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Marvel Cosmic (2003-2011) Reading Order Checklist
Marvel Comics Reading Order

Marvel Cosmic (2003-2011) Reading Order Checklist

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Marvel Comics has a rich tapestry of cosmic characters and concepts. Over the decades, they’ve introduced vast alien empires, dozens of characters, and plenty of omnipotent objects. Some of these, like the Guardians of the Galaxy and Thanos, have become household names. Others, such as the Silver Surfer, are well known to comics readers through their interactions with the wider Marvel Universe. Some are obscure, only being used occasionally.

These ideas ebbed and flowed at various times. However, the 2000s saw a renaissance for Marvel Cosmic, bringing back many under-utilized characters and concepts. The result was a cycle of big stories and comic book events that excited readers and re-energised many characters.

There are lots of moving parts when it comes to the Marvel Cosmic comics of this era. Luckily, this reading order will help you make sense of all the different stories and series – fitting them all in place so you can focus on reading them.

Happy reading!

Annihilation Saga cover by Andrea DiVito and Laura Villari.
Annihilation Saga cover by Andrea DiVito and Laura Villari.

What is Marvel Cosmic?

So, what do I mean by Marvel Cosmic? Essentially, it’s all of the Marvel Comics characters, concepts, objects, and series that are based in outer space.

Some characters and teams that this includes are:

  • Guardians of the Galaxy (Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Groot, Rocket Racoon etc)
  • Thanos
  • Nova
  • Silver Surfer
  • Adam Warlock
  • Ronan the Accusser
  • Quasar
  • Moondragon
  • Darkhawk
  • and many others

Why between 2003-2011?

As mentioned earlier, the 2000s were a renaissance period for Marvel Cosmic. Between 2003 and 2011, several comic book series and events brought cosmic characters and concepts back to the forefront. It was an exciting time for readers and these stories are still fondly looked upon due to their quality and the creative freedom that creative teams had.

The cycle begins in 2003 with Jim Starlin and Ron Lim’s Thanos (2003 series) and ends with Annihilators: Earthfall by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Tan Eng Huat.

How to use this reading order

It’s up to you how you use the Marvel Cosmic reading order.

For instance, you could use it on a micro level, looking at how to read a particular story. Alternatively, you could take a macro approach by seeing where each story fits in with the other Marvel Cosmic events. Or you could do a mix of the two to suit your reading needs.

Marvel Cosmic reading order

Below is the recommended reading order for Marvel Cosmic between 2003 and 2011. These include all of the events plus lists the comics that link each event together o you can get the full picture.

I’ve included plenty of annotation along the way to either justify a comics position or to give more context if it connects to something larger.

Thanos (2003 series) #1
Thanos (2003 series) #1

Prelude

Marvel published two series in 2003-2005 that are a precursor to the Marvel’s Cosmic modern era, which officially started with Annihilation. This includes Jim Starlin and Ron Lim’s Thanos series and Keith Giffen and Mitch Breitweiser’s Drax the Destroyer. Elements of these comics are picked up in Annihilation and act as preludes to it.

Thanos (2003 series) #1

Thanos (2003 series) #2

Thanos (2003 series) #3

Thanos (2003 series) #4

Thanos (2003 series) #5

Thanos (2003 series) #6

Thanos (2003 series) #7

Thanos (2003 series) #8

Thanos (2003 series) #9

Thanos (2003 series) #10

Thanos (2003 series) #11

Thanos (2003 series) #12

Drax the Destroyer (2005 series) #1

Drax the Destroyer (2005 series) #2

Drax the Destroyer (2005 series) #3

Drax the Destroyer (2005 series) #4

Annihilation: Prologue #1 cover Gabriele Dell'otto. Cover features Thanos, Ronin, Super-Skrull, Silver Surfer, Drax, and Nova (Richard Rider).
Annihilation: Prologue #1 cover Gabriele Dell’otto.

Annihilation

Annihilation is the first of the modern Marvel Cosmic sagas. Under the control of Annihilius, the Annililation Wave is sweeping the universe and destroying every planet it encounters. The Nova Corps, Drax, the Silver Surfer and other cosmic characters will need to come together to save their worlds.

It begins with a prologue one-shot, which sets up several parallel miniseries. These all come together for the six-part Annihilation miniseries.

Annihilation: Prologue #1

Annihilation: Nova #1

Annihilation: Nova #2

Annihilation: Nova #3

Annihilation: Nova #4

Annihilation: Ronan #1

Annihilation: Ronan #2

Annihilation: Ronan #3

Annihilation: Ronan #4

Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1

Annihilation: Silver Surfer #2

Annihilation: Silver Surfer #3

Annihilation: Silver Surfer #4

Annihilation: Super-Skrull #1

Annihilation: Super-Skrull #2

Annihilation: Super-Skrull #3

Annihilation: Super-Skrull #4

Note: Annihilation: Nova, Annihilation: Ronan, Annihilation: Silver Surfer, and Annihilation: Super-Skrull run concurrently with each other. You could either read each miniseries separately, as listed below, or concurrently, reading each issue #1 of each series and so forth. It’s totally up to you.

Annihilation #1

Annihilation #2

Annihilation #3

Annihilation #4

Annihilation #5

Annihilation #6

Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #1

Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #2

Nova (2007 series) #1 cover by Adi Granov.
Nova (2007 series) #1 cover by Adi Granov.

Post-Annihilation

Nova (2007 series) was launched after the conclusion of Annihilation. Read the following issues if you want to bridge the gap between Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest.

Nova (2007 series) #1

Nova (2007 series) #2

Nova (2007 series) #3

Nova (2007 series) #4

Nova (2007 series) #5

Nova (2007 series) #6

Nova (2007 series) #7

Nova (2007 series) #8

Nova (2007 series) #9

Nova (2007 series) #10

Annihilation: Conquest - Prologue #1 cover by Aleksi Bricolt.
Annihilation: Conquest – Prologue #1 cover by Aleksi Bricolt.

Annihilation: Conquest

Annihilation: Conquest is the sequel to Annihilation and focuses on Marvel’s cosmic heroes defending the universe against classic Avengers villain Ultron and the Phallanx. This saga follows the same format as Annihilation, beginning with a prologue one-shot before splintering out into parallel miniseries and then coming back together for the six-part Annihilation: Conquest.

Annihilation Saga

Note: Annihilation Saga was a book that Marvel released that summarized past events and explained characters and their motivations. It was made to help get readers up to speed if they hadn’t read Annihilation or were not familiar with some of the more obscure characters.

Annihilation: Conquest – Prologue #1

Annihilation: Conquest – Quasar #1

Annihilation: Conquest – Quasar #2

Annihilation: Conquest – Quasar #3

Annihilation: Conquest – Quasar #4

Annihilation: Conquest – Star-Lord #1

Annihilation: Conquest – Star-Lord #2

Annihilation: Conquest – Star-Lord #3

Annihilation: Conquest – Star-Lord #4

Annihilation: Conquest – Wraith #1

Annihilation: Conquest – Wraith #2

Annihilation: Conquest – Wraith #3

Annihilation: Conquest – Wraith #4

Nova (2007 series) Annual #1

Nova (2007 series) #11

Nova (2007 series) #12

Annihilation: Conquest #1

Annihilation: Conquest #2

Annihilation: Conquest #3

Annihilation: Conquest #4

Annihilation: Conquest #5

Annihilation: Conquest #6

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #1 cover by Clint Langley.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #1 cover by Clint Langley.

Post-Annihilation: Conquest

Marvel’s cosmic comics splintered into a number of different avenues post-Annihilation: Conquest. There’s the launch of the 2008 Guardians of the Galaxy series, which introduced the line-up that was used in the MCU years later; the X-Men entered the fray through Vulcan and the Shi’ar; and the Inhumans became involved off the back of the Secret Invasion comic book event. Many of these build up to the next Marvel Cosmic saga – War of Kings.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #1

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #2

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #3

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #4

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #5

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #6

Note: Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #4-6 loosely tie-in to Secret Invasion. However, it’s very loose and you can read the issues not knowing what’s going on in that event.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #7

Nova (2007 series) #13

Nova (2007 series) #14

Nova (2007 series) #15

Nova (2007 series) #16

Nova (2007 series) #17

Nova (2007 series) #18

Nova (2007 series) #19

Nova (2007 series) #20

Nova (2007 series) #21

Nova (2007 series) #22

Uncanny X-Men #475

Uncanny X-Men #476

Uncanny X-Men #477

Uncanny X-Men #478

Uncanny X-Men #479

Uncanny X-Men #480

Uncanny X-Men #481

Uncanny X-Men #482

Uncanny X-Men #483

Uncanny X-Men #484

Uncanny X-Men #485

Uncanny X-Men #486

Note: Uncanny X-Men #475-486 are part of a storyline called The Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire and have been included as it involves the Shi’ar, a major galactic power in the Marvel Universe, and as Vulcan plays a role in War of Kings. The Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire is a continuation of the X-Men: Deadly Genesis miniseries – which follows threads from the conclusion of House of M and incorporates plot-points of 1975’s Giant-Size X-Men #1. Those comics are not listed in this reading order as they stray too far from Marvel Cosmic but are worth checking out if you want additional context.

Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1

Secret Invasion: Inhumans #2

Secret Invasion: Inhumans #3

Secret Invasion: Inhumans #4

Note: Secret Invasion: Inhumans #1-4 ties into the Secret Invasion event. However, there’s some set-up for the Inhumans and their involvement in War of Kings.

Emperor Vulcan #1

Emperor Vulcan #2

Emperor Vulcan #3

Emperor Vulcan #4

Emperor Vulcan #5

Note: Emperor Vulcan #1-5 continues on from Uncanny X-Men #475-486 and continues the set up for War of Kings.

War of Kings #1 cover.
War of Kings #1 cover.

War of Kings

War of Kings is the next event in the Marvel cosmic cycle of stories. This one sees the Shi’ar empire (lead by Vulcan) take on the Kree Empire and Inhumans. This causes ripples throughout the galaxy, with the Nova Corps, Darkhawk, Starjammers, and Guardians of the Galaxy getting involved in different ways.

While the previous events had series and issues that built on each other, War of Kings is a bit more like a traditional Marvel event like Civil War. This means there is a core series and then various tie-ins that explore other aspects and perspectives.

War of Kings Saga

Note: War of Kings Saga is a a book that Marvel released that summarized past events and explained characters and their motivations to help readers get up to speed.

Secret Invasion: War of Kings #1 (tie-in)

X-Men: Kingbreaker #1 (tie-in)

X-Men: Kingbreaker #2 (tie-in)

X-Men: Kingbreaker #3 (tie-in)

X-Men: Kingbreaker #4 (tie-in)

War of Kings: Warriors #1 (tie-in)

War of Kings: Warriors #2 (tie-in)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #8 (tie-in)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #9 (tie-in)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #10 (tie-in)

War of Kings: Dawkhawk #1 (tie-in)

War of Kings: Dawkhawk #2 (tie-in)

War of Kings #1

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #11 (tie-in)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #12 (tie-in)

Nova (2007 series) #23 (tie-in)

War of Kings #2

War of Kings: The Savage World of Skaar #1 (tie-in)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #13 (tie-in)

Nova (2007 series) #24 (tie-in)

War of Kings #3

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #14 (tie-in)

Nova (2007 series) #25 (tie-in)

War of Kings #4

War of Kings: Ascension #1 (tie-in)

War of Kings: Ascension #2 (tie-in)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #15 (tie-in)

Nova (2007 series) #26 (tie-in)

War of Kings #5

War of Kings: Ascension #3 (tie-in)

War of Kings: Ascension #4 (tie-in)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #16 (tie-in)

Nova (2007 series) #27 (tie-in)

War of Kings #6

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #17 (tie-in)

Nova (2007 series) #28 (tie-in)

War of Kings: Who Will Rule?

Nova (2007 series) #29 cover by Brandon Peterson.
Nova (2007 series) #29 cover by Brandon Peterson.

Post-War of Kings

There’s a short break in between War of Kings and Realm of Kings.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #18

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #19

Nova (2007 series) #29

Nova (2007 series) #30

Nova (2007 series) #31

Realm of Kings #1 cover by Clint Langley.
Realm of Kings #1 cover by Clint Langley.

Realm of Kings

Realm of Kings is the follow-up to War of Kings and introduces the concept of the Cancerverse.

This event follows goes back to a structure similar to Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest. It begins with a one-shot and then splinters off into different miniseries.

Realm of Kings #1

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #20

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #21

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #22

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #23

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #24

Nova (2007 series) #31

Nova (2007 series) #32

Nova (2007 series) #33

Nova (2007 series) #34

Nova (2007 series) #35

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #2

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #3

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #4

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5

Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1

Realm of Kings: Inhumans #2

Realm of Kings: Inhumans #3

Realm of Kings: Inhumans #4

Realm of Kings: Inhumans #5

Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #1

Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #2

Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #3

Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #4

Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #5

The Thanos Imperative #1 cover Aleksi Briclot.
The Thanos Imperative #1 cover Aleksi Briclot.

The Thanos Imperative

Building on Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning’s War of Kings and Realm of Kings, the Guardians of the Galaxy must recruit Thanos so they can stop the Cancerverse from bleeding into our reality.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #25 (Prelude)

Nova (2007 series) #36 (Prelude)

The Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1

The Thanos Imperative #1

The Thanos Imperative #2

The Thanos Imperative #3

The Thanos Imperative #4

The Thanos Imperative #5

The Thanos Imperative #6

The Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1

The Annihilators #1 variant cover by Alex Garner.
The Annihilators #1 variant cover by Alex Garner.

The Annihilators

Spinning out of The Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1, The Annihilators is a team of heroes that includes Star-Lord, Quasar, Gladiator, Beta Ray Bill, Silver Surfer, and others.

The Annihilators #1

The Annihilators #2

The Annihilators #3

The Annihilators #4

The Annihilators: Earthfall #1

The Annihilators: Earthfall #2

The Annihilators: Earthfall #3

The Annihilators: Earthfall #4

Silver Surfer: Requiem #1 cover by Esad Ribic.
Silver Surfer: Requiem #1 cover by Esad Ribic.

Other cosmic series of the era

The below issues/series can be read at any time. They’re siloed from the various events and tell their own stories.

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #1

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #2

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #3

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #4

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #5

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #6

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #7

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #8

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #9

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #10

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #11

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #12

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #13

Silver Surfer (2003 series) #14

Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1

Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #2

Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #3

Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #4

Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #5

Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #6

Silver Surfer: Requiem #1

Silver Surfer: Requiem #2

Silver Surfer: Requiem #3

Silver Surfer: Requiem #4

Silver Surfer: In Thy Name #1

Silver Surfer: In Thy Name #2

Silver Surfer: In Thy Name #3

Silver Surfer: In Thy Name #4

Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #1

Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #2

Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #3

Secret Invasion Aftermath: Beta Ray Bill – The Green Of Eden #1

Silver Surfer (2011 series) #1

Silver Surfer (2011 series) #2

Silver Surfer (2011 series) #3

Silver Surfer (2011 series) #4

Silver Surfer (2011 series) #5

Marvel Cosmic collected editions

Prefer to read Marvel Cosmic in a collected format? These are the trade paperbacks, hardcovers, or omnibus editions you’ll need to track down.

Annihilation

Annihilation was first collected in three trade paperback collections, as seen below.

Annihilation Book 1
Collects: Drax The Destroyer #1-4, Annihilation Prologue, and Annihilation: Nova #1-4

Annihilation Book 2
Collects: Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1-4, Annihilation: Super-Skrull #1-4, and Annihilation: Ronan #1-4

Annihilation Book 3
Collects: Annihilation #1-6, Annihilation: Heralds Of Galactus #1-2, and Annihilation: The Nova Corps Files

It has since been repackaged into two larger collections.

Annihilation: The Complete Collection Volume 1
Collects: Drax The Destroyer #1-4, Annihilation Prologue, Annihilation: Nova #1-4, Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1-4, and Annihilation: Super-Skrull #1-4

Annihilation: The Complete Collection Volume 2
Collects: Annihilation: Ronan #1-4, Annihilation #1-6, Annihilation: Heralds Of Galactus #1-2, and Annihilation: The Nova Corps Files

As well as in the omnibus format.

Annihilation Omnibus
Collects: Drax The Destroyer #1-4, Annihilation Prologue, Annihilation: Nova #1-4, Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1-4 and Annihilation: Super-Skrull #1-4, Annihilation: Ronan #1-4, Annihilation #1-6, Annihilation: Heralds Of Galactus #1-2, and Annihilation: The Nova Corps Files

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Annihilation: Conquest

Annihilation: Conquest has been collected in two trade paperback collections.

Annihilation: Conquest Book 1
Collects: Annihilation: Conquest Prologue, Annihilation: Conquest – Quasar #1-4, Annihilation: Conquest – Starlord #1-4, and Annihilation Saga

Annihilation: Conquest Book 2
Collects: Annihilation: Conquest – Wraith #1-4, Nova (2007 series) #4-7, and Annihilation: Conquest #1-6

And the Nova issues can also be found in:

Nova Volume 1: Annihilation: Conquest
Collects: Nova (2007 series) #1-7

There is also an omnibus edition.

Annihilation: Conquest Omnibus
Collects: Nova (2007 series) #1-12, Nova Annual #1, Annihilation: Conquest Prologue, Annihilation: Conquest – Quasar #1-4, Annihilation: Conquest – Starlord #1-4, Annihilation Saga, Annihilation: Conquest – Wraith #1-4, and Annihilation: Conquest #1-6

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War of Kings

The War of Kings event is collected in several collections.

War of Kings: Road to War of Kings
Collects: X-Men: Kingbreaker #1-4, Secret Invasion: War of Kings, and War of Kings Saga

War of Kings (Trade paperback)
Collects: War of Kings #1-6, War of Kings: Who Will Rule? #1, Marvel Spotlilght: War of Kings

War of Kings (Hardcover)
Collects: War of Kings #1-6, War of Kings: Ascension #1-4, War of Kings: Savage World of Sakaar #1, War of Kings: Darkhawk #1-2, War of Kings: Warriors #1-2, War of Kings: Who Will Rule? #1, Marvel Spotlilght: War of Kings

Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 2: War Of Kings Book 1
Collects: Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #7-12

Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 3: War Of Kings Book 2
Collects: Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #13-17 and Marvel Spotlight: War of Kings

Nova Volume 5: War of Kings
Collects: Nova (2007 series) #23-29

War Of Kings: Warriors
Collects: War of Kings: Darkhawk #1-2, War of Kings: Ascension #1-4, War of Kings: Savage Sword of Skaar, War of Kings: Warriors #1-2

War of Kings is also available in omnibus editions too.

War of Kings Prelude: Road to War of Kings Omnibus
Collects: 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 series) #1-12, Nova (2007 series) #13-22, Nova: The Origin of Richard Rider, and War of Kings Saga

War of Kings Omnibus
Collects: Uncanny X-Men #475-486, X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #1-5, Secret Invasion: War of Kings #1, 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 #1, Nova (2007 series) #23-28, Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #13-19, War of Kings: Who Will Rule? #1, Marvel Spotlilght: War of Kings, and material from X-Men: Divided We Stand #2

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Realm of Kings

Check out the following collections if you want to read Realm of Kings.

Realm of Kings
Collects: Realm of Kings #1, Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1-5, Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #1-4, and Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1-5

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard
Collects: Realm of Kings Imperial Guard #1-5

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 4: Realm of Kings
Collects: Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #20-25 and Realm of Kings #1

Nova Volume 6: Realm of Kings
Collects: Nova (2007 series) #29-36

Realm of Kings can also be found in the following omnibus:

War of Kings Aftermath: Realm of Kings Omnibus
Collects: Realm of Kings, Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1-5, Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #1-4, Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1-5, Nova (2007 series) #29-36, Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #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

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The Thanos Imperative

You can read The Thanos Imperative in a single collection.

The Thanos Imperative
Collects: The Thanos Imperative 1-6, The Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1, The Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1, and Thanos Sourcebook

It can also be found in the following omnibus editions:

War of Kings Aftermath: Realm of Kings Omnibus
Collects: Realm of Kings, Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1-5, Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #1-4, Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1-5, Nova (2007 series) #29-36, Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #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

Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning Omnibus
Collects: Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #1-25, Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1, Thanos Imperative #1-6, Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1, material from Annihilators #1-4, and Annihilators: Earthfall #1-4

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The Annhilators

Pick up these two collections to read all of The Annhilators.

Annihilators
Collects: Annihilators #1-4

Annihilators: Earthfall
Collects: Annihilators: Earthfall #1-4

It can also be found in the following omnibus:

War of Kings Aftermath: Realm of Kings Omnibus
Collects: Realm of Kings, Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1-5, Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #1-4, Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1-5, Nova (2007 series) #29-36, Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #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

Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning Omnibus
Collects: Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 series) #1-25, Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1, Thanos Imperative #1-6, Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1, material from Annihilators #1-4, and Annihilators: Earthfall #1-4

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Silver Sufer #1 cover by Mike Allred.
Silver Sufer #1 cover by Mike Allred.

The Annihilators was the end of an era when it came to Marvel’s cosmic comics. It kind of fizzled out after that, with no new cosmic saga following up on it. However, there have been some comics in the 2010s that were in the spirit of the comics mentioned above. These include:

Brian Michael Bendis’ Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy had a bit of break and returned in 2013 under the pen of Brian Michael Bendis and a variety of artists. During this time, the series part of multiple crossovers, include The Trial of Jean Grey and Black Vortex.

While fans has mixed feelings about the series (I liked the first collection), it addressed what happened to Richard Rider after The Thanos Imperative.

Dan Slott and Mike Allred’s Silver Surfer

Looking for another Silver Surfer series? Dan Slott and Mike and Laura Allred, crafted an excellent run that mixes fun with heart. The run is heavily inspired by Doctor Who, with the Silver surfer being a stand-in for The Doctor and Dawn Greenwood being his travelling companion.

Annihilation: Scourge

In the spirit of the original Annihilation series, Marvel published a 5-week mini-event called Annihilation: Scourge in 2019. Check out the reading order to find out how to read it.

Have your say

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Comments (3)

  • Hey Trevor, thanks for these reading orders. They’re useful limit.
    Please, correct the following data in this one:
    Silver Surfer 2003 is composed of 14 issues.
    Silver Surfer 2011 is composed os 5 issues.
    In both cases you put one more.
    Greetings from Sevilla, España, and keep the good work.

  • Thank you very much for this post. The info not only helps me with the reading order but with my purchase decisions. Very useful.

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