Marvel Heroes Collide in Civil War

While Avengers Disassembled started it all, and the likes of House of M and Secret Invasion certainly have their merits, Civil War is really the mega Marvel event of the 2000s. Hero vs Hero, Villains turned ‘Heroes,’ and answers to the age old question – Who would win in a fight: Captain America or Iron Man?

Whether we’re talking sales, attention, or sheer scale, Civil War was a watershed moment for event-driven comics (for better or worse). While it’s hardly the first ever event featuring tie-ins, Civil War marked the moment in the 2000’s were nearly every title was pulled into an event-specific plot. Don’t believe me? Check out the the official issue-by-issue reading order below compared to House of M. Just a bit more… expansive.

On top of all that, Civil War is the inspiration for the third Captain America Marvel movie, and the start of MCU Phase 3, featuring the crossover inclusion of Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and just about every hero we’ve seen to date.

Certainly makes for some interesting reading (with the help of a good guide to navigate the continuity, of course). Below you’ll find my preferred order for the Civil War collected trades, followed by an issue by issue breakdown of every tie-in. As always, hope you enjoy! If you have questions or concerns, let me hear about it, or let’s talk on Twitter!

Previously: Decimation & Tie-Ins

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Elsewhere: Looking for Civil War II (2016)?

Civil War Trade Reading Timeline

Main Marvel Characters in Civil War

Below you’ll find reading orders for certain characters playing a prominent role in Captain America: Civil War, a major installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Note that these reading orders are for the character’s entire history in the Marvel Universe, and not just their involvement in Civil War. For just Civil War, see the Marvel Unlimited issue by issue reading order below.

Captain America

Iron Man

Black Panther

Black Widow

Spider-Man

Ant-Man

Avengers

Marvel Unlimited Event Reading Order

The Road to Civil War

Amazing Spider-Man #529

New Avengers: Illuminati

Amazing Spider-Man #530

Fantastic Four #536 – #537

Amazing Spider-Man #531

Civil War: Opening Shot #1

Stamford Bomb

Civil War #1

She-Hulk #8

Black Panther #17

Wolverine #42

New Avengers #21

X-Factor #8

Civil War: Front Line #1

Amazing Spider-Man #532

The Act Passes / Sides Are Chosen

Civil War #2

Amazing Spider-Man #533

Civil War: Front Line #2

She-Hulk #9

Dark Avengers/Thunderbolts #103

New Avengers #22

Blade #4

Sensational Spider-Man #28

X-Factor #9

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11 – #13

Opening Shots

Civil War: Front Line #3

Heroes For Hire #1

Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways #1 – #4

Dark Avengers/Thunderbolts #104 – #105

Cable & Deadpool #30

Fantastic Four #538

New X-Men #28 – #32 Not direct tie-ins but connect to Storm’s events in Black Panther #18

Black Panther #18

Civil War: Frontline #4

Daredevil #87 Another indirect tie-in that explains Daredevil’s appearances during Civil War

Civil War: Choosing Sides #1

Black Panther #19

Iron Man #13

Black Panther #20

Civil War: Front Line #5

Sensational Spider-Man #29 – #31

War

Civil War #3

Civil War #4

Civil War: Front Line #6

Cable & Deadpool #31 – #32

Wolverine #43 – #45

Captain America #22 – #23

Civil War: Front Line #7

Amazing Spider-Man #534

Fantastic Four #539

Black Panther #21 – #22

Civil War: X-Men #1 – #4

Heroes For Hire #2 – #3

Ms. Marvel #6 – #8

New Avengers #23 – #24

Civil War: The Return

Captain America/Iron Man: Casualties of War

Wolverine #46 – #47

Black Panther #23

Captain America #24

Civil War: Front Line #8

Introspection

Wolverine #48

Fantastic Four #540

Amazing Spider-Man #535

Civil War #5

Punisher War Journal #1

Fantastic Four #541

Civil War: War Crimes #1

Civil War: Front Line #9

Moon Knight #7 – #10

Fantastic Four #542

Amazing Spider-Man #536

Iron Man #14

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #14 – #16

Blade #5

Sensational Spider-Man #32 – #34

Winter Solider: Winter Kills #1

Final Battle

Amazing Spider-Man #537

Black Panther #24

Punisher War Journal #2

Civil War #6

Punisher War Journal #3

New Avengers #25

Civil War: Front Line #10

Civil War #7

Black Panther #25

Conclusion

Amazing Spider-Man #538 – #539

Fantastic Four #543

Civil War: Front Line #11

Ghost Rider #8 Very loose tie-in so passable if you want to get to the real meat below.

Captain America #25

Civil War: Fallen Son #1 – #5

Civil War: The Initiative #1

Civil War: The Confession

Next: The Initiative and comics between Civil War & Secret Invasion

