black Vortex. That one is right on the line of what I typically include, but Marvel didn’t especially promote it as an event so it didn’t feel “in scope” to me. That all said, I think the idea of a directory page with a list of super-classic Marvel storylines and where to find them on CK is a great one!

      Reply

  5. Dan Ealey says

    I cannot see if this has been covered: Are there plans for an overall Omnibus covering Fear Itself and all cross-overs? WWH is a terrific example of what Feat Itself could…covered a lot of titles. Thanks.

    Reply

    • krisis says

      You’d think that since it’s Ragnarok-y and starred the entire Avengers trilogy they would have found an excuse to do an oversize version of this to support one of the MCU films, but… nope.

      Reply

  6. Alison says

    Thank you SO much for this timeline, its fantastic.

    Would it be possible to export it to csv or excel with all the details (order, title, isbn if you have it etc)?

    It would make organizing my collection and ensuring it is complete much easier and I would be so grateful.

    Have a great day!

    Reply

  7. Jamie B says

    For the section on the Initiative post Civil-War tie-in, Irredeemable Ant-Man does happen around that time but issues 7-9 aren’t officially linked to that arc and don’t carry the banner

    Reply

  10. camerashuttercount says

    Ah, finally! A comprehensive guide to collecting Marvel Universe Events as graphic novels. As an avid Marvel fan and collector, I can’t thank you enough for sharing this valuable resource. Your detailed breakdown of the various event series and their omnibus editions has made it easier than ever to prioritize my want list. I’m especially excited to see the upcoming reprints of classic events like Secret Wars and Infinity Gauntlet. Thanks again for sharing your expertise, and I look forward to adding some of these gems to my collection!

    Reply

  11. Jamie B says

    The Age of Apocalypse series from 2012 has a collected edition, (978-1302907679) which includes; uncanny x-force (2010) 19.1, age of apocalypse (2012) 1-14, x-treme x-men (2012) 12-13, x-termination 1-2, astonishing x-men (2004) 60-61, material from point one 1

    Reply

  12. Jamie B says

    Avengers vs. X-Men is missing the ‘What If? AVX’ tpb which collects ‘What If? AVX #1-4’ 978-0785183945

    Reply

  13. Jamie B says

    Missing ‘Revolutionary War’ from 2014. The reading order for that is;
    Revolutionary War: Alpha #1
    Revolutionary War: Dark Angel #1
    Revolutionary War: Knights of Pendragon #1
    Revolutionary War: Death’s Head II #1
    Revolutionary War: Supersoldiers #1
    Revolutionary War: Motormouth #1
    Revolutionary War: Warheads #1
    Revolutionary War: Omega #1
    It’s all collected in a single ‘Revolutionary War’ volume; 978-0785190165.

    Reply

    • Jamie B says

      The Original Sin hardcover collects ‘Point One 1 (Watcher Story) Original Sin 0-8, Original Sin Annual 1, Original Sins 1-5, Original Sin: Secret Avengers Infinite Comic 1-2’ while the paperback collects ‘Point One 1 (Watcher story), Original Sin 0-8, Original Sins 1-5’.

      Reply

  15. Jamie B says

    Given the fact that Spider-Man isn’t a part of Axis, and that Spider-Man goes almost straight from Original Sin to Spider-Verse (with Original Sin actually being part of the reason for Spider-Verse happening), it would make more sense for it to come before Axis seeing as some series had multiple issues between Original Sin and Axis.

    Reply

  16. Mp3 Juices says

    Great post! I love how you’ve laid out the importance of collecting Marvel Universe events in graphic novel format. It makes it so much easier to dive into the overarching storylines without getting lost in the myriad of titles. Your recommendations are spot-on—I’m definitely adding a few to my reading list!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  2. […] This is another awkward recollection, now the fourth format to cover the Avengers Infinity issues. However, Hickman was really in fine form during the run-up to Infinity in #14-17 in a vibe that would continue in Avengers World, and the art in the book will look beautiful in oversize format. If you’d like to sample it in other formats, see Avengers or Marvel Universe Events: Infinity. […]

    Reply

  4. […] This is another awkward recollection, now the fourth format to cover the Avengers Infinity issues. However, Hickman was really in fine form during the run-up to Infinity in #14-17 in a vibe that would continue in Avengers World, and the art in the book will look beautiful in oversize format. If you’d like to sample it in other formats, see Avengers or Marvel Universe Events: Infinity. […]

    Reply

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