As the school year ends, it’s time to get ready for all the big summer blockbusters that are coming out soon. If you’re excited about the new comic book movies coming out, or have already seen them and want to spend more time with the characters, check out these graphic novels!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 is coming out May 5
All-New Guardians of the Galaxy (2017) by Gerry Duggan
The Guardians orchestrate a heist in this fun comic for fans of the super team! It features some of the characters you’re familiar with, like the Collector, and others you may not know yet. Overall, it’s a fun place to start reading if you can’t wait to see more of the Guardians of the Galaxy!
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 (2021) by Donny Cates
Start a whole new adventure with the Guardians in this comic! It is set after the Infinity War and features the Black Order, a group of aliens that were hand-picked by Thanos to continue his work. The Dark Guardians are also in this volume, and since Marvel has confirmed that Starfox will be on screen again, this is a great chance to learn more about the character.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) by Dan Abnett
This star-studded version of the team brings Star-Lord, Rocket, Drax, Groot, Gamora, Adam Warlock, Quasar, Mantis, and Cosmo back together! Since we know most of these characters will be in the movie this May, this is a great comic to read while you wait to see them! Marvel’s funnest team protects the universe like only they can.
Star-Lord: Grounded (2022) by Chip Zdarsky
Read about what happens when Peter Quill is stuck on Earth! Can he get a job? Will he hang out with other heroes while he’s there? Find the answer to these questions and more in this graphic novel.
[Available through Hoopla]
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse coming out June 2
Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2016) by Brian Michael Bendis
If you’re mostly looking forward to more Miles in the new movie, you can’t go wrong with this hit comic from 2016! Miles is new to being a hero and still getting the hang of it in this graphic novel. It features classic characters like Black Cat and includes another hero you’ll see this year: Ms. Marvel!
Spider-Verse: Warzones! (2015) by Mike Costa
See some of your favorites from the first film, including Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, and Spider-Ham go up against Norman Osbuorn in this fun team-up comic!
Spider-Man 2099: Exodus (2022) by Steve Orlando
The Spider-Man of the future, Miguel O’Hara, is going to feature prominently in the new animated adventure this summer. This comic is a great intro to Spider-Man 2099.
Spider-Man/Spider-Gwen: Sitting in a Tree (2017) by Brian Michael Bendis
If you’re looking forward to more Miles and Gwen interactions in the sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, you’re in luck! Miles ends up in another universe in this comic and works with Spider-Gwen to get home.
The Flash coming out June 16
The Flash: Year One (2019) by Joshua Williamson
If you’re brand new to a DC character, you can’t go wrong with their Year One title. This comic gives you the origin of Barry Allen becoming the Flash and all the ups and downs that come with suddenly having super powers.
The Flash: Rebirth (2010) by Geoff Johns
This volume is another great place to start with the Flash! Barry is newly brought back to life and must acclimate himself to a whole new world while fighting a new crisis
Flashpoint (2011) by Geoff Johns
This is one of the most important DC comics of the last 20 years! Barry Allen realizes the world around him isn’t right and must solve the mystery before time runs out. It’s sure to be one of the major influences of the movie!
DC Universe: Rebirth (2016) by Geoff Johns
A follow-up to Flashpoint focused on the second Flash, Wally West! This is a must-read for fans of the character. Wally fights his way back from being lost in the speed force to solve a mystery that is hidden throughout the DC Universe, leading to a reboot of all the comics! An excellent place to start if you want to jump into any of the Rebirth titles.
Blue Beetle is coming out August 18
Blue Beetle: Jaime Reyes (2006) by Keith Giffen
Read the origin story that inspired the movie! Jaime Reyes encounters an extraterrestrial scarab and finds himself forced into becoming a hero. If you like this comic, check out Blue Beetle’s further adventures on Hoopla!
[Available through Hoopla]
Blue Beetle Vol 1: Metamorphosis (2012) by Tony Bedard
This is an updated origin for Jaime that came out in 2012 during the New 52 event! DC reintroduced many of its fan-favorite characters in the event, so it is also an excellent place to start with the character.
[Available through Hoopla]
Kraven the Hunter is coming out October 6
The Amazing Spider-Man Vol 4: Hunted (2018) by Nick Spencer
A classic Kraven tale! The villain is hunting down Spider-Man to add to his collection, who Spider-Man must save though some are other villains he’s gone up against before. Read to find out how Peter Parker will get out of this one.
Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt (1999) by J.M DeMatteis
A new Kraven has discovered Spider-Man’s secret identity! The hero must team up with Daredevil to go up against the villain. This comic is older but just as fun as the newer ones!
Another fun, different twist on the character! Kraven works together with Squirrel Girl in this fun, quirky adventure. Note: it is volume 9 in the ongoing series, but all the previous ones are also available on Hoopla!
[Available through Hoopla]
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (December 20)
Ms. Marvel Team Up (2019) by Eve Ewing and Clint McElroy
This book is full of team-ups! Not only do Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel work together to solve a mystery in space, Kamala also goes on an adventure with Spider-Man!
The Ultimates: Start with the Impossible (2016) by Al Ewing
Both Captain Marvel and Spectrum feature in this team! The super team is going up against Galactus in this graphic novel and must find a way to take down one of the biggest villains in the Marvel Universe while combating broken space-time and learning to work together. This title launched during a reboot of Marvel and is a great place to start with the team that features both Carol and Monica!
Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin (2021) by Nadia Shammas
Did you enjoy last year’s Ms. Marvel Disney+ Show? Read more of Kamala’s most recent adventures before seeing her on the big screen!
The Marvels is coming out November 10
For a history of Aquaman, check out this huge graphic novel that compiles some of his biggest adventures, from the 1940’s to today.
Aquaman (2012) by Geoff Johns
This graphic novel is a great entry point for new readers! Aquaman defends humanity from new treats from the trench in this series. It is believed that the new movie will take a lot of its inspiration from this comic!
Aquamen (2022) by Chuck Brown
Can’t get enough Aquaman? Dive into this graphic novel that features two! Read about DC’s favorite Atlanteans in this fun, new series featuring Arthur Curry, Mera, Jackson Hyde, and more!
