A MARVEL INSIDER’S READING LIST
Marvel Insider Rob Graham from New York breaks down his Marvel Favorites! Become a Marvel Insider today, and earn points to redeem for exclusive rewards just for being a Marvel fan – including the chance to curate your own Reading List for thousands of fellow fans!
Try Rob's Must-Reads!
In The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #224
Read through issue #251! Spider-Man is my all-time favorite Super Hero. Heck, I’ll say it: he’s my all-time favorite CHARACTER. And, since he’s been around for almost 60 years, I’ve been blessed with tons of stories by incredible creative teams. But Roger Stern’s run with John Romita Jr. may be my absolute favorite. It includes the classic Juggernaut battle, as well as the birth of the Hobgoblin!
Squirrel Girl and Her Amazing Friends
In The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) #1
Despite being called comic books, many “funny” titles fall flat for me. This book is FUNNY. In addition to providing LOLs, Ryan North and Erica Henderson also deliver all the feels. The friendships Squirrel Girl forges with Nancy Whitehead, Tony Stark, and Kraven the Hunter(!) are heartwarming and hilarious. And, oh yeah, along the way she beats up Ultron, Doctor Doom, and Galactus. No biggie.
Spidey and Torch: Through the Ages
In Spider-Man/Human Torch (2005) #1
This mini-series is where I first discovered Dan Slott. It brilliantly tells five stories focusing on the friendship/rivalry between Peter Parker and Johnny Storm. Each story is set in a different era for our two heroes. We get to see Johnny’s red suit, Spidey’s black suit, Johnny’s very 80s haircut, the Spider-Mobile, and much, much more!
In A-Force (2016) #1
She-Hulk! Captain Marvel! Medusa! Dazzler! Nico Minoru! What a team! And, speaking of great teams, G. Willow Wilson and Kelly Thompson write the heck out of these stories where a mysterious, (and adorable), new character named Singularity creates a day unlike any other where these awesome heroes must join together to form A-Force.
In Daredevil (1998) #82
Read through issue #500! How do you follow Brian Michael Bendis’ Daredevil run? With Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark! Brubaker gets a lot of accolades for his Captain America run and I’m onboard with that. But I actually like his run on Daredevil even more. It’s gritty and dark and absolutely thrilling. It begins with Matt Murdock in prison and having a mental breakdown… and his life doesn’t get any easier after that!
In Daredevil (2011) #1
How do you follow up Brubaker’s gritty, dark Daredevil run? With a bright, colorful, and swashbuckling run! I love Frank Miller, Brian Michael Bendis, and Ed Brubaker’s Daredevil. But Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera, Marcos Martin, and Chris Samnee take DD in a completely different direction without sacrificing the character or the action. Ol’ Hornhead faces off against the likes of Klaw, Mole Man, the Jester, and many more!
In Fantastic Four (1961) #242
Read through issue #262! The FF started it all. So many legendary stories and creators. And they’re all deserving of your time. But I’m focusing on John Byrne… specifically, his tale about the return of Galactus to Earth. The Devourer of Worlds is back and he’s weakened to the point where the FF can defeat him. But he’s dying! Should they save him? Their decision has repercussions that play out in this terrific run!
In Incredible Hulk (1962) #377
Read through issue #425! Peter David wrote the Hulk for nearly 12 years with incredible artists like Todd McFarlane, Paul Pelletier, Mike Deodato and more. And, you know what? Read. Those. Books. But I particularly enjoy his collaboration with Dale Keown and Gary Frank. Art is subjective, but David/Keown/Frank is the perfect combination of words and pictures. And this run features my favorite Hulk: Professor Hulk!