MARVEL UNIVERSE: 2004 READING ORDER - Recommended & Essential Reading

The Marvel Universe reading order continues: Highlighting all the key moments, first appearances, crossovers and events in the ideal reading order. This time around... 2004!

As always, I'd like to thank the guys over at www.chronologyproject.com which I use as a basis and work out my own continuity. Those guys have done all the heavy lifting for me!

MCG Note: These pages are subject to change and will be constantly updated and added to. If you feel a story has been missed or want to know where tale would sit in continuity, I'm more than happy to add these for you, though they may or may not be recommended by me. This guide is aimed more at fans who need help with continuity and the stories they need to read, rather than those already obsessed with it.

Stories set between 2005 and 2010 are some of the most popular tales of the modern Marvel era, often redefining the characters we knew and loved for the new millennium. They also influenced a huge chunk of the storylines that take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So why am I talking about 2005 to 2010 in a post about 2004?

Think of 2004 as the starter before the main course. There are so many places you could start, but 2004 features the fall fo the Avengers, a new direction for the X-Men and many other elements that would set the scene for the six years of stories that followed. We also see new titles starring She-Hulk, Alpha Flight, Thanos and Spider-Man, while things wrap up for the Runaways (for now) and X-Statix.

Looking for the bare bones of 2004 so you can dig into the birth of the New Avengers in 2005? Be sure to check out the AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED story in Avengers #500-503, Joss Whedon's X-Men in Astonishing X-Men #1-6 and every issue of Daredevil. The fall of Asgard in Thor #80-85 also sets things up for coming stories...

MCG NOTE - your guide to reading comics:

• Issues in blue are worth reading and often play a part in the great Marvel tapestry.
• Issues in grey are possibly of interest, stories of note that aren't essential or issues added by fan request or once-great tales that are no longer 'required reading'.

She-Hulk #1 (2004)
First appearance of Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway; She-Hulk joins a firm specialising in super-human law; beginning the acclaimed She-Hulk run.

Exiles #38-40 (2004)
The reality-hopping Weapon X - the black ops version of the Exiles -  face trouble from one of their own when Hyperion takes a villainous turn.

Cable & Deadpool #1-6(pp.1-16) (2004)
Cable and Deadpool goes form being enemies to reluctant allies when Deadpool's employers, the One World Church, reveal their plan for the planet during X-MEN RELOAD.

Wolverine: The End #1-6 (2004)
In the future of Earth-4011, Wolverine lives out his last days and discovers a final secret from his past.

Elektra #29-31 (2004)
Elektra is hired to kill Piako Loio, but her morality forces her to handle the mission very differently.

Fantastic Four #512[1/2]-513[1/2] (2004)
Spider-Man and the Human Torch team up against the Wizard and Hydro-Man.

Mystique #11-12 (2004)
Forge tries to prove Mystique has some good inside her.

Spider-Man Unlimited #1[1/2] (2004)
Spider-Man visits a life-long fan with a life-threatening condition.

Fantastic Four #512[2/2]-513[2/2] (2004)
The Invisible Woman begins to wonder if Mister Fantastic is having an affair.

Spider-Man Unlimited #2[1/2] (2004)
Spidey is seen through the eyes of paramedics.

Elektra #32-34 (2004)
Elektra is hired to take out a crime boss.

Amazing Spider-Man #505 (2004)
Spider-Man starts looking into the totemistic side of his powers.

X-Statix #19-20 (2004)
Vivisector considers taking a cure for his mutant powers.

Captain America #27-28(pp.1-19) (2004)
Captain America investigates the mysterious origins of 'Becky' Barnes.

Runaways #7-10 (2003-2004)
The Runaways wonder if their newest recruit, Topher, can be trusted.

Spectacular Spider-Man #11-13 (2004)
Curt Conners is transformed into the Lizard once again.

Exiles #41-42 (2004)
Nocturne reveals her origin.

Iron Man #84-85 (2004) 
Avengers Mansion comes under attack from below when the team battle Arsenal Alpha. during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED.

She-Hulk #2 (2004) 

She-Hulk realises she's scared of being regular Jen Walters.

Spectacular Spider-Man #14 (2004) 

Spider-Man's fight with Morbius changes the life of an innocent bystander. 

She-Hulk #3 (2004) 

She-Hulk moves into her new apartment and helps Doctor Strange investigate a ghost.

Exiles #43-45 (2004) 

The Exiles take on their evil Weapon X counterparts, including the power-mad Hyperion. 

Runaways #11-12 (2004) 

Cloak & Dagger hunt the Runaways. 

Spider-Man Unlimited #2[2/2] (2004) 

Peter Parker watches TV.

New Mutants #13 (2004) 

The original New Mutants reunite to fight the Reavers.

She-Hulk #4 (2004) 

She-Hulk offers Spider-Man a chance to get back at the Daily Bugle.

Uncanny X-Men #442-443 (2004) 

Professor X and Wolverine take Magneto's body back to Genosha during FORGING THE SWORD.

Excalibur #1-4 (2004) 

The true Magneto returns during FORGING THE SWORD / X-MEN RELOAD.

New X-Men #151-154 (2004)

An alternate future somehow alters the direction of the present-day X-Men.

New X-Men #155-156(pp.1-22) (2004) 

Cyclops and Emma Frost pursue their relationship.

Avengers/Thunderbolts #1(pp.6-22) (2004) 

Iron Man infiltrates the Thunderbolts.

Fantastic Four #514-516 (2004)

The Fantastic Four vs the Frightful Four.

Captain America #28(pp.20-22) (2004) 

Steve Rogers bumps into Rebecca Quan for the first time since they broke up. 

Mystique #13 (2004) 

Shepard tells Mystique she'll soon have to kill Professor X.

Runaways #13-17 (2004) 

The Runaways face-off against their parents and one of their own turns against them.

Excalibur #5-7 (2004-2005) 

On Genosha, Professor X's new Excalibur team gain new members.

Avengers/Thunderbolts #2-6(pp.1-17) (2004) 

The Avengers set out to stop Baron Zemo and the Thunderbolts' new plan, not realising they're trying to save the world. 

X-Treme X-Men #46(pp.13-24) (2004) 

The Avengers and X-Men work to repair New York after Xorn's attack; the X-Treme X-Men rejoin their team mates in Westchester.

Avengers/Thunderbolts #6(pp.18-24) (2004) 

The fate of the Thunderbolts is decided.

Mystique #14-18 (2004) 

Mystique starts losing allies during X-MEN RELOAD.

New X-Men #156(pp.22-24) (2004) 

Cyclops decides to rebuild the Xavier Institute. 

Exiles #46-48 (2004) 

Namora of Earth-2189 joins the Exiles, sending the team into disarray; Beak of Earth-616 takes Nocturne's place on the team during X-MEN RELOAD.

Weapon X #15 (2003) 

Chamber leaves the X-Men and is asked to join Weapon X. 

Mystic Arcana: Sister Grimm #1[2/3] (2008) 

Sister Grimm of the Runaways encounters Marie Laveau during MYSTIC ARCANA: RITUAL OF THE SPHINX.

Weapon X #16-18 (2004) 

Weapon X fix Chamber's ruined face; the X-Men try and fail to convince Chamber to return to them.

X-Men Unlimited #2[2/2] (2004) 

Jubilee tries to hang out with 'normal' kids. 

Wolverine vol.3 #7-11 (2004) 
Wolverine takes down human traffickers.

Thanos #1-6 (2003-2004) 

Thanos steps up to protect the universe when Galactus decides to obtain the Infinity Gems; Thanos also battles Hunger, the devourer of realities.

Amazing Spider-Man #506-508 (2004) 

Ezekiel prepares Spider-Man for his confrontation with the Spider-God.

Wolverine #12 (2004) 

A look into Wolverine's dreams. 

Thanos #7-12 (2004) 

First appearance of Star-Lord (Peter Quill) of Earth-616, the Fallen One and the Kyln; imprisoned on the Kyln, Thanos, Star-Lord and Gladiator battle the first herald of Galactus, the Fallen One.

Mystique #19 (2004) 

Mystique tackles Hydra and accepts a mission to kill Professor X. 

Wolverine #13-19 (2004) 

Wolverine and Sabretooth fight over the freedom of the Native.

Daredevil: Father #1-6 (2004-2007) 

Daredevil's hunt for a serial killer conjures up memories of his father.

Wolverine/Punisher #1-5 (2004) 

Punisher and Wolverine team up in South America.

X-Men Unlimited #7[1/2] (2005) 

Nightcrawler tackless muggers.

Rampaging Wolverine #1[4/4] (2009) 

Nightcrawler rescues Wolverine when he's trapped on an island.

NYX #1-7 (2003-2005) 

First appearance of X-23; a group of runaway New York mutants discover a clawed mutant called Laura Kinney while stopping neighbourhood pimp.

Astonishing X-Men #1(pp.1-17) (2004) 

First appearance of Ord and Dr Kavita Rao; Cyclops reopens the Xavier Institute; Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde) returns to the X-Men during X-MEN RELOAD.

Uncanny X-Men #444(pp.1-7) (2004) 

The X-Men bond over a baseball game during X-MEN RELOAD.

Astonishing X-Men #1(pp.19-24)-6 (2004) 

While facing the threat of Ord of the Breakworld, the 'Astonishing' team discover an old team is back from the dead during X-MEN RELOAD.

Weapon X #19-22 (2004) 

Wolverine and Agent Zero shut down Weapon X; the Director secretly works to restart the program.

X-Men Unlimited #11[1/2] (2005) 

Rachel Summers confides in Havok over her feelings on Cyclops and Emma Frost's relationship. 

Weapon X #23-25 (2004) 

Fantomex, Wolverine and Agent X work to shut Weapon X down for good during X-MEN RELOAD.

Nightcrawler #1-2 (2004) 

Nightcrawler searches for a child-killer during X-MEN RELOAD.

X-Men #157(pp.1-22) (2004) 

Cyclops' decisions cause turmoil in the Xavier Institute during X-MEN RELOAD.

Uncanny X-Men #144(p.8-11) (2004) 

Storm starts up a new XSE during X-MEN RELOAD. 

X-Men #157(p.23)-160 (2004) 

The X-Men discover a new Xorn during X-MEN RELOAD.

New X-Men: Academy X #1-6(pp.1-18) (2004) 

The new trainee X-Men get into trouble with Cyclops during X-MEN RELOAD.

Nightcrawler #3-4 (2005) 

Nightcrawler solves the murder mystery with Amanda Sefton's help during X-MEN RELOAD.

Uncanny X-Men #444(pp.12-23)-447 (2004) 

The XSE tackle the Fury during X-MEN RELOAD.

Uncanny X-Men #448-449 (2004) 

Viper and Courtney Ross form a new Hellfire Club.

X-Men Unlimited #2[1/2] (2004) 

Bishop accepts the assignment to police Mutant Town during MISTER M.

X-Men Unlimited #3[2/2] (2003) 

Cannonball helps his brother, Icarus, deal with his girlfriend's death. 

Rogue #1-6 (2004-2005) 

Gambit helps Rogue come to terms with her past during X-MEN RELOAD.

X-Statix #21-25 (2004) 

The X-Statix race the Avengers to the exploded fragments of Doop's brain. 

Silver Surfer #7-14 (2004) 

The Silver Surfer prepares to repopulate Earth.

Spider-Man #1(pp.1-15) (2004) 

Spider-Man battles Norman Osborn when he returns to the Green Goblin identity.

X-Statix #26 (2004) 

Death of the X-Statix.

Elektra #35 (2004) 

Elektra and Daredevil are reunited. 

The Pulse #1-5 (2004) 

Jessica Jones is hired by the Daily Bugle; Jessica and Ben Urich find proof that Norman Osborn killed a Bugle employee; Jessica is attacked by the Green Goblin.

Hawkeye #1-6 (2003-2004) 

Hawkeye teams up with Skull the Slayer to investigate the secret of the Unity. 

X-Men Unlimited #4[1/2] (2004) 

Juggernaut becomes the Xavier Institute's gym teacher.

Amazing Spider-Man #509-514 (2004-2005) 

First appearance of the Gabriel Stacy and Sarah Stacy; Spider-Man discovers Gwen Stacy secretly gave birth to twins she conceived with Norman Osborn; Spider-Man faces the Grey Goblin (Gabriel Stacy).

District X #1-6 (2004)
First appearance of Officer Izzy Ortega and Mister M; Bishop is assigned a human partner to help him with his first case in Mutant Town during MISTER M / X-MEN RELOAD.

Identity Disc #1-5 (2004) 

Bullseye, Deadpool, Juggernaut, Sabretooth, Sandman and Vulture fight over a disc that contains the secret identities of the world's heroes.

X-Men Unlimited #4[2/2] (2004) 

Emma Frost ruins an old friend's wedding. 

Amazing Fantasy #1 (2004) 

First appearance of Araña (Anya Corazon); Anya Corazon becomes Araña during HEART OF THE SPIDER.

Amazing Spider-Man #515(pp.1-15) (2005) 

Peter Parker bumps into an old friend who used to get bullied more than he did.

Alpha Flight #1-6 (2004) 

Sasquatch forms a new Alpha Flight; this was a fun series!

Amazing Fantasy #2 (2004) 

Araña makes herself a costume during HEART OF THE SPIDER. 

Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Out of Reach #1-5 (2004) 

Doctor Octopus starts training a protege.

Avengers #77-81 (2004) 

The Avengers help usher in an all-new Captain Britain. 

X-Men Unlimited #6[1/2] (2005) 

Emma Frost, Shadowcat, Storm and Sage vs AIM.

Amazing Fantasy #3-6 (2004-2005) 

Araña vs the Sisterhood of the Wasp during HEART OF THE SPIDER. 

X-Men Unlimited #8[1/2] (2006) 

Angel creates a new charity.

Spider-Man Unlimited #3[1/2] (2004) 

Spider-Man inadvertently changes a man's life.

Avengers #82-84

New Invaders #0 

(2004) 

First appearance of a Tara new team of Invaders; Captain Britain (Kelsey Leigh) joins the Avengers; USAgent forms a new Invaders line-up during ONCE AN INVADER.

Uncanny X-Men #450-451 (2004) 

Wolverine and the X-Men first meet X-23.

Spider-Man Unlimited #3[2/2] (2004) 

Spider-Man vs the Vulture.

Alpha Flight #7-8 (2004) 

Alpha Flight vs the Manimator.

Spider-Man Unlimited #4[1/2] (2004) 

Spider-Man vs Powerhouse.

New X-Men: Academy X #6(pp.19-23) (2004) 

Wither joins the Hellions during X-MEN RELOAD.

Weapon X #26-28 (2004) 

Sabretooth does John Sublime's dirty work.

Witches #1-4 (2004) 

Doctor Strange assists Satana, Jennifer Kale and Topaz against Helphyr.

Spider-Man/Red Sonja #1-5 (2007-2008) 

Spider-Man and Red Sonja vs Kulan Gath and Venom.

Hawkeye #7-8 (2004) 

Hawkeye and the Black Widow solve a murder. 

Spider-Man Unlimited #5[1/2] (2004) 

Hostage crisis at the Daily Bugle.

Alpha Flight #9-12 (2005) 

Alpha Flight vs Alpha Flight. 

Spider-Man Unlimited #5[2/2] (2004) 

Spider-Man stops a bank robbery. 

Daredevil #56-60 (2004) 

Ben Urich learns how Daredevil became the 'Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen'.

She-Hulk #5-6 (2004) 

First appearance of Southpaw and the Big House; She-Hulk and Southpaw team-up to stop a break-out at the Big House.

4 #1-2 (2004) 

The Fantastic Four try to build up lives outside the group.

Thor #80-81 (2004) 

Iron Man and Captain America briefly travel to Asgard when Ragnarok begins during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED.

Gravity #1 (2005) 

First appearance of Gravity (Greg Willis); Gravity moves to New York.

Captain Marvel #19-25 (2004) 
Rick Jones is finally separated from Captain Marvel (Genis-Vell). 

She-Hulk #7-8 (2004) 

She-Hulk vs the Champion of the Universe. 

Spider-Man Unlimited #6[1/2] (2005) 

Spider-Man vs the Rhino. 

Exiles #49 (2004) 

Exiles vs the Impossible Man of Earth-14845. 

X-Men #161-164 (2004-2005) 

Juggernaut betrays the X-Men, allowing the new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants to attack the Xavier Institute.

Spider-Man Unlimited #6[2/2] (2005) 

Spider-Man takes down an up-and-coming thug.

4 #3-4 (2004) 

The Fantastic Four continue to try out 'normal' lives.

Spider-Man Unlimited #7[1/2] (2005) 

Spider-Man vs the new Mysterio.

Daredevil #61-64 (2004) 

Jigsaw makes a play for Daredevil's territory and the Black Widow comes back into Matt Murdock's life. 

Spider-Man Unlimited #7[2/2] (2005) 

A criminal recounts how Spider-Man captured him. 

Gravity #2 (2005) 

Gravity vs the Rhino.

4 #5-7 (2004) 

The Fantastic Four take a holiday and discover something dark in the woods.

X-Men Unlimited #5[1/2] (2004) 

Cyclops tests Wolverine in the Danger Room. 

4 #8-9 (2004) 
Mister Fantastic and Namor the Sub-Mariner's old feud reignites.

X-Men Unlimited #5[2/2] (2004) 

Wolverine tackles a mutant in a bar. 

Uncanny X-Men #452-454 (2005) 

Storm's XSE take on the new Hellfire Club. 

Sabretooth #1-4 (2004) 

Sabretooth tackles Sasquatch and a Wendigo. 

Mystique #20-24 (2004-2005) 

Mystique tries to kill Professor X. 

X-Men Unlimited #6[2/2] (2006) 

Rogue and Marvel Girl help a stranger. 

Spider-Man #1(pp.16-23)-6 (2004) 
Aunt May is missing and Spider-Man looks to the Avengers and X-Men for help.

Runaways #18 (2004) 
The Runaways run away from their new foster homes.

She-Hulk #9 (2005) 

She-Hulk defends Hercules.

Araña #1-6 (2005) 

Araña meets Spider-Man and fights Amun during HEART OF THE SPIDER.

Daredevil #65-70 (2004-2005) 

The Kingpin's predecessor comes gunning for Daredevil. 

Captain America and the Falcon #1-4 (2004) 

Captain America and the Falcon discover the US Navy's version of the 'super-soldier'; the Falcon becomes a wanted man. 

Captain America and the Falcon #5-7 (2004) 

The Falcon is hunted by the US Navy; Captain America believes he's having an affair with the Scarlet Witch during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED. 

Captain America #29 (2004) 

Captain America carries out a mission for Nick Fury during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED. 

Excalibur #8(pp.1-16) (2005) 

Magneto and Professor X begin rebuilding Genosha.

Avengers #500-503(pp.1-26) (2004) 

The Avengers face their greatest threat as the team begins to fall apart during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED. 

Excalibur #8(pp.16-20) (2005) 

Magneto senses his daughter is in danger. 

Avengers #503(pp.27-34) (2004) 

The Avengers learn their enemy is one of their own during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED. 

Excalibur #8(pp.21-23) (2005) 

Magneto takes the Scarlet Witch back to Genosha.

Iron Man #86-89(pp.1-12) (2004) 

Iron Man recovers from the fight at Avengers Mansion while an impostor ruins his reputation during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED.

Captain America and the Falcon #8-12 (2004-2005) 

Captain America and the Falcon get back to dealing with the Anti-Cap. 

Excalibur #9-11(pp.1-8) (2005) 

The Dark Beast joins Professor X's Excalibur squad.

Captain America and the Falcon #13-14 (2005) 

Captain America and the Falcon fall out over the fate of the Anti-Cap. 

Gravity #3 (2005) 

Gravity and Spider-Man vs. Black Death.

District X #7-12 (2005) 

Ishmael Ortega and Bishop find mutants in the sewers.

Daredevil #71-75 (2005) 

Daredevil investigates strange goings-on in Hell's Kitchen. 

4 #10-12 (2004-2005) 

The Fantastic Four vs the Psycho-Man. 

Nightcrawler #5-6 (2005) 

Nightcrawler investigates New York's haunted subways. 

Captain America #30-32 (2004) 

The Red Skull tries to kill Captain America during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED. 

Spider-Man #7(pp.1-4) (2004) 

Spider-Man vs the Lizard, Sandman, Hydro-Man and the Enforcers.

Iron Man #89(pp.12-14) (2004) 

Tony Stark attends Rumiko Fujikawa's funeral in Japan.

Black Widow #1-6 (2004-2005) 

Black Widow tackles the North Institute. 

Gravity #4 (2005) 

Gravity learns the Greenwich Guardian's true identity. 

X-Men Unlimited #7[2/2] (2005) 

Shadowcat tries to help a young mutant.

Fantastic Four #517-519 (2004) 

With no Avengers available, the Mayor of New York calls the Fantastic Four to fight off invading aliens during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED. 

Fantastic Four #520-524 (2005) 

Galactus gets a surprising new herald. 

Black Widow: The Things They Say About Her #1 (2005) 

The Black Widow is reunited with Daredevil. 

Iron Man #89(pp.15-22) (2004) 

Tony Stark announces he'll no longer be Iron Man in order to restore his secret identity. 

Gravity #5 (2005) 

Gravity has his final showdown with Black Death.

Spider-Man #7(pp4-21)-8 (2004-2005) 
Eddie Brock sells his Symbiote; Spider-Man faces the new Venom. 

Fantastic Four #525-526 (2005) 

The Fantastic Four vs Diablo. 

Spider-Man #9-12 (2005) 

First appearance of the Sinister Twelve and Mac Gargan as Venom; Spider-Man learns the super-villain conspiracy; Mac Gargan becomes Venom; Spider-Man and Black Cat vs the Sinister Twelve; Spider-Man has his final showdown with the Green Goblin.

Black Widow: The Things They Say About Her #2-6 (2005) 

Black Widow, Daredevil and Nick Fury vs Yelena Belova. 

Daredevil 2099 #1
Back Panther 2099 #1
Inhumans 2099 #1
Punisher 2099 #1
Mutant 2099 #1
(2004)
On Earth-2992, only a handful of outlaw super-humans remain during MARVEL KNIGHTS 2099.

Exiles #50-51 (2004) 

The Exiles fight the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants of Earth-5423.

Spectacular Spider-Man #15-20 (2004) 

Spider-Man teams up with Captain America and gains new powers during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED. 

Thor #82-85 (2004) 

Thor brings about the fall of Asgard during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED.

X-Men: The End - Book One: Dreamers & Demons #1-6
X-Men: The End - Book Two: Heroes & Martyrs #1-6
X-Men: The End - Book Three: Men & X-Men #1-6
(2004-2006)
The X-Men of Earth-41001 face numerous old foes in their final days during X-MEN: THE END.

[1960] [1961] [1962] [1963] [1964] [1965] [1966] [1967] [1968] [1969] [1970] [1971] [1972] [1973] [1974] [1975] [1976] [1977] [1978] [1979] [1980] [1981] [1982] [1983] [1984] [1985] [1986] [1987] [1988] [1989] [1990] [1991] [1992] [1993] [1994] [1995] [1996] [1997] [1998] [1999] [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004] [2005] [2006] [2007] [2008] [2009] [2010] [2011] [2012] [2013] [2014] [2015]