Avengers: Endgame hits cinemas this week, and fans’ anticipation levels have never been higher. With reports coming in of Marvel Cinematic Universe devotees shelling out thousands of dollars for opening day tickets, it’s safe to say that there’s currently a real appetite for anything MCU-related.
This extends to the many tie-in comics that Marvel has published over the years – but with several series available, the question for time-poor fans is “Which ones should I read?” That’s where this list comes in. We’ve rounded up the 10 MCU Tie-In Comics You Need To Read in the lead up to Endgame, either because they help to set the stage for the blockbuster film, or because they provide insightful background information about its key characters not available anywhere else!
10 10. Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame Prelude
This one is a bit of a no-brainer, really. After all, Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame Prelude is the official funny book primer for the 22nd installment in the MCU uber-franchise – so it’s the obvious place to start when prepping for Endgame.
Admittedly, the three issue mini-series isn’t really much more than a pen-and-ink recap of Endgame’s immediate predecessor, Infinity War – so you could just re-watch that movie. But reading Endgame Prelude offers up a new perspective on those events, which make it well worth checking out.
9 9. Marvel’s Captain Marvel Prelude
After being teased in the post-credits scene of Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel’s pivotal role in Avengers: Endgame was confirmed during the mid-credits sting of the high-flying powerhouse’s first solo outing.
As such, Marvel’s Captain Marvel Prelude is essential reading for anybody interested in additional backstory related to Carol Danvers. Filling in the blanks between Avengers: Age of Ultron and Infinity War, the one-shot story follows the movements of Nick Fury and his right-hand woman Maria Hill just prior to the moment that the veteran superspy summoned his old ally to join the fight.
8 8. Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War Prelude
Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War Prelude only spans a brief two issues – but there’s a lot covered in its pages all the same. That said, the first chapter is largely redundant with the release of Infinity War, since it’s largely preoccupied with outlining the current location of the major Avengers players.
However, the second chapter still has some value, as it digs deeper into the origin of the Infinity Stones, which are still very much a going concern heading into Avengers: Endgame. Speculation is rife about a dramatic plot twist in Endgame involving the crazy-powerful space rocks, so any extra intel on them could prove handy!
7 7. Captain America: First Vengeance
Not every tie-in on this list has any direct bearing on the plot of Avengers: Endgame – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t flick through them. For instance, Captain America: First Vengeance landed on shelves in 2011 – long before either Infinity War or Endgame had been conceived of, much less written.
Yet it serves up revealing background material about several main and supporting characters in both of those films, including Captain America, Bucky Barnes and the Red Skull. Sure, Cap’s relationship with his mother or the Skull’s ascent through the Nazi ranks likely won’t be a factor in Endgame, but they deepen our appreciation of these characters all the same.
6 6. Marvel's The Avengers: Black Widow Strikes
Unsurprisingly for a world-class espionage operative, Black Widow is the most enigmatic Avenger – and even Avengers: Endgame’s three hour runtime probably won’t cover her history in any detail. And while a Black Widow solo movie is on the horizon, fans can’t wait that long to learn more Natasha Romanoff.
Luckily, those eager to peel back the layers of Black Widow’s chequered past don’t have to wait until that flick’s rumored 2020 release date, thanks to the Black Widow Strikes. In this mini-series, we not only see more of Natasha’s experiences in the KGB’s Red Room, we also find out that “Black Widow” is a codename that’s been bestowed upon several other agents over the years.
5 5. Iron Man 2: Public Identity
Iron Man 2: Public Identity is another MCU tie-in comic that doesn’t have all that much to do with Avengers: Endgame, but which does still have plenty to recommend it. For starters, this mini-series depicts the first meeting of Tony Stark and General Thunderbolt Ross (ahead of their encounter in The Incredible Hulk) – a pivotal moment in the formation of the Avengers.
It also sheds further light on S.H.I.E.L.D.’s evaluation of Stark’s eligibility for the Avengers Initiative, and firmly establishes that the J.A.R.V.I.S. AI was named after Tony’s old family butler. So for fans obsessed with fitting the disparate pieces of MCU continuity together, Public Identity is a veritable treasure trove!
4 4. Marvel's Black Panther Prelude
The last time we saw Black Panther, he was crumbling into a pile of ash as a result of Thanos’ universe-decimating finger snap. That said, a sequel to the Wakandan ruler’s first solo movie is currently in the works, so it’s a safe bet that he’ll be back on his feet again by the time Endgame’s credits roll.
Since there’s clearly more to Black Panther’s story going forward, what better excuse is there to delve into his previous adventures? Although our guy has only debuted in the MCU relatively recently, he’s actually been active for at least a decade, and you can check out his first ever mission in Marvel’s Black Panther Prelude!
3 3. Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy Prelude
After managing to escape Avengers: Infinity War unscathed, villain turned anti-hero Nebula has graduated to a fully-fledged supporting cast member in Endgame. MCU fans are broadly up-to-speed on her backstory thanks to the two Guardians of the Galaxy films, but it’s not something that’s been depicted in great detail.
That’s where the first issue of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Prelude comes in. Told from Nebula’s point of view, this opening chapter touches on her upbringing as MCU big bad Thanos’ less-favored daughter – a relationship expected to come to a head in Endgame!
2 2. Marvel's Ant-Man – Scott Lang: Small Time
Ant-Man is nowhere to be seen in Avengers: Infinity War, although he has a solid excuse for not reporting for duty – dude was still under house arrest at the time! That said, Scott Lang will be suiting up in Endgame, as the film’s trailers and poster have officially confirmed.
Before witnessing Lang’s future, it makes sense to explore his past – most importantly, the bungled burglary that landed him in prison, and indirectly set him on the path to becoming Ant-Man, which is showcased in Marvel's Ant-Man – Scott Lang: Small Time.
1 1. Marvel's The Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week
The MCU timeline is notoriously error-riddled – something many fans have theorized Avengers: Endgame will resolve. For an example of just how smart Marvel Studios can be when it comes to papering over the cracks in its continuity, look no further than Marvel’s The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week.
The most well-known of the MCU tie-ins, this eight-issue series cleverly rationalizes how the overlapping narratives of The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and the framing scenes in Captain America: The First Avenger align. It’s a blast to read and grants a valuable insight into how Endgame might tackle similar storytelling challenges.