Marvel Legacy Reading Order: Return of the Icons (2017–2018)

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Following the expansive and experimental years of All-New All-Different Marvel, Marvel entered a new publishing phase in 2017 known as Marvel Legacy. This era was a soft reset of tone and structure—a return to classic storytelling and legacy characters. While not a reboot, it re-centered the Marvel Universe around its most iconic figures, reconnecting long-time fans with the heroes they first fell in love with. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Marvel Legacy reading order and why this era—though short-lived—was essential to Marvel’s narrative evolution.

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Photo: Marvel Fandom

What Is Marvel Legacy?

Marvel Legacy was launched in late 2017 with the goal of honoring the long history of Marvel Comics while continuing the momentum from previous relaunches. The initiative began with Marvel Legacy #1, a one-shot that teased upcoming arcs and set the tone for a more grounded, continuity-conscious Marvel Universe. It reinstated original identities, brought back classic costumes, and aimed to provide a familiar yet fresh experience for readers.

Why Marvel Legacy Matters

Marvel Legacy served as a response to reader concerns that Marvel had strayed too far from its core. While the push for new characters and diversity had brought fresh voices and fans, many long-time readers missed the presence of characters like Steve Rogers, Odinson, and Bruce Banner in their traditional roles. Marvel Legacy restored many of these icons while allowing legacy characters to coexist with them.

Marvel Legacy #1 – The Catalyst Issue

Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Esad Ribić, Marvel Legacy #1 was a massive 50-page issue that introduced key mysteries and narrative threads:

Introduction of the Avengers of 1,000,000 BC – the ancient precursors to modern heroes
Hints at the return of Wolverine, Fantastic Four, and Bruce Banner
Clues that would lead into Infinity Countdown and Secret Empire follow-ups

Key Titles and Character Returns

Thor – Odinson reclaims his name and receives a new hammer
Iron Man – Tony Stark begins recovering from coma after Civil War II
Captain America – Steve Rogers resumes full mantle following Secret Empire
Hulk – Bruce Banner is resurrected, setting the stage for Immortal Hulk
Fantastic Four – Reed, Sue, and the children begin returning after years away
X-Men – Streamlining multiple books into clearer lineups: Blue, Gold, Red

Notable Events and Mini-Arcs

While Marvel Legacy didn’t feature many full-universe crossovers, it had significant stories that helped transition into the next era:

Venomverse – Multiversal Venoms band together
Poison X – Crossover between X-Men Blue and Venom
Damnation – Doctor Strange-centered event in Las Vegas
Infinity Countdown – Prelude to Infinity Wars and the rebirth of the Infinity Stones

Where to Read Marvel Legacy Comics

Most of the comics from the Marvel Legacy era are available digitally through Marvel Unlimited, which offers access to thousands of issues across all major titles. If you’re looking to engage with other fans reading this era, consider joining discussions on r/Marvel or r/comicbooks on Reddit. There are also Discord communities dedicated to Marvel comics where you can get live reading suggestions and debate character arcs in real time.

What Comes Next?

Marvel Fresh Start (2018–2021)
Marvel Timeless (2021–Now)

Looking Back – Related Eras

Conclusion – The Marvel Legacy Reading Order in Retrospect

The Marvel Legacy reading order highlights a brief but impactful moment where Marvel realigned with its foundational heroes. Though the initiative only lasted about a year, it paved the way for a new era that balanced legacy with innovation. If you're looking to reconnect with the roots of the Marvel Universe while preparing for modern arcs, this era is a must-read.

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