The original by @Joveus
Im suprised he or someone else hasnt reposted this and that it didnt get as much attention the first time as its amazing, im hoping we can get this updated since Gears 4 and the Rise of Raam comics have been release.
Ill gladly delete this and allow @Joveus to repost this and possibly update if it still interests him, i feel with so much effort, new comics and a new game coming up. It would be nice to keep this going.
Welcome to my playing / reading order timeline and guide for Gears of War. Perhaps you are looking to explore the narrative beyond the games, but don’t know where to start. Perhaps you want to play and read through the entire series chronologically, but cannot quite remember how everything fits together.
This thread is designed to provide information on the order, release dates, and chronology of the Gears of War games, books and comics.
For ease of navigation behold this mighty contents system I have created. Expect lists. Many lists.
[001] Frequently Asked Questions
[002] Games - Release order
[003] Games - Chronological order
[004] Books - Release order
[005] Books - Chronological order
[006] Comics - Individual issues release order
[007] Comics - Graphic Novels release order
[008] Comics - Chronological order
[009] Games + Books + Comics - Chronological order
[010] Games + Books + Comics - Recommended playing & reading order
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[001] Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where does [insert game / book / comic here] fit in the timeline?
A. Sections [003], [005] and [008] split the individual parts of the games, books and comics into chronological order. Section [009] combines these three smaller sections into one.
Q. Where can I get information on [insert game / book / comic name here]?
A. The titles of each game, book and comic in sections [002], [004] and [006] provide links to the Gears of War Wiki, where you can find more information on their contents.
Q. What do the dates before the names of games, books and comics mean?
A. Sections [002], [004], [006] and [010] organize the series by release order using the Julian calendar. Sections [003], [005], [008] and [009] are arranged chronologically using the (fictional) Seran calendar. Year 0 was Emergence Day. Working into the past from there uses the acronym B.E (Before Emergence) and moving to the future from there uses the acronym A.E (After Emergence).
Q. Who wrote [insert game here]?
A. The lead writer for Gears of War was Eric Nylund. Gears of War 2 had Joshua Ortega. Gears of War had Karen Traviss. The RAAM’s Shadow DLC was Joshua Ortega again. Judgment was co-written by Tom Bissell and Rob Auten.
Q. How many Gears of War books are there?
A. There are currently six books. The first five were written by Karen Traviss, the sixth by Rob Auten.
Q. How many Gears of War comics are there?
A. There are a total of 25 numbered issues and one unnumbered issue, collected into three volumes. Issues #01 to #14 were written by Joshua Ortega. Issues #15 to #24 were written by Karen Traviss. See section [007] to see which comics are contained in which volume.
Q. Haven’t I seen something like this before? Maybe on the Epic forums?
A. Probably. There have been a few different threads that take this idea to varying extremes. The different sections are designed to help people with vastly differing Gears knowledge, from the novice to the expert.
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[002] Gam es – Release order
Nov 7, 2006 — Gears of War
Nov 7, 2008 — Gears of War 2
Jul 28, 2009 — Gears of War 2 - Road to Ruin
Sep 20, 2011 — Gears of War 3
Dec 13, 2011 — Gears of War 3 - RAAM’s Shadow
Mar 19, 2013 — Judgment (+ Aftermath)
Aug 25, 2015 — Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
Oct 21, 2016 — Gears of War 4
There are currently five retail Gears of War games in the series, excluding variations of the original Gears of War which has four different versions available for console and PC. The first three games were released chronologically. Road to Ruin, part of the Dark Corners DLC for Gears of War 2, is a deleted scene taking place during Act 4. RAAM’s Shadow, DLC for Gears of War 3, is stated in-game to take place “Shortly after E-Day”. However, because of elements present throughout the other books and comics, the story can only really take place between 9 A.E and 10 A.E without causing consistency problems. Gears of War: Judgment is a prequel to the trilogy set three months after Emergence Day, but the game includes a final Act called Aftermath that takes place concurrently with Act 4 of Gears of War 3. Gears of War 4 is currently stated to take place twenty-five years after Gears of War 3, placing it at 42 A.E until more information becomes available.
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[003] Games – Chronological order
0 A.E — Judgment
10 A.E — Gears of War 3 – RAAM’s Shadow
14 A.E — Gears of War / Ultimate Edition
14 A.E — Gears of War 2 (+ Road to Ruin)
17 A.E — Gears of War 3 (+ Judgment – Aftermath)
42 A.E — Gears of War 4
Rearranging the games chronologically leaves the series looking like this. Simple enough to play, with the exception of interrupting Act 4 of Gears of War 2 to play the Road to Ruin DLC, and switching Gears of War 3 for Judgment when reaching Act 4 to play the Aftermath chapter. The Ultimate Edition of Gears of War includes five additional campaign chapters in Act 5, originally featured in the PC port.
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[004] Books – Release order
Oct 28, 2008 — Aspho Fields
Jul 28, 2009 — Jacinto’s Remnant
Aug 31, 2010 — Anvil Gate
Aug 2, 2011 — Coalition’s End
May 1, 2012 — The Slab
Mar 4, 2014 — Kilo Squad: The Survivor’s Log
There are currently six books in the Gears of War novel series. The first five are traditional third-person prose, the sixth is a first-person diary / art book that takes place in parallel with Gears of War: Judgment. Each of the first four books contains within the story a secondary narrative exploring a different important historical event in the world of Sera. In essence the first four books tell two stories; one in the present and one in the past. The Slab is unique among the first five books for presenting a dual narrative spanning five years.
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[005] Books – Chronological order
17 B.E — Anvil Gate (Chapters 5, 8, 11, 13, 17 & 19)
12-9 B.E — Aspho Fields (Chapter 3)
4 B.E — Aspho Fields (Chapter 5)
3 B.E — Aspho Fields (Chapters 6 & 7)
2 B.E — Aspho Fields (Chapters 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17 & 19)
0 B.E — Coalition’s End (Chapters 4, 7 & 11 (Cole segment))
0 A.E — Kilo Squad: The Survivor’s Log
0 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapters 11 (Dizzy and Bernie segments))
1 A.E — Jacinto’s Remnant (Chapters 3, 6, 9 (1st Dom segment))
1 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapter 14 (1st Dizzy segment))
1 A.E — Jacinto’s Remnant (Chapter 9 (Hoffman and 2nd Dom segments))
1 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapter 14 (Cole segment))
1 A.E — Jacinto’s Remnant (Chapter 13)
1 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapter 14 (2nd Dizzy segment))
1 A.E — Jacinto’s Remnant (Chapter 15)
1 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapter 17)
9 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapter 20)
10 A.E — The Slab (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6)
11 A.E — The Slab (Chapters 7, 8 & 9)
12 A.E — The Slab (Chapters 10, 11 & 12)
13 A.E — The Slab (Chapters 13, 14 & 15)
14 A.E — The Slab (Chapters 16, 17 & 18)
14 A.E — Aspho Fields (Chapters 1, 2, 4, 8, 11, 14, 18 & 20)
14 A.E — Jacinto’s Remnant (Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17 & 18)
15 A.E — Anvil Gate (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18 & 20)
15 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22 & 23)
Things begin to look a little bit messy here, but in truth it isn’t too bad. For the most part the past stories of the books do not overlap, with the exception of Kilo Squad: The Survivor’s Log which takes place midway through Chapter 11 of Coalition’s End, and Chapter 14 of Coalition’s End which takes place concurrently with Chapters 9 and 13 of Jacinto’s Remnant.
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[006] Comics – Individual issue release order
Oct 8, 2008 — #01 - Hollow Part One
Jan 1, 2009 — #02 - Hollow Part Two
Feb 1, 2009 — #03 - Hollow Part Three
Feb 11, 2009 — #04 - Hollow Part Four
Mar 25, 2009 — #05 - Hollow Part Five
Apr 29, 2009 — #06 - Hollow Part Six
May 20, 2009 — #07 - The Quickening
Jun 7, 2009 — #— - One Day
Jul 1, 2009 — #08 - Harper’s Story
Jul 22, 2009 — #09 - Barren Part One
Nov 4, 2009 — #10 - Barren Part Two
Jan 20, 2010 — #11 - Barren Part Three
Jun 30, 2010 — #12 - Barren Part Four
Aug 11, 2010 — #13 - Barren Part Five
Oct 27, 2010 — #14 - Midnight
Dec 29, 2010 — #15 - They Also Serve
Mar 16, 2011 — #16 - Unseen
Jun 15, 2011 — #17 - Unsaid
Jul 27, 2011 — #18 - Promise Me
Aug 24, 2011 — #19 - Dirty Little Secrets
Oct 26, 2011 — #20 - Dirty Little Secrets Part Two - Never Forgive, Never Forget
Dec 28, 2011 — #21 - Dirty Little Secrets Part Three - Need to Know
Feb 29, 2012 — #22 - Dirty Little Secrets Part Four - Diaspora
Apr 25, 2012 — #23 - Dirty Little Secrets Part Five - Keyhole
Jun 27, 2012 — #24 - Dirty Little Secrets Part Six - No Hiding Place
The Gears of War comic series covered twenty-four issues before it ended and these were collected into three graphic novel volumes. The unnumbered issue “One Day” was originally included in the Gears of War: Sourcebook before being collected together with the Hollow story arc in Book One. Issues #16, #15, #17, #18 and #08 were included as unlockables in Gears of War: Ultimate Edition.
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[007] Comics – Graphic Novel collection order
Oct 21, 2009 — Book One
14 A.E — #01 – Hollow Part One
14 A.E — #02 – Hollow Part Two
14 A.E — #03 – Hollow Part Three
14 A.E — #04 – Hollow Part Four
14 A.E — #05 – Hollow Part Five
14 A.E — #06 – Hollow Part Six
14 A.E — #— – One Day
Feb 16, 2011 — Book Two
14 A.E — #09 – Barren #1
14 A.E — #10 – Barren #2
14 A.E — #11 – Barren #3
14 A.E — #12 – Barren #4
14 A.E — #13 – Barren #5
14 A.E — #07 – The Quickening
14 A.E — #08 – Harper’s Story
Jan 9, 2013 — Book Three
14 A.E — #19 – Dirty Little Secrets
14 A.E — #20 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Two – Never Forgive, Never Forget
15 A.E — #21 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Three– Need to Know
15 A.E — #22 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Four – Diaspora
15 A.E — #23 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Five – Keyhole
17 A.E — #24 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Six – No Hiding Place
14 A.E — #14 – Midnight
17 B.E — #15 – They Also Serve
17 B.E — #16 – Unseen
4 B.E — #17 – Unsaid
0 B.E — #18 – Promise Me
Chronologically, the first two books have collected issues #01 to #13 correctly. While #07 and #08 are presented after the Barren arc, these stories do take place later and run concurrently with the events of Gears of War 2. Book Three is all over the place with it’s issue placement. #14 takes place between #13 and #07, and should have been included with Book Two. The four Pendulum War issues are also placed at the end of the collection, despite having been published and taking place before the Dirty Little Secrets arc.
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[008] Comics – Chronological order
17 B.E — #15 – They Also Serve
17 B.E — #16 – Unseen
4 B.E — #17 – Unsaid
0 B.E — #18 – Promise Me
14 A.E — #01 – Hollow Part One
14 A.E — #02 – Hollow Part Two
14 A.E — #03 – Hollow Part Three
14 A.E — #04 – Hollow Part Four
14 A.E — #05 – Hollow Part Five
14 A.E — #06 – Hollow Part Six
14 A.E — #— – One Day
14 A.E — #09 – Barren Part One
14 A.E — #10 – Barren Part Two
14 A.E — #11 – Barren Part Three
14 A.E — #12 – Barren Part Four
14 A.E — #13 – Barren Part Five
14 A.E — #14 – Midnight
14 A.E — #07 – The Quickening
14 A.E — #08 – Harper’s Story
14 A.E — #19 – Dirty Little Secrets
14 A.E — #20 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Two – Never Forgive, Never Forget
15 A.E — #21 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Three – Need to Know
15 A.E — #22 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Four – Diaspora
15 A.E — #23 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Five – Keyhole
17 A.E — #24 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Six – No Hiding Place
#— “One Day”, #07 “The Quickening” and #14 “Midnight” are unique among the comics for presenting a frame narrative and including a flashback. For #— “One Day” this flashback takes place in 0 A.E, on E-Day, after issue #18. For #07 “The Quickening” this takes place in 4 B.E after issue #17 and for #14 “Midnight” Jace’s story takes place in the year 14 A.E between issues #18 and #01. #08 Harper’s Story begins before #01 and runs concurrently with the Hollow and Barren arcs.
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[009] Games + Books + Comics chronological order
17 B.E — Anvil Gate (Chapters 5, 8, 11, 13 & 17)
17 B.E — #15 – They Also Serve
17 B.E — Anvil Gate (Chapter 19)
17 B.E — #16 – Unseen
12-9 B.E — Aspho Fields (Chapter 3)
4 B.E — Aspho Fields (Chapter 5)
4 B.E — #17 – Unsaid
3 B.E — Aspho Fields (Chapters 6 & 7)
2 B.E — Aspho Fields (Chapters 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17 & 19)
0 B.E — #18 – Promise Me
0 B.E — Coalition’s End (Chapters 4, 7 & 11 (Cole segment))
0 A.E — Judgment / Kilo Squad: The Survivor’s Log
0 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapters 11 (Dizzy and Bernie segments))
1 A.E — Jacinto’s Remnant (Chapters 3, 6, 9 (1st Dom segment))
1 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapter 14 (1st Dizzy segment))
1 A.E — Jacinto’s Remnant (Chapter 9 (Hoffman and 2nd Dom segments))
1 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapter 14 (Cole segment))
1 A.E — Jacinto’s Remnant (Chapter 13)
1 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapter 14 (2nd Dizzy segment))
1 A.E — Jacinto’s Remnant (Chapter 15)
1 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapter 17)
9 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapter 20)
10 A.E — Gears of War 3 – RAAM’s Shadow
10 A.E — The Slab (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6)
11 A.E — The Slab (Chapters 7, 8 & 9)
12 A.E — The Slab (Chapters 10, 11 & 12)
13 A.E — The Slab (Chapters 13, 14 & 15)
14 A.E — The Slab (Chapters 16, 17 & 18)
14 A.E — Gears of War
14 A.E — Aspho Fields (Chapters 1, 2, 4, 8, 11, 14, 18 & 20)
14 A.E — #01 – Hollow Part One
14 A.E — #02 – Hollow Part Two
14 A.E — #03 – Hollow Part Three
14 A.E — #04 – Hollow Part Four
14 A.E — #05 – Hollow Part Five
14 A.E — #06 – Hollow Part Six
14 A.E — #— – One Day
14 A.E — #09 – Barren Part One
14 A.E — #10 – Barren Part Two
14 A.E — #11 – Barren Part Three
14 A.E — #12 – Barren Part Four
14 A.E — #13 – Barren Part Five
14 A.E — #14 – Midnight
14 A.E — Gears of War 2 (+ Road to Ruin) / #07 – The Quickening / #08 – Harper’s Story
14 A.E — #19 – Dirty Little Secrets
14 A.E — Jacinto’s Remnant (Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17 & 18)
15 A.E — Anvil Gate (Chapters 1, 2 & 3)
14 A.E — #20 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Two – Never Forgive, Never Forget
15 A.E — Anvil Gate (Chapters 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18 & 20)
15 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18 & 19)
15 A.E — #21 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Three – Need to Know
15 A.E — Coalition’s End (Chapters 21, 22 & 23)
15 A.E — #22 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Four – Diaspora
15 A.E — #23 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Five – Keyhole
17 A.E — #24 – Dirty Little Secrets Part Six – No Hiding Place
17 A.E — Gears of War 3 / Judgment – Aftermath
42 A.E — Gears of War 4
Kilo Squad: The Survivor’s Log starts shortly after E-Day, runs concurrently with Coalition’s End Chapter 11 (Cole segment), continues through the events of Gears of War: Judgment and ends before Coalition’s End Chapter 11 (Dizzy segment). Comic issues #07 “The Quickening” and #08 “Harper’s Story” take place concurrently with Gears of War 2. The first four parts of “Dirty Little Secrets” run concurrently with the events of “Jacinto’s Remnant”, “Anvil Gate” and “Coalition’s End”.
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[010] Games + Books + Comics – Recommended playing & reading order
Aug 25, 2015 — Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
Oct 28, 2008 — Aspho Fields
Oct 21, 2009 — Book One (Hollow & One Day)
Feb 16, 2011 — Book Two (Barren, The Quickening & Harper’s Story)
Nov 7, 2008 — Gears of War 2 (+ Road to Ruin)
Jul 28, 2009 — Jacinto’s Remnant
Aug 31, 2010 — Anvil Gate
Aug 2, 2011 — Coalition’s End
Sep 20, 2011 — Gears of War 3 (+ RAAM’s Shadow)
May 1, 2012 — The Slab
Jan 9, 2013 — Book Three (Dirty Little Secrets, Midnight, They Also Serve, Unseen, Unsaid & Promise Me)
Mar 19, 2013 — Judgment (+ Aftermath)
Mar 4, 2014 — Kilo Squad: The Survivor’s Log
Oct 21, 2016 — Gears of War 4
So after seeing how complicated the series chronology can be, with the events of the games, books and comics often overlapping or jumping across 34 years of history, where do you start? This is my personal recommended order for someone who is new to the series, or someone who has only played the games and is looking to try the books and comics. You may notice this list is neither ordered by release date or chronology, but it does present the easiest way to enjoy the story to its fullest. It does come with a few notes worth mentioning, however;
- The Ultimate Edition of Gears of War has been included here instead of the original, as it includes additional campaign content.
- While most of Book Two takes place before Gears of War 2, “The Quickening” and “Harper’s Story” may be considered spoilers if read before playing the game.
- The Slab takes place before Gears of War, but reveals important plot points that would quickly spoil the series for anybody who is looking to explore the mysteries.
- Book Three is also placed after Gears of War 3 for the same reason. “Dirty Little Secrets” would spoil the game if read first, despite taking place before it.
- Judgment and “The Survivor’s Log” take place shortly after E-Day, but the presence of Aftermath would make Judgment a confusing place to start for a novice.
Comments and queries are always welcome.