This Patreon request for a “Midnight Sons” reading order sent me down a deep (sometimes literally) dark hole into the supernatural mythology on the fringes of the Marvel Universe.
The Midnight Sons launched in the early 90s with an initial lineup consisting of known Marvel characters like Blade, Ghost Rider, and Morbius the Living Vampire. The focus of the comics was around demons, dark magic, and horror, in that magnificent 1990’s Marvel style.
Despite the popularity of some of the heroes involved – including plenty of cameos and eventual involvement from Doctor Strange – the entire “Midnight Sons” era is strangely underrepresented at time of this guide’s publication (early 2019). Very few of these comics are added to Marvel Unlimited (oddly, the first 15 issues of the 16 issue Darkhold series made the cut) and a similarly low quantity are even collected in trades.
Nonetheless, if you can track them down, below you’ll find the complete guide to “Midnight Sons” and “Darkhold” comics through Marvel history!
Related Reading Orders:
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Road to Midnight Sons
Avengers/Doctor Strange: Rise Of The Darkhold
Collects: Marvel Spotlight (1971) #3-4; Werewolf By Night (1972) #1, 3, 15; Tomb Of Dracula (1972) #18-19; Marvel Chillers #1-2; Avengers (1963) #185-187; Doctor Strange (1974) #59-62, 67, 81; Thor (1966) #332-333; Material From Dracula Lives #6; Amazing Spider-Man Annual #22; X-Men Annual (1970) #12; Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #9-13, 15
A decade spanning collection that tracks the use of the black magic in the Darkhold throughout Marvel’s Bronze Age. The Darkhold was created by Gerry Conway and Mike Ploog in the pages of Marvel Spotlight (in a “Werewolf by Night” story).
This is not essential to jump in to “Rise of the Midnight Sons,” but it if you’re invested in the dark magic of the Marvel Universe, this will provide a lot of context and explore its use leading up to the 90’s!
Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch Classic – Volume 1
Collects: Ghost Rider (1990) #1 to #10
The “Midnight Sons” launch in the pages of Ghost Rider, and if you’re familiar with the broad strokes, the specifics of the 90’s might be a little confusing. Suffice it to say 1990 brought a new Ghost Rider to the scene, with Danny Ketch rocking the flaming skull and motorbike. Fans of this era will likely want to be as up to speed on Ghost Rider as possible, as the title remains essential throughout.
Rise of the Midnight Sons Reading Order
Spirits of Vengeance: Rise of the Midnight Sons
Collects: Ghost Rider (1990) 28, 31; Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits Of Vengeance 1-6; Morbius: The Living Vampire (1992) 1; Darkhold: Pages From The Book Of Sins 1; Nightstalkers 1; Web Of Spider-Man (1985) 95-96; Material From Midnight Sons Unlimited 1
As of early 2019, “Darkhold” is the only series from this collection included in Marvel Unlimited. Which is *extremely* strange considering the popularity of this early 90’s squad and the existence of this collected edition!
- Ghost Rider #28
- Ghost Rider and Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #1
- Morbius: The Living Vampire #1
- Darkhold: Pages from the Book of Sins #1
- Nightstalkers #1
- Ghost Rider #31
Darkhold: Pages From The Book Of Sins – The Complete Collection
Collects: Darkhold: Pages From The Book Of Sins 1-16; Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme 90; Material From Midnight Sons Unlimited 1-2; Marvel Comics Presents (1988) 145
The book of sins gets its own ongoing as part of the launch of Rise of the Midnight Sons.
Midnight Massacre Reading Order
The “Midnight Sons” roll into their next crossover approximately 10 issues later for each new series, this time with the Darkhold turning Blade into a magical murderer extraordinare known as… Switchblade!
As you likely surmised, you should read the preceding issues of each series of your choice prior to this crossover.
- Nightstalkers #10
- Ghost Rider #40
- Darkhold: Pages from the Book of Sins #11
- Morbius: The Living Vampire #12
- Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #13
Road to Vengeance: Missing Link Reading Order
Immediately following the “Midnight Massacre” the Ghost Rider and Spirits of Vengeance suite launch into their own pogo see-saw crossover.
- Ghost Rider #41
- Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #14
- Ghost Rider #42
- Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #15
- Ghost Rider #43
- Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #16
Siege of Darkness Reading Order
The lengthiest and final crossover of the 90’s “Midnight Sons” era comes in the form of “Siege of Darkness!” It’s an appropriately bit of synchronicity with the “Rise of the Midnight Sons,” as paranormal Lilith is now joined by Ghost Rider big bad Zarathos in an attempted conquest of Earth. Doctor Strange joins the fray, the Darkhold series comes to an end, and the whole she-bang weirdly concludes in the pages of Silver Sable!
- Nightstalkers #14
- Ghost Rider #44
- Marvel Comics Presents #143
- Darkhold: Page from the Book of Sins #15
- Morbius: The Living Vampire #16
- Marvel Comics Presents #144
- Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #60
- Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #17
- Nightstalkers #15
- Ghost Rider #45
- Marvel Comics Presents #145
- Darkhold: Page from the Book of Sins #16
- Morbius: The Living Vampire #17
- Marvel Comics Presents #146
- Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #61
- Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits of Vengeance #18
- Midnight Sons Unlimited #4
- Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #19
The Modern Midnight Sons
Since 90’s nostalgia is all the rage in the 2010’s, the “Midnight Sons” have returned in a few modern forms.
It’s a subplot, sure, but there is a newly formed team in this post-Secret Empire crossover book. For the more detailed reading order, check out Comic Book Herald’s guide to Damnation.
Collects: Spirits of Vengeance #1 to #5
Very short-lived Marvel Legacy comic.
Latest Additions:
Collects: Midnight Suns #1 to #5