Marvel Phase 3 Reading

Marvel Phase 3 has just been announced - and that is already old news.  It is curious, that in the comic industry we are constantly bombarded with announcements and "New" that we hardly have time to digest any information we get.   It all flies by so fast.  What is really freaky is that Marvel Phase 3 will be here before we know it.

As I was looking at all the movies that were announced, I noticed a social media question that was posed  - "What is the reading order for Marvel Phase 3?"

I am a huge literacy - lets get those kids reading comics - buff, so I immediately posed the question on my social media.  Not much response. All in all, it is hard to know what angle the movie industry will take with the iconic story lines, however - a story arc is a story arc.  

I believe this is a fantastic opportunity to get some awareness out there.  Get the reading lists in libraries and schools.  Market a movie by marketing the story and the fundamental need to read the story first.

With this being said, I am going to dive into my research.  Alas, I would love some input in this endeavor.  If you have suggestions, please post here or email me at geekselixir@gmail.com

Lets make a list!  Lets get some comics in some kids hands!

Marvel Now WHAT?...a timeline to buy Marvel Now Hardcover and Trade Paper Backs

I do not collect many things, however when I do decide to be the pack rat - it is a perfect blend of enthusiasm and OCD! 

I want all of it, I want it in order, and I want to build a shrine.  This may be considered a tad shy of "crazy", however I live in denial, and it is a place full of sunshine and rainbows...and comic books.

Because, less is better - in what universe- when it comes to all things comic.  I love my comic book collection.
  
With DC New 52 I started collecting right away with the buying of single issues -digital and print.  My orderly disorder quickly became one convenient ball of chaos. I am still rooting around between long boxes and digital copies trying to figure out what I need next in each series. 

 After the DC experience, I quickly decided to wait in my reading binge, and look forward to the Marvel NOW trades hitting the shelf.  In my mind this made sense. But thinking outside the ordinary, is perfect unless you have no idea what to buy. Little did I know I would use my college degree of researching to accomplish this task.  My brother Robert had gifted me my first Marvel Now Premiere Hardcover. 

So beautiful and shiny! 

 I will admit I was swoon by the powerful force of the new library binding, ultra smooth cover. and to top it off - the digital codes that are available in each book for bonus collections.  I knew at this point - I needed all of them. 

I want to join, seriously, but where do I start?

Rippin' ready to go, I began the journey to find the release dates for the upcoming Marvel NOW books.  Two days later, 20 websites, and a couple store fronts researched, GUH!, I had comprised a functionable list. 

Being the overly generous person I am, I decided to put the list below for your Marvel pleasure... it was this or a wacky mime routine.  And as OZ said from Buffy...

"Nobody deserves mime, Buffy."

I listed the books according to Premiere Hardcovers and TPB till the end of 2013.

Hopefully I got them all. All dates are subject to change, and approximate times of month.

Marvel Now Premiere Hardcovers

All New X-Men..............Vol.1 Yesterday (#1-5).......................................................3/27/13

                                         Vol.2 Here to Stay (#6-10)................................................6/11/13

                                         Vol.3 Out of Their Depth (#11-15)...................................10/1/13

Iron Man........................Vol.1 Believe (#1-5)............................................................4/13/13

                                        Vol.2 Secret Origin of Tony Stark Bk 1(#6-11)...............8/20/13

                                        Vol.3 Secret Origin of Tony Stark Bk 2 (#12-17)...........12/17/13

Avengers.......................Vol.1 Avengers World (#1-6).............................................4/17/13

                                        Vol.2 The Last White Event (#7-11).................................7/23/13

                                        Vol.3 Prelude to Infinity (#12-?)........................................10/29/13

Uncanny Avengers......Vol.1 The Red Shadow (#1-5)...........................................4/24/13

                                        Vol.2 Ragnarok Now (#6-11).............................................11/5/13

Indestructible Hulk......Vol.1 Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.  (#1-5)......................................5/15/13

                                        Vol.2 Gods and Monsters (#6-10).....................................9/24/13

Thor:God of Thunder...Vol.1 The God Butcher (#1-5)...........................................5/29/13

                                        Vol.2 God Bomb (#6-11)...................................................10/22/13

Captain America.........Vol.1 Castaway in Dimension Z Bk1 (#1-5).....................6/12/13

                                       Vol.2 Castaway in Dimension Z Bk2 (#6-11)..................12/10/13

New Avengers..............Vol.1 Everything Dies (#1-6)..............................................7/3/13

Uncanny X-Men...........Vol.1 Revolution (#1-5)......................................................7/3/13

                                        Vol.2 Magik (#6-11)...........................................................11/19/13

Savage Wolverine.......Vol.1 Kill Island (#1-5)........................................................8/7/13

Guardians of the Galaxy..Vol.1 Cosmic Avengers (#GG1-3,#0.1,GG* Infinite#1)...8/29/13


NOVA............................Vol.1 Origin (#1-5,material MPO*)...................................9/17/13

Marvel Now Trade Paperback

Captain Marvel............Vol.1 In Pursuit of Flight (#1-6)........................................1/1/13

                                        Vol.2 Down (#7-12)...........................................................6/4/13

Thanos Rising..............Vol.1 (#1-5).......................................................................10/22/13

Avengers Arena...........Vol.1 Kill or Die (#1-6).......................................................5/21/13

                                        Vol.2 Game On (#7-12)....................................................9/24/13

Cable and X-Force.....Vol.1 Wanted Now  (#1-5,material MPO*).....................5/14/13

                                       Vol.2 Dead or Alive (#6-9)...............................................11/12/13

Journey Into Mystery..Vol.1 Feat. SIF, Stronger Than Monsters  (#646-650)...6/11/13

                                       Vol.2 Seeds of Destruction (#651-655)..........................11/5/13

Red She Hulk..............Vol.1 Hell Hath No Fury (#58-62)....................................4/16/13

                                       Vol.2 Route 616 (#63-67).................................................9/17/13

Hawkeye.....................Vol.1 My Life as a Weapon (#1-5,YAP*#6)....................3/19/13

                                      Vol.2 Little Hits (#6-11)....................................................7/23/13

                                      Vol.3 L.A. Woman (#12-?)................................................3/25/14

Fantastic Four...Vol.1 New Departure,New Arrivals (#1-3,FF#1-2,material MPO*)...4/16/13

                             Vol.2 Road Trip (#4-8)...........................................................9/13/13

X-Men Legacy............Vol.1 Prodigal (#1-6).........................................................5/7/13

                                      Vol.2 Invasive Exotics (#7-12).........................................9/10/13

                                      Vol.3 Revenants (#13-18)...............................................11/26/14

Thunderbolts..............Vol.1 No Quarter (#1-6)....................................................5/21/13

                                      Vol.2 Red Scare (#7-12)................................................. 10/1/13

Deadpool....................Vol.1 Dead Presidents (#1-6)..........................................6/11/13

                                      Vol.2 Soul Hunter (#7-12)...............................................9/3/13

                                      Vol.3 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (#13-19).......12/31/13

A+X.............................Vol.1 = Awesome (#1-6)...................................................6/4/13

                                     Vol.2 = Amazing (#7-12)..................................................12/3/13

Morbius Living Vampire: Man Called Morbius (#1-9, AS* #699.1).................12/3/13

X-Men.........................Vol.1 Primer (#1-4, UXM* #244)......................................11/26/13


The Superior Spider-Man...Vol.1 My Worst Enemy (#1-5)...............................6/11/13

                                                Vol.2 A Troubled Mind  (#6-10).............................9/3/13

                                                Vol.3 No Escape (#11-15).....................................12/3/13

Secret Avengers........Vol.1 Reverie (#1-5, material MPO*).............................9/10/13

Uncanny X-Force.......Vol.1 Let it Bleed (#1-6).................................................8/13/13


Young Avengers.........Vol.1 Style Substance (#1-5, material MYAPO*)........9/10/13


Fearless Defenders...Vol.1 Doom Maidens (#1-6)............................................8/27/13


Wolverine....................Vol.1 Hunting Season (#1-6)..........................................9/3/13


Gambit.........................Vol.1 Once a Thief (#1-7)................................................4/2/13

                                      Vol.2 Tombstone Blues (#8-12).....................................7/23/13

FF.................................Vol.1 Fantastic Faux  (#4-8)............................................7/23/13

                                      Vol.2 Family Freakout (#9-13)........................................12/10/13

Avengers Assemble... (#1-8).................................................................................1/29/13

                                        Science Bros (#9-13,Annual 1).....................................8/27/13

Avengers: Enemy Within...(#1, AA*#16-17,CM*#13-14,17).............................12/17/13

Marvel Now Directly to Book

Avengers: Endless Wartime (Hardback).............................................................10/1/13

Age of Ultron TPB.... (#1-10,AA*#14-15, FF*#5,FD*#4,TSS*#6,Ultron #1,UA*#8,WXM*#27,A* #10)............................................................................................................................9/17/13


*KEY

MPO - Marvel Point One
MYAPO - Marvel Young Avengers Point One
A -Avengers
AA - Avengers Assemble
AS - Amazing Spider-Man
CM- Captain Marvel
FF - Fantastic Four

FD - Fearless Defenders

GG - Guardians of the Galaxy

TSS- The Superior Spider-Man

UA -Uncanny Avengers

UXM - Uncanny X-Men

WXM - Wolverine and the X-Men

YAP - Young Avengers Presents

My Son the Hero

There is something innately disheartening when someone you care about relocates, for better or for worse.  It is a feeling inside that is tough to explain – especially when the move is for happiness and greater experience in life. It is just hard to let go.  Much like a character in a book we grow accustomed to, we feel security in knowing that their actions, mannerisms, speech, and reflexes are something we can just count on.  Page by page, or day by day – it is always there.  Until, the time comes to move on.   I believe we ultimately take for granted that security we feel everyday.

My son, the youngest of my three kids, has just graduated from high school and has moved out to spend time with his Dad before his enlistment into the military.  Today, I was wrapping up his many soccer trophies, certificates, and medals and sitting in his room contemplating how my life has changed from having this 17-year-old kid in it.

As I wrapped each trophy, it brought back a flood of memories. Memories that will always be there.  My son is very much a charismatic character and one that has beat the odds many times. A hero – of course – but hey I am his mom.

He was born premature with a collapsed lung and dealt with severe asthma from the beginning of his life. We had heard that consistent exercise could be beneficial for kids like him. Thus, we put him in soccer at 5. Little did we know that we had created an exercising monster.

With every asthma attack, my son would get mad, and beg to be put back on the field. He did not like to have boundaries.  Year after year, his goals were to push himself farther and farther. Using soccer as his way to conquer a physical ailment.

He had set backs, but you would not know it. Just like Robin, he kept coming back and he was stronger, faster, and more stubborn than before.  Eventually earning an MVP during his High School soccer career.

Comic Box:The Rotating Roster of Robins

Even though my son has never shared the intense love of comics that I obsess over, but he is proud of me with each of my new endeavors.  He even gets excited when I tell him about new projects I am working on…I am so lucky.  We do however share the same tenancity to achieve a goal and for this I could not be any more proud.

Today, I feel like a part of my security blanket is skewed a little. We create strong kids so they can take off and be something in the world. However, we forget – in order to take off – they have to leave. I am proud to be a mom. I am proud to have a son who in all respects is the only true super hero I know. 

Now go conquer the world Jonathan!

Art by Robert Atkins