Secret Wars is a 12-issue limited series that brings together various Marvel superheroes and villains in a battle for the Universe’s fate. The storyline has been revisited and expanded upon in several subsequent series and tie-in issues, making it a complex and exciting read for fans.
So, with so many comics and tie-ins to keep track of, it can be tough to know where to start and how to read all Secret Wars comics in order.
This guide will break down the reading order for all Secret Wars comics, from the original limited series to the most recent tie-ins.
What Is Marvel’s Secret War In A Nutshell?
“Secret Wars” is a Marvel Comics event published in 2015.
The event centers around the Marvel Universe and various alternate realities being destroyed and merged into a single patchwork planet, Battleworld, by an all-powerful entity known as the Beyonder.
The event features numerous Marvel characters, including the Avengers, X-Men, and the Fantastic Four, as they struggle to survive in this new world and uncover the secrets behind Beyonder’s motives.
The event culminates in an epic battle between the heroes and the villainous Doctor Doom, who seeks to become a god and rule over the new world.
Overall, “Secret Wars” is an epic story that combines many of Marvel’s most iconic characters and concepts, exploring themes of power, morality, and the consequences of playing god.
How Many Secret Wars Issues Are There?
The 2015 “Secret Wars” event consists of nine issues in the main series, with several additional tie-in issues that expand on various aspects of the story.
The nine points of the main sequence are: Many tie-in issues grow on the level of the event, with over 200 cases in total.
These tie-in issues are unnecessary to understand the main story, but they provide additional context and explore different aspects of Battleworld and its inhabitants.
Overall, the “Secret Wars” event is a massive undertaking that covers many other characters and concepts, making it a significant and memorable event in the Marvel Comics universe.
Are Secret Wars Easy To Read?
Suppose a reader is already familiar with the characters and concepts involved in the story. In that case, they may find reading and following the plot more accessible.
However, if a reader is new to Marvel Comics or unfamiliar with the characters and concepts involved in the story, they may need help understanding and following the plot.
In addition, the 2015 “Secret Wars” event is a complex and dense story that deals with many different characters and concepts.
The event also has many tie-in issues that expand on various story aspects, which can overwhelm some readers.
Overall, while “Secret Wars” is not necessarily easy, it is still accessible and enjoyable for many readers.
The event features excellent artwork and an epic story that brings together many of Marvel’s most iconic characters and concepts, making it a worthwhile read for fans of the Marvel Comics universe.
Is Secret Wars A Crossover?
“Secret Wars” can be considered a crossover event in the Marvel Comics universe.
The series brought together numerous characters and storylines across the Marvel Multiverse, including characters from various alternate realities and timelines.
In addition, “Secret Wars” had tie-in issues that explored multiple corners of Battleworld, the patchwork planet where the story takes place.
These tie-in issues featured characters and storylines from across the Marvel Universe and provided additional context and perspective to the overall level.
Overall, “Secret Wars” is a crossover event that combines multiple elements from the Marvel Comics universe to tell a cohesive and epic story.
Can I Read Secret Wars Alone?
You can read “Secret Wars” alone as a standalone story, but you may miss out on some of the nuances and references to characters and events from previous Marvel Comics storylines.
However, if you are primarily interested in the story of “Secret Wars” and do not mind potentially missing out on some context, you can certainly read it alone and still enjoy the story.
Keep in mind that there are several tie-in series and issues that expand on the events of “Secret Wars,” but these are not necessary to understand the main story.
What Should I Read Before Secret Wars?
To fully appreciate and understand the 2015 “Secret Wars” event, there are several series that are recommended to read beforehand:
- Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers/New Avengers: The “Secret Wars” event is a culmination of Hickman’s long-term Avengers story, which started in 2012 with the “Avengers” and “New Avengers” series. These series set up the events that led to the multiverse’s destruction and introduced strong characters and concepts that play a significant role in “Secret Wars.”
- Marvel’s 2013 event “Infinity”: This event, also written by Jonathan Hickman, sets the stage for the destruction of the multiverse and the emergence of the “incursions,” which are central to the plot of “Secret Wars.”
- “Secret Wars” (1984): Although not necessary to understand the 2015 “Secret Wars,” reading the original “Secret Wars” from 1984 can provide context for some of the characters and concepts that are revisited in the later event.
- “Ultimate End”: This limited series serves as a prelude to “Secret Wars” and deals with the destruction of the Ultimate Universe, one of Marvel’s alternate universes.
- “Time Runs Out”: This storyline from Hickman’s Avengers/New Avengers run leads directly into “Secret Wars” and deals with the multiverse’s collapse and the heroes’ attempts to save it.
Who Is The Main Villain In Secret Wars?
Doctor Doom is the main villain in the 2015 “Secret Wars” event. In this version of the story, Doctor Doom has gained immense power and has become the ruler of Battleworld, a patchwork planet made up of fragments of various destroyed alternate universes.
After destroying the multiverse, Doom used his newfound power to create Battleworld, which he rules with an iron fist. He has created a hierarchy of barons who each rule over different regions of Battleworld, but ultimately, Doom is the one in control.
Throughout the series, various characters challenge Doom’s rule and attempt to uncover the secrets of Battleworld and the true nature of their reality. However, Doom remains a formidable foe and plays a central role in the overall story of “Secret Wars.”
How Long Does It Take To Read Secret Wars?
The time to read “Secret Wars” depends on several factors, including a reading speed and how thoroughly the reader wants to explore the story and artwork.
However, as a rough estimate, it would take around 10-12 hours to read the entire “Secret Wars” event from 2015, which consists of 9 issues of the main series and numerous tie-in issues.
Remember that this is just an estimate, and some readers may take longer or shorter to read the series, depending on their reading speed and style.
Additionally, some readers may read the series more slowly to savor the artwork and story, while others may read more quickly to get through the plot points more efficiently.
Which Secret Wars Is Best?
The original “Secret Wars” is often regarded as a classic and influential Marvel Comics event, introducing new characters such as the alien symbiote that would later become Venom and featuring iconic moments such as the confrontation between the X-Men and the Avengers.
It was a limited series focused on a group of heroes and villains transported to Battleworld by the cosmic entity known as the Beyonder. It was more of a straightforward superhero story.
The 2015 “Secret Wars” was a more significant event that incorporated elements from across the Marvel Multiverse and featured a more complex storyline that dealt with the destruction and recreation of the multiverse itself.
It was written by Jonathan Hickman, who had also registered the acclaimed “Avengers” and “New Avengers” series that directly led into the event.
“Secret Wars” (2015) was well-received critically and commercially and introduced new concepts and characters that have continued to be explored in Marvel Comics.
Ultimately, which “Secret Wars” is best depends on individual preferences and what aspects of the story and characters are most important to the reader.
Both events are essential parts of Marvel Comics’ history and are worth reading for fans of the genre.
Which Avengers Are In The Secret Wars?
The “Secret Wars” event from 2015 features various Avengers from alternate universes and timelines. Here is a list of some of the Avengers that appear in “Secret Wars”:
- Iron Man (Tony Stark): The main version of Iron Man from the Marvel Universe is a central figure in “Secret Wars” and plays a significant role in the story.
- Thor: Thor, the Asgardian God of Thunder, appears in several forms throughout “Secret Wars,” including the mainstream Thor from the Marvel Universe and an alternate version of Thor, a member of the Thor Corps, a group of Thors from different universes.
- Captain America (Steve Rogers): Captain America is another major player in “Secret Wars,” representing the Marvel Universe on Battleworld.
- Spider-Man (Peter Parker): The mainstream Spider-Man from the Marvel Universe is one of the few heroes who retains his memories of the world before Battleworld.
- Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff): Black Widow is a member of the Thor Corps in “Secret Wars.”
- Hulk (Bruce Banner): The Hulk appears in several forms throughout “Secret Wars,” including a version of the character who is the ruler of a region of Battleworld called Greenland.
These are just a few of the Avengers that appear in “Secret Wars.” The event features many alternate versions of familiar characters and entirely new characters created specifically for the story.
What Comics To Read Before Reading Secret Wars 2015?
If you’re interested in reading “Secret Wars” (2015) and want to have a better understanding of the events leading up to the story, there are several comics you can read to provide context. Here are some recommended titles:
“Avengers” (2012-2015)
This series, written by Jonathan Hickman, lays the foundation for “Secret Wars” by introducing the concept of the incursions – catastrophic events in which parallel universes collide and destroy each other, threatening the entire multiverse.
The Avengers attempt to prevent these incursions, but their efforts are complicated by the actions of the Illuminati, a secret group of heroes who have been working to stop them in their own way.
“New Avengers” (2013-2015)
Also written by Jonathan Hickman, this series follows the Illuminati as they work to stop the incursions by any means necessary, including destroying entire parallel universes.
The events of “New Avengers” directly tie into “Avengers” and “Secret Wars.”
“Infinity” (2013)
This crossover event, also written by Jonathan Hickman, sees the Avengers and other heroes teaming up to face a threat from the powerful alien race known as the Builders. “Infinity” introduces new characters and plot points relevant to “Secret Wars.”
“Ultimate End” (2015)
This series, written by Brian Michael Bendis, serves as a prelude to “Secret Wars” by bringing together characters from the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe – two parallel universes that are on a collision course.
The events of “Ultimate End” directly lead to the opening of “Secret Wars.”
While reading all of these series is not necessary to understand “Secret Wars” (2015), they will provide a deeper understanding of the context and history of the story.
Is Secret Wars Canon?
Yes, “Secret Wars” is canon in the Marvel Comics universe.
It was a significant crossover event that impacted the continuity of many Marvel Comics titles, introducing new characters and plot points that have continued to be referenced in subsequent storylines.
Additionally, the events of “Secret Wars” have been revisited and expanded upon in later comic book series, including “Secret Wars” (2015), a new iteration of the event that incorporated elements from across the Marvel Multiverse.
Therefore, “Secret Wars” is an integral part of Marvel Comics’ history and continuity, and its events and characters are recognized as part of the larger Marvel Comics universe.
What Is The Difference Between Secret Wars 1 And 2?
“Secret Wars” and “Secret Wars II” are two Marvel Comics crossover events in the 1980s.
The plot of “Secret Wars” revolves around a group of heroes and villains who are transported to a distant planet called Battleworld by the cosmic entity known as the Beyonder, where they are forced to fight in a battle for the Beyonder’s amusement.
In contrast, “Secret Wars II” has the Beyonder come to Earth in human form and interact with the Marvel Universe more personally.
While “Secret Wars” was a limited series of 12 issues that mainly focused on the characters transported to Battleworld, “Secret Wars II” was a more significant event that crossed over into many ongoing Marvel Comics titles, affecting a more comprehensive range of characters and storylines.
Additionally, “Secret Wars” had a more traditional superhero feel, while “Secret Wars II” had a more philosophical and metaphysical tone, with the Beyonder questioning the nature of reality and the meaning of existence.
While “Secret Wars” is often regarded as a classic and influential Marvel Comics event, “Secret Wars II” is often criticized for its convoluted plot and inconsistent portrayal of the Beyonder.
Despite sharing some common elements, such as the Beyonder and the idea of a battle for the fate of the Universe, “Secret Wars” and “Secret Wars II” are different events with different plots, scopes, tones, and reception.
Conclusion
In conclusion, reading all Secret Wars comics in order can be a challenging task, but it is well worth the effort for Marvel fans who want to experience the full scope of this epic event.
Following a chronological reading order can help readers fully appreciate the intricate connections and interweaving storylines of the Secret Wars universe, which spans multiple dimensions, alternate realities, and familiar characters with unique twists.
