Make Mine Multiversity

Our coverage of the massive, mammoth ANNIHILATION SAGA continues. We're eight episodes in, and the end is...well it's in sight but it's still a speck on the horizon! We've left the Annihilation War & the Conquest War behind us. The bugs are gone. The bots are gone too. We've even done a bit of galaxy guarding in between bouts of invasions that may or may not be a secret. Does that mean things have calmed down? Haha, oh you sweet summer child. Things are never easy in Marvel cosmic.

This time, things take a turn for the royal as Vulcan & Black Bolt, the Shi'ar and the Kree, duke it out in the War of Kings! 

We're reading, brace yourselves, "War of Kings: Darkhawk" #1-2, "Nova" #23-25, "War of Kings" #1-3, "War of Kings: Warriors" #1-2, "War of Kings: Ascension" #1-2 and "Guardians of the Galaxy" #13 (with a sneaky "War of Kings: Savage Sword of Skaar" #1 in there too.) And if that's not enough, we even have a bespoke reading order.

"War of Kings: Darkhawk" #1

"Nova" #23

"War of Kings: Darkhawk" #2

"War of Kings" #1

"Nova" #24

"War of Kings" #2

"War of Kings: Savage Sword of Skaar"

"War of Kings: Warriors" #1-2

"War of Kings: Ascension" #1

"Guardians of the Galaxy" #13

"Nova" #25

"War of Kings" #3

"War of Kings: Ascension" #2

Reading in trade? You can find them all in "Guardians of the Galaxy" Vol. 3: War of Kings Part 2, "Nova" Vol. 5: War of Kings, "War of Kings: Warriors" and "War of Kings." If you've got the "War of Kings" omnibus, you've got all the issues and if you've got the "War of Kings" hardcover, you should also have everything that's in "War of Kings: Warriors."

Our coverage of the mind bendingly epic ANNIHILATION SAGA continues. We've fought the Annihilation War, we survived the Conquest War, and now it's time for another galactic conflict, the War of Kings. That means learning who the Inhumans are and what their deal is. Aren't they the stars of a forgotten terrible corner of the MCU? I've heard that's a thing but fortunately, we're focusing on some pretty fun comics.

Oh, you need to know which comics specifically? Sure, that's fair. In this episode, we cover "Guardians of the Galaxy" #7-12, "Secret Invasion: Inhumans" #1-4, and "Secret Invasion: War of Kings" #1. We also briefly touch on "X-Men: Kingbreaker," though the less said about that particular miniseries, the better.

Next time though, it's all smooth sailing. We are reading "War of Kings: Darkhawk," "Nova #23-25," "War of Kings #1-3," "War of Kings Warriors #1-2," and "War of Kings: Ascension #1-2." If you want to try and jump between series, we've even got a preferred reading order for you! Try reading the issues like this:

"War of Kings: Darkhawk" #1

"Nova" #23

"War of Kings: Darkhawk" #2

"War of Kings" #1

"Nova" #24

"War of Kings" #2

"War of Kings: Savage Sword of Skaar"

"War of Kings: Warriors" #1

"War of Kings: Warriors" #2

"War of Kings: Ascension" #1

"Guardians of the Galaxy" #13

"Nova" #25

"War of Kings" #3

"War of Kings: Ascension" #2

Our coverage of the massive, mammoth ANNIHILATION SAGA continues. We're six episodes in, and the end is nowhere in sight! We've left the Annihilation War & the Conquest War behind us. The bugs are gone. The bots are gone too. Seems like as good a time as any to take a actual break but with these overachievers? Never gonna happen. Especially not when they have to be dragged kicking and screaming into Marvel's big event of the year: "Secret Invasion." Don't worry, we're not reading that.

Instead, strap on your jet-packs and get ready to chat with Cosmo because it's the start of the modern era for the "Guardians of the Galaxy" with their first six issues, as well as some big changes for our poor beleaguered Richard Rider over in "Nova" #13-22. Reading in trade? You can find them all in "Guardians of the Galaxy" Vol. 1: Legacy, "Nova" Vol. 3: Secret Invasion and Vol. 4: Nova Corps.

Next time, the Invasion peters out but the guarding doesn't! We'll be reading, in this order, "Guardians of the Galaxy" #7-12, "Secret Invasion: Inhumans" #1-4, and "Secret Invasion: War of Kings" #1. And, if you feel so inclined to read something terrible, "X-Men: Kingbreaker #1-4." Trade readers can find the "Guardians" in Vol. 2: Secret Invasion, "Secret Invasion: Inhumans" in a volume of the same name, and the "SI: War of Kings" either in the "Road to War of Kings" book alongside "Kingbreaker" OR in the "War of Kings" main trade.

The ANNIHILATION SAGA rages on! Though the war with the bugs has been fought and won, the war with the machines has just begun. Actually, that's a shorter war than the last one, and today's episode will bring us to the end of it. We are talking the second half of "Annihilation Conquest." That means discussion on "Nova" #4-12 and Annual #1, "Wraith" #1-4, and "Annihilation: Conquest" #1-6. But this is the far off galaxy in a Marvel book! This war may be wrapping up soon, but the next space war is right around the corner.

Next time, peace! Sort of. We'll be reading the first six issues of "Guardians of the Galaxy" by Abnett and Lanning, and "Nova" #13-22, also by Abnett and Lanning. As far as reading orders go, it doesn't get more straightforward than this. Seriously, keep an eye on this space, reading orders are going to get complicated. But for now, enjoy the origins of everyone's favorite superhero team that features a tree and a raccoon.

Our coverage of the massive, mammoth ANNIHILATION SAGA continues. We're four episodes in, and the end is nowhere in sight! We've left the Annihilation War behind us. The bugs are gone. Kree space is pretty swiss cheesed and it's time for some well earned R&R...or at least it would be if the universe weren't instantly threatened by ANOTHER force in the pages of "Annihilation: Conquest: Prologue." Jake and Elias take a good look at that one-shot and, much like the last Annihilation conflict, dive right into a couple tangential but vital mini-series "Annihilation Conquest: Quasar" #1-4 and "Annihilation: Conquest: Starlord" #1-4. Reading in trade? All are found in the first trade, "Annihilation: Conquest: Book 1."

Next time, the conquest comes to an end, but the Saga does not. We'll be reading, in this order, "Nova" #4-7, "Annihilation Conquest: Wraith" #1-4, "Annihilation: Conquest" #1 & 2, "Nova" #8-10, "Nova" Annual #1, "Annihilation: Conquest" #3-5, "Nova" #11-12, "Annihilation: Conquest" #6. If you're reading in trade, "Nova" #4-7, "Conquest" and "Wraith" are all in "Annihilation: Conquest: Book Two" while the other "Nova" issues are found in "Nova" Vol. 2: Knowhere.

Tune in today as we continue our coverage of the ANNIHILATION SAGA. We're three episodes in, and the end is nowhere in sight! It all comes to a head this week as our heroes come together for the first time and battle the Negative Zone hordes in earnest. We are looking at "Annihilation" #1-6, as well as the all the issues from "Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus" and the first three issues of "Nova." After so much preamble, it is fun to finally be reading about wars in the stars.

Thanks for listening! The space battles don't stop here though, next time we will continue this epic run with the beginnings of "Annihilation: Conquest." We will be covering the "Annihilation: Conquest Prologue #1" one shot, as well as the miniseries "Annihilation: Conquest: Starlord" #1 – #4, and "Annihilation: Conquest: Quasar" #1 – #4. Those issues can be found in the front half of the big 'ol "Annihilation: Conquest" omnibus or if you prefer trades that weigh less than a medium sized baby, you can get all those issues in the "Annihilation: Conquest Part 1" paperback.

Today we continue our coverage of the ANNIHILATION SAGA, a project we're going to be tackling for many episodes to come! This week, we take a bit of a breather from the main action to delve into three mini series that are tangentially related to, or touched by, the Annihilation wave. "Annihilation: Silver Surfer," "Annihilation: Super Skrull," and "Annihilation: Ronan" were all wildly different from each other, but don't just take this description's word for it, go on and listen! Trade readers can find these in "Annihilation Book Two" or split between "Annihilation: The Complete Collection" Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.

Also, a correction. Simon Furman wrote the back half of the original US Transformers line, many early Transformers UK issues as well as the beginning of the IDW stuff, but NOT the original miniseries. That was Bill Mantlo (#1-2) and Jim Salicrup (#3-4) followed by Bob Budiansky when it became an ongoing (#5-55).

Next time, we will close out the first part of the Annihilation Saga with the main "Annihilation" series #1-6, "Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus" #1-2 and "Nova" (2007) #1-3. Trade readers can find the first two in "Annihilation: Book Three" or "Annihilation: The Complete Collection," Vol. 2 as well as "Nova" (2007) Vol. 1: Annihilation. Do not read issues #4-7! Those will be coming up in a couple episodes.

Today we begin our coverage of the ANNIHILATION SAGA. This is the comic story that eventually will lead to the beginning of the modern "Guardians of the Galaxy" comics. We've read old comics before, but we aren't satisfied just to skin the surface of this one. That's why we are going to read the run in its entirety, an endeavor that will continue on through many episodes! We hope you'll enjoy reading along. This week, we start with "Drax the Destroyer: Earthfall" #1 – #4, "Annihilation: Prologue" #1, and "Annihilation: Nova" #1–4. Trade readers can find these in "Annihilation Book One" or in "Annihilation: The Complete Collection" Vol. 1.

And next time we will continue on with Annihilation: Ronan #1 – #4, Annihilation: Super-Skrull #1 – #4, Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1 – #4. This is a big exciting run and we would love to hear from you!

This month's MMM book club is 1997's "Thunderbolts" by Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagley & Vince Russell, Joe Rosas, and Comicraft's Dave Lanphear & Oscar G. (along with a whole host of others for the one-shots, annuals, and Hulk issue.) Who are the Thunderbolts you ask? Well, (spoilers) as Elias found out while reading, they're a bunch of villains pretending to be heroes! Only in Giuliani's New York could that happen.

Next episode: We're beginning the ANNIHILATION SAGA with "Drax the Destroyer: Earthfall" #1 – #4, "Annihilation: Prologue" #1, & "Annihilation: Nova" #1–4. Trade readers can find these in "Annihilation Book One" or in "Annihilation: The Complete Collection" Vol. 1. 

This month, Jake and Elias look at characters who have gotten the big push, and whether things worked out for them. That means looking at marketing, how the films inform the comics, and discussing the ephemeral x-factor that makes a new character stick. And also we'll literally talk about "X-Factor" along with all the other X-books!

Next month's book club: We're heading back to the 90s with "THUNDERBOLTS" by Kurt Busiek, with art primarily by Mark Bagley. We'll be reading "Thunderbolts Classic, Vol. 1" which contains - wait for it - "Thunderbolts" (1997) #1-5; "Thunderbolts: Distant Rumblings" #-1; "Thunderbolts Annual" '97; "Incredible Hulk" #449; "Spider-Man Team-Up" #7; and material from "Tales of the Marvel Universe" #1.