While many hardcore Death's Head fans were dismayed at the treatment of their favourite Freelance Peace-Keeping Agent at the hands of AIM's Minion cyborg, there were plenty of new fans with no attachment to the original who lapped up the cyborg's transformation into the new Death's Head. Even though Marvel UK didn't survive the inevitable comics bust that followed the boom, Death's Head II still has a cult following even now and has even received his own Marvel Legends action figure in recent years. His creators - Dan Abnett & Liam Sharp - have also gone on to become major names in the comics book industry.
Follow the timeline of Deaths Head II's predecessor with this reading order:
Death's Head II #1-4 (1992)
First appearance of Death's Head (Minion), Charnel (Baron Strucker V), Major Oak, Dr Evelyn Necker, Phaedra, Lionheart and Tuck and Earth-12892; on Earth-8410, Dr Necker's Minion cyborg travels to various eras to assimilate key targets, killing them and absorbing their skills; when it kills Death's Head, the bounty hunter's programming takes over the Minion cyborg and gives it a sense of will; this second Death's Head (editorially referred to as Death's Head II) gains a new sidekick called Tuck and helps the heroes of Earth-9939 defeat the monstrous Charnel and restore the timeline.
Black Axe #1-3 (1993)
First appearance of Black Axe; the immortal mercenary Black Axe is hired to shut down a Hydra operation, bringing him into conflict with Death's Head II.
Death's Head #6-9 (1994)
Death's Head returns to Lionheart to rescue Tuck from Major Oak; Death's Head II recalls killing the original Death's Head.
Kite is revealed to be a living fragment of Charnel who merges with his future counterpart and a Minion cyborg to become Charnel again; Death's Head kills Charnel.
Death's Head II & the Origin of Die-Cut #1-2 (1993)
First appearance of Die-Cut (Czorn Yson); the technophonic alien warrior Die-Cut clashes with cyborg mercenary Death's Head II, until the pair are forced to join forces against the evil artificial intelligence known as the Black Curator during PUMPING IRON.
Knights of Pendragon #13-15 (1993)
The Knights of Pendragon return to Avalon where they clash with Death's Head II and Magpie before their final showdown with the Red Lord.
Dark Angel #13-16 (1993)
First appearance of Mys-Tech as the Techno-Wizards; Dark Angel upgrades her armour; in the aftermath of the Mys-Tech War, Mys-Tech regain their youth, rename themselves the Techno-Wizards and summon the Anti-Being; Dark Angel banishes the Anti-Being to the dimensional void with help from Death's Head and the Wyrd Sisters.
Motormouth & Killpower #12[1/2] (1993)
The Time Guardian observes Motormouth, Killpower and Death's Head II while they battle AIM's Metamorph during DARK GUARD.
First appearance of Ultra Marine and the Dark Guard; the Time Guardian gathers Albion, Stacy Arnheim, Death's Head, Dark Angel, Killpower, Tigon Liger, Motormouth and Ultra Marine to stop a war between two alien factions during DARK GUARD.
Incomplete Death's Head #1-12 (1993)
Death's Head II recalls the key memories of the original Death's Head and, with help from the Galifreyan Timelord called the Doctor, realises he's met Death's Head before.
Death's Head #16 (1994)
Chronozone drags Death's Head into the future where he finds his own remains.
X-Men: Magik #4 (2001)
Death's Head II cameo during CAST THE MAGIK.
Revolutionary War: Alpha #1 (2014)
Revolutionary War: Death's Head II #1 (2014)
Revolutionary War: Omega #1 (2014)
The UK heroes join forces again when the corrupted Killpower attempts to bring back Mys-Tech; Tuck hires Death's Head to save his future self, Death's Head II, from Dr Evelyn Necker; Death's Head and Death's Head II take down their true foe together; Death's Head and Death's Head II leave with Tuck when the war is over during REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
A version of this reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns or less important appearances - just a list of the essentials:
MCG Notes:
- Issue listings in blue & black: The must-read Death's Head II stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
- Issue listings in grey: Part of Death's Head II's chronology, cameo appearances or stories of note that non-essential or no longer considered 'required reading'.
- Chronology: Every appearance of Death's Head II from this period is included in chronological order - mapping out his timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
- Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
- WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE? Scroll down to THE CORE LIST to see a version of this reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns or less important appearances - just a list of the essentials.
First appearance of Death's Head (Minion), Charnel (Baron Strucker V), Major Oak, Dr Evelyn Necker, Phaedra, Lionheart and Tuck and Earth-12892; on Earth-8410, Dr Necker's Minion cyborg travels to various eras to assimilate key targets, killing them and absorbing their skills; when it kills Death's Head, the bounty hunter's programming takes over the Minion cyborg and gives it a sense of will; this second Death's Head (editorially referred to as Death's Head II) gains a new sidekick called Tuck and helps the heroes of Earth-9939 defeat the monstrous Charnel and restore the timeline.
Black Axe #1-3 (1993)
First appearance of Black Axe; the immortal mercenary Black Axe is hired to shut down a Hydra operation, bringing him into conflict with Death's Head II.
Warheads #5-7 (1992)
First appearance of Che; first appearance of Anthony Grant as Audit; Death's Head II is hired by one of the inhabitants of Septimus Primo III to kill Colonel Tigon Liger; Death's Head and Tuck put their mission to kill Liger on hold when the find themselves fighting for their lives against an alien army; Death's Head and Tuck steal the Warheads' prize from under them.
Death's Head II #1-4 (1992-1993)
First appearance of Kite; Deaths Head and Tuck arrive on Earth-616 where they and the X-Men save Phaedra from Wraithchild.
First appearance of Kite; Deaths Head and Tuck arrive on Earth-616 where they and the X-Men save Phaedra from Wraithchild.
Mys-Tech Wars #1-2(pp.1-20) (1993)
Death's Head II #5(pp.1-19) (1993)
Warheads #11(pp.1-6) (1993)
Mys-Tech Wars #2(p.21) / Death's Head II #5(p.20) (1993) / Warheads #11(p.7) (1993)
Mys-Tech Wars #3(pp.1-10) (1993) / Warheads #11(pp.8-23) (1993)
Mys-Tech Wars #3(pp.11-20)-4 (1993)
First appearance of the Anti-Being and Earth-93031; Nick Fury discovers Mys-Tech's plan to control Earth by merging it with their Un-Earth; Dark Angel, Motormouth, Killpower, the Knights of Pendragon, Death's Head II and the Warheads join forces with the X-Men, Avengers, Fantastic Four, Hulk, Doctor Strange and more to put an end to their plan before reality is altered in Mys-Tech's favour during MYS-TECH WARS.
Warheads #11(pp.1-6) (1993)
Mys-Tech Wars #2(p.21) / Death's Head II #5(p.20) (1993) / Warheads #11(p.7) (1993)
Mys-Tech Wars #3(pp.1-10) (1993) / Warheads #11(pp.8-23) (1993)
Mys-Tech Wars #3(pp.11-20)-4 (1993)
First appearance of the Anti-Being and Earth-93031; Nick Fury discovers Mys-Tech's plan to control Earth by merging it with their Un-Earth; Dark Angel, Motormouth, Killpower, the Knights of Pendragon, Death's Head II and the Warheads join forces with the X-Men, Avengers, Fantastic Four, Hulk, Doctor Strange and more to put an end to their plan before reality is altered in Mys-Tech's favour during MYS-TECH WARS.
Death's Head returns to Lionheart to rescue Tuck from Major Oak; Death's Head II recalls killing the original Death's Head.
Battletide #1-4 (1992-1993)
First appearance of the Battletide and Termagaira; some of the most vicious warriors are transported to the world known as Colosseum to do battle and raise the living essence of warfare, the Battletide, from the Dark Citadel; Death's Head II and Killpower are among the candidates who discover Termagaira's true purpose for the Battletide; Dark Angel, Hercules, the Hulk, Psylocke, Sabretooth and Wolverine are among the combatants from Earth.
Battletide II #1-4 (1994)
The Battletide returns after having gained conscious awareness; Death's Head II and Killpower are recruited by the Temploids to oppose the Battletide which employs Termagaira and possesses the Hulk to fight back against them during PUMPING IRON.
First appearance of the Battletide and Termagaira; some of the most vicious warriors are transported to the world known as Colosseum to do battle and raise the living essence of warfare, the Battletide, from the Dark Citadel; Death's Head II and Killpower are among the candidates who discover Termagaira's true purpose for the Battletide; Dark Angel, Hercules, the Hulk, Psylocke, Sabretooth and Wolverine are among the combatants from Earth.
Battletide II #1-4 (1994)
The Battletide returns after having gained conscious awareness; Death's Head II and Killpower are recruited by the Temploids to oppose the Battletide which employs Termagaira and possesses the Hulk to fight back against them during PUMPING IRON.
Death's Head II #10-12 (1993)
Death's Head II & the Origin of Die-Cut #1-2 (1993)
First appearance of Die-Cut (Czorn Yson); the technophonic alien warrior Die-Cut clashes with cyborg mercenary Death's Head II, until the pair are forced to join forces against the evil artificial intelligence known as the Black Curator during PUMPING IRON.
Shadow Riders #1 (1993)
Death's Head II cameo; first appearance of the Shadow Riders; Death's Head tries to kill Rick Jones, mistaking him for his target Mick Jones; the Hulk intercepts Deaths Head and saves Rick.Knights of Pendragon #13-15 (1993)
The Knights of Pendragon return to Avalon where they clash with Death's Head II and Magpie before their final showdown with the Red Lord.
Dark Angel #13-16 (1993)
First appearance of Mys-Tech as the Techno-Wizards; Dark Angel upgrades her armour; in the aftermath of the Mys-Tech War, Mys-Tech regain their youth, rename themselves the Techno-Wizards and summon the Anti-Being; Dark Angel banishes the Anti-Being to the dimensional void with help from Death's Head and the Wyrd Sisters.
Motormouth & Killpower #12[1/2] (1993)
The Time Guardian observes Motormouth, Killpower and Death's Head II while they battle AIM's Metamorph during DARK GUARD.
Dark Guard #1-4 (1993-1994)
Death3 #1-4 (1993)
Death Metal #1 (1994)
First appearance of Death-Wreck and Death Metal; Death's Head II fights and eventually teams up with Dr Evelyn Necker's Minion prototype Death-Wreck, as well as his successor, the new Minion cyborg Death Metal when Charnel rises from the dead again during DEATH3.
First appearance of Death-Wreck and Death Metal; Death's Head II fights and eventually teams up with Dr Evelyn Necker's Minion prototype Death-Wreck, as well as his successor, the new Minion cyborg Death Metal when Charnel rises from the dead again during DEATH3.
Death's Head II recalls the key memories of the original Death's Head and, with help from the Galifreyan Timelord called the Doctor, realises he's met Death's Head before.
Death's Head II #13-14[1/2], 15 (1993-1994)
Death's Head and Tuck battle the Alkemist and his cyborgs on Mars.
Death-Wreck #1, 4 (1993)
Death's Head II cameo; the origin Dr Evelyn Necker's Minion prototype, Death-Wreck, accidentally bounces through time, affecting the life of his successor, Death's Head II, during DEATH3.
Death's Head and Tuck battle the Alkemist and his cyborgs on Mars.
Death-Wreck #1, 4 (1993)
Death's Head II cameo; the origin Dr Evelyn Necker's Minion prototype, Death-Wreck, accidentally bounces through time, affecting the life of his successor, Death's Head II, during DEATH3.
Death's Head #16 (1994)
Chronozone drags Death's Head into the future where he finds his own remains.
Death's Head #14[2/3] (1994)
Death's Head Gold #1 (1994)
Death's Head and Tuck face Major Oak's Ludite ally, General Cicatric, during THE NECROMACHIAD.
Note: Death's Head II #14 is a flip book with it's own secondary cover titles 'Death's Head II Gold #0'.
Death's Head and Tuck face Major Oak's Ludite ally, General Cicatric, during THE NECROMACHIAD.
Note: Death's Head II #14 is a flip book with it's own secondary cover titles 'Death's Head II Gold #0'.
Avengers Forever #11-12 (1999)
Death's Head II cameo; Deaths Head is among the warriors pulled from various points in time to fight in the Destiny War between Immortus and Kang.
Death's Head II cameo during CAST THE MAGIK.
Captain Britain and MI13 #15 (2009)
Death's Head II cameo; Death's Head fights alongside the super-agents of MI13 against Dracula and his army of vampires during VAMPIRE STATE.
Revolutionary War: Alpha #1 (2014)
Revolutionary War: Death's Head II #1 (2014)
Revolutionary War: Omega #1 (2014)
The UK heroes join forces again when the corrupted Killpower attempts to bring back Mys-Tech; Tuck hires Death's Head to save his future self, Death's Head II, from Dr Evelyn Necker; Death's Head and Death's Head II take down their true foe together; Death's Head and Death's Head II leave with Tuck when the war is over during REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
- Death's Head II (mini-series) #1-4
- Death's Head II #1-4
- Mys-Tech Wars #1-2
- Death's Head II #5
- Mys-Tech Wars #3-4
- Death's Head II #6-12
- Dark Guard #1-4
- Death's Head II #13-16
- Death's Head Gold #1
- Revolutionary War: Alpha #1
- Revolutionary War: Death's Head II #1
- Revolutionary War: Omega #1
Appearances of Death's Head II following 2015's SECRET WARS. I don't currently have plans to cover stories that take place after 2015. This isn't an era I'm familiar with and I don't know how much of it's actually worth picking up, so these entries are all in grey.
Notable multiversal versions of Death's Head II:
Marvel Comics Presents #6 (2019)
Death's Head II cameo; Death's Head, Nightwatch and Century catch up with Deadpool over coffee.
EARTH-8454:
What If #54 (1993)Death's Head survives his encounter with the Minion cyborg and returns with an amped up body to take the killing machine down.
See how Death's Head II's chronology fits in with the other Marvel UK titles with this reading order:
Knights of Pendragon Omnibus
Includes...
Dark Guard #1-4
Mys-Tech Wars #1-4
Dark Guard #1-4
Mys-Tech Wars #1-4
What about Deaths Head Gold #0? Great list, thanks for making some sense of this
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeff! Good spot!
DeleteI should have explained that 'Death's Head II Gold #0' appears as a flip book of Death's Head II #14 with it's own cover. I've now added a note to explain, so cheers for picking this up!
It'll all become clearer when I add an entry for THE NECROMACHIAD storyline (which, sadly, they never finished!)
Well, that’s a fun read. Thanks. You’d almost think we knew what we were doing back then when we put the early stories together! (I edited early issues Death’s Head II, up to January 1993). It’s strange seeing articles trying to make sense of our Marvel UK mischief.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to retroactively unpick them, John! Thanks for all the work you put into them! And drop us a message if you'd like to talk about some of those moments in a pod episode!
ReplyDelete