The Birthright Universe Reading Order

Mike Resnick’s sprawling future history.

The short stories and novels take place across a span of time from the late nineteenth century to tens of thousands of years into the future. Resnick has grouped them into five eras, with a few stories falling at either end of those.

Note: collections marked * are not solely collections of Resnick’s writings.

Before the Galactic Empire

The Hunter
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 1885 CE.
Himself
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 1898 CE.
Sideshow
Novel, book 1 of Tales of the Galactic Midway, set in 1982 CE.
The Three-Legged Hootch Dancer
Novel, book 2 of Tales of the Galactic Midway, set in 1983 CE.
The Wild Alien Tamer
Novel, book 3 of Tales of the Galactic Midway, set in 1985 CE.
The Best Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gunslinger in the Whole Damned Galaxy
Novel, book 4 of Tales of the Galactic Midway, set in 1987 CE.
The Politician
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 2057 CE.
Shaka II
Novella, set in 2403 CE.

Republic Era

All dates from this point onward are given as Galactic Era (GE) years.
For conversion purposes, 1 GE is the same year as 2908 CE.
The Curator
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 2924 CE / 16 GE.
The Homecoming
Short Story in “Win Some, Lose Some“, set in 103 GE.
The Pioneers
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 264 GE.
The Cartographers
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 332 GE.
Walpurgis III
Novel, set in 346 GE.
Eros Ascending
Novel, book 1 of Tales of the Velvet Comet, set in 367 GE.
The Miners
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 396 GE.
Eros at Zenith
Novel, book 2 of Tales of the Velvet Comet, set in 401 GE.
Eros Descending
Novel, book 3 of Tales of the Velvet Comet, set in 442 GE.
Eros at Nadir
Novel, book 4 of Tales of the Velvet Comet, set in 465 GE.
All the Things You Are
Short Story in “Win Some, Lose Some“, set in 522 GE.
The Psychologists
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 588 GE.
A Miracle of Rare Design
Novel, set in 616 GE.
The Potentate
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 882 GE.
The Merchants
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 962 GE.
Cobbling Together a Solution
Short Story in “Amazing Stories Magazine, October 2004*“, set in 1150 GE.
Nowhere in Particular
Short Story in “Amazing Stories Magazine, January 2005*“, set in 1151 GE.
The God Biz
Short Story in “Voices For the Cure*“, set in 1152 GE.
Keepsakes
Short Story in “New Dreams for Old“, set in 1394 GE.
The Artist
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 1701 GE.
Paradise
Novel, book 1 of Chronicles of Distant Worlds, set in 1813-1902 GE.
Purgatory
Novel, book 2 of Chronicles of Distant Worlds, set in 1826 GE.
Inferno
Novel, book 3 of Chronicles of Distant Worlds, set in 1921 GE.
Starship: Mutiny
Novel, book 1 of Starship, set in 1966 GE.
Starship: Pirate
Novel, book 2 of Starship, set in 1967 GE.
Starship: Mercenary
Novel, book 3 of Starship, set in 1968 GE.
Starship: Rebel
Novel, book 4 of Starship, set in 1969 GE.
Starship: Flagship
Novel, book 5 of Starship, set in 1970 GE.

Democracy

The 43 Antarean Dynasties
Short Story in “New Dreams for Old“, set in 2122 GE.
The Diplomats
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 2154 GE.
Monuments of Flesh and Stone
Short Story in “Visual Journeys: A Tribute to Space Artists*“, set in 2239 GE.
The Olympians
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 2275 GE.
The Barristers
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 2469 GE.
Robots Don’t Cry
Short Story in “New Dreams for Old“, set in 2885 GE.
The Medics
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 2911 GE.
The Politicians
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 3004 GE.
The Gambler
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 3402 GE.
Santiago: a Myth of the Far Future
Novel, book 1 of Santiago, set in 3286 GE.
A Hunger in the Soul
Novel, set in 3322 GE.
The Soul Eater
Novel, set in 3324 GE.
Nicobar Lane: The Soul Eater’s Story
Short Story in “Dreamwish Beasts and Snarks“, set in 3324 GE.
The Return of Santiago
Novel, book 2 of Santiago, set in 3407 GE.
Soothsayer
Novel, book 1 of The Oracle Trilogy, set in 3427 GE.
Oracle
Novel, book 2 of The Oracle Trilogy, set in 3441 GE.
Prophet
Novel, book 3 of The Oracle Trilogy, set in 3447 GE.
Guardian Angel
Short Story in “Masters of the Galaxy“, set in 3502 GE.
A Locked-Planet Mystery
Short Story in “Masters of the Galaxy“, set in 3504 GE.
Honorable Enemies
Short Story in “Masters of the Galaxy“, set in 3504 GE.
If the Frame Fits…
Short Story in “Masters of the Galaxy“, set in 3505 GE.
Real Jake
Short Story in “Masters of the Galaxy“, set in 3505 GE.
Hunting the Snark
Short Story in “Dreamwish Beasts and Snarks“, set in 3719 GE.
The Fortress in Orion
Novel, book 1 of Dead Enders, set in 4026 GE.
The Prison in Antares
Novel, book 2 of Dead Enders, set in 4027 GE.
The Castle in Cassiopeia
Novel, book 3 of Dead Enders, set in 4028 GE.
The Graverobber
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 4375 GE.

Oligarchy

The Administrators
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 4822 GE.
The Dark Lady
Novel, set in 4839 GE.
The Widowmaker
Novel, book 1 of Widowmaker, set in 5101 GE.
The Widowmaker Reborn
Novel, book 2 of Widowmaker, set in 5103 GE.
The Widowmaker Unleashed
Novel, book 3 of Widowmaker, set in 5106 GE.
A Gathering of Widowmakers
Novel, book 4 of Widowmaker, set in 5108 GE.
The Media
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 5461 GE.
The Artists
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 5492 GE.
The Warlord
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 5521 GE.
The Thief
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 5730 GE.
The Biochemists
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 5655 GE.
The Warlords
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 5912 GE.
The Conspirators
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 5993 GE.

Monarchy

Ivory
Short Story in “Ivory“, set in 4375 GE.
The Rulers
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 6321 GE.
The Symbiotics
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 6400 GE.
Catastrophe Baker and the Cold Equations
Short Story in “Golden Age SF: Tales of a Bygone Future*“, set in 6521 GE.
The Outpost
Novel, set in 6523 GE.
Catastrophe Baker and a Canticle for Leibowitz
Short Story in “The New Space Opera 2*“, set in 6524 GE.
The Philosophers
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 6599 GE.
The Architects
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 6746 GE.
The Collectors
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 6962 GE.
The Rebels
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 7019 GE.

Anarchy

The Archaeologists
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 16201 GE.
The Priests
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 16673 GE.
The Pacifists
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 16888 GE.
The Destroyers
Short Story in “Birthright: The Book of Man“, set in 17001 GE.

After the Galactic Empire

Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge
Novella, set in 21703 CE.

The Hotel Transylvania Viewing Order

Hotel Transylvania: The Series, season one
Tv series prequel
Hotel Transylvania: The Series, season two
Tv series prequel
Goodnight Mr. Foot
The 2012 short feature
Hotel Transylvania
The 2012 film
Hotel Transylvania 2
The 2015 film
Puppy!
The 2017 short feature
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
The 2018 film
Monster Pets
The 2021 short feature
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
The 2022 film

The Watchmen Television Chronology

Who watches the Watchmen?

This chronology contains the portions of the Watchmen franchise which are considered canonical to the television series. If you’re looking for the universe of the “Before Watchmen” comics, go here.

Watchmen #1 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #2 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #3 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #4 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #5 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #6 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #7 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #8 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #9 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #10 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #11 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen #12 Watchmen: The Deluxe Edition
Watchmen, episode 1 [1] Watchmen: The Television Series
Watchmen, episode 2 Watchmen: The Television Series
Watchmen, episode 3 Watchmen: The Television Series
Watchmen, episode 4 Watchmen: The Television Series
Watchmen, episode 5 Watchmen: The Television Series
Watchmen, episode 6 Watchmen: The Television Series
Watchmen, episode 7 Watchmen: The Television Series
Watchmen, episode 8 Watchmen: The Television Series
Watchmen, episode 9 Watchmen: The Television Series
Rorschach #1 [2] Rorschach
Rorschach #2 Rorschach
Rorschach #3 Rorschach
Rorschach #4 Rorschach
Rorschach #5 Rorschach
Rorschach #6 Rorschach
Rorschach #7 Rorschach
Rorschach #8 Rorschach
Rorschach #9 Rorschach
Rorschach #10 Rorschach
Rorschach #11 Rorschach
Rorschach #12 Rorschach

Notes:

  1. The television series is set 34 years after the events of the original comics.
  2. Begins a year after the conclusion of the television series.

The Big Trouble in Little China Chronology

The adventures of Jack Burton in John Carpenter’s classic eighties action comedy and its continuations.

Big Trouble in Little China
the original film
Big Trouble in Little China, vol.1: The Hell of the Midnight Road & the Ghosts of Storms
graphic novel
Big Trouble in Little China: vol.2: The Return of Lo Pan & How Jack Burton Became King of the Lords of Death
graphic novel
Big Trouble in Little China, vol.3: Jack Burton in the Hell of No Return
graphic novel
Big Trouble in Little China, vol.4: I Hate The ’80s!
graphic novel
Big Trouble in Little China, vol.5: Big Trouble in Little Heaven
graphic novel
Big Trouble in Little China, vol.6: Old Trouble in Little China
graphic novel
Big Trouble in Little China: Big Trouble in Mother Russia
illustrated novel
Big Trouble in Little China / Escape From New York
graphic novel – possibly not canonical, but too much fun not to include.
crosses over with the Escape From New York Chronology.
Big Trouble in Little China: Old Man Jack, vol.1
graphic novel
Big Trouble in Little China: Old Man Jack, vol.2
graphic novel
Big Trouble in Little China: Old Man Jack, vol.3
graphic novel

The Escape From New York Chronology

The adventures of Snake Plissken in John Carpenter’s great dystopian future and its continuations.

Escape From New York
The original film
Escape From New York, vol.1
graphic novel
Escape From New York, vol.2
graphic novel
Escape From New York, vol.3
graphic novel
Escape From New York, vol.4
graphic novel
Big Trouble in Little China / Escape From New York
graphic novel – possibly not canonical, but too much fun not to include.
crosses over with the Big Trouble in Little China Chronology.
Escape From L.A.
The sequel film

The Orville Chronology


A loving homage to Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The Orville, Season 1
The first season on DVD
The Orvile: Season 1.5 – New Beginnings
graphic novel
The Orville, Season 2
The second season on DVD
The Orvile: Season 2.5 – Launch Day
graphic novel
The Orvile: Season 2.5 – Digressions
graphic novel
The Orville, Season 3, episodes 1-8
The third season in digital format
The Orville: Sympathy for the Devil
ebook
The Orville, Season 3, episodes 9-10
The third season in digital format

The Pre-Crisis DCU – Earth Prime

The real earth, on which you and I live. Or do we?

Please note that this chronology includes only appearances of Earth Prime itself, and does not track appearances of characters originating there on other Earths.

“Fact or Fiction? You be the Judge!”
Reprinted in Flash: The Greatest Stories Ever Told, original publication in The Flash #179, May 1968.
“The Day I Saved the Life of the Flash”
Not reprinted, original publication in The Flash #228, July-August 1974.
“Where On Earth Am I?” & “Avenging Ghosts of the Justice Society!”
Reprinted in Justice League of America: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2, original publication in Justice League of America #123 & 124, October & November 1975.
“Earth’s First and Last Super-Hero!”
Reprinted in Justice League of America: The Wedding of the Atom and Jean Loring, original publication in Justice League of America #153, April 1978.
“Bat-Mite’s New York Adventure”
Printed in World’s Funnest, original publication in Detective Comics #482, March 1979.
“A Titanic Tale of Titans’ Tomfoolery!”
Reprinted in New Teen Titans Archives, vol.3, originally printed in New Teen Titans #20, June 1982.
“Crisis on Earth Prime”, consisting of “The ‘Mystery Men’ of October”, “Crisis Times Three”, “Master of Worlds and Time”, “The Bomb-Blast Heard ‘Round the World!” & “Let Old Acquaintances Be Forgot”
Reprinted in Crisis on Multiple Earths, vol.6, original publication in All Star Squadron #14 & 15, October & November 1982 and Justice League of America #207, 208 & 209, October, November & December 1982.
“Bat-Mite Speaks His Mind”
Printed in World’s Funnest, original publication in The Brave and the Bold #200, July 1983.
“Born on the Fourth of July”
Not reprinted, original publication in DC Comics Presents #62, October 1983.
“$ellout or Manna from Mando”
Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Ambush Bug, original publication in Action Comics #565, March 1985.
“Last Imp Standing”
Printed in World’s Funnest, original publication in Superman and Batman: World’s Funnest, January 2001.
“The Last Earth-Prime Story”
Not reprinted, original publication in Superman #411, September 1985.
“The Origin of Superboy-Prime!” & “Year of the Comet”
Reprinted in Crisis on Infinite Earths Companion Deluxe, vol.3, original publication in DC Comics Presents #87, November 1985.
The Pre-Crisis Earth Prime was reported destroyed in the Crisis on Infinite Earths shortly after this story.

The Saw Chronology

The twisty, gory horror film series that brought splatter back

Saw: Rebirth
Prequel comic published in 2005, possibly non-canon
Saw
The 2004 movie on Bluray
Saw: The Video Game
The 2009 game for PS3; also available for Xbox 360
Saw II: Flesh and Blood
The 2010 game for PS3; also available for Xbox 360
Saw X
The 202 movie on Bluray
Saw II
The 2005 movie on Bluray
Saw III
The 2006 movie on Bluray
Saw IV
The 2007 movie on Bluray
Saw V
The 2008 movie on Bluray
Saw VI
The 2009 movie on Bluray
Saw 3D / Saw: The Final Chapter
The 2010 movie on Bluray
Jigsaw
The 2017 movie on Bluray
Spiral
The 2021 film on Bluray

The Old Man’s War Reading Order

John Scalzi’s brilliant military scifi series.

Old Man’s War
Novel published 2005
Questions for a Soldier
Short story published 2005
The Ghost Brigades
Novel published 2006
The Sagan Diary
Short story published 2007
The Last Colony
Novel published 2007
Zoe’s Tale
Novel published 2008
After the Coup
Short story published 2008, collected in The Human Division
The Human Division
Novel published 2013
Hafte Sorvalh Eats a Churro and Speaks to the Youth of Today
Short story published 2013, collected in The Human Division
The End of All Things
Novel published 2015