SELF-CONTAINED STORIES
Dive into comics with some of these self-contained starter stories perfect for new fans and classic readers!
TRY THESE EDITOR PICKS!
Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E.
In Nextwave: Agents of H.a.T.E. (2006) #1
Elsa Bloodstone leads a monster hunting combat crew in this bonkers series by Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonen.
The Runaways
In Runaways (2003) #1
Never read a comic in your life? Look no further than this wholly original series starring six teens who discover their parents are supervillains.
Vision’s Perfect Family
In Vision (2015) #1
The Avenging Android creates his own family in this ‘Best Limited Series’ Eisner winner.
Doctor Strange/Doctor Doom Team-Up
In Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment (1989)
Doom and Strange enter Mephisto’s afterlife dimension to retrieve the soul of Doom’s mother. A one-off adventure with unexpected heart.
Space Noir
In Rocket (2017) #1
This cosmic caper starring the rascally raccoon is a perfect interstellar mystery.
Agent Mockingbird
In Mockingbird (2016) #1
S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Bobbi Morse shows her leading lady potential in this espionage meets slice-of-life book!
The Midnight King
In Black Bolt (2017) #1
An exceptional Eisner-winner. The Inhuman king’s trapped in a maze-like space prison where he forms an unlikely friendship with the Absorbing Man. Dazzling art.
Daredevil: Born Again
In Daredevil (1964) #226
Try this arc’s Reading List or read through #233! Matt Murdock (and Daredevil) have their lives destroyed by the Kingpin in this redemptive, defining story.
Elektra: Bloodlines
In Elektra (2014) #1
Feverish and stylized, this fully painted quest is a perfect introduction to Marvel’s greatest assassin.
Detective Doctor
In Doctor Strange: The Oath (2006) #1
Stephen Strange embarks on the most important paranormal investigation of his career. If you’ve read no other Strange story, start here.
‘Welcome Back, Frank’
In Punisher (2000) #1
Dynamically deranged duo Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon present a 12-issue limited run that meshes gore with dark comedy.
The Myth of Lies
In Loki (2004) #1
Spun in the spirit of a Norse fable, this painted mini-series delves into the origin of the Trickster God…and presents an alternate future.
Hawkeye²
In Hawkeye (2012) #1
Street-level super heroics get a fresh spin in this hit by Matt Fraction and David Aja. Think you know Clint Barton, Hawkeye? Read this!
Fantastic Four: Origin Retold
In Startling Stories: Fantastic Four - Unstable Molecules (2003) #1
James Sturm and Guy Davis’ Eisner winner reimagines the Fantastic Four during the height of 1950s America – without super powers or cosmic exploration!
The Misunderstood Foes of Spider-Man
In The Superior Foes of Spider-Man (2013) #1
Boomerang and some of Spidey's deadliest baddies prove that with terrible powers come terrible life choices!
Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe
In Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (2011) #1
The maniacal Merc goes full metal murder in this alt-universe tale.
Jason Aaron’s Thor
In Thor: God of Thunder (2012) #1
We love this acclaimed run that weaves a thread between Thors of the past, present and future.
Kraven’s Last Hunt
In Web of Spider-Man (1985) #31
Try this arc’s Reading List! An obsession with Spider-Man pushes Kraven the Hunter to his breaking point in this famed arc. And it’ll push you over the edge too…
Silver Surfer: Parable
In Silver Surfer: Parable (1988)
French artist Moebius joins architect Stan Lee for this standalone story where humanity gets lost in its worship of Galactus. Dreamy and unforgettable.
Jessica Jones: Blind Spot
In Jessica Jones - Marvel Digital Original (2018) #1
Try the Marvel Digital Original Reading List for more self-contained arcs! A fumbled case leads to Marvel’s premiere P.I. becoming a prime murder suspect!
Whatever Knows Fear…
In Man-Thing (1974) #1
The shambling Man-Thing is a knockout in our horror canon. Try this praised series about the swampy muck monster, or for a more modern take read MAN-THING (2017)!
Earth-Bound Inhumans
In Inhumans (1998) #1
This Eisner-winner by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee is a great one-and-done that pulls the Inhumans into the human spotlight.
Marvel 1602
In Marvel 1602 (2003) #1
Novelist Neil Gaiman is joined by artist Andy Kubert for this imaginative mini-series that places the Marvel Universe at the turn of the 17th Century. Continue with our Marvel 1602 Reading List!
Multiple Man’s X-Factor
In X-Factor (2005) #1
Looking to get swept up in a binge? Try this noir-ish detective series starring Multiple Man and his mutant staff. No previous X-Men knowledge required.
Lean, Green, Law-Practicing Machine
In She-Hulk (2014) #1
Unfamiliar with Bruce Banner’s irradiated cousin? Start here for She-Hulk’s solo series that juggles her superhuman law firm with butt-kicking.
Nick Fury’s Ultimates
In Ultimates (2002) #1
If this cinematic series piques your interest, continue with ULTIMATES 2 & 3. Nick Fury assembles a modernized version of the Avengers with far more baggage.
Planet Hulk
In Hulk (1999) #92
Try this arc’s Reading List, or read through #105! When Hulk crash-lands on a savage alien planet, he rises in rank as a gladiator to overthrow Sakaar’s Emperor.
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills
In X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills - Special Edition (1982)
Poignant and always timely, this Original Graphic Novel depicts the X-Men’s struggle with faith in the midst of radical attacks from hate group the Purifiers.
Avengers Academy
In Avengers Academy (2010) #1
This series introduces an all-new cast of next generation Avengers. Teen soap opera meets super heroics.
X-Statix
In X-Statix (2002) #1
It doesn’t get more irreverent than X-Statix. ‘Celebrity’ mutant heroes live together reality-TV style and perform public service for stardom.