Marvel Recommendations Megathread

[CrazyOldHermit]

I was thinking of DD since I've read every Dd before it, reborn and shadowlands just kinda put me off him.

Waid's DD will put you back on him, trust me.

[turtlefood]

I was thinking of DD since I've read every Dd before it, reborn and shadowlands just kinda put me off him.

daredevil is fun now instead of angry with poor plotting

[andthegunslinger]

I think you'd like Daredevil. It's really good righ tnow. You can start from issue #10.1 or #1 (the first 10 are great so it might be worth going back but I think 10.1 is the start of smething new.)

[Candid Rook]

So I'm quite new at the Hulk universe. I've read a little bit about watched some movies but that's it.

I'm interested in reading more of his story but I do not know where to star.

I've seen a lot of post through the web talking about planet Hulk and WWH.
Giving my lack of knowledge about the character, Should I start with Planet Hulk or should I drop in somewhere else before that?

Thanks for any advice you can give me...

Planet Hulk is pretty much self contained and a good starting point. All you really need to know about it beforehand is that Hulk was exiled into space by a select group of superhero's called the illuminati. WWH follows pretty much directly after Planet Hulk. If you want some best of suggestions then Peter David's run on Hulk comes highly recommended by fans. Jason Aaron has just started his Incredible Hulk run and its just had a point one issue with #7.1 this month, which would be a good jumping on point for a new reader.

I'm looking for new titles to start. I currently read all the Ultimate COmics, amazing spiderman, scarlet spider, WarX, Uncanny x-force, VENOM!, and planning on starting Secret Avengers at 21.1. I used to read Iron man till stark reslilient vol 2, Thor until ot became Mighty Thor and Journey. Cap until Bucky went on trail, DD till Issue 1 of the new series, Remenders Punisher, and started reading Aaron's Hulk but stopped at 5. On the DC side I read Batman, Red Hood, and American Vampire. And on IDw side I read Nonja Turtles and Transformers Autocracy. Thought I'd include those so people get a idea of what kinda titles I like. ThanksOh I am also restricted to the Titles in Comixology

I recommend Greg Rucka and Marco Chechetto's Punisher run. Its a great book which has just had a crossover with Daredevil and Avenging Spider-man so you could jump on with #11. which is the first issue after this crossover. Mark Waids run on Daredevil is being praised non-stop by fans so if you like the character then don't let Shadowland put you off and jump back on. Issue #12 picks up right after the Omega Effect crossover so its a good opportunity to check out the book. If you like Bucky then you should pick up Winter Soldier by Ed Brubaker. This has only started a few months ago so you can still jump on relatively early.

[Yeyo6]

Planet Hulk is pretty much self contained and a good starting point. All you really need to know about it beforehand is that Hulk was exiled into space by a select group of superhero's called the illuminati. WWH follows pretty much directly after Planet Hulk. If you want some best of suggestions then Peter David's run on Hulk comes highly recommended by fans. Jason Aaron has just started his Incredible Hulk run and its just had a point one issue with #7.1 this month, which would be a good jumping on point for a new reader.


I recommend Greg Rucka and Marco Chechetto's Punisher run. Its a great book which has just had a crossover with Daredevil and Avenging Spider-man so you could jump on with #11. which is the first issue after this crossover. Mark Waids run on Daredevil is being praised non-stop by fans so if you like the character then don't let Shadowland put you off and jump back on. Issue #12 picks up right after the Omega Effect crossover so its a good opportunity to check out the book. If you like Bucky then you should pick up Winter Soldier by Ed Brubaker. This has only started a few months ago so you can still jump on relatively early.

So if I start with planet hulk I should be ok? Won't I be missing some important information or happenings?
And wich issues do you mean of Peter David? He has like a lot of them :S from 1968

[Beacon]

So if I start with planet hulk I should be ok? Won't I be missing some important information or happenings?
And wich issues do you mean of Peter David? He has like a lot of them :S from 1968

While it is arguably the definitive take on the character, Peter David’s Hulk run is massive. It includes most of #328-467 in volume one, issues #77-87* from volume 2, and assorted tie-ins, crossovers, annuals, minis**, and a novel (“What Savage Beast” is in continuity until someone can prove to me that it isn’t). They’ve been slowly collecting it in trades.

*Not nearly as good as his first run.
**The two issue “Future Imperfect” is the big one.

I though Paul Jenkins’ run (vol 2 #12-32) was really underrated but unfortunately the trade for the second half (Past Perfect) was only just published even though the first (Dogs of War) has been out of print for a decade.

Greg Pak’s run – which started with Planet Hulk – is pretty great too. It’s recent enough that the collections should be relatively easy to find.

Honestly, you might want to just start with the first issue of the current run. I’ve yet to read any of Jason Aaron’s Hulk but i hear it’s a pretty good jumping-on point.

[Muldwych]

I get twenty five Marvel titles (i know its not loads) and i will tell you all my favourite two are X-Factor and Daredevil.

Cannot speak highly enough of this titles and they are both at the cheap scale as well.

[Bernoulli]

I ordered Hulk 50# and New Mutants 41#, because they should be good Jumping Points. I wonder how they will be.

[dbcb314]

I need to do some reading on Thanos... is the infinity gauntlet the only thing I really need to read or is there some more stuff out there that is imperative?

[JaHawk2009]

Okay, so I've been getting into comics gradually over the last year or so, and it suddenly hit me how little Marvel I've read, so I'm looking for recommendations for a newbie - nothing too obscure or irrelevant, just the core 'classics' to get me going.

I've already read 'Amazing Spider-Man: Coming Home', 'Uncanny X-Men: Dark Phoenix' and I'm currently reading the Avengers vs X-Men series as it is released.

In theory, I'm interested in Spider-Man, X-Men (with familiar characters like Cyclops or Wolverine, etc) and Avengers (again, preferably with familiar characters; Cap, Thor, Iron Man, etc.) and anything else relating to them that is a great read. Also kind of interested in Ultimate, but not too sure if that's a good place to start.

Any advice or recommendations would be hugely appreciated!

[Corey W]

Okay, so I've been getting into comics gradually over the last year or so, and it suddenly hit me how little Marvel I've read, so I'm looking for recommendations for a newbie - nothing too obscure or irrelevant, just the core 'classics' to get me going.

I've already read 'Amazing Spider-Man: Coming Home', 'Uncanny X-Men: Dark Phoenix' and I'm currently reading the Avengers vs X-Men series as it is released.

In theory, I'm interested in Spider-Man, X-Men (with familiar characters like Cyclops or Wolverine, etc) and Avengers (again, preferably with familiar characters; Cap, Thor, Iron Man, etc.) and anything else relating to them that is a great read. Also kind of interested in Ultimate, but not too sure if that's a good place to start.

Any advice or recommendations would be hugely appreciated!

Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong. Nine year olds jump in all the time and just pick up whatever is on the rack, read it without knowing the characters, and two months later they are hooked like junkies. Adults, IMO, tend to overthink "how to get started" in things.

But, if you want to be scientific about it and money isn't an issue, I would recommend starting with some of the recent acknowledged classic runs that are widely loved and available on Amazon or at any comic shop. Older runs are great, but the language is often dated and turns off some new readers.

In the past 10 years, the following runs have been very popular and/or praised, and (as you requested) have familiar characters:

1.) Ed Brubaker's Captain America: Critical darling, loved by fans (at least for the first 50+ issues) and one of the seminal runs on Cap.

2.) Brian M. Bendis's Daredevil: Bendis tends to be controversial, particularly on comic message boards. But everyone loves his Daredevil. That should tell you somthing. It is one of the great runs on the character.

3.) Brian M. Bendis's Ultimate Spider-man: Even people who hate the existence of the Ultimate Universe and dislike Bendis's Avengers loved this series.

4.) J. M. Straczynski's Thor: Brought Thor back to life, put Asgard in Oklahoma, and it was awesome.

5.) Greg Pak's Incredible Hulk: One of the great Hulk runs of all time highlighted by the 12 part "Planet Hulk".

Ongoing runs that I recommend:

1.) Mark Waid's Daredevil: Mark Waid is beloved by long term comic readers because he "gets" the charcters. His current run on DD is only 11 issues old, but is highly praised.

2.) Ed Brubaker's Cap: Still going.

3.) Hickman's FF: Terrific Fantastic Four run but a bit heavy on FF history. You didn't mention the FF above, so maybe you aren't a fan, but I would give it a go.

Runs to recommend if you are brave:

Brian M. Bendis's Avengers in all its variety (or lack thereof): Bendis has been the voice of the Avengers for the past 8 years. It is highly controversial among long-term fans because many long time Avengers were killed, written out of the book, or underwent major personality overhauls. However, it is the first time in decades that Avengers has been Marvel's lead team book so someone likes it. I would start with the first arc of New Avengers Vol. 1, which was entitled "Breakout", see if I liked it and then keep going if I did.

Grant Morrison's X-Men: Morrison is the current ruler of the comic creator mountain. Critically adored and loved by fans. But his X-Men run was less loved. Some called it derivative of Claremont's, some thought it ended badly, some thought it regressed Magneto by decades, but some loved it (including me). I would find the first arc and try it.

Joss Whedon's X-Men: Yes, he also writes comics. Some liked this run, some didn't.

The Big Events: These tend to sell a lot of issues while being panned by critics and fans. People seem to read them because they have to. I tend to like them, but I seem to be in the minority on this board. Civil War is essential reading to understand Marvel of the last 10 years. Probably House of M as well. The rest you could take or leave as looks interesting.

Slightly older runs worth checking out:

1.) Kurt Busiek's Avengers: In 1998, Kurt Busiek started one of the all-time great Avengers runs and it lasted about 5 years. It, if you include JLA v. Avengers and Avengers Forever, contained the best Ultron story, the two best Kang Stories, and the second best Marvel/DC cross-over ever put together. It also had great character work with "classic" Avengers such as the Wasp, the Scarlet Witch, the Vision, and others.

2.) Mark Waid's Captain America: My prediction is that it will not be as referenced as Brubaker's Cap in the future, but it was a great run and is well-loved.

3.) Walt Simonson's Thor: From the 80s but still widely available and it reads fresh. Many consider it the best Thor run.

4.) Frank Miller's Daredevil: The Modern comic book era basically started with this run. By the same author who wrote the Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year 1, Sin City, 300, and others. It is almost universally regarded as the best DD run and introduced Elektra and Bullseye.

5.) "Classic" storylines: It sounds like you are mostly interested in the X-Men and the Avengers. For both teams and their individual members who have titles, the major storylines have been largely collected and are available. Browse around. For the Avengers, the must have "classic" tales are often considered to be "Under Siege" by Roger Stern and Steve Engelhart's "Korvac Saga". For the X-Men, you have Dark Phoenix, I would try "God Loves Man Kills" as well. One of Marvel's best ever stories.

I would also strongly recommend branching out to lesser known characters. Much of Marvel's best work is in properties that are outside the mainstream where creators have a lot more freedom with the characters and plots. A few recommendations from the last few years:

1.) Annihilation: A cosmic event collected in 3 volumes that is fantastic.
2.) Annihilation Conquest: A slightly less outstanding but still outstanding follow-up to Annihilation
3.) Captain Britain and MI:13: Basically the U.K. superteam. Terrific short run.
4.) Runaways: When Brian K. Vaughan had the book it was brilliant (roughly first 24 issues). When Joss Whedon had it, it was very good. After that it fell off.
5.) Young Avengers: Allen Heinberg's Young Avengers has been very good. Unfortunately, the YA stories by others have been less so.
6.) Agents of Atlas: My favorite series of the past decade. Too bad not enough of us felt that way.
7.) The Incredible Hercules: After WWH, Greg Pak turned his book over to Hercules and a young boy named Amadeus Cho. It was fun, brilliant, and I don't know anyone who read it and didn't like it.

[The_Ronin]

All good choices! Runaways is a great way to ease someone into a super hero universe, especially Marvel, and a great read! but it sounds like you are ready to jump in!

My advice? Pick up Amazing Spider-Man its FANTASTIC Right now!

Avengers Assemble is a new series featuring a familiar (read movie line up) of the Avengers, in a story with out being in the crossovers. Daredevil is fantastic right now! even if you aren't a Daredevil fan (like I wasnt until I started this series). And another really really fun book is "Avenging Spider-Man" just think of it as Spider-Man team up.

Young Avengers is also ridiculously good, features relatively new characters that are taking up where the old Avengers left off. (They DO have connections to the previous Avengers.. but what they are will surprise you!)

I am also really digging Avengers Academy, but like YA and Runaways it focuses on new and obscure characters primarily. Theoretically "New Avengers" features the characters you know, Wolverine, Spider-Man ect, but its in the middle of the AVX Crossover and focusing on Iron Fist, and unknown how it will be after the crossover. But something to keep your eyes on!


EDIT: By the way Welcome to Marvel! we are a friendly bunch who loves are super heroes, and people love answering questions like these so don't be shy, and PM me if you'd like !

[Telos]

Hi, welcome to Marvel!

For the Avengers, I'd suggest starting with Avengers Assemble volume 1 by Kurt Busiek. It has all the classic Avengers there, and is a great overview of what the Avengers are all about. If you enjoyed it, continue with the other volumes of Avengers Assemble, which continues until volume 5. There's also Avengers Forever, which was written by the same writer, and is a wonderful time travel epic that also explains some of the Avengers history. If you're interested in reading how the Avengers came together, I'd urge you to read Avengers: The Origin and Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (not to be confused with the cartoon) by Joe Casey.

For the X-Men, I'd recommend beginning with Grant Morrison's run, starting with New X-Men vol 1-3. Some of the plot points are then picked up in Astonishing X-Men by Joss Whedon, which is available in two Ultimate Collections. Whedon's X-Men is very different in tone to Morrison's X-Men, but they're both great.

Dan Slott's run on Spider-Man is great fun, too. Take a look at Amazing Spider-Man: Big Time, and the followup volumes: Matters of Life and Death, Fantastic Spider-Man, Return of Anti-Venom and Spider-Island.

To sum up (links to Amazon.com included):
Avengers: The Origin
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes
Avengers Assemble vol 1
Avengers Assemble vol 2
Avengers Assemble vol 3
Avengers Assemble vol 4
Avengers Assemble vol 5
Avengers Forever

New X-Men vol 1
New X-Men vol 2
New X-Men vol 3
Astonishing X-Men Ultimate Collection 1
Astonishing X-Men Ultimate Collection 2

Amazing Spider-Man: Big Time
Amazing Spider-Man: Matters of Life and Death
Amazing Spider-Man: The Fantastic Spider-Man
Amazing Spider-Man: Return of Anti-Venom
Spider-Man: Spider-Island

You can find all of these editions on Amazon.com, eBay or the Book Depository. Your local comic shop may or may not have copies.

[timeismoney]

If you like X Men start with Chris Claremont his X Men may be the best piece of comic writing and character development in comic history he gave Magneto the greatest back story than any comic book character.

[dbcb314]

Just read the wiki pages on the characters you care about. If you run into a character you don't recognize, just wiki them.

I found trying to find the best spot to jump in is impossible. So just make the leap and google or ask people on here stuff you don't understand.

I would just start with the main books and branch off into certain characters as you go along. So I would go with Avengers, New Avengers, Wolverine and the X-men, Uncanny X-men, and Amazing Spider-Man for sure.

If you like Wolverine, go with Uncanny X-Force for sure or maybe his solo Wolverine.

Other books people really like are Venom and Daredevil.

If you are going to do the Ultimate Universe... I would start back at the #1's for the current issues and make sure you wiki what has happened in the universe before hand because a lot of people you may recognize are dead. Both Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimates are excellent books though