Marvel Guides

Part 5.1: Evil Returns

As we head toward the end of the Silver Age, a number of books return once again to some of the most iconic Marvel villains who have defined the era. From the Fantastic Four’s eternal battles with Dr. Doom to the Avengers climactic battle with Ultron, there are some momentous events in these issues, culminating in a crossover storyline that finds both Iron Man and Nick Fury potentially facing death.

Reading Order:

• The Amazing Spider-Man #72-77

• The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5

• Marvel Super-Heroes #15

• Daredevil #54-61

• Fantastic Four #82-94

• Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1-13

• Marvel Super-Heroes #16-17

• Avengers #66-68

• Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #14

• Iron Man #15-18

• Avengers #69

• Iron Man #19

• Avengers #70-71

• Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #15

• Avengers #72

Part 5.2: Mutants, Monsters, and Marvels

A couple of series like Doctor Strange and the Uncanny X-Men come to an end as the Silver Age winds down—at least temporarily. While we know these iconic characters will return in the future, these issues offer a temporary finale of sorts, with threads from Doctor Strange specifically continuing in both Sub-Mariner and Incredible Hulk.

We’re also introduced to a new solo series for the Silver Surfer, as well as the futuristic space-faring team known as the Guardians of the Galaxy. While the Guardians may not play a crucial role in this period of the Marvel Universe, they will surely have much more to do in the years and decades to come.

Reading Order:

• Doctor Strange #180-183

• Sub-Mariner #16-26

• Uncanny X-Men #47-66

• Incredible Hulk #122-126

• Silver Surfer #1-11

• Marvel Super-Heroes #18-20

Part 5.3: End of an Era

While the exact date marking the end of the Silver Age of comics is debatable, for Marvel it is widely agreed upon that the era comes to a close as the iconic duo of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby parts ways. Fantastic Four #102 is the last regular issue that Kirby will draw for Marvel Comics, and so we end this guide just two issues past that in order to wrap up a trilogy of issues that see the team taking on the combined might of Namor and Magneto.

Reading Order:

• Thor #160-177

• Silver Surfer #12

• Thor #178

• Silver Surfer #13-18

• Avengers #73-76

• Incredible Hulk #127-129

• Captain Marvel #20-21

• Incredible Hulk #130-134

• Avengers #77-79

• Daredevil #62-69

• Avengers #80-82

• Daredevil #70-72

• Iron Man #20-24

• The Amazing Spider-Man #78-87

• Thor #179-181

• Fantastic Four #95-104