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Infinity reading order

Jonathan Hickman's 2013 event, with the six-issue Infinity series placed alongside the Avengers and New Avengers chapters that form part of the story. Start with Infinity #1. The earlier phases are optional background.

  1. Background: Thanos Rising2013

    5 issues · about 1.5 hours0 essential issues · about 0 min

    A five-issue origin for Thanos that shows what drives him. Useful context for his role in Infinity, but the event does not depend on it.

    Read this stretch in 1 book
    1. Thanos Rising [Marvel Select Edition] (2019)Covers Thanos Rising #1–5Find it

    Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.

    1. Thanos Rising (2013)#1–55 issues, optional
      1. #1June 2013
      2. #2July 2013
      3. #3August 2013
      4. #4September 2013
      5. #5October 2013

      Character background only, no plot links to the event.

  2. Prologue2013

    6 issues · about 2 hours0 essential issues · about 0 min

    Thanos turns his attention to Earth, and the Avengers' early adventures in Hickman's run start a chain of events that reaches out into the universe. These issues set up both halves of the event.

    Read this stretch in 1 book
    1. Avengers by Jonathan Hickman: The Complete Collection Vol. 2 (2020)Covers New Avengers #7; Avengers #14–17Find it

    Not in these books: Free Comic Book Day 2013 (Infinity) #1. Look for the single issues.

    Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.

    1. Free Comic Book Day 2013 (Infinity) (2013)#1May 2013, optional

      A short teaser story that sets up the event's opening.

    2. New Avengers (2013)#7August 2013, optional

      Shows where the Illuminati stand with the incursions just before Infinity begins.

    3. Avengers (2013)#14–174 issues, optional
      1. #14August 2013
      2. #15September 2013
      3. #16September 2013
      4. #17October 2013

      Avengers stories leading into the event; helpful but you can skip them.

  3. Start here

    Act one: two fronts2013

    4 issues · about 1.5 hours3 essential issues · about 1 hour

    The Avengers leave Earth to face the Builders. While they are gone, Thanos's Black Order arrives looking for something. Read these issues in the order listed.

    Read this stretch in 1 book
    1. Infinity by Starlin & Hickman Omnibus (2019)Covers Infinity #1; New Avengers #8–9; Avengers #18Find it

    Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.

    1. Infinity (2013)#1October 2013
    2. New Avengers (2013)#8September 2013, optional

      A lead-in issue that Marvel's own guide places after Infinity #1.

    3. New Avengers (2013)#9October 2013

      Back on Earth, the Illuminati deal with Thanos's demands.

    4. Avengers (2013)#18October 2013

      The war in space, seen from the Avengers' side.

  4. Act two: the war in space and the siege at home2013

    5 issues · about 1.5 hours5 essential issues · about 1.5 hours

    The war against the Builders goes badly for the Avengers. On Earth, the Illuminati are left to face the Black Order.

    Read this stretch in 1 book
    1. Infinity by Starlin & Hickman Omnibus (2019)Covers Infinity #2; New Avengers #10; Avengers #19; Infinity #3; Avengers #20Find it

    Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.

    1. Infinity (2013)#2November 2013
    2. New Avengers (2013)#10November 2013
    3. Avengers (2013)#19November 2013
    4. Infinity (2013)#3November 2013
    5. Avengers (2013)#20November 2013

  5. Act three: the return2013–2014

    8 issues · about 2.5 hours8 essential issues · about 2.5 hours

    The war in space reaches a turning point, and the story heads back to Earth for the conclusion.

    Read this stretch in 1 book
    1. Infinity by Starlin & Hickman Omnibus (2019)Covers Infinity #4; Avengers #21; New Avengers #11; Infinity #5; Avengers #22–23; Infinity #6; New Avengers #12Find it

    Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.

    1. Infinity (2013)#4December 2013
    2. Avengers (2013)#21December 2013
    3. New Avengers (2013)#11December 2013
    4. Infinity (2013)#5December 2013
    5. Avengers (2013)#22–232 issues
      1. #22December 2013
      2. #23January 2014
    6. Infinity (2013)#6January 2014
    7. New Avengers (2013)#12January 2014

      The event's epilogue, read after the final issue of Infinity.

  6. Aftermath2014

    1 issue · about 20 min0 essential issues · about 0 min

    The Illuminati return to the incursions once the event is over.

    Read this stretch in 1 book
    1. Avengers by Jonathan Hickman: The Complete Collection Vol. 4 (2021)Covers New Avengers #13Find it

    Fewest books first; newer printings are preferred because they're likelier to be in stock.

    1. New Avengers (2013)#13February 2014, optional

      Leads into the next stage of Hickman's New Avengers rather than ending the event.

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