Maria Hill Recommended Reading
*Brought up-to-date 8/21 to include Secret Wars!
When I sat down to write a Maria Hill recommended reading list, I sorta realized that there were two different things a reader might be looking for. So, I present two databases*, one for an instant story fix and another if you’d really like to get to know the character. (If you literally want to know where to start, I’d say start at the beginning of the rec’d History, and go along, breaking to read the full arcs/series mentioned in If You Want To Curl Up With as you get to them chronologically! :)
Maria Hillstory Hit List
In-universe chronological order. Includes only issues/arcs needed for a basic Maria Hill character history overview + a few that flush out her character/what she got up to between Big Deal Catastrophes. Bolded = ultra-essential. For a fabulous-tastic individual’s near-complete Maria Hill reading order (doesn’t include Secret War) of ALL major and minor appearances until circa 2012, go here.
Secret War (2004) #5 - Especially the transcript of a discussion between Maria and the President in the “extras” material at the end New Avengers (2004) #4 (first character appearance), #16-20 Mighty Avengers (2007) #12 Civil War (2006) #1 Iron Man: Director of SHIELD (2007) #21-32 Invincible Iron Man (2008) #1-7 Secret Invasion (2008) #1-8 Invincible Iron Man (2008) #8-19 Siege (2010) #1-4 Avengers (2010) #1-6 Invincible Iron Man (2008) #20-33 Indestructible Hulk (2012) #1-15 Secret Avengers Vol. 2 (2013) #1-16 Avengers World (2014-ongoing)
If You Want To Curl Up With A Book Heavily Feat. Maria Hill
Iron Man: Director of SHIELD (2007) # 21-32 Maria, Tony and Dum-Dum solve Epic Global Political Thriller Superhero Science Mysteries.
Secret Invasion (2008) #1-8 As with most crossovers, it’s hella crowded and busy, but Maria gets about as much airtime as anyone else, and some iconic lines. (Including one that was given to MCU!Fury.)
Invincible Iron Man (2008) #1-33 Solid snark, know-how, heroism and guts all the way through. While I hhhate when people act like this book, and specifically the World’s Most Wanted arc (#8-19), is the only time Maria has ever been an interesting character–NOT TRUE–World’s Most Wanted IS where she gets her backstory, and basically co-stars with Tony and Pepper in what’s probably her most prominent story to date. And that goddam arc, man. Superhero. (warnings for assault, verbal child abuse, PTSD)
Siege (2010) #1-4 As with Secret Invasion, is crowded and busy, but Maria is VERY much one of the major players, and you don’t wanna miss her crowning moment of badass day-saving. (I recommend suffering alongside the Marvel U through Civil-War-Secret Invasion-Dark-Reign (at least some Dark Reign–IIM:WMW qualifies) in order to truly appreciate those warm fuzzy Siege feels.)
Avengers (2010) #1-6 Lighthearted team book in which Maria is the leader of the Avengers, and has a nifty new blue outfit. And an iPad.
Indestructible Hulk (2012) #1-15 Wherein Bruce Banner becomes an Agent of SHIELD under Directer-once-again Hill. Much enjoyable Maria-Bruce snark ensues.
Avengers World (2014-ongoing) Big ol’ team book with a Cast of Thousands. Spencer writes a cheerfully snarky Maria (who also turns out to be a natural at playing Cool Aunt).
Black Widow (2014) #1-18 (Maria’s not in quite every issue and first appears in #3, but, I mean, read in chronological order so you know what’s going on) Characters’ actions and dialogue in this are very realistic/natural as far as comics go, kind of like one of those Realistic Action Movies. (Not couching this as a good thing or a bad thing, just a thing worthy of note–I might not want all my comics like this, but I enjoy it!) Maria has a nice storyline of balancing her professional role as Director with being a friend to Nat, which, in line with the tone of the comic, isn’t overdone/played up for drama. Beautiful painted art.
Captain Britain and the Mighty Defenders (2015-ongoing) [Secret Wars] Did you see Iron Man 1? Remember the dude who sacrificed his life after helping Tony Stark build a suit in a cave with a box of scraps? Well, what if in an alternate reality Tony sacrificed his life so that that dude could live? Add in his Iron-Man-suit-wearing daughter Toni; Captain Britain, a woman so pacifist her sword goes dull against living flesh and so badass she can slice her way through a fortress; and Maria-Hill-as-Thor commanding an army of Judge Dredd expys and waxing philosophical on law, order, and ideology vs. reality, and you’ve got CBatMD (easy to start reading now, as it’s only on Issue #2!)
*Neither of which are of Registered Superhumans.
