When reading comics, you want to read a story that speaks to you as a person and a fan. The reader needs to get something out of it. It could be emotion, inspiration, or plain fun. And the best way for this to happen is if the creator is also a longtime fan of comics because they know how it feels to be on the other side. This person must be humble, aware of how lucky they are, creating these stories and playing with these characters. With that in mind, they will commit to making a worthy product, one that is worth the time and money of the reader. One of these creators is Donny Cates.
Donny Cates is one of the big boys. One of those writers at the top of the game. Someone who promises to stay in the industry for many more years, delivering ground-breaking stories. Just in the last four years, his career has skyrocketed. From independent comics to the greatest characters at Marvel, in 2021 he co-founded his own publishing company, KLC Press (on Substack), where he will publish his next creator-owned work.
I believe Donny will continue to grow in the coming years and his work will continue to make waves and attract new followers, interested in his complete bibliography. In that sense, I wanted to create a series of articles, a starter's guide to his work, so it is easier for new people to get into Donny Cates and learn what he has done over the years.
I will start with his Marvel published work, which will consist of three parts but can later be compiled into one comprehensive guide. I’ll later continue with his Indie-published books, which is also a world in itself.
For me, Donny’s Marvel style is characterized by two elements:
Re-defining existing characters. Donny is keen on taking existing stuff and expanding it, adding an extra layer and/or a surprising twist to a character or mythology of the Marvel Universe. And he does it naturally, so it does not feel forced or out of character. For example, he took Cosmic Ghost Rider and the Maker, two existing characters, to the next level, creating a whole new story and purpose for them. Not to mention what he accomplished with the Symbiote mythology additions and new creations. Consequently, there are a lot of moments reading Donny’s books that I have said: Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. How did I not see it!
Planning ahead and connecting everything. Donny makes a lot of references not only across the Marvel Universe books but specifically between his books. He has created a Donnyverse between his various works at Marvel over the last four years, and there are a lot of seeds that will pay off in the following months. This is awesome for fans of continuity and excellent writing, but it requires more work to keep track of all he has written.
What I love seeing in Donny’s books is how everything is related. He plans ahead, connects concepts, and creates stories with years of anticipation. This is why I believe there is a Donnyverse out there that you can follow, independently of which book or character he is writing.
Therefore, as an organized person, I wanted to keep a log of everything to make sure I’m not missing out. I created this article because I believe that Donny is an excellent writer that will attract many new followers over the coming years, and this guide could help newcomers to understand a bit more what is happening in his latest books by looking at all he has done at Marvel and how everything is connected.
Just to clarify, the following guide isn’t a summary of each book, I still want you to read and enjoy them. The main goal is for you to read it, get interested in these cool stories and maybe find a book you didn’t know existed. I will include a brief commentary on each book, its place in the Donnyverse, and some additional information.
Doctor Strange: Loki: Sorcerer Supreme
Doctor Strange 381-385 (2017-2018)
Creative Team: Writer: Donny Cates, Artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Colorist: Jordie Bellaire, Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit.
I believe we have many types of Marvel comics. The cosmic ones, the big epic ones, the street level ones, the mutant books, and the magic/supernatural books. This book is one of the latter. One that dances with previously known ideas like the cost of magic and the existence of a Sorcerer Supreme.
Donny sets the scene starting with Loki becoming the Sorcerer Supreme and explores the many questions resulting from this event. How did it happen? Where is Stephen Strange? What happens next? It is an insightful story about how Dr. Strange has lost his title, his house, and his power, and how he deals with it. Here, Donny excels: he took an established character and added some layers to his personality, decision-making, and overall life, making him a better character when the book is over.
This is a story that could appeal to any fan of the MCU that wants to read a fun and interesting comic book featuring characters they love. We had a little interaction between Strange and Loki on Thor: Ragnarok, but this book deeply explores these characters, their powers, and their relationship.
Bonus fact: this story features one of the best, most complex characters of 2000’s Marvel: The Sentry.
Type of Marvel book: Magic/Supernatural.
What is it connected to? This book has a connection with Asgardian stuff, so Donny used some elements in his Thor run a couple of years later.
Also, this book has a couple of fun little references I enjoyed: The first to the classic Doctor Strange story: The Oath, by Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin (2007) and the second to the great event Siege by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel (2010).
Thanos Wins
Thanos 13-18 (2017-2018)
Creative Team: Writer: Donny Cates, Artist: Geoff Shaw, Colorist: Antonio Fabela, Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles.
Like MCU’s Infinity War, this is a Thanos story. And it focuses on one trait that Donny introduces as a key part of this character: winning, addressing the questions: Why does Thanos always win? Is he a truly evil being? Or is he designed to overcome everything, including the best efforts of our heroes and entire civilizations fighting back? It is the story of a complex character with the potential to be the villain you love to hate (or maybe just love).
Regarding the story, I’ve listened to Donny say: how do I make the reader empathize with the WORST creature in existence? By making him face a worse version of himself. So in this book, we have Thanos face-to-face with King Thanos, the ultimate conqueror from the future, in a retrospective journey for the Mad Titan. Although this isn’t technically an elseworld, it is self-contained and can be read independently. I highly recommend giving this one a shot.
This is the comic book that got me into Donny. As a Marvel fan, it spoke to me. It is fun, action-packed, deep, and interesting. Overall an excellent superhero book with a villain protagonist.
Type of Marvel book: Cosmic.
What is it connected to? This is one of Donny’s first books so it builds a foundation regarding the idea that Thanos always wins. This theme will be recurrent on the Donnyverse. Also, it has references to other Thanos stories, mainly the Infinity Gauntlet by Jim Starlin, George Pérez and Ron Lim (1991).
Doctor Strange: Damnation (Main Event and Dr. Strange Tie In)
Doctor Strange Damnation 1-4 (2018) and Doctor Strange 386-389 (2018)
Creative Team (Main Event): Writer: Nick Spencer/Donny Cates, Artist: Rod Reis (Issue 1, 4), Szymon Kudranski (Issue 2,3,4), Colorist: Dan Brown (Issue 3,4), Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham.
Creative Team (Dr. Strange Tie-In): Writer: Donny Cates, Artist: Nico Henrichon, Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit.
Las Vegas has been destroyed. With his new power, Dr. Strange uses magic to resurrect the whole city, including its inhabitants. Unfortunately, while dead, the city was in Hell. So when it came back, it brought a piece of Hell with it. Now, Mephisto - the King of Hell - has moved to Las Vegas. What happens next, with demons existing on Earth? Maybe the City of Sin is a great place to start a new Hell?
Looking to solve his mess, Dr. Strange starts a betting game against the Devil. Knowing Dr. Strange couldn’t beat Mephisto, Wong has to assemble a team of supernatural people, the Midnight Sons (with members such as Moonknight, Elsa Bloodstone, among others), to fight the unleashed demons of Hell and help Dr. Strange.
This was one of Donny’s first events, and although it encompasses only the magic/supernatural world of Marvel, it had high stakes. I love the unexpected team-up, the character interactions, and seeing how a not-so-perfect team thinks and acts. This story introduced me to many great characters I had only seen in other media. In addition, the book has consequences that last for many stories to come, which I always appreciate in a Marvel event.
It is important to note the main series focuses on the adventure of the Midnight Sons, led by Wong, while the tie-ins focus on what is happening with Dr. Strange. I recommend checking both of them, as they complement each other. Also, this is a direct continuation to Loki: Sorcerer Supreme, and there is only one additional issue - the Finale - to conclude Donny’s run.
Type of Marvel book: Magic/Supernatural.
What is it connected to? As I mentioned, this book has long-lasting consequences for the Marvel Universe, particularly everything regarding Mephisto, the Ghost Riders (especially Johnny Blaze), and Las Vegas as a location.
Cosmic Ghost Rider
Cosmic Ghost Rider 1-5 (2018)
Creative Team: Writer: Donny Cates, Artist: Dylan Burnett, Colorist: Antonio Fabela, Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles.
At the end of Thanos Wins, Donny wrote a letter stating that he doesn’t know how Marvel let him get away with everything he did in that book. Cosmic Ghost Rider is part two of this journey. This book spins off Thanos Wins and has a similar tone: action-packed, time travel stuff, high stakes, and blood. Lots of blood. And just as Thanos Wins, it has heart.
Cosmic Ghost Rider started as an existing character, and Donny re-imagined him as only he could. He is a conflicted anti-hero that, despite having lived millions of years, doesn't know how to become whole again. His crusade seems never-ending. Here, he tries the final redemption act, punishing the worst person he knows: Thanos. By time-traveling and killing him as a baby. Yes, you read that right.
This book serves as a sequel for Thanos Wins, consolidating this new character as a broken, complex, cosmic outcast. The perfect addition for Donny’s team on his Guardians of the Galaxy.
Type of Marvel book: Cosmic.
What is it connected to? This book is a sequel to Thanos Wins and a prequel to Guardians of the Galaxy.
Death of Inhumans
Death of Inhumans 1-5 (2018)
Creative Team: Writer: Donny Cates, Artist: Ariel Olivetti, Colorist: Jordie Belaire, Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles.
In fear of a prophecy about an Inhuman that would bring their annihilation, the Kree have created a Super-Inhuman to exterminate all existing Inhuman tribes. This will lead the Inhumans we know (Black Bolt, Medusa, Maximus, and more) to retaliate after they discover they are the last ones of their kind.
I hadn’t heard much about this story; it is perhaps the least known tale written by Donny. But I wanted to share a couple of things happening when it released:
This book was the end for the Inhumans, a group of superhuman individuals who had a major role in the previous years leading up to this. During the past years, Marvel was trying to replace the Mutants for the Inhumans on the big and small screen, which impacted the comic book world too. With the Inhumans show (2017) canceled, these characters lost their momentum and this event was the end for them as key players in the Marvel Universe.
In addition, I’ve heard Donny say that he had some personal issues while writing this book, so the tone was somber and lacked fun, which is the main characteristic of Donny’s books.
Based on expectations, this was a pleasant surprise for me. I met characters that I haven’t seen so much and connected with them, especially Black Bolt. I didn’t mind the tone because it is only five issues long, but I did perceive it as a really serious, dark story that could’ve become tedious if it were longer.
Type of Marvel book: Cosmic.
What is it connected to? This book has a reference to CGR. Also, we see two characters, Beta Ray Bill and Lockjaw, that Donny likes to use in his stories, and will appear in GotG, Thor, among others.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.1: The Final Gauntlet
Guardians of the Galaxy 1-6 (2019)
Creative Team: Writer: Donny Cates, Artist: Geoff Shaw, Colorist: David Curiel, Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit.
After watching the movies, I thought this book was a great entry point. I don't consider myself a huge fan of the Guardians, yet after reading it I wanted to know more.
I believe this happened because Donny assembled a weird team of heroes that helped me discover excellent characters. The lineup is Peter Quill, Groot, Beta Ray Bill, Moondragon, Phyla-Vell, and Cosmic Ghost Rider. This group has to deal with the aftermath of Thanos' death. After all, the Mad Titan had plans for everything and his death has unleashed a series of events that will affect the whole galaxy.
Fast-paced, full of epic fights and big stakes, this book is a page-turner with incredible characters and three conflicting sides, all fighting towards their own goals.
Type of Marvel book: Cosmic.
What is it connected to? This volume leads to Silver Surfer: Black and has some important information for what happens later in the Knull Saga. Also, there are references to past Donnyverse events like Thanos Wins, CGR, and Death of Inhumans, as he uses characters from those stories.
Silver Surfer: Black
Silver Surfer: Black 1-5 (2019)
Creative Team: Writer: Donny Cates, Artist: Tradd Moore, Colorist: Dave Stewart, Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles.
This is a tale as old as time. A clash of titans. Silver Surfer (Light/Creation) meets the God of the Symbiotes, Knull (Darkness/Destruction) at the dawn of time. It is a classic story about good vs evil with two of the best characters Donny had at his disposal. Also, the art elevates everything happening on the page so much. Every panel looks like a piece that could be in a museum.
Overall, this book has beautiful fights, time travel, existential conflicts, and badass moments. It is something else. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that it has lots of dialogue and characterization, world-building, and abstract images, so it may be dense for new readers. But it is one of a kind.
Furthermore, this book has a lot of heart and relevance. Everyone can relate to the struggle of the Surfer, the endless fight against one’s inner darkness. Donny mentions in a letter after Issue #1 that this book was written shortly after Stan Lee passed out, and he made it thinking about him and making him proud. I feel this in the book as it is a very personal and grounded story.
Type of Marvel book: Cosmic.
What is it connected to? This book is a direct consequence of GotG Vol. 1 and will have an impact on the Knull Saga, especially in King in Black. It also has a small mention of something that will be further explored in Thor Vol. 1.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2: Faithless
Guardians of the Galaxy 7-12 (2019)
Creative Team: Writer: Donny Cates, Artist: Cory Smith, Colorist: David Curiel, Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
A direct continuation to volume one, this is a fun cosmic adventure that pits the Guardians against the Universal Church of Truth, one of their classic foes featured in the latest GotG Game (100% recommended). Plus it explores Rocket’s origin. I recommend this for any fan of the Guardians from other media that want to learn more about these characters.
Type of Marvel book: Cosmic.
What is it connected to? This book has a direct reference to Thanos Wins and a recap of all the events that happened in Donny's books up to this point. Perfect integration to the Donnyverse.
Donny’s early Marvel books showed that he was determined to leave his mark. His unique style appears from the first page he wrote. Lots of fun, action, and adventures. Crazy metal stories that also have heart and are easy to relate to. He created a Donnyverse of interconnected worlds, which like its name suggests, will continue to expand for years to come.
I haven’t talked much about the art because this was a Donny-focused post, but every artist in these books excels at their job. Special mention to Geoff Shaw and Tradd Moore, who have been friends with Donny since they attended Art School together. They are great on all the cosmic stuff, such as the planets, the weapons, the weird creatures. Their pages transmit the essence of a space opera. Super cool. All of the creative teams are an integral part of the Donnyverse, as a writer is only as good as the people that put their words into the pages.
If you like the stories I presented, you will probably love everything else Donny is doing at Marvel, currently Hulk and Thor. If you don’t, don’t despair. Part two of this guide will contain a view on Venom, a character he re-defined, that also re-defined him, on a professional and personal basis. This is the other side of his Marvel work. The Symbiote side, which you have had a taste of in Silver Surfer: Black, but it's a completely different world.
Timeline of the books mentioned in the post:
Dr. Strange (November 2017 - May 2018)
Thanos Wins (November 2017 - April 2018)
Dr. Strange: Damnation (February 2018 - April 2018)
Death of Inhumans (July 2018- November 2018)
Cosmic Ghost Rider (July 2018- November 2018)
Guardians of the Galaxy (January 2019 - December 2019)
Silver Surfer: Black (July 2019 - October 2019)
Up Next:
Venom (November 2018 - June 2021)
Absolute Carnage (August 2019 - November 2019)
King in Black (December 2020 - April 2021)
Coming Up Later:
Thor (January 2020 - Present)
Hulk (November 2021 - Present)
Housekeeping!
Happy new year! I hope you liked this new guide format. After my last post, I wanted to write about comics, and I liked this format because it is detailed, yet easy to read for everyone, and I believe it adds value to the books discussed. I hope you enjoyed it too. Please let me know if you have any comments or suggestions and share this post with everyone interested in these characters and stories!
I intend that this guide leads up to Thor vs. Hulk: Banner of War, the Marvel event commemorating the 60th Anniversary of both characters. Written by Donny Cates, art by Martin Coccolo, this fight will be the biggest ever. The next chapter of the Donnyverse is imminent, and I want you to be prepared for it!
So please, join me in this beautiful ride of 4+ years of comic book stories! Until next time, stay awesome and go read something!
Great thread ..I myself have passed it along to my other friends
Awesome! I used this as a checklist to see if i've read everything in the donnyverse and of course I have lol.