Thanos by Jim Starlin Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of Jim Starlin’s time writing Thanos for Marvel Comics. Jim Starlin created Thanos and has worked on the character extensively since his introduction. This reading order may not encompass every one of Thanos’ appearances but is an outline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the Marvel Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

A full Thanos Reading Order can be seen here.

Jump to: Silver Age – Bronze Age – Modern Age (1986-1996) – Modern Age (1996-2003) – Modern Age (2003-2012) – Marvel NOW!

Bronze Age

Thanos was introduced in the Bronze Age. He does not have any appearances prior to this point.

Though Thanos debuted in an issue of Iron Man, his earliest major role was in the Captain Marvel (Reading Order) series, where the “Thanos War” (Reading Order), a storyline mostly written by Jim Starlin, played out. Shortly after this, Jim Starlin began writing the Adam Warlock (Reading Order) series and brought Thanos back through storylines from that comic.

Iron Man issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Captain Marvel issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Warlock issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Marvel Two-in-One issues are from the Vol. 1 series.

Notes

1. Thanos makes a very minor appearance in Warlock #9 but this appearance helps set up his role in the series.

Modern Age (1986-1996)

Thanos' appearances in this section of the Modern Age directly continue his story from his last appearance in the Bronze Age. This era significantly builds on these earlier appearances and uses them to launch what may be the most important period in Thanos' life.

Jim Starlin's time writing Thanos in this era is seen through the "Infinity Trilogy" (Reading Order) of events. These events often center around Thanos, his love of Death, and his connection to Adam Warlock (Reading Order). After these events conclude, Thanos goes on to have a small role in a few other comics but nothing quite as critical as his role in the "Infinity Trilogy".

WatIW = Warlock and the Infinity Watch
Silver Surfer issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Notes

1. This issue does not feature a physical appearance from Thanos. However, it has some of his long-term plans come to fruition in a way that highlights his ingenuity.
2. Only the "I, Thanos" stories from the Marvel Comics Presents issues are relevant to this reading order.
3. These issues mostly have Thanos in a small role or only feature a cameo from him. However, they help set up his role in future issues.

Modern Age Continued (1996-2003)

This era continues Thanos' progression from the previous era with no continuity breaks. The stories here build on the events of the "Infinity Trilogy" and directly continue Thanos' quest to find meaning in life and death.

After a somewhat long absence, Jim Starlin returned to writing Thanos with the Infinity Abyss series. This was then followed by the Marvel Universe: The End series. Due to Thanos' very limited appearances in this era, his progression here is very straightforward.

Notes

1. Though Thanos does not physically appear in this issue, it is crucial in establishing the storyline of this series.

Modern Age Continued (2003-2012)

This era continues Thanos' progression from the previous era with no continuity breaks. The stories here directly build on Thanos' slowly altering worldview, seen across Infinity Abyss and Marvel Universe: The End from the previous era.

Jim Starlin's work on Thanos, from this era, only consists of one story arc, which starts the first Thanos solo series. The general storyline from this story arc is continued through the rest of the solo series and on into the Annihilation (Reading Order) and Thanos Imperative events, but none of these comics are written by Jim Starlin.

Thanos issues are from the Vol. 1 series.

Marvel NOW!

This era continues Thanos' progression from the previous era with no continuity breaks. Though other comics featuring Thanos mostly cast him as the comic's main villain, Jim Starlin's work on the character continues the introspective look at the character seen in previous eras of this reading order.

Thanos appears across a series of interrelated comics and original graphic novels written by Jim Starlin. All of these entries help develop a single storyline involving Thanos, Adam Warlock (Reading Order), and Annihilus.

All Marvel Comics Reading Orders