Infinity War Reading Order

Overview

Infinity War (Review) is a large-scale Marvel event that sees the rise of the Magus as a threat to the entire Marvel Universe and his attempt to bend this universe to his will. The event is wide in scope and brings in a number of Marvel's Earthly heroes and a number of its cosmic entities. It is also the second in the "Infinity Saga"; with Infinity Gauntlet (Reading Order) preceding it and Infinity Crusade following soon after.

The bulk of this event plays out in the main event series; fans can simply read this series and understand almost every aspect of the event. These issues are heavily complemented by issues of Warlock and the Infinity Watch, which heavily develop the event's main characters and explain otherwise unexplained plot points. In addition, there are also a number of tie-in issues which allow readers to see certain pieces of the event from a different viewpoint.

Tie-Ins

The tie-ins to Infinity War fall into one of two categories. These two categories are marked by the titles "Group 1" and "Group 2" in the reading order above. Note, these categories are not official and are simply offered by ComicBookWire as a way to better understand this reading order.

The first group of tie-ins directly relate to the main event. They either build upon the main storyline, deal with major players from this storyline, or reveal otherwise unrevealed information.

The second group of tie-ins is less directly related to the main event. Issues from this group typically focus on a single character and show how they are reacting to the main event or simply show how the main event is having an impact on random heroes.

A detailed description of the tie-in issues from each series can be read here:

Alpha Flight

These issues all have very little impact on the main event. Instead, they focus on what Alpha Flight is doing while this event is going on.

Captain America

Despite having an Infinity War label on the cover, this issue has almost nothing to do with this event. It has one character briefly fight their doppelganger and has Captain America mention the fact that the War happened. Besides this, there are very few ties between this issue and the main event.

Daredevil

This issue almost entirely focuses on Daredevil and has little to do with Infinity War, outside the appearance of a doppelganger.

Deathlok

This issue almost entirely focuses on Deathlok and has little to do with Infinity War, outside the appearance of a doppelganger.

Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme

These issues directly relate to what Galactus, Nova, Silver Surfer, and Doctor Strange are doing during the main event. They help to further elaborate on what happens to these characters between issues of the main event. They also build upon what is happening in the tie-ins from the Silver Surfer series.

Fantastic Four

As the members of the Fantastic Four have a moderately large impact on Infinity War as a whole, these issues are helpful in giving a full picture of this event. They also reveal how a few characters, the Invisible Woman in particular, have a larger impact on the event than would otherwise be believed. Note: though Fantastic Four #366 takes place before Infinity War #2, we suggest reading it after that issue in order to prevent a surprise from being spoiled.

Guardians of the Galaxy

These issues have little to no impact on the main event. Instead, the main event has a small impact on these issues, causing a few more problems for the Guardians of the Galaxy to face.

Marc Spector: Moon Knight

Though these issues run alongside the main event, they do not have much of an impact on it at all. Instead, they focus on problems plaguing Moon Knight while this event is taking place. Specifically, Marc Spector: Moon Knight #44 has very little ties to this event as a whole.

Marvel Comics Presents #108–111

The stories from these issues almost all take place in a brief period of time after panel 6, page 26 of Infinity War #3. They take a deep dive into one of the event's main characters, Thanos, and show how a specific decision of his impacts the overall event. Note: only the "Into the Abyss" stories from these issues are relevant to this reading order.

New Warriors

This issue mostly focuses on how the New Warriors are reacting to what is taking place during Infinity War, rather than having an impact on the event itself.

Nomad

This issue almost entirely focuses on Nomad and has little to do with Infinity War, outside the appearance of a doppelganger.

Quasar

Quasar has a moderately large role in Infinity War. The majority of these issues explain what he is doing and how his actions have an impact on the main event. In addition, some more information is revealed about a few of Marvel's cosmic beings. The only issue with weak ties to the main event is Quasar #40, which mostly just focuses on Quasar's reaction to what took place in Infinity War #5.

Sleepwalker

This issue gives an intense look into what is happening on Earth after the events of Infinity War #5. It is not critical in understanding this event but elaborates on a plot point that is not featured extensively in the main event.

Silver Sable and the Wild Pack

These issues focus on the actions of a specific doppelganger and how those actions have an impact on characters from this series. So, these issues have almost no impact on the main event but are impacted by it instead.

Silver Surfer

These issues directly relate to what Galactus, Nova, Silver Surfer, and Doctor Strange are doing during the main event. They help to further elaborate on what happens to these characters between issues of the main event. They also build upon what is happening in the tie-ins from the Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme series.

Spider-Man

This issue explains Spider-Man's actions in Infinity War #1. Though this does not have much of an impact on the main event, it may be helpful for fans looking to see Spider-Man's full role at that particular time.

Warlock and the Infinity Watch

These issues all heavily build on the main characters in this event, the members of the Infinity Watch. As such, they provide great insight into the actions these characters take. They also further elaborate on a number of the event's smaller plot points. These issues are easily some of the most critical tie-ins to this event.

Wonder Man

This issue mostly just shows a few actions from the main event from Wonder Man's point of view. 

Before Reading

Infinity War (Review) is the immediate sequel to the Infinity Gauntlet (Reading Order) event. Actions taken in that event are further elaborated upon across Warlock and the Infinity Watch #1-7, collected in Infinity Watch Vol. 1. Together, these provide a direct prelude to Infinity War.

In addition, Infinity War heavily references the antagonistic role of the Magus from Strange Tales Vol 1 #178-181 and Warlock Vol 1 #9-11, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Adam Warlock Vol. 2 (Review).

After Reading

The fallout from Infinity War (Review) is most immediately felt in Warlock and the Infinity Watch #11-17. These issues help bridge the gap between this event and its sequel.

Infinity War is directly followed by its sequel, Infinity Crusade (Reading Order).