The 10 Best Marvel Comics To Read Before Captain America: Brave New World

Following the D23 trailer and Marvel’s 85-year celebration video showing Red Hulk’s transformation in glorious HD, hopes remain high for the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World. Marking Captain America‘s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brave New World is poised to introduce more compelling Marvel comic characters and begin laying the foundation for Doomsday and Secret Wars.

Indeed, characters like the Falcon, Sidewinder, and Red Hulk enjoyed comic notoriety long before their upcoming appearances in Brave New World. With that in mind and utilizing decades of comic knowledge, I have expertly selected the best comics to read in preparation for Red Hulk smashing his way into the MCU in Captain America: Brave New World.

Tales to Astonish (1959) #63

‘A Titan Rides the Train,’ by legendary creators Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, gives fans the origin story of Samuel Sterns. A high school dropout and lowly plant worker, Sterns yearned for the adoration heaped upon genius until a freak gamma explosion altered his fate. This accident would birth the Leader, a hyper-intelligent, megalomaniacal mastermind.

Yet, unlike Bruce Banner, whose repressed rage manifests into the brutish Hulk, Stern’s intense desire to be among the intellectual elite supercharges his brain. Here, the Leader becomes one of the Hulk’s longest-tenured and most formidable adversaries, setting the stage for his appearance in Brave New World.

Captain America (1969) #117-119

In a vintage tale from Eisner Hall of Famers, Stan Lee and Gene Colan, the evil Red Skull uses the power of the cosmic cube, swapping bodies with the genre-traversing Captain America and banishing him to the Isle of the Exiles. Here, the villainous Exiles seek vengeance on Red Skull for marooning them and take the fight to their “enemy”.

Marking his first appearance, Sam Wilson comes to Cap’s aid with the help of his avian companion, Redwing. In particular, Sam’s acute morality and eternal optimism mesh flawlessly with Cap’s training and guidance. Ultimately, taking Cap’s suggestion and showcasing an original costume that inspires his future sidekick, the Falcon is born.

Hulk (2008) #1-9

Beginning with the brutal murder of the Abomination, Emil Blonksy, Hulk (2008) #1 introduces fans to the mysterious Red Hulk. Designated Rulk by S.H.I.E.L.D., this crimson goliath destroys anything in his path, from the cosmic watcher Uatu to the god of thunder Thor, and proves his power level on par with his emerald variant.

Eruditely capitalizing on the ‘World War Hulk’ gamma hype, the dynamic team of Loeb and McGuiness produce a lauded Hulk run. Undoubtedly, this series puts Rulk on the Marvel map, combining intrigue and various new Gamma characters and yielding an entertaining comic series that qualifies as a best comic read before Brave New World.

Fall of the Hulks Alpha/Gamma (2009)

A pair of informative one-shots narrated by upcoming Brave New World antagonist, the Leader, Fall of the Hulks Alpha and Gamma gives a concise history of the Intel(ligencia) and artistically depicts Redeemer Ross, one of Hulk’s oldest adversaries, death at Rulk’s hands as the game of cat and mouse between former allies intensifies.

Formed secretly to establish a New World Order, the Intel information network worked tirelessly over decades, accruing knowledge and data. Perhaps teasing potential plotlines, Alpha/Gamma gives readers vital insight into the cloak-and-dagger, shadow games likely upcoming between the Leader, Cap, and Rulk in Brave New World.

Fall of the Hulks: Red Hulk (2010) #1-4

A fast-paced and informative series, Red Hulk (2010) focuses on Rulk’s multi-layered revenge campaign against his villainous creators, the Intelligencia. Consequently, this series fills another vital piece in the Who is Rulk puzzle andshows readers Rulk, A-Bomb, and Bruce Banner battling the Leader, M.O.D.O.K, and Cosmic Hulk.

As Intel enacts its master plan, will Rulk and his former enemies stop the super-powered A.I.Marines in time? Highlighting the ties that bind Rulk and the Leader, Intel, and their New World Order is this comic series that feels right at home in Captain America: Brave New World.

Avengers (2010) #7-12

Following the ‘Fall of the Hulks’ event, Captain America seeks out Rulk after his sanity returns. Here, Cap offers Rulk a chance at redemption amid the devastation he wrought, and, being a soldier who idolized Cap, Rulk joins his cause. Soon after, Rulk is called upon when the Hood seeks out the Infinity Gems to restore his lost powers.

The ensuing battle royale takes Rulk from the depths of Atlantis to the mystic plane, as he utilizes his strength and the Power stone to fight an Infinity-charged Hood. Eventually, Rulk’s actions earn the respect of Cap and the Avengers, culminating with his official membership offer in this best Marvel read before Captain America 4.

Captain America (2012) #25

The aptly titled ‘Who is the new Captain America?’ portrays the aftermath of Arnim Zola’s invasion of Earth with his Dimension Z mutates. Despite Captain America being aged and depowered by Iron Nail, the tide turns when Sam Wilson liberates his long-lost love, Sharon Carter, and “son” Nomad. But, when Zola’s bomb is accidentally triggered, the Falcon heroically detonates the bomb in space, saving millions.

Luckily, thanks to Tony Stark, Sam’s Doomwar-causing Vibranium equipment absorbs the blast, saving his life. After decades of selflessly fighting beside Cap, Sam’s sacrifice stirs something profound within his mentor. Ultimately, this catalytic act culminates with Sam being named Captain America, the role he’ll play in Brave New World.

Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) #1-6

Teen Joaquin Torres debuts in the relevant Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) comic series when the Sons of the Serpent and their mad scientist, Doctor Karl Malus, capture him. Hoping to create the perfect warrior, Malus experiments on Torres, splicing his genes with Cap’s psionic vampiric sidekick, Redwing. After acquiring wings, a healing factor, and heightened physical attributes, Torres aids Cap, standing with the heroes.

This defining act of heroism culminates with his official appointment as Sam Cap’s sidekick, the Falcon. Thus, with Sidewinder and Torres making their MCU debuts in Brave New World, this comic run checks in as a top read on the canonical links between Cap, Falcon Torres, and the Serpent Society.

Avengers (2016) #7-11

A visually striking entry to the best Marvel comics to read before Brave New World, Avengers (2016) #7-11 follows Captain America Sam as he leads the Avengers under the shadow of ‘Secret Empire.’ For example, when the Avengers and the Infamous Iron Man, Fortnite legend Victor Von Doom, defend Avengers HQ against a magical Chronosite.

This wonderfully entertaining story arc shows the Avengers and Doom combating a mystic cult and Avenger X. Colorfully showing the power of teamwork, this comic arc concludes with the Avengers in rebuilding mode following the harrowing events of ‘Secret Empire.’ Hence, while Sam persevered, his mentor’s betrayal and subsequent emotional scars led to Sam stepping down as Captain America.

Captain America: Symbol of Truth (2022) Vol. 1

Without a doubt, no best comics to read before Captain America: Brave New World list would be complete sans the inclusion of Captain America: Symbol of Truth (2022) #1. Taking place nearly five years after toppling Hydra’s Empire and Sam’s gut-wrenching decision to step down as Captain America, he picks up the Shield again.

After his stint on the Champions, Falcon Torres reunites with his mentor Sam. Together, they battle, among others, White Wolf, Doctor Doom, and the Black Panther while navigating through a world with two Captain Americas. Lastly, seeing Sam don the Stars and Stripes again leaves a feeling of excitement for what’s in store for this duo in Captain America: Brave New World.