Marvel Guides

Part 1.1: Heroes Return

Almost as soon as they disappeared, our heroes return in a flash of light from their Secret Wars. But while the world at large may never learn exactly what transpired on Battleworld, the events set in motion by the mysterious Beyonder will have ramifications for the Marvel Universe for years to come. From Spider-Man’s newfound suit to changes in membership on both the Avengers and Fantastic Four, these books explore characters grappling with these changes and others.

Note: Thor #337 – #340 technically takes place before Secret Wars, but as it is the beginning of Walt Simson’s iconic run, it makes more sense to include it here.

Reading Order:

• Thor #337 – #340

• Daredevil #202 – #206

• Fantastic Four #265

• Avengers #243

• Iron Man #182

• Amazing Spider-Man #252

• Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #90

• Marvel Team-Up #141

• Uncanny X-Men #181 – #182

• Fantastic Four #266 – #268

• Incredible Hulk #295 – #296

• New Mutants #17

• Thor #341 – #344

• Iron Man #183 – #187

• Fantastic Four Annual #18

• Avengers #244 – #248

• Fantastic Four #269 – #273

• Alpha Flight #9 – #12

• The Thing #11 – #18

• Incredible Hulk #297 – #301

• Incredible Hulk Annual #13

• Incredible Hulk #302 – #309

• Avengers Annual #13

• Wonder Man #1

• West Coast Avengers (1984) #1 – #2

• Iron Man Annual #7

• Iron Man #188

Related Collections:

• Thor by Walt Simonson Vol. 1

• Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 24

• Iron Man: Duel of Iron

• Fantastic Four: John Byrne Vol. 5

• Avengers: Absolute Vision - Book 2

• Uncanny X-Men Vol. 10

Part 1.2: Black Suit Begins

Spider-Man’s new suit from Secret Wars has a number of benefits including organic webbing and the ability to transform into a normal set of clothes. But is there a downside? Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four seems to think so, and the problem with Spidey’s black suit may be so big it sets off a chain reaction of events that will unfold and escalate for decades to come. These books explore Spider-Man’s first interactions with the suit, as well as check-in on some other street-level heroes like Daredevil, Power Man, and Iron Fist.

Reading Order:

• Amazing Spider-Man #253

• Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #91

• Amazing Spider-Man #254

• Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #92

• Daredevil #207 – #211

• Power Man and Iron Fist #101 – #113

• Power Pack #1 – #5

• Marvel Team-Up 142 – #143

• Amazing Spider-Man #255

• Marvel Team-Up 144 – #145

• Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #93 – #95

• Marvel Team-Up Annual #7

• Amazing Spider-Man #256 – #257

• Marvel Team-Up #146

• Amazing Spider-Man #258

• Daredevil #212 – #214

Part 1.3: Ice and Fire

In the wake of Secret Wars, dark and powerful forces are stirring in the Marvel Universe, chief of which are Malekith and Surtur, two powerful and ancient enemies of Asgard. Thor and his new ally Beta Ray Bill attempt to stop the foes, but when they unleash the Casket of Ancient Winters on Midgard, the conflict consumes the Avengers, X-Men, and more.

Reading Order:

• Uncanny X-Men #183

• New Mutants #18 – #20

• Uncanny X-Men #184

• New Mutants #21

• New Mutants Annual #1

• New Mutants #22

• Iceman #1 – #4

• Nightcrawler #1 – #4

• Defenders #131 – #145

• Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #1 – #2

• Captain America #293 – #294

• Thor #345 – #348

• Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #96

• Uncanny X-Men #185 – #188

• Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #3 – #6

• Thor #349

• Avengers #249

• Thor #350 – #354

• Thor Annual #13

• Thor #355

• Uncanny X-Men #189 – #191

• New Mutants #23 – #26

• Thor #356 – #359

Related Collections:

• Uncanny X-Men Vol. 11

• New Mutants Classic Vol. 3

• Thor by Walt Simonson Vol. 2

• X-Men: Kitty Pryde and Wolverine

Part 1.4: Separation Anxiety

While Spider-Man’s black suit initially seemed like a great addition to the wall-crawler’s wardrobe, with the help of Reed Richards he discovered it was actually an alien symbiote that was trying to permanently bond to his being. Peter freed himself from the entity just in time, and now it’s safely locked away with the Fantastic Four. Or is it? The first chapter in the symbiote’s saga comes to a head as the alien finds it way back to Spider-Man.

Reading Order:

• Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #97

• Marvel Team-Up #147 – #149

• Amazing Spider-Man #259

• Amazing Spider-Man Annual #18

• Amazing Spider-Man #260

• The Thing #19

• Fantastic Four #274 – #275

• Amazing Spider-Man #261 – #262

• Power Pack #6 – #10

• Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #98 – #99

• Amazing Spider-Man #263 – #264

• Marvel Team-Up #150

• Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #100

• Web of Spider-Man #1 – #4

• Web of Spider-Man Annual #1

• Amazing Spider-Man #265 – #266

• Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #101 – #104

• Web of Spider-Man #5

• Daredevil #215 – #219

• Amazing Spider-Man #267

• Amazing Spider-Man Annual #19