Essential Reading from Grant Morrison’s, Supergods

As promised, here is the essential reading list from Supergods. I’ve highlighted those I have a particular interest in reading (or re-reading in many cases) in green.

Recommended by Grant Morrison:

This is by no means a comprehensive list of the best superhero comics available, but no one with any interest in the subject should miss these books. Each of them is an exemplar of its time. Modesty forbids me from adding any more of my own books, but obviously you should buy those first!

GOLDEN AGE

• Superman Chronicles, Volumes 1–9, various authors
• Batman Chronicles, Volumes 1–10, various authors
• The Wonder Woman Chronicles, Volume 1, William Moulton Marston and Charles Paris
• The Shazam! Archives, Volumes 1–4, various authors
• Captain America: The Classic Years, Volumes 1 and 2, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby

SILVER AGE

• Superman: Man of Tomorrow Archives, Volumes 1–2, various authors
• The Flash Archives, Volumes 1–5, John Broome and Carmine Infantino
• Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four, Volumes 1–12, various authors
• Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man, various authors
• Essential Avengers, Volumes 1–7, Roy Thomas, John Buscema, and Neal Adams
• Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus, Volumes 1–4, Jack Kirby
• Jack Kirby’s O.M.A.C.: One Man Army Corps, Jack Kirby
• The Life of Captain Marvel, Jim Starlin

DARK AGE

• Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Volumes 1–2, Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams
• Black Panther, Don McGregor and Billy Graham
• Killraven, Don McGregor and Craig Russell
• X-Men, Chris Claremont and John Byrne
• Strange Days, Peter Milligan, Brendan McCarthy, and Brett Ewins
• Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller
• Batman: Year One, Frank Miller
• Daredevil: Born Again, Frank Miller
• Zenith, Grant Morrison and Steve Yeowell
• Batman: Arkham Asylum, Grant Morrison and Dave McKean
• Rogan Gosh, Peter Milligan and Brendan McCarthy
• Enigma, Peter Milligan and Duncan Fegredo
• Marshal Law, Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill
• Astro City, Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson, with Alex Ross
• Spawn, Todd McFarlane and various authors

RENAISSANCE

• Marvels, Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross
• Kingdom Come, Mark Waid and Alex Ross
• The Authority, various authors
• Planetary, Warren Ellis and John Cassaday
• Marvel Boy, Grant Morrison and J. G. Jones
• Wildcats Version 3.0, Joe Casey and Sean Philips
• The League of Extraordinary Gentleman, Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill
• New X-Men, Grant Morrison and various artists
• The Ultimates, Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch
• Wanted, Mark Millar and J. G. Jones
• Identity Crisis, Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales
• Civil War, Mark Millar and Steve McNiven
• All-Star Superman, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

Not specifically mentioned by Grant Morrison, but items that I specifically recommend in the context of Supergods.

• Ruins
• Superman, Red Son
• Seaguy
• Supergod