The definitive, chronological, and up-to-date guide and trade reading-order on collecting Cloak & Dagger comic books via omnibuses, hardcovers, and trade paperback graphic novels. A part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated August 2024 with titles scheduled for release through June 2025.
Cloak and Dagger are a very 80s odd couple: a pair of teenage runaways from opposite sides of the tracks and get mixed up in drugs with a superhero twist.
As you’d expect for the, it’s blonde-haired, naive Tandy Bowen who comes from the moneyed upbringing and book-smart and street-smart Tyrone Johnson grew up poor. They bond while on the streets, but after being kidnapped and injected with synthetic heroine, they come away with newfound superpowers! Bowen gainst he power of psionic light, while Johnson gains access to the Darkforce Dimension
The pair were conceived and written by Bill Mantlo in the pages of Spectacular Spider-Man in 1983, and he wrote them almost exclusively for their first four years across three series. Mantlo kept their focus mostly on battling drug dealers and other reality-based street-level menaces, rather than super villains.
When Mantlo left them in 1987, their focus shifted – the book was even relaunched as “The Mutant Misadventures of” to try to tie the duo into the white-hot X-Men. It didn’t work, and in 1991 they were cancelled just as Claremont and Lee’s run on X-Men reached its peak of sales. Despite the fleeting “mutant” label, Cloak and Dagger were never a part of the X-books and would be later re-retconned as non-mutants.
Since 1991, Cloak and Dagger have been relegated to permanent guest-star status. Cloak tends to feature more-prominently, since he’s one of relatively few teleporters in Marvel’s arsenal and a suitably stoic foil to other lead characters, like Wolverine. The pair saw a brief revival as part of the Marvel Knights team in 200o, and later from 2009 to 2011 with participation in Dark Reign and Spider-Island stories. Afterwards, it was back to occasional guest star status – although that might not last for long, given they were greenlit for a television pilot in 2015.
Do you need a longer introduction? Head to my blog post announcing this guide.
[Patreon-2017][/Patreon-2017]
- Where to Start Reading Cloak & Dagger!
- Classic Cloak & Dagger
- Modern Cloak & Dagger
- All-New, All-Different Marvel (2015 – 2018)
- Marvel Fresh Start (2018 – 2023)
- Blood Hunters (2024) #1-4
- Blood Hunters (2024B) #1-5
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The Spectacular Spider-Man & Cloak and Dagger, Vol. 1 (1983)
Cloak and Dagger debuted as guest-stars in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man before quickly graduating to their own limited series.
Cloak and Dagger: Shadows and Light
The definitive collection of this early period, this 2017 Epic-sized trade paperback includes every one of the major appearances that Cloak & Dagger make prior to their ongoing series in 1985 with the exception of Power Pack #6-8. That includes: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #64, 69-70, 81-82, 94-96; Cloak And Dagger (1983) #1-4; Marvel Team-Up Annual 6; Marvel Fanfare (1982) #19; New Mutants (1983) #23-25. (It’s effectively both of the hardcovers listed below combined, plus the New Mutants issues.)
Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #64, 69-70, 81-82: Cloak & Dagger: Crime and Punishment hardcover
Also includes #94-96, Marvel Team Up Annual 6, and Marvel Fanfare #19, all below.Also included in Shadows and Light, above. See Spider-Man for other collection options.
During PPSSM #64: brief flashback in Power Pack (1984) #7
Cloak and Dagger (1983) #1-4: Cloak & Dagger: Child of Darkness, Child of Light hardcover
Issue #1 is also reprinted in Marvel Firsts: The 1980s (2013). Also included in Shadows and Light, above.
Marvel Team-Up (1972) Annual 6: In Punishment, above. Also, see Spider-Man.
During or After Marvel Team-Up Annual 6: Code Of Honor (1997) #3 (flashback)
Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #94-96: In Punishment, above. Also included in Shadows and Light, above. Also, see Spider-Man.
Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) #97: See Spider-Man. This appearance may be a brief flashback or memory.
Marvel Fanfare (1982) #19: This is a one-shot Cloak and Dagger story in Punishment, above. Also included in Shadows and Light, above.
New Mutants (1983) #23-25: Included in Shadows and Light, above. Also, see New Mutants.
Power Pack (1984) #6-8: Power Pack Classic, Vol. 01
Cloak and Dagger, Vol. 2 (1985 – 1986)
Cloak and Dagger landed their first ongoing series in 1985 amidst shake-ups that saw many 1970s series being cancelled.
Marvel Graphic Novel #56 – Cloak & Dagger And Power Pack: Shelter From The Storm (1989) (ISBN 978-0871356017)
Despite its release in 1989, this fits much earlier in continuity! Recollected Predator and Prey, below, and in Power Pack Classic, Vol. 2.
Cloak and Dagger, Vol. 2 (1985) #1-11: Cloak and Dagger: Lost and Found
Also collects the Cloak & Dagger stories from Strange Tales #1-2. Issue #4 also appears in Secret Wars II Omnibus – see Marvel Universe Events for more information.
Secret Wars II: See Marvel Universe Events. Cloak and Dagger appear in #9 (and possibly also #3?).
After #4: Power Pack (1984) #19
After #5: Secret Wars II (1985) #9, Power Pack (1984) #24 (Cloak only), Power Pack (1984) #25 (Dagger only), Power Pack (1984) #26
After #8: Doctor Strange Vol. 2 (Master Of The Mystic Arts) (1974) #78 (Cloak only)
Cloak and Dagger in Strange Tales (1987 – 1988)
Strange Tales consolidated the previously bi-monthly Doctor Strange and Cloak & Dagger into a single monthly book with two stories, in the model of Marvel’s 1960s anthology series.
#1-2: Cloak and Dagger: Lost and Found
Also collects Cloak and Dagger, Vol. 2 (1985) #1-11
#3-19: Cloak and Dagger: Predator and Prey
Collects Strange Tales (1987) #3-19 (A-Stories) plus B-Story from #7; Marvel Graphic Novel: Cloak and Dagger – Predator and Prey; Cloak and Dagger/ Power Pack: Shelter From The Storm; and Mutant Misadventures Of Cloak And Dagger (1988) #1-4
Marvel Graphic Novel #34 – Cloak & Dagger: Predator and Prey (1988) (ISBN 978-0871351258)
This fits between #3-4. Also collected in Predator and Prey
Cloak and Dagger also appear in the Doctor Strange story in #7 after their story in #7.
The Mutant Misadventures of Cloak and Dagger (1988) &
Cloak and Dagger, Vol. 3 (1990) (1988 – 1991)
Strange Tales ended and graduated its featured heroes into their own ongoing books. Despite the “mutant misadventures” title, Cloak and Dagger didn’t get much bounce from the speculation over X-Men in 1990 and 1991 – they were shelved with their 49th issue, overall.
#1-4: Cloak and Dagger: Predator and Prey
Collects Strange Tales (1987) #3-19 (A-Stories) plus B-Story from #7; Marvel Graphic Novel: Cloak and Dagger – Predator and Prey; Cloak and Dagger/ Power Pack: Shelter From The Storm; and Mutant Misadventures Of Cloak And Dagger (1988) #1-4
#4: X-Men Inferno, Vol. 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. Also collected in oversized hardcover in X-Men Inferno (which also includes the contents of a Vol. 1 paperback).
#5-19: Cloak and Dagger: Agony and Ecstasy
Mutant Misadventures Of Cloak and Dagger (1988) #5-13, Cloak and Dagger (1990) #14-19, and Doctor Strange (1974) #78. Issues #5-6 and 10 are Dagger only. #7 is Cloak only.
#9: Acts of Vengeance Omnibus oversize hardcover
See Marvel Universe Events for more details.
Marvel Comics Presents #9: Not collected. a C&D story that occurs during #8 of their series.
During #8 and after Presents #9: Spectacular Spider-Man (1988) Annual 9, Fantastic Four (1961) Annual 22 (Dagger only), Power Pack (1984) #53 (Dagger only)
Infinity Gauntlet: See Marvel Universe Events. Participation begins after the conclusion of #19 despite #18 being an early tie-in and collected in Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus. Cloak appears in #2-4 & 6. Dagger is implied in #2 and appears in #6.
During IG #3: Silver Surfer Vol. 3 (1987) #52 (Cloak only; also implied in #54)
During IG #4: Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme (1988) #33 (Cloak only is implied)
Cloak & Dagger, Guest Stars (1991 – 1999)
Cloak and Dagger briefly retreated to the Spider-Man office as their home base, although they would also have an off-and-on relationship with the New Warriors.
Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 3 (1990) #6 (3rd story) and #7 (2nd story): Not collected. These feature a C&D inventory story.
Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #77-78: See Spider-Man
Spider-Man 1992 Annuals: See Spider-Man. The primary story in these annuals is “The Hero Killers” (a crossover to New Warriors), but C&D appear in the fifth stories of Spider-Man Amazing Spider-Man (1963) Annual 26, Spectacular Spider-Man (1988) #Annual 12, and Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #Annual 8. See Spider-Man for collection options, but keep in mind some collection may only include the A-stories.
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #115 (4th story): This one-shot C&D story is not collected (though other stories from this issue are)
Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #Annual 9 (2nd story): See Spider-Man
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #119-122 (3rd stories): Not collected. A story with Ghost-Rider!
Forces of Darkness, Forces of Light: Not collected. As you might imagine based on its title, C&D appear prominently in this story in New Warriors (1990) #32-34 & Annual 3.
Maximum Carnage: See Spider-Man.
Cloak & Dagger’s chronology in this event is Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #101, then Cloak appears in Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #378, Spider-Man (1990) #35, Spectacular Spider-Man (1988) #201, Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #102, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #379, Spider-Man (1990) #36, Spectacular Spider-Man (1988) #202, Web Of Spider-Man (1985) #103, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #380. Then, both appear in Spider-Man (1990) #37 an Spectacular Spider-Man (1988) #203.
After Maximum Carnage: Amazing Spider-Man (1963) Annual 28 (2nd story), New Warriors (1990) #35
Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #133 (4th story): Not collected
Time and Time Again: Not collected. An 8-part New Warriors story running through #50. Cloak & Dagger appear in New Warriors (1990) #48, Nova Vol. 2 (1994) #7, New Warriors (1990) #49-50 (Dagger only), and in an epilogue in New Warriors (1990) #51
After Time: Morbius: Living Vampire (1992) #29, Secret Defenders (1993) #22 & 23-25 (Dagger only), New Warriors (1990) #55 (Dagger only; implied)
Strange Tales: Dark Corners (1998) #1: Cloak & Dagger: Runaways and Reversals
A split one-shot with Morbius. See below for the full contents.
After Tales: New Warriors Vol. 2 (1999) #1
Marvel Knights & Runaways (2000 – 2004)
The 2000 Marvel Knights series acted as a revival for several nearly-forgotten street-level heroes, including Cloak and Dagger.
Marvel Knights (2000) #1-15: Marvel Knights: Defenders Of The Streets (ISBN 9781302912130)
Dagger only in #1, 6, and 14
During #15: flashback in Black Widow: Deadly Origin (2010) #4
After #15: Thunderbolts (1997) #57-58 (Dagger only; implied in #58)
Marvel Knights Double Shot (2002) #3 (2nd story): Cloak & Dagger: Runaways and Reversals
This collection includes all of Cloak & Dagger’s duo stories and major guest appearances arcs from 1998 to 2016. Collects Runaways (2003) #11-12, Runaways (2005) #9-12, Cloak And Dagger (2010) #1, Spider-Island: Cloak And Dagger #1-3, and Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #6-8, plus material From Strange Tales: Dark Corners, Marvel Knights Double-Shot #3, Dark X-Men: The Beginning #2, Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #663, and Amazing Spider-Man Annual (2016) 1.
Runaways (2003) #11-12: Cloak & Dagger: Runaways and Reversals
See Runaways. Cloak and Dagger are the main guests in this story.
After Runaways: flashback in Great Lakes Avengers (2005) #2
Cloak & Dagger in House of M & Civil War (2006 – 2007)
This pair of events finally brought Cloak and Dagger into the limelight of the wider Marvel Universe, even if that was as occasional supporting heroes. It’s in this period that you begin to see Cloak gain a guest-starring life of his own separate from Dagger.
House of M: See Marvel Universe Events. Only Cloak participates, appear in #3-6 and implied in 7. He also appears in Captain America Vol. 5 (2004) #10 during #5.
Runaways Vol. 2 (2005) #9-12: Cloak & Dagger: Runaways and Reversals
See Runaways.
After Runaways: Marvel Knights: 4 (2004) #25 (Cloak only)
Civil War: See Marvel Universe Events. Both Cloak and Dagger participate, appearing in every issue except for #5 (Cloak only in #1-2, and off-panel in #1).
During CW #1 Wolverine Vol. 3 (2003) #42 (Cloak only)
After CW #2: Black Panther Vol. 4 (2005) #18 (Cloak only), New Avengers (2005) #23
After CW #4: Civil War: X-Men (2006) #2, Fantastic Four (1961) #539 + Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #534 + Civil War: Choosing Sides (2006) (2nd story), Civil War: War Crimes (2007) (implied)
During CW #7: Black Panther Vol. 4 (2005) #25
After Civil War: Irredeemable Ant-Man (2006) #9 (implied), Fantastic Four (1961) #562
Cloak & Dagger in Dark Reign through Marvel Now (2008 – 2015)
Cloak and Dagger were co-opted by Norman Osborn as his own brand of X-Men, despite everyone being pretty sure they weren’t mutants. Along the way, they received a 2010 one-shot. Also, Cloak played an ongoing supporting role in Wolverine: Origins.
Secret Invasion: See Marvel Universe Events. Cloak appears in Secret Invasion (2008) #1
Uncanny X-Men / Dark Avengers: Utopia: Cloak & Dagger appear throughout this crossover, which is collected in paperback and oversized hardcover. Material from Dark X-Men: Beginning #2 is included in Runaways and Reversals, above. See Uncanny X-Men for other collection options.
An approximate chronology for this event: flashback in Dark X-Men: Beginning (2009) #2, Uncanny X-Men #513, Dark Avengers (2009) #7, Uncanny X-Men #514, Dark Avengers (2009) #8 + Dark X-Men: Beginning (2009) #1, Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus (2009)
After Utopia: Deadpool Vol. 4 (2008) #16 (Dagger only)
In this period, Cloak also appears in Dark Reign: Mister Negative
Cloak And Dagger, Vol. 4 (2010) #1: X-Women & Runaways and Reversals
Tentative placement.
After C&D: Black Widow: Deadly Origin (2010) #4 (Dagger only)
Wolverine: Origins (2006) #42-45, 47-48, 50: See Wolverine. This is Cloak only except for #43 (both) and #50 (Dagger only). Cloak is a supporting player throughout this arc.
After Origins #45: X-Men Vs. Agents Of Atlas (2009) #1-2
After Origins #47: Dark Wolverine (2009) #86 (Cloak only)
After Origins #50: New Avengers (2010) Annual 01, Fear Itself: The Deep (2011) #4
In this period, Cloak also appears in Heroic Age: Heroes
Spider-Island: See Marvel Universe Events. Cloak & Dagger appear prominently throughout this event; all of their major appearances are included in Runaways and Reversals.
An approximate chronology for this event: The Amazing Spider-Man: Infested (2011) #1 (collects backups starting from #663), The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #663, Spider Island Daily Bugle (2011) #1, The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #667, Spider-Island: Cloak & Dagger (2011) #1, The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #668 (Cloak only), Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu (2011) #1 (Cloak only), Spider-Island: The Amazing Spider-Girl (2011) #2, Spider-Island: Heroes For Hire (2011) #1 (Cloak only), Spider-Island: Cloak & Dagger (2011) #2-3, The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #672 (Cloak only)
After Spider-Island: Wolverine (2010) #310 & 312-313
Cloak & Dagger were almost completely missing in action during Marvel Now from 2012 to 2015, appearing only in Superior Spider-Man Team-Up (2013) #1 and Nightcrawler (2014) #7!
All-New, All-Different Marvel (2015 – present)
The Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #6-8: See Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man Annual 1: See Spider-Man. Also included in Runaways and Reversals, above.
Secret Empire: See Marvel Universe Events. both Dagger and Cloak appear in Secret Empire (2017) #0, 2, 6, 8
Other appearances in this period include in Doctor Strange (2015) #23-24 (Cloak only), Secret Warriors (2017) #4
Marvel Fresh Start: Cloak & Dagger (2018)
A Marvel Digital Original series by Dennis Hopeless.
#1-3: Vol. 1: Shades of Grey
#4-6: Vol. 2: Negative Exposure
Also known as Cloak and Dagger: Negative Exposure (Marvel Digital Original) #1-3
Blood Hunters (2024) #1-4
Starring Hawkeye, Man-Wolf, and Dagger, among others.
#1-4: See Marvel Universe Events – Blood Hunt for more information.
Blood Hunters (2024B) #1-5 by Erica Schultz
A team of Dagger, Elsa Bloodstone, & White Widow – joined by Hallow’s Eve!
#1-5: Blood Hunters (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302958923 / digital TBA)
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[…] Visit the Cloak & Dagger Guide. More Cloak & Dagger! It looks like Marvel is really going to push to get all 49 of their original issues collected. The Brett Blevins and June Brigman credit’s are a good sign, as the drew issue #10 and 11, respectively, of Cloak & Dagger’s first ongoing series – currently uncollected! […]