Where to start with Iron Man?

[Abrojo]

For previous very relevant stories, as everyone else reccomended: Armor Wars and Demon in a Bottle. They are also very good ones and help define much of the character.

For modern IM jumping point i believe Extremis is essential, not only is the current Iron Man tech explained but also is his origin restated (timeslipped of course) but also his current mindset is explored (interview + talk with company board).

After that you can jump to Invincible Iron Man.

Of course, the issues and arcs coming after Extremis are, imho, quite good so well worth the read.

So basically: Armor Wars, Demon in a Bottle, Extremis (+following arcs for fun but not essential), Invincible Iron Man for current ongoing.

[djk61387]

What are the best issues and story arcs of Invincible Iron Man between the very first issue and the most recent?

[FanboyStranger]

What are the best issues and story arcs of Invincible Iron Man between the very first issue and the most recent?

There's only been eleven issues thus far, and they've all been very good. I would recommend just buying the tpb of The Five Nightmares and then following the series monthly.

[Will.S]

There's only been eleven issues thus far, and they've all been very good. I would recommend just buying the tpb of The Five Nightmares and then following the series monthly.

Yeah all of the stories have been good so it's hard to single any of them out since it's still a relatively new title.

[djk61387]

I mean since the very first Iron Man comic. When he became Iron Man. Between then and now. What are some of the really good issues and arcs?

[Dimoutzi]

- Demon in a Bottle [Iron Man #120-#128]

[Hullababy]

Demon in a bottle
Armor wars
Dragonseed saga
Extremis
Haunted
Five nightmares
Micheline/Layton's first and second run
Kaminski's run on the character is very good and underrated (vol. 1 #280-318).

[Dusty.]

I re-read all of this stuff prior to the film's release. Iron Man, until "teen Tony" was one of the most consistant comics for years and years.

Iron Man 116 - 156 - This was the period in which the characters and series were defined, much like Claremont and Byrne did with the X-Men and Miller did with Daredevil. The alcoholic issues are toward the beginning of the run. David Michelinie and Bob Layton, along with most John Romita Jr. on pencils, provided a non stop thrill ride of adventures. Lots has been collected from this run.

Demon in a Bottle (120-128)
The Many Armors of Iron Man (142-144, 152-153)
Doomquest (149-150)

Iron Man 160 - 208 - The highly under-rated Denny O'Neil run, which featured the rise and fall of a character named Obadiah Stane. It featured more bouts of alcoholism for Tony, who eventually collapses from it all, opening up Rhodey to wear the armor for the first time. The art was highly consistant, with Luke McDonell rarely missing an issue in 3 years, and then being replaced by another quality fast artist in Mark Bright, who I think drew the best Iron Man. It has been neglected in collections.

The Many Armors of Iron Man (200) <---- one of the best single issues of Iron Man or anything else ever!

Iron Man 215 - 250 - This was the second celebrated Michelinie and Layton run, which is considered the same quality as the first run, a feat that is not easily accomplished. The first 25 issues features Mark Bright and then Jackson Guice on pencils, never looking better than when inked by Layton. The last 10 issues drops off in art a wee bit, but it's still good, and the stories are still good, too. Some has been collected.

The Many Armors of Iron Man (218)
Armor Wars (225-232) <---- I'd rate it as Iron Man's best story.
Doomquest (249-250)

Iron Man 258 - 277 - This was a great 20 issue run written by master comic talent, John Byrne, with John Romita Jr. drawing the first arc, called Armor Wars II, and then Paul Ryan taking over for the second arc. It's inked by Bob Wiacek, and Mark Bright even returns to draw an issue. The main thrust of the story deals with the Mandarin. The best portrayal of him ever, without question. I have no idea why Armor Wars II wasn't collected before the Dragon Seed Saga.

Dragon Seed Saga (270-275)

Iron Man 280 - 305 - This was a strong run by Len Kaminski and Kevin Hopgood. Hopgood was one of the better IM artists, probably second to Mark Bright for me. This was the run that introduced War Machine. It felt like a perfect combination of the Denny O'Neil issues and the Michelinie/Layton stuff. I stopped it at 305 to avoid teen Tony. Tom Morgan took over on art for awhile.

War Machine (280 - 291)

Iron Man 1 - 25 - The Heroes Return relaunch turned the writing reigns over to Kurt Busiek, who did solid work. After about a year, Roger Stern came aboard to write it, with Busiek serving as a co-plotter. Again, it was solid, as was the art of Sean Chen, but I wouldn't rate it as highly as Iron man's best stuff.

Iron Man: The Iron Age 1 - 2 This was a companion bookshelf mini series that came out when Busiek's relaunch did, featuring Patrick Zircher on pencils and Bob McLeod on inks. It's a story of the early days of Iron Man.

[CaptainOtter]

Iron Man hasn't gotten a ton of great story arcs. Up until fairly recently, he wasnt a big character. Story lines like Demon in a Bottle is classic, and Armor wars is a biggie, but you don't need to read them.

Civil War is very important for Tony, and is probably the biggest turn for the character in a while.

[Hullababy]

Iron Man hasn't gotten a ton of great story arcs. Up until fairly recently, he wasnt a big character. Story lines like Demon in a Bottle is classic, and Armor wars is a biggie, but you don't need to read them.

Civil War is very important for Tony, and is probably the biggest turn for the character in a while.

I disagree . I think he has had lots of good stories its just that they are not that "big" or popular as you might say . I think Armor wars is important . It shows just how far Tony will go to protect his tech and concepts from this were borrowed in civil war itself although they went completely overboard with it.

[Jay Dogg]

Pretty much Iron Man's run in the '80s was one of the most incredible runs I've ever read. There were times when I'd even enjoy it more than X-Men.

[Whirlwind Dinamo]

What are the best issues and story arcs of Invincible Iron Man between the very first issue and the most recent?

1 The original story in Nam

2 Iron Man Vol. 1: Extremis

3 Ironman 160-180? Demon in a Bottle etc

4 IronMan in Civil War

5 Essential Iron Man 1

6 Ironman late 1980s early 90s, I forget the issues. He fights Fin-fang-foom (Mandarin Dragon), Thunderstrike (Thor guy), enter Warmachine again, and puts on the Hulkbuster armor

>>
Skip the 90s
where he becomes a kid again, I think they number around 300....up to that whole Onslaught/HeroesReborn stuff

[Geezer715]

Is there a reasonably current issue that would be a good starting place for me to begin reading Ironman? Thank you.

[Gabe De Los Muertos]

This'll probably get moved to the Avengers forum, but to answer you:

The current run, Invincible Iron Man by Matt Fraction. Great book, hope you like it.

[StoneGold]

New story arc that recaps everything that's happened the last couple months came out Wednesday.