Infinity Trilogy Reading Order

Overview

The Infinity Trilogy is a series of three large-scale, thematically-connected Marvel events. The trilogy, written by Jim Starlin, mostly follows Thanos and Adam Warlock as they become embroiled in reality-altering events of cosmic consequence. These events typically involve a quest for ultimate power and a thematic connection to the concepts of life, death, and introspection. The trilogy also features a general evolution of Marvel's cosmic landscape.

The Infinity Trilogy consists of the Infinity Gauntlet (Reading Order), Infinity War (Reading Order), and Infinity Crusade (Reading Order) events, in that order. These events are then connected by issues of the Warlock and the Infinity Watch series, which further expand upon what is happening in these events. Fans can get by on just reading the main events but reading the Warlock and the Infinity Watch series alongside will provide a much better experience.

Before Reading

The prelude to the Infinity Trilogy plays out over a few issues of the Silver Surfer series and across the Thanos Quest limited series. These issues help establish the status quo at the beginning of the Infinity Gauntlet event and are immensely helpful in understanding the concepts running throughout this trilogy.

In addition, the Infinity Trilogy heavily references earlier events in the lives of Adam Warlock and Thanos. These include the "Thanos War" (Reading Order); Thanos' attempt to rule the world in Avengers Annual #7 and Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Adam Warlock Vol. 2 (Review) or in Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 17 (Review); and Adam Warlock's activities on Counter-Earth and his fight against the Magus, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Adam Warlock Vol. 1 (Review) and Marvel Masterworks: Adam Warlock Vol. 2 (Review). These earlier events are helpful in understanding the trilogy's main characters and should be read prior to anything else on this reading order.

After Reading

The conclusion of Infinity Crusade ends the Infinity Trilogy. The story from this trilogy is not directly continued in any one comic, however aspects of it continue in many of Jim Starlin's later works. These include the following comics in the following order:

• Warlock and the Infinity Watch #23-42, collected in Infinity Watch Vol. 2 (Review). These issues follow the members of the Infinity Watch and show what they do after Infinity Crusade. Note: not all of these issues are written by Jim Starlin but all of them continue the general progression of the series.
• Infinity Abyss, collected in Guardians of the Galaxy: Road to Annihilation Vol. 1 (Review). This event sees writer Jim Starlin continue many plotlines involving Adam Warlock and Thanos.

In addition, the conclusion of Infinity Crusade directly leads into the Thor: Blood and Thunder crossover event. This event deals with subplots that were built up in several places during Infinity Crusade and shares many of the Infinity Trilogy's main characters.