COMIC BOOK PEOPLE

[salame]

talk to me

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by DaveNull

- Hawkeye

This, 1000 times this.

- Ultimates

Yeah, but for the love of god, stop after the second miniseries. If you see the name Jeph Loeb close the comic immediately.

For X-Men I'd recommend the Morrison run on New X-Men (#114-154) and Joss Whedon on Astonishing X-Men. I've never really read Spider-Man regularly, so I have no idea there. I mostly enjoyed Bendis's extended Avengers run(s), but it's inextricably tied into an endless series of crossover events, so I can't really recommend it. Jonathan Hickman's current run on Avengers is pretty good. I also enjoyed Hickman's Fantastic Four run. Also Runaways, and the Garth Ennis and Greg Rucka runs on Punisher. I only read the last arc of the Ennis run, but it was amazing. I can be more specific with years and issue numbers if you're interested in any of this.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by Jamie

I've never really read Spider-Man regularly, so I have no idea there.

Actually I take that back, Ultimate Spider-Man is pretty great until it starts getting derailed by dumb crossover events. But that doesn't start happening until after issue #120 or so.

[DaveNull]

Originally Posted by scorpio

I would definitely not avoid House of M and Civil War, but maybe save them until after you are more familiar with the Avengers and X-Men characters. Those two stories set the stage for the following 10 (okay more like 6-8) years in the Marvel Universe.

I'd agree with that, but dropping into either one (especially house of M) without knowing who is who and what is what will just lead to frustration.

[DaveNull]

I also think that the current runs of Magneto, Black Widow and Moon Knight are pretty great too. None of these are involved in this summer's cross-over which makes them noob friendly.

[Aries Walker]

I'd recommend avoiding anything Ultimate altogether. It's a parallel universe, it's likely to get confusing, the characters are not the classic versions, and there's plenty of great reading out there without it. Also, personally, I don't think it as a whole is as good.

Also, a caveat about Secret Wars: It was made to sell toys. It can introduce you to some of the characters, but it was not of the highest quality, and it's from 1984 and got dated quickly.

I agree with the the Infinity Gauntlet series, and Brubaker's Captain America run. I also highly recommend Captain America's Red, White, and Black series, all of Volume I of the Thunderbolts, and Civil War, which is as good an introduction as you are going to get to the various characters and dynamics, so you can pick ones you like to follow more diligently.

For current runs, don't miss Hawkeye, and I'd also recommend Secret Avengers. Also, though they're not from the center-lined spheres that you specifically mentioned, She-Hulk (if you don't mind weird art), Moon Knight (although Warren Ellis's run only has one more issue), and Ms. Marvel (if you don't mind stories centered on teenagers) are all exceptional.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Jerm

Bumping this...

Ok so I'm a complete and utter comic n00b but I took the plunge on the Marvel unlimited offer that's currently 99 cents for the first month with code...

I'd like to get into Spidey, Avengers, and X-Men to begin...what are the "essentials" or best editions that I need to start with?

Wish DC did something like this, I'd go head first into Batman.

To get a look at a Hulk comic/stories done well check out Incredible Hulk #324 to about #450.

I honestly don't think there was much worth reading after that until Planet Hulk/World War Hulk.

Both of which I highly recommend...

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Aries Walker

I'd recommend avoiding anything Ultimate altogether.

Agreed.

I liked the First Ultimates series and liked the Hulk vs. Wolverine limited series...

NSFW

http://noseke.files.wordpress.com/20...ped-in-two.jpg

[Jerm]

Thanks for all the help guys...well on my way lol but I'll continue to take suggestions, hell anything good Marvel to read.

[DaveNull]

I'm going to have to seek out that Hulk vs. Wolverine series. Clearly my Ultimates recommendation has met some controversy, but I think the first one isn't too bad. I read about half of Ultimates 2, got bored and never returned to that universe.

Jerm, you've been given a huge reading list. When you get tired of reading Marvel, let us know and I'm sure we'll all point you in other directions like:

Saga
Sex Criminals
Zero
Velvet
Preacher
Y The Last Man

[Aries Walker]

And Manifest Destiny. Excellent non-Marvel.

[Bowser]

For a stand alone, I really enjoyed Old Man Logan.

[Psyko Tek]

Originally Posted by DaveNull

I'm going to have to seek out that Hulk vs. Wolverine series. Clearly my Ultimates recommendation has met some controversy, but I think the first one isn't too bad. I read about half of Ultimates 2, got bored and never returned to that universe.

Jerm, you've been given a huge reading list. When you get tired of reading Marvel, let us know and I'm sure we'll all point you in other directions like:

Saga
Sex Criminals
Zero
Velvet
Preacher
Y The Last Man

this plus
the authority
100 bullets
archer and armstrong
wicked west: the legend of oz

just started
richard stark's parker by darwin cooke the first book is the inspiration for payback with mel gibson

[Ragged Robin]

Haven't been keeping up on anything ongoing because I'm kind of a DC guy and New 52 has been utter ****ing shit from the get go but anyone else find it hilarious that all the hipsters are raving about Cameron Stewart's new Batgirl design when... it's basically the exact same as Quitely/Daniels's Damian Wayne outfit that's existed for like 3/almost-four-ish years?

[Jamie]

Those aren't even a little bit similar.

[Psyko Tek]

when did batgirl become 15

Yvonne Decarlo dissapproves