New to comics

[Callahan]

I'm new to comics. I haven't really read any but lately I've really been interested in learning more about Spiderman. I would love to start reading his comics but I don't know where to start?

I worry that it'd be too hard to just jump in to a series of comics now considering story lines have been going on for so long.

Where do I start? Do I need to go to the local comic shop and look for some?

Any recommendations?

I'd really love to read "The Amazing Spiderman" as I think that's the original? Is it unrealistic to start at issue #1?

[Kevin Nichols]

Not unrealistic at all. In fact, I recommend it. You can pick up Marvel Masterworks or Essentials volumes (if you don't mind black & white). Or you can search out the CD-ROM Amazing Spider-Man collection (most bang for your buck). The first 122 issues are absolute required reading. As far as a jumping on point, I always recommend that you just buy an issue and check it out. You might be a little confused as to what's going on, but keep reading and you'll get the swing of things (no pun intended). Remember, you can always catch up on back issues or trade paperbacks (which collect back issues) to see what you've missed. All of us were new readers at some point, so you can be sure you'll catch on. Also, if you're confused about anything, you can always ask questions on here.

Good luck and happy reading! Oh, and welcome to the boards!

[Mister Mets]

There is an argument that it's better to start with modern comics than the 1960s stuff, as it may take a while to get used to the earlier storytelling styles.

A new direction starts in January with Superior Spider-Man #1, so that will be an accessible point.

I've used Ultimate Spider-Man to introduce my brothers and a college roommate to comics, so that's another good place to start. Although there have been three #1s, so make sure that you're selecting the right first volume.

There are also a handful of great self-contained Spider-Man stories, which should be perfect for newcomers to comics. So, those would be Spider-Man Blue, Kraven's Last Hunt and The Death of Jean Dewolfe.

[Cheesedique]

I'm new to comics. I haven't really read any but lately I've really been interested in learning more about Spiderman. I would love to start reading his comics but I don't know where to start?

I worry that it'd be too hard to just jump in to a series of comics now considering story lines have been going on for so long.

Where do I start? Do I need to go to the local comic shop and look for some?

Any recommendations?

I'd really love to read "The Amazing Spiderman" as I think that's the original? Is it unrealistic to start at issue #1?

Check out this helpful thread:

http://forums.comicbookresources.com...ecommendations

Also, the CD-ROM Kevin mentioned IS a great resource if you can find it, and don't mind reading comics on your computer (I port mine from the CD-ROM over to a Kindle, works great). It collects ASM #1 - 500-and-something (up to the 'Civil War' era), all the annuals, and all the ads. The only problem is, once the storylines start crossing over with the other titles (as in during 'Kraven's Last Hunt'), you'll be missing sections of the stories.

[ScardSanity]

Not unrealistic, it all comes down to if you have the time? If you have the time then go for it. I collected a ton of Spidey Marvel Masterworks, plus as already mentioned if you can source out that CD on eBay it's great. It's just whether you have the time to go read through them all and eventually catch up. If you work/go to school/don't have much time I'd recommend reading the entire Ultimate Spider-Man run as this won't take you long at all, there are 22 volume trades and then a few additional ones after that, read through those and then see if Superior Spider-Man tickles your fancy in January. Ultimate was great and tells most of the stories from AMS just in different/more modern ways.

[Jakra64]

I'd read Masterworks/Essentials for the history of the character, and just pick up Superior Spider-Man with the relaunch in January.

[Callahan]

I definitely appreciate all the posts! I have a few more questions now.

As I have been googling Spiderman comics, I noticed The Amazing Spiderman, Volume so and so. What exactly does the volume number mean?

I just want to confirm what was said about Ultimate Spiderman. It's, for the most part, a modern Amazing Spiderman? Still Peter Parker?

I'm interested in the new Superior Spiderman. I read ASM is ending at issue #700. Is Superior a reboot? Replacing completely? Continuing the story? Is this also Peter Parker?

[lazyav4]

Its continuing the story right after the events of 700.

[Mister Mets]

I definitely appreciate all the posts! I have a few more questions now.

As I have been googling Spiderman comics, I noticed The Amazing Spiderman, Volume so and so. What exactly does the volume number mean?

I just want to confirm what was said about Ultimate Spiderman. It's, for the most part, a modern Amazing Spiderman? Still Peter Parker?

I'm interested in the new Superior Spiderman. I read ASM is ending at issue #700. Is Superior a reboot? Replacing completely? Continuing the story? Is this also Peter Parker?

Amazing Spider-Man was briefly relaunched in the late 90s. So Volume 2 could refer to that. It was still continuing the story from Volume 1, with some of the same writers and artists.

Superior Spider-Man continues the story from Amazing Spider-Man #700. Although it seems that it won't be Peter Parker under the mask.

Ultimate Spider-Man is set in a different continuity, covering the adventures of a high school age Peter Parker. So it's possible to catch up with the series at the very beginning. If Amazing Spider-Man is the Pierce Brosnan James Bond films, Ultimate Spider-Man is the Daniel Craig films. Except it's published concurrently.

There was a big twist with Ultimate Spider-Man two years ago that I would rather not spoil. But the first volumes of the title feature Peter Parker as Spider-Man.

[ScardSanity]

AMS has had a few reboots and then coverted back to the original numbering.

AMS is apparantly ending after #700 but SSM is a direct continuation. It's not clear if SSM will be Peter or someone else in the suit. In any case, most people seem to agree that AMS and Peter will be back at some stage in the near future.

Ultimate SM is set in the Ultimate Universe, which was a refresh of most of the Marvel Superheroes with new stories and old stories told in an up to date way. It's completely separate from the main Marvel universe, they are not linked together at all, call it a stand alone reboot if you like. It's Peter as a high school kid, there are 150+ issues so not too much to read through, I'd deffinately recommend it.

[Callahan]

SPOILERS!!!!
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Over the past week, I've bought volumes 1-6, which has been I think 39 issues. I've really enjoyed these so far. I like seeing Peter Parker as an actual 15 year old kid. Before these, all I really knew him as was an adult as seen in the movies. So it's a different view seeing him as a an almost child and dealing with high school issues.

A couple complaints, is the way he and Green Goblin got their powers. I like to have an open mind, but the formula which is used to give just about anyone super powers, meh. Unless I'm understanding it wrong. I'm not a huge fan of how so many people know his identity. I'm not sure how this compares to other Spiderman stories. Mostly, I'm not sure how much I like the way Eddie Brock/Venom were portrayed this far. Like I said, I like to think I have an open mind, but Eddie Brock as a childhood friend didn't do much for me. I always think of him as Peter's rival. Peter Parker/Spiderman, the guy who ruined Eddie Brock's career. Which, they sort of gave to Kraven. Kraven is a big TV Star, Spidey puts his show on "indefinite hiatus" and now Kraven has the perfect reason to really hate Spiderman. For some reason though, I really liked this portrayal of Kraven and can't wait to see him come back.

I really liked the Kingpin story arc.

[atlasjj]

SPOILERS!!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
Over the past week, I've bought volumes 1-6, which has been I think 39 issues. I've really enjoyed these so far. I like seeing Peter Parker as an actual 15 year old kid. Before these, all I really knew him as was an adult as seen in the movies. So it's a different view seeing him as a an almost child and dealing with high school issues.

A couple complaints, is the way he and Green Goblin got their powers. I like to have an open mind, but the formula which is used to give just about anyone super powers, meh. Unless I'm understanding it wrong. I'm not a huge fan of how so many people know his identity. I'm not sure how this compares to other Spiderman stories. Mostly, I'm not sure how much I like the way Eddie Brock/Venom were portrayed this far. Like I said, I like to think I have an open mind, but Eddie Brock as a childhood friend didn't do much for me. I always think of him as Peter's rival. Peter Parker/Spiderman, the guy who ruined Eddie Brock's career. Which, they sort of gave to Kraven. Kraven is a big TV Star, Spidey puts his show on "indefinite hiatus" and now Kraven has the perfect reason to really hate Spiderman. For some reason though, I really liked this portrayal of Kraven and can't wait to see him come back.

I really liked the Kingpin story arc.

I myself liked the updated versions of most of the characters for Ultimate Spider-Man. And the series gets better as you go along. But if you have enjoyed it so far, as I said it gets better and you should stick with it.

[thirdfalcon]

SPOILERS!!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
Over the past week, I've bought volumes 1-6, which has been I think 39 issues. I've really enjoyed these so far. I like seeing Peter Parker as an actual 15 year old kid. Before these, all I really knew him as was an adult as seen in the movies. So it's a different view seeing him as a an almost child and dealing with high school issues.

A couple complaints, is the way he and Green Goblin got their powers. I like to have an open mind, but the formula which is used to give just about anyone super powers, meh. Unless I'm understanding it wrong. I'm not a huge fan of how so many people know his identity. I'm not sure how this compares to other Spiderman stories. Mostly, I'm not sure how much I like the way Eddie Brock/Venom were portrayed this far. Like I said, I like to think I have an open mind, but Eddie Brock as a childhood friend didn't do much for me. I always think of him as Peter's rival. Peter Parker/Spiderman, the guy who ruined Eddie Brock's career. Which, they sort of gave to Kraven. Kraven is a big TV Star, Spidey puts his show on "indefinite hiatus" and now Kraven has the perfect reason to really hate Spiderman. For some reason though, I really liked this portrayal of Kraven and can't wait to see him come back.

I really liked the Kingpin story arc.

Marvel has a digital service that has a huge part of their backlog that you can access for something like 10$ a month. It's a bit clunky navigating to the comic you want but it's a great way to read the early parts of every major comic character for cheap if you don't mind reading on your computer. It's also has pretty much everything from the last decade and only lags behind things that are currently being published by about a year.

There are things missing from it but it's a good way to catch up with continuity.

In general though, don't let missing something that happened in the past keep you from jumping into current stuff. You just need to know the basics 90% of the time, and even that will be usually explained in the recap page.