SHIELD: The Human Machine Saga, by Jonathan Hickman Reading Order (2010-2018)

Hickman's SHIELD series is a time-hopping epic spanning thousands of years that follows the machinations of a secret society that protects Earth from external threats and the ambitions of its own members. Essentially, its a thematic battle of free will vs predetermination that feels more like an indie comic than part of the Marvel Universe, for better and for worse.

This reading order covers 2010's S.H.I.E.L.D., 2011's S.H.I.E.L.D. ∞ one-shot, and 2011's S.H.I.E.L.D..

Quality:★★★★☆ Cohesion:★★★★★ Accessiblity:★★★★★

1. S.H.I.E.L.D. (2010) #1-6
2. S.H.I.E.L.D. (2011) #∞
3. S.H.I.E.L.D. (2011) #1-6
• The ∞ one-shot is an anthology detailing the backstory of various characters, but otherwise the three series tell one ongoing, completed story. The ∞ one-shot is listed as a numberless issue of the 2011 series on Marvel Unlimited.