For the past few years, writer Jason Aaron has been building up to something big throughout his Thor comics. Malekith the Dark Elf has been conquering the Ten Realms one by one until there is only one left. That one realm is Midgard, also know as Earth, home to 99% of Marvel’s heroes.
In Marvel’s next big comic book event, War of the Realms, we’ll see what happens when Malekith and his extensive forces of Dark Elves, Fire Goblins, and Frost Giants try and take Earth by force.
Can Thor and the huge cast of Marvel’s heroes stop his army? You’ll have to read War of the Realms to find out!
War of the Realms is a massive comic book event, similar to Civil War or Secret Invasion, which has a lot of auxilary tie-ins beyond the main story. With so many tie-ins, it can be really confusing to read. But do not stress! The War of the Realms Reading Order Checklist is here to save the day!
The War of the Realms Reading Order Checklist has the recommended reading order along with other handy pieces of information including creator credits, release dates, background reading, and heaps more.
Do I Need To Read The War of the Realms Tie-Ins?
Short answer: No
Longer answer: As long as you read War of the Realms #1-6 then you do not have to read any other War of the Realms tie-ins if you do not want to. It would be a massive expectation, both in terms of devotion and financially, for readers to read absolutely every comic involved as part of War of the Realms. The tie-ins are made to extend the story as you see fit and are not required reading to understand the main story.
If you do want to read some of the tie-ins, but are not sure which ones, you can decide based on a few different criteria:
- Story threads that spin out of tie-ins
- Characters involved
- Writers or artists that are creating the tie-ins
Background Reading
Looking to read the comics that lead up to War of the Realms? While you can start reading with War of the Realms #1, here are some comics that I recommend:
Jason Aaron’s Thor Run
Jason Aaron has been writing Thor for more than 7 years and War of the Realms will be his final story in that overall run. With more than 80 issues involved, it’s a big read (and really good too) but that’s a lot of to read if you just want some background reading for War of the Realms.
If you fit into that category, here are a few stories to check out:
- Thor: God of Thunder #12
- Thor: God of Thunder #13-17 (Features Malekith)
- Thor: God of Thunder #25 (First mention of War of the Realms)
- The Mighty Thor (2015 series) #1-5
- Thor (2018 series) #1-9
If you’re looking to read all of Jason Aaron’s Thor run then check out this reading order guide.
Another alternative is the War of the Realms Prelude collection.
War of the Realms Prelude TPB
Collects Thor #344, Thor: God of Thunder #13, #17, and #25, Mighty Thor (2015 series) #1-2, #4, #13-14, #22, and #700, and Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla.
The Road to War of the Realms
These are the comics that directly lead into War of the Realms.
Avengers #14
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by David Marquez.
Available February 6th.
Asgardians of the Galaxy #6
Written by Cullen Bunn. Art by Matteo Lolli.
Available February 6th.
Thor #10
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike del Mundo.
Available February 13th.
Avengers #15
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by David Marquez.
Available February 20th.
Avengers #16
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by David Marquez.
Available March 6th.
Asgardians of the Galaxy #7
Written by Cullen Bunn. Art by Matteo Lolli.
Available March 13th.
Thor #11
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike del Mundo.
Available March 20th.
Avengers #17
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by David Marquez.
Available March 20th.
The War of the Realms Reading Order
Below is the recommended reading order if you want to read everything. Marvel has broken the event up into three acts, which signify the shift int he story. I have added them into the list as a good frame of reference.
Act 1: The World at War
War of the Realms #1 (of 6)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Russell Dauterman.
Available April 3rd.
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #1 (of 5) (Tie-in)
Written by Clint McElroy, Travis McElroy, and Griffin McElroy. Art by André Lima Araújo.
Available April 10th.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #43 (Tie-in)
Written by Ryan North. Art by Derek Charm.
Available April 10th.
Asgardians of the Galaxy #8 (Tie-in)
Written by Cullen Bunn. Art by Matteo Lolli.
Available April 10th.
War of the Realms #2 (of 6)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Russell Dauterman.
Available April 17th.
War of the Realms: War Scrolls #1 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Jason Aaron, Chip Zdarsky, and Josh Trujillo. Art by Andrea Sorrentino, Joe Quinones, and others.
Available April 17th.
Thor #12 (Tie-in)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike Del Mundo.
Available April 17th.
War of the Realms: Punisher #1 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Gerry Duggan. Art by Marcelo Ferreira.
Available April 17th.
Avengers #18 (Tie-in)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Ed McGuinness.
Available April 24th.
Venom #13 (Tie-in)
Written by Cullen Bunn. Art by Iban Coello.
Available April 24th.
War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men #1 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Matthew Rosenberg. Art by Pere Perez.
Available April 24th.
Act 2: Reclaim the Realms
War of the Realms #3 (of 6)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Russell Dauterman.
Available May 1st.
War of the Realms Strikeforce: Dark Elf Realm #1 (Tie-in one-shot)
Written by Bryan Hill. Art by Leinil Francis Yu.
Available May 1st.
Champions #5 (Tie-in)
Written by Jim Zub. Art by Steven Cummings.
Available May 1st.
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #2 (of 5) (Tie-in)
Written by Clint McElroy, Travis McElroy, and Griffin McElroy. Art by André Lima Araújo.
Available May 8th.
War of Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1 (of 4) (Tie-in)
Written by Greg Pak. Art by Gang-Hyuk Lim.
Available May 8th.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #44 (Tie-in)
Written by Ryan North. Art by Derek Charm.
Available May 8
War of the Realms Strikeforce: War Avengers #1 (Tie-in one-shot)
Written by Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum. Art by Kim Jacinto.
Available May 15th.
War of the Realms #4 (of 6)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Russell Dauterman.
Available May 15th.
War of the Realms: Giant-Man #1 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Leah Williams. Art by Marco Castiello.
Available May 15th.
War of the Realms: Spider-Man and the League of Realms #1 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Sean Ryan. Art by Nico Leon.
Available May 15th.
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #3 (of 5) (Tie-in)
Written by Clint McElroy, Travis McElroy, and Griffin McElroy. Art by André Lima Araújo.
Available May 22nd.
Avengers #19 (Tie-in)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Ed McGuinness.
Available May 22nd.
Asgardians of the Galaxy #9 (Tie-in)
Written by Cullen Bunn. Art by Paolo Villanelli.
Available May 22nd.
War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men #2 (of 3) (Tie-In)
Written by Matthew Rosenberg. Art by Pere Perez.
Available May 22nd.
War of the Realms Strikeforce: Land of Giants #1 (Tie-in one-shot)
Written by Tom Taylor. Art by Jorge Molina.
Available May 22nd.
War of Realms: New Agents of Atlas #2 (of 4) (Tie-in)
Written by Greg Pak. Art by Gang-Hyuk Lim.
Available May 22nd.
War of the Realms: Punisher #2 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Gerry Duggan. Art by Marcelo Ferreira.
Available May 22nd.
Venom #14 (Tie-in)
Written by Cullen Bunn. Art by Iban Coello.
Available May 22nd.
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #43 (Tie-in)
Written by Brandon Montclare. Art by Ray-Anthony Height and Gustavo Duarte.
Available May 22nd.
War of the Realms: War Scrolls #2 (of 3) (Tie-In)
Written by Jason Aaron, Devin Grayson and others. Art by Andrea Sorrentino and others.
Available May 29th.
Thor #13 (Tie-in)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike Del Mundo.
Available May 29th.
War of the Realms: Giant-Man #2 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Leah Williams. Art by Marco Castiello.
Available May 29th.
War of the Realms: Spider-Man and the League of Realms #2 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Sean Ryan. Art by Nico Leon.
Available May 29th.
Fantastic Four #10 (Tie-in)
Written by Dan Slott. Art by Stefano Caselli.
Available May 29th.
Tony Stark: Iron Man #12 (Tie-in)
Written by Gail Simone. Art by Paolo Villanelli.
Available June 5th.
Act 3: Midgar’s Last Stand!
War of the Realms #5 (of 6)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Russell Dauterman.
Available June 5th.
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #4 (of 5) (Tie-in)
Written by Clint McElroy, Travis McElroy, and Griffin McElroy. Art by André Lima Araújo.
Available June 5th.
War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #3 (of 4) (Tie-in)
Written by Greg Pak. Art by Gang-Hyuk Lim.
Available June 5th.
Captain Marvel #6 (Tie-in)
Written by Kelly Thompson. Art by Annapaola Martello.
Available June 5th.
Deadpool #13 (Tie-in)
Written by Skottie Young. Art by Nic Klein.
Available June 5th.
Asgardians of the Galaxy #10 (Tie-in)
Written by Cullen Bunn. Art by Matteo Lolli.
Available June 12th.
War of the Realms: Giant-Man #3 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Leah Williams. Art by Marco Castiello.
Available June 12th.
Venom #15 (Tie-in)
Written by Cullen Bunn. Art by Iban Coello.
Available June 12th.
Superior Spider-Man #7 (Tie-in)
Written by Christos Gage. Art by Lan Medina.
Available June 12th.
Champions #6 (Tie-in)
Written by Jim Zub. Art by Juanan Ramirez.
Available June 12th.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #45 (Tie-in)
Written by Ryan North. Art by Derek Charm.
Available June 12th.
War of the Realms: War Scrolls #3 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Jason Aaron, Devin Grayson and others. Art by Andrea Sorrentino and others.
Available June 19th.
War of the Realms: Spider-Man and the League of Realms #3 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Sean Ryan. Art by Nico Leon.
Available June 19th.
Captain Marvel #7 (Tie-in)
Written by Kelly Thompson. Art by Annapaola Martello.
Available June 19th.
Tony Stark: Iron Man #13 (Tie-in)
Written by Gail Simone. Art by Paolo Villanelli.
Available June 19th.
Deadpool #14 (Tie-in)
Written by Skottie Young. Art by Nic Klein.
Available June 19th.
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #5 (of 5) (Tie-in)
Written by Clint McElroy, Travis McElroy, and Griffin McElroy. Art by André Lima Araújo.
Available June 19th.
Superior Spider-Man #8 (Tie-in)
Written by Christos Gage. Art by Lan Medina.
Available June 26th.
War of the Realms #6 (of 6)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Russell Dauterman.
Available June 26th.
Thor #14 (Tie-in)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike Del Mundo.
Available June 26th.
Avengers #20 (Tie-in)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Ed McGuinness.
Available June 26th.
War of Realms: New Agents of Atlas #4 (of 4) (Tie-in)
Written by Greg Pak. Art by Gang-Hyuk Lim.
Available June 26th.
War of the Realms: Punisher #3 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Gerry Duggan. Art by Marcelo Ferreira.
Available June 26th.
War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men #3 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by Matthew Rosenberg. Art by Pere Perez.
Available June 26th.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #46 (Tie-in)
Written by Ryan North. Art by Derek Charm.
Available July 3rd.
War of the Realms Omega (Epilogue)
Written by Jason Aaron, Al Ewing, Gerry Duggan, and Daniel Kibblesmith. Art by Juan Ferreyra and others.
Available July 10th.
Thor #15 (Epilogue)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike Del Mundo.
Available July 10th.
After War of the Realms
What should you be reading after War of the Realms? Here are a few suggestions:
Thor #16 onwards
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike Del Mundo.
As Jason Aaron’s Thor was a big part of the lead up to War of the Realms and during it, it’s only fitting that events from it will ripple in the Thor comic. The solicitations mention that this is the beginning of the final Thor story for Jason Aaron’s run.
Valkyrie #1 onwards
Written by Jason Aaron and Al Ewing. Art by CAFU.
Series starts July 24th
Loki #1 onwards
Written by Daniel Kibblesmith. Art by Oscar Bazaldua.
Series starts July 17th.
Punisher Kill Krew #1-5
Written by Gerry Duggan. Art by Juan Ferreyra.
Series starts July 31st.
For anyone who has been enjoying the Agents of Atlas series then you should check out the following series launching after War of the Realms:
Aero #1
Written by Zhou Liefen and Greg Pak. Art by Keng and Pop Mhan.
Series starts July 3rd
Sword Master #1
Written by Shuizhu and Greg Pak. Art by Gunji and Ario Anindito.
Series starts July 24th
Agents of Atlas #1 (of 5)
Written by Greg Pak and Jeff Parker. Art by Gang Hyuk Lim and Carlo Pagulayan.
Series starts in August
The following series mention War of the Realms in the solicitations but it is unsure how much they will relate to the aftermath of the event.
Champions #7
Written by Jim Zub. Art by Steven Cummings.
Available July 10th
Superior Spider-Man #9
Written by Christos Gage. Art by Mike Hawthorne.
Avilable July 17th.
Watch this space as there is likely to be more comics to follow coming out of War of the Realms.
War of The Realms Collected Editions
Prefer to read War of the Realms in trade paperback? These are the volumes you’ll need to track down.
War of the Realms
Collects: War of the Realms #1-6 and War of the Realms: Omega
War of the Realms: Strikeforce
Collects: War of the Realms: Strikeforce: The Land of the Giants, The Dark Elf Realm, and The War Avengers
Asgardians of the Galaxy Volume 2: War of the Realms
Collects: Asgardians of the Galaxy #6-10
War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery
Collects: War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #1-5
War of the Realms: Giant Man
Collects: War of the Realms: Giant-Man #1-3 and material from War of the Realms: War Scrolls #1
War Of The Realms: The Punisher
Collects: War of the Realms: The Punisher #1-3 and material from War of the Realms Omega #1 and War of the Realms: War Scrolls #3
War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas
Collects: War of the Realms: New Agents of Altas #1-4
War of the Realms: Amazing Spider-Man/Daredevil
Collects: War of the Realms: Spider-Man and the League of the Realms #1-3 and material from War of the Realms: War Scrolls #1-3
War Of The Realms: Uncanny X-Men
Collects: War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men #1-3 and material from War of the Realms: War Scrolls #2
War of the Realms: Venom
Collects: Venom #13-15 and Venom: Cult of Carnage (not part of War of the Realms)
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Volume 11: Call Your Squirrelfriend
Collects: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #42-46
Tony Stark: Iron Man Vol. 3: War Of The Realms
Collects: Tony Stark: Iron Man #12-14 and Iron Man (1998 series) #25 (not part of War of the Realms)
And if you want everything in one BIG book then there is also The War of the Realms Omnibus coming out later half of 2020.
War of the Realms Omnibus
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 (2016) #43, Superior Spider-Man (2019) #7–8, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) #43–46.
Have Your Say!
Have you found the War of the Realms Reading Order helpful? Or have I got something in the wrong order? Kindly let me know in the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter.
Previous Marvel Event Reading Order: Secret Empire
wait i found it
Where does the War of the Realms Giant Man fit into this?