One of the most common questions I get on this site is “where is a good place to start reading Marvel?” With the publisher slowly winding up Civil War II event at the moment Marvel are looking at creating new places to start reading their comics. To save some confusion I’ve collated 24 comics that are great places to start reading Marvel in October 2016.
This month we see a slew of new series, jumping on points for comics that have been running for a little while and even a classic 1970’s reprint.
I’ve also added the solicitation text, creator credits, covers and other things to help you take the dive into Marvel comics.
All of these will be available at any good comic book store, Comixology or the Marvel Comics App.
If you’re looking for even more starting points for Marvel, you should check out the August and September lists- there’s even more places to read Marvel!
Welcome to the Marvel Universe!
New Series
October begins a big wave new titles coming out from Marvel as part of the Marvel NOW initiative. Jump onto these series with fresh #1 issues.
Champions
Written by Mark Waid. Art by Humberto Ramos.
Solicitation Text:
Following the fallout of CIVIL WAR II, Avengers Ms. Marvel, Nova and Spider-Man strike out on their own — joined by Cyclops, Viv Vision and the Totally Awesome Hulk! Six young heroes determined to change the world — and they’re only the beginning!
Pages: 48
Rating: T
Price: $4.99
Champions #1 is available from October 5th.
The Clone Conspiracy
Written by Dan Slott. Art by Jim Cheung.
Solicitation Text:
“DEAD NO MORE”: The Jackal is back and has conquered death. The Amazing Spider-Man is outmatched by his classic enemy’s army. Does the wall-crawler stand a chance? SHOULD he stand in The Jackal’s way if he’s found the key to eternal life?
Pages: 40
Rating: T+
Price: $4.99
You can find out more about The Clone Conspiracy in this reading order checklist.
The Clone Conspiracy #1 is available from October 12th.
Death of X
Written by Jeff Lemire and Charles Soule. Art by Aaron Kuder.
Solicitation Text:
• What happened eight months ago that set the Inhumans and X-Men on a collision course? Find out here!
• The Inhumans travel to Japan where one of the Terrigen Clouds creates a shocking new Inhuman.
• The X-Men travel to Muir Island where the second Terrigen Cloud causes something truly terrible.
• When these two events collide, a war of catastrophic proportions explodes!
Pages: 40
Rating: T+
Price: $4.99
Death of X is available from October 5th.
Infamous Iron Man
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Alex Maleev.
Solicitation Text:
There is a new Iron Man in town and his name is VICTOR VON DOOM. The greatest villain of the Marvel Universe will try something new. Where Tony Stark failed, Doom will succeed. What is Doom’s Master Plan?
Pages: 32
Rating: T+
Price: $3.99
Infamous Iron Man #1 is available from October 19th.
Great Lakes Avengers
Written by Zac Gorman. Art by Will Robson.
Solicitation Text:
“All New, All Different?” No, thank you! New things are bad and different things are scary! Instead, why not join everybody’s least favorite super-hero team, the Great Lakes Avengers in their brand new — but not too brand new — ongoing series, Same Old, Same Old, Great Lakes Avengers! When the team gets reinstated as permanent members of the Avengers and uprooted to Detroit, the GLA has one more shot at super hero glory…but can they answer the call? Do they even have 4G coverage here? Find out!
Pages: 32
Rating: T+
Price: $3.99
Great Lakes Avengers #1 is available from October 12th.
Solo
Written by Gerry Duggan and Geoffrey Thorne. Art by Paco Diaz.
Solicitation Text:
The “One Man War on Terror” will get the job done! That’s right — James Bourne, A.K.A. Solo, is on his own, right where he belongs! Deadly alien weapons are making their way into the hands of ordinary thugs – and Solo is going undercover to locate the source. Things are heating up, and Solo might just wish he had some backup! Deadpool was just the beginning. You haven’t seen anything till you’ve met Solo!
Pages: 32
Rating: Parental Advisory
Price: $3.99
Solo #1 is available from October 12th.
Doctor Strange & The Sorcerers Supreme
Written by Robbie Thompson. Art by Javier Rodriguez.
Solicitation Text:
An ancient evil threatens to unravel the fabric of reality, and one Sorcerer Supreme may not be enough. Doctor Strange must unite past, present and future Sorcerers Supremes to stem the coming darkness – Merlin, the Ancient One, Wiccan, and more! But Strange should watch his back, not all of these Sorcerers have his best interests in mind…
Pages: 32
Rating: T+
Price: $3.99
Doctor Strange & The Sorcerers Supreme #1 is available from October 26th.
Mosaic
Written by Geoffrey Thorne. Art by Khary Randolph.
Solicitation Text:
SPECIAL OVER-SIZED ISSUE!
Professional basketball player and world renowned celebrity, Morris Sackett, gains extraordinary abilities, at the grave cost of his own mortal body. Imbued with the ability to jump from person to person like a ghost, he controls the bodies and memories of those he inhabits. With his own body destroyed, the one-time superstar athlete must rely on others to survive. The saga of the newest Marvel Inhuman MOSAIC begins here!
Pages: 40
Rating: T+
Price: $4.99
Mosaic #1 is available from October 12th.
Jessica Jones
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Michael Gaydos.
Solicitation Text:
She is back after a decade! A lot has changed in the Marvel Universe and there are still many secrets hiding in the shadows. Secrets only a special woman like Jessica Jones can hope to uncover. Discover the haunting secrets from Jessica’s past in this blistering new series. Alias Investigations is open for business.
Pages: 32
Rating: Parental Advisory
Price: $3.99
Jessica Jones #1 is available from October 5th.
Cage!
Written and art by Genndy Tartakovsky.
Solicitation Text:
From the Award-Winning creator of Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack and Hotel Transylvania! On the mean streets of Harlem, shoes are big, shirts are large, bottoms are belled and crime is rampant! But in the heart of the city, the world’s hardest-working, smack-talking, chain-wearing super hero is on the street and on the case! And his rates are reasonable! He’s CAGE! and he’ll save your behind. Dig it!
Pages: 32
Rating: T+
Price: $3.99
Cage! #1 is available from October 5th.
Enchanted Tiki Room
Written by Jon Adams. Art by Horacio Domingues.
Solicitation Text:
AN ALL-NEW ADVENTURE IN THE TIKI, TIKI, TIKI ROOM!
Welcome to the Enchanted Tiki Room, a place of legend…of fantasy…and mystery. Here — on an isolated island populated by talking (and singing) birds and plants and ancient Tiki gods — almost anything can happen and does. As the next boat arrives with new visitors, what stories will unfold, what mysteries will be revealed and how are they all connected? Summer ain’t over yet, so grab your flip-flops, pop open your beach chair and book your vacation with the latest Disney Kingdoms series!
Pages: 32
Rating: T
Price: $3.99
Enchanted Tiki Room #1 is available from October 5th.
Dark Tower: The Drawing Of The Three – The Sailor
Written by Robin Furth and Peter David. Art by Juanan Ramirez.
Solicitation Text:
JAKE CHAMBERS RETURNS AS STEPHEN KING’S DARK FANTASY EPIC CONTINUES!
• Haunted by the specter of a boy he let fall to his death, ROLAND is beset by despair.
• But the boy never existed, and Roland’s guilt is madness. Or is it?
• As timelines converge and reality shatters, JAKE CHAMBERS becomes the focus of Roland’s quest…and may be the key to the survival of the ka-tet!
Pages: 32
Rating: Mature
Price: $3.99
Dark Tower: The Drawing Of The Three – The Sailor #1 is available from October 12th.
Existing Series
These are Marvel comics which have been running for a little while, but have new stories which you can dive into. If you really enjoy these jumping on issues I highly recommend checking out previous issues in this series either digitally or in trade paperback collections.
Black Panther #7
Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Art by Chris Sprouse.
Solicitation Text:
“THE CREW” STARTS NOW!
With no one left to trust, T’Challa leans on his day ones: Luke Cage. Misty Knight. Storm. But Wakanda may be too far gone for this all-new, all different CREW…
Pages: 32
Rating: T
Price: $3.99
Black Panther #7 is available on October 19th.
Black Widow #7
Written by Chris Samnee and Mark Waid. Art by Chris Samnee.
Solicitation Text:
“LION TAMER” STARTS NOW!
• Now that Natasha knows the Weeping Lion’s secret, she’s in control of his very particular set of skills.
• Natasha plans to use him to destroy the Red Room’s reincarnation, the DARK ROOM.
• But she’ll have to face RECLUSE, the daughter of the Red Room’s headmistress, who’s fixated on killing Natasha to prove her worth.
Pages: 32
Rating: T+
Price: $3.99
Black Widow #7 is available from
Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! #11
Written by Kate Leth. Art by Brittney L. Williams.
Solicitation Text:
“DON’T STOP ME-OW” STARTS NOW!
Who’s ready for a knock-down, drag-out, no-holds-barred CAT-FIGHT? Literally! Okay, it’s kind of figurative because they’re not *actually* cats, but it’s pretty close. Felicia Hardy is on a collision course with Patsy Walker. You know what that means? It’s Hellcat vs. Black Cat y’all! Featuring everyone’s favorite teenage vampire Jubilee! But who’s side is she on? Sharpen your claws because it’s going to be a feline fiasco for the ages!
Pages: 32
Rating: T
Price: $3.99
Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! #11 is available from October 19th.
Ms. Marvel #12
Written by G. Willow Wilson. Art by Takeshi Miyazawa.
Solicitation Text:
Ms. Marvel goes global! After the events of Civil War, Kamala goes on a much-needed road trip. But will she be an international sensation or menace? Bonus 10-page Red Widow story!
Pages: 40
Rating: T+
Price: $4.99
Ms. Marvel #12 is available from October 26th.
Doctor Strange #12
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Chris Bachalo.
Solicitation Text:
“BLOOD IN THE AETHER” STARTS NOW!
Doctor Strange is on the brink of death, his magic nearly depleted. Sensing the Sorcerer Supreme at his weakest, his greatest foes will return from the shadows, ready to strike. Behold the return Doctor Strange’s classic rogues gallery starting with…BARON MORDO!
Pages: 32
Rating: T+
Price: $3.99
Doctor Strange #12 is available from October 12th.
Captain America: Sam Wilson #14
Written by Nick Spencer. Art by Paul Renaud.
Solicitation Text:
“TAKE BACK THE SHIELD” STARTS NOW!
The world has received an ULTIMATUM: Peace in our time…or face the fury of The Flag-Smasher! Amid cries of “#TakeBacktheShield”, Sam Wilson stands against a rising tide. But he is not alone! Guest-starring in this issue – Steve Rogers: Captain America! Only, Steve has a secret…
Pages: 32
Rating: T
Price: $3.99
Captain America: Sam Wilson #14 is available from October 19th.
Gwenpool #7
Written by Chris Hastings. Art by Gurihiru.
Solicitation Text:
“HEAD OF M.O.D.O.K.” STARTS NOW!
M.O.D.O.K. has a new leader, and her name is Gwenpool! A few weeks ago, she wasn’t even part of this universe, and now she’s running a highly intricate mercenary organization! What do you mean she’s not up to the task? Everything we know about her indicated she can handle this, right? Okay – maybe there will be an adjustment period…
Pages: 32
Rating: T+
Price: $3.99
Gwenpool #7 is available from October 12th.
Deadpool #21
Written by Gerry Duggan and Ian Doescher. Art by Matteo Lolli & TBA.
Solicitation Text:
“IT’S NOT A TUMOR” STARTS NOW!
You can’t keep a good Madcap down! First, this massively oversized issue brings you the return of Deadpool’s greatest nemesis. He’s back (in the most horrific way possible) and he’s out for revenge! Then, say hello to SHAKESPOOL, THE MERCENARY OF VENICE as Deadpool goes Shakespeare for an all-new 60-page tale by Ian Doescher (William Shakespeare’s Star Wars series). Those old plays you were supposed to read in English class just got a lot more interesting. Don’t say we never taught you anything!
Pages: 96
Rating: Parental Advisory
Price: $9.99
Deadpool #21 is available from October 26th.
Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #4
Written by Cullen Bunn. Art by Iban Coello.
Solicitation Text:
“Go Bananas” STARTS NOW!
Meet the new Mercs! Wait, a new team…ALREADY? You bet! It’s not because the old team quit, we promise. But you’re going to go bananas for the All-New Mercs for Money! And not just because there are two different Monkeys on the team. Yes, we know Gorilla-Man is technically an Ape. You can stop writing us letters. Hey, why is Domino leading the team? Isn’t Deadpool’s name in the title? Wade’s not going to like this…
Pages: 32
Rating: Parental Advisory
Price: $3.99
Deadpool & The Mercs For Money #4 is available from October 5th.
Spidey #11
Written by Robbie Thompson. Art by Nathan Stockman.
Solicitation Text:
• Spidey has had a lot of villains in his early days, but none were designed to hate him more than Mac Gargan, the Scorpion!
• So why is this Spider-Man/Scorpion battle so different from the others?
• All this, plus: Peter Parker and Flash Thompson…BFF?!
Pages: 32
Rating: T
Price: $3.99
Spidey #11 is available from October 5th.
All-New Wolverine #13
Written by Tom Taylor. Art by Nik Virella.
Solicitation Text:
“ENEMY OF THE STATE II” STARTS NOW!
WOLVERINE: MURDERER!!! Laura has fought so hard to be something other than what she was created to be, but the fight is over. Wolverine has blood on her hands. In the wake of an unspeakable tragedy, dark forces have Laura’s life under their control. Will Laura be able to defeat demons on the outside and from within? Or will she be forced to give up the hero’s life she’s built for herself?
Pages: 32
Rating: T+
Price: $3.99
All-New Wolverine #13 is available from October 5th.
Reprints
Usually I don’t include reprint collections in these lists, focusing on new comics instead, but the below is a nice collection of early Champions stories which are affordable and easy to digest for new readers.
Champions: No Time For Losers
Written By Tony Isabella & Bill Mantlo. Art by Don Heck, George Tuska and John Byrne.
Solicitation Text:
When fate calls, a sensational super-team answers! The avenging Angel! Hercules, Prince of Power! The deadly Black Widow! Ghost Rider, Spirit of Vengeance! And the amazing Iceman! When the Champions come together, it is legendary! So much so they’ll face the mythological might of Cerberus, harpies, Amazons and Greek gods — all culminating in a wedding-stopping assault on Olympus! This mixed-up band might just be the heroes Los Angeles needs. And with the best headquarters Warren Worthington III’s money can buy, and Darkstar added to the ranks, they’ll be ready for the most uncanny of evils — like Swarm, Nazi scientist turned lord of killer bees! Only one group can stop the City of Angels from feeling his sting. They are the Champions — and they’ll keep on fighting ‘til the end! Collecting CHAMPIONS #1-3 and #14-15.
Pages: 96
Rating: T
Price: $7.99
Champions: No Time For Losers is available from October 26th.
Want Even More Jumping On Points?
If this is not enough comics for you then don’t forget to check out the DC Comics equivalent of this list.
Will You Be Making Your’s Marvel?
Which of these new Marvel comics will you be jumping on to in October? Let me know in the comments below or via our Facebook or Twitter.
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