For someone who hasn't read comics seriously in a LOOOOOONG time. Ultimate or regular

[JMadisonIV]

I think I'm looking into getting myself back into comics, if I can get them in the mail. (i'm lazy like that.....t: ).

i haven't really read comics in a long time, so i have NO clue what's going on.

would you suggest i look into the "Ultimate" Marvel series, or the regular ones?

the Ultimate ones are a lot newer/recent in continuity, right?

 

[hippie_hunter]

It'll be a lot easier to get into the continuity of Ultimate Marvel, but it's not what it used to be and pretty much sucks now. Go with the 616 titles.

 

[gildea]

Ultimate, particularly the past trades.

 

[dmor173]

regular.

Outside of ultimates and ultimate spidey the ultimate universe is pretty much a letdown. Fantastic four is really bad, and aside from a few arcs so is X-men.

If you want to get in to marvel now id start around avengers dissasembled, and you can follow the dots from there to civil war and your up to date.

Also pick up annihlation (sp?). Because Nova's the man.

 

[hippy fascist]

There are no good ultimate titles anymore, stick with 616. Speaking as someone who used to buy all of the ultimate titles I can tell you that it used to be a nice idea but for the last six months or so it's been absolute crap. 616has much more scope and better characterisation (as long as millar/bendis isn't involved )

The best place to start would be as someone else said, avengers dissasembled. It's an awful story but necessary for understanding the current status quo.

If you'd like to list your favourite characters then we can give you an idea of which books to pick up

 

[Kevin]

Regular. In the long run, the Ultimate MU means nothing.

 

[Kevin]

There are no good ultimate titles anymore, stick with 616. Speaking as someone who used to buy all of the ultimate titles I can tell you that it used to be a nice idea but for the last six months or so it's been absolute crap. 616has much more scope and better characterisation (as long as millar/bendis isn't involved )

The best place to start would be as someone else said, avengers dissasembled. It's an awful story but necessary for understanding the current status quo.

If you'd like to list your favourite characters then we can give you an idea of which books to pick up

To add on, What type of characters/stories do you like?

 

[bkhedr]

Regular definately, no contest.

Except for the Ultimates. The Ultimates kicks ass.

 

[Kevin]

I found it to be the most boring of the bunch.

 

[bkhedr]

Blasphemy!

 

[Kevin]

. Hey, I suck, but do realize that other people like it.

 

[hippy fascist]

Regular definately, no contest.

Except for the Ultimates. The Ultimates kicks ass.

It does kick ass, once every 3-4 months

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

Backissues.

 

[Themanofbat]

Regular Marvel Universe...

'Nuff Said.

 

[3dman27]

Regular. In the long run, the Ultimate MU means nothing.

agreed the 616 is the real mu

 

[Darthphere]

616. Ultimate Universe's continuity is just as ****ed as 616 at this point, and CW presents a pretty good jumping on point.

 

[Anubis]

Sorta.

 

[SonOfCthulhu]

Backissues.

Neither. Try DC. Marvel 616 is currently a continuity nightmare and has very little to recommend it (Aside from Anniliation).

Ultimate universe is hit or miss on quality and with less time invested, has the same continuity issues.

If you liked Marvel back in the day for their adherance to character arcs involving the entire lenght of the title instead of story arcs that fundamentally alter characters for the sake of one six issue run, DC is better (but still not perfect).

Hell, go read Invincible and 100 Bullets instead.

 

[GNR]

Hmmm...

The Civil War mini which just wrapped up would be a good starting point for 616.Also be on the lookout for all the fallout titles.Brubaker's Cap is about 24 issues in now,collected in 4 trades.Bendis' Daredevil was a nice long run,definitely pick up the trades starting with Underboss.Young Avengers is collected in 2 trades and was a great team book while it lasted.

Ultimate-wise,you can't go wrong with both volumes of the Ultimates,the first storyline of Ultimate X-Men(Tomorrow People),and Millar and Land's Ultimate Fantastic Four run which is collected in 2 trades I think.I hear some of the USM stuff is worth checking out,but I've only read Warriors which was a nice action driven story.

Also,try out DC,they have a much greater selection of trades and some pretty good ongoings right now.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Do the Regular Marvel universe.

Since Civil War is ending, a lot of titles are priming to take in new readers (whether they will or not is an open question) by starting new directions. Wikipedia stuff you don't understand.

I'd personally recommend Captain America as the best title currently being published.

Also, on the DC side, look into the trades of Fables (there are eight at this point).

 

[Phaedrus45]

Definitely the regular 616. The Ultimate Universe used to be much, much better than it has been the last half year. Bendis was doing much better, especially with Spidey dating Kitty Pryde, Fantastic Four was one of the best titles, even launching Marvel Zombies, and even Ultimate X-Men seemed to be a bit better. But, it's all gone waaay downhill since then. New creative team on Ultimate Fantastic Four just doesn't shine like the previous team (although, they didn't do too terrible of a job with their first Thanos storyline), Bendis royally screwed the pooch trying to take on Clone Saga and breaking up Spidey and Kitty before it even began, and X-Men is continuing it's streak of having crappy writing and crappy artists. The only highlight I'm currently seeing is Ultimate Power...but, I'm thinking it will take some time before we see that title reach completion. I'm sure the release dates for each issue will be continuely pushed back.

Of course, your biggest problem will be where to start in the 616. At least by focusing on the Ultimate line, you only have to buy about 4 comics a month. The 616's main titles all are linking together lately, it seems. Currently, the X-titles are pretty much separated from all the Civil War stuff going on. But, Spidey, Avengers, Fantastic Four, Punisher War Journal, and a bunch of others are going to make you want to pick up more and more titles. (That's what screwed me when I got back into comics in the 90's. Infinity Gauntlet came out, and then I picked up all the titles it ran in....then, I got interested in those, and next thing you know, I'm getting all of Marvel's titles.)

 

[Phaedrus45]

Neither. Try DC. Marvel 616 is currently a continuity nightmare and has very little to recommend it (Aside from Anniliation).

I'd actually recommend Marvel more than DC. I love some of DC's titles; but, many of the best ones are going to be really confusing, unless you've been reading DC for a while. Plus, many of DC's titles just aren't that good.

I know everyone likes to complain about Marvel continuity; but, when I'm reading my weekly comics, I never think, "Oh God, that goes against Marvel Continuity!!!" And, what would a new reader really care about something that happened in the 70's that they haven't and might never read?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Depends on the reader. I care about that kind of stuff quite a bit, even though I may not be personally familiar with a lot of it. It's part of a writer's job if they're working in a shared universe environment. Or, at least, it used to be.

 

[PhotoJones]

I'd actually recommend Marvel more than DC. I love some of DC's titles; but, many of the best ones are going to be really confusing, unless you've been reading DC for a while. Plus, many of DC's titles just aren't that good.

I know everyone likes to complain about Marvel continuity; but, when I'm reading my weekly comics, I never think, "Oh God, that goes against Marvel Continuity!!!" And, what would a new reader really care about something that happened in the 70's that they haven't and might never read?

where's BrianWilly to cry like a ***** when you need him?