Marvel Timeless Reading Order Part 1

Enjoy Marvel Guides? Join our Patreon!

Part 1.1: For All Time

As a new era dawns on the Marvel Universe, one man has been there to see it all. He’s been known by many names throughout space and time. Nathaniel Richards. Iron Lad. Immortus. He Who Remains. Kang. Now it’s time to learn more of his past in the Kang the Conqueror limited series before he sets his sights on an ever-changing future in the Timeless one-shot.

Elsewhere we explore the concept of time and longevity as we check in on the newly resurrected Eternals. They’re the oldest heroes on Earth, and yet only now are they about to uncover a shocking secret that redefines their very nature. Meanwhile the Avengers are about to be put to the ultimate test by a foe who’s been plotting their demise for more than a million years…

Reading Order:

Kang the Conqueror #1 – #5
Avengers: 1,000,000 B.C. #1
Fantastic Four #32 – #37
Timeless (2021) #1
Eternals (2021) #1 – #9
Eternals: The Heretic #1
Eternals: Thanos Rises #1
Eternals #10 – #12
Avengers #51 – #55

Related Collections:

*United States of Captain America #1 Cover*

Part 1.2: Heroes of the People

The start of a new era wouldn’t be complete without checking in on some of the most important heroes who define what Marvel is all about. These are the heroes who are closest to the ground, serving the people and protecting Earth against threats both large and small. While Steve Rogers deals with a cavalcade of threats that makes him realize the United States is too big for just one Captain America, Peter Parker tries to put his life back together after a mysterious incident six months ago brought everything crashing down around him.

Reading Order:

The United States of Captain America #1 – #5
Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #1 – #6
Captain America/Iron Man #1 – #5
Captain America Infinity Comic #1 – #4
America Chavez: Made in the USA #1 – #5
Hawkeye: Kate Bishop #1 – #5
Captain America #0
Marvel Voices: Legacy #1
Women of Marvel (2022) #1
Wakanda #1 – #5
Captain America: Symbol of Truth #1 – #5

Related Collections:

*Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1 Cover*

Part 1.3: Reckoning War

While this era kicked off with a look ahead at the future, the Reckoning War explodes out of a secret event from the earliest days of the Marvel Universe. The Watchers are the oldest known species in the universe, and throughout history they’ve sworn only to observe important events—never interfere. But this wasn’t always the case. They made a mistake, and now a reckoning is due.

Continuity Note: While most series and storylines in the Timeless era are a great jumping on point, Reckoning War represents the culmination of Dan Slott’s Fantastic Four run which began in the Fresh Start era. In fact he’s been teasing the storyline for almost two decades in several of his other books. That being said, enough context is provided in the event itself to catch new readers up to speed.

Reading Order:

She-Hulk (2022) #1 – #3
Fantastic Four #38
She-Hulk #4 – #10
Fantastic Four #39
Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1
Fantastic Four #40 – #41
Reckoning War: Trial of the Watcher #1
Fantastic Four #42 – #46
Fantastic Four Infinity Comic #1 – #4

Related Collections:

*Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1 Cover*

Part 1.4: Banner of War

As if the death of Odin and terrifying visions of Thanos wielding an Infinity Stone-laden Mjölnir wasn’t enough to keep Thor occupied, he now has to answer a timeless question: who would win in a war between Thor and the Hulk? And though the Hulk is incredibly strong on a typical day, Bruce Banner has made some recent enhancements that unlock a side of the Hulk even he isn’t prepared to deal with.

Continuity Note: The first arc of the Hulk series technically takes place shortly before the Death of Doctor Strange at the end of the Fresh Start era, but it makes more sense to read it here in the lead-up to the Banner of War crossover event.

Reading Order:

Thor #24
Jane Foster & the Mighty Thor #1 – #5
Hulk (2021) #1 – #6
Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1
Thor #25
Hulk #7
Thor #26
Hulk #8
Planet Hulk: Worldbreaker #1 – #5

Related Collections:

Part 1.5: Fight for the Future

Shang-Chi steps into the spotlight in a number of new series that both redefine his past and chart him toward a new and exciting future that will leave him taking control of his father’s legacy. And though he’s one of the most prominent fighters in the Marvel Universe, he’s not the only one. Iron Fist has returned, but who is the new hero wielding the power of the dragon?

Reading Order:

Shang-Chi (2020) #1 – #5
The Legend of Shang-Chi #1
Shang-Chi Infinity Comic #1 – #4
Iron Fist (2022) #1 – #5
Shang-Chi (2021) #1 – #12
Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings #1 – #6
Shang-Chi: Master of the Ten Rings #1

Related Collections:

Part 1.6: Across the Multiverse

The past, present, and future of the Marvel Universe are in constant flux, and the stability of one timeline is not all that’s at stake. Earth-616 is but one reality in an infinite multiverse that both heroes and villains alike have explored for purposes both good and nefarious. First we check in on a number of heroes who either exist in or interact with alternate universes, such as the Young Avengers, Captain Carter, and Spider-Man 2099. In Avengers Forever, Jason Aaron expands his ongoing Avengers saga to include new threats and allies from every corner of the multiverse in a story that will leave you asking, “Who is Avenger Prime?”

Reading Order:

Hulkling & Wiccan Infinity Comic #1 – #4
Marvel’s Voices Infinity Comic #5 – #17
Defenders: Beyond #1 – #5
Thunderbolts (2022) #1 – #5
Captain Carter #1 – #5
Spider-Man 2099: Exodus Alpha #1
Spider-Man 2099: Exodus #1 – #5
Spider-Man 2099: Exodus Omega #1
Namor: Conquered Shores #1 – #5
Avengers Forever #1 – #4
Avengers Forever Infinity Comic #1 – #4
Avengers #56

Related Collections:

Continue to Part 2