Getting back into Marvel

[Andy C.]

Okay, so I've spent I'd say the last four or five years pretty much reading only DC and indie comics, and really haven't given Marvel a fair shake in quite a while. Really, I haven't paid much attention to the goings-on in 616 since Civil War, but I really would like to get back into it to see what all's been going on.

So to get me caught up, which particular story arcs are A) essential to know what's happened to the Marvel Universe since then, and B) are actually worth reading? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[venom892]

For me two of the most constantly great reads have been Daredevil and Captain America.Both have been pretty free of Crossovers.I also highly recommend Immortal Iron Fist.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Mighty Avengers with Pym at the head, Iron Man, Thor... Ummm...

I'm sure I'll think of a few others later. x.x

 

[runawayboulder]

Okay, so I've spent I'd say the last four or five years pretty much reading only DC and indie comics, and really haven't given Marvel a fair shake in quite a while. Really, I haven't paid much attention to the goings-on in 616 since Civil War, but I really would like to get back into it to see what all's been going on.

So to get me caught up, which particular story arcs are A) essential to know what's happened to the Marvel Universe since then, and B) are actually worth reading? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The most acclaimed books for most people on this board are Nova, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers:The Initiative, and The Incredible Hercules. (coincidentally the first weren't in the May solits, the latter 2 are getting relaunched or cancelled.)

Essential books for the ongoings of the Marvel U....Any of the main Dark Reign books, mostly the Avengers titles, and SIEGE.

My current list of monthly must have books (for myself):
ASM
Captain America
DD
All Avengers
Both Punisher books
UXM

 

[Drz]

JMS' Thor. I've heard alot of positive things from Brubaker's Captain America and Daredevil. If you love crazy violence and Wolverine. I recommend getting "Old Man Logan" tho thats more of an elseworld story than canonical 616.

 

[Vartha]

yes JMS's Run on Thor is a MUST read.
JMS out did himself, I think the first 5 issues ALL sold out with multiple printings, the 1st issue had three printings not to mention varient covers.

Then you have Matt Fractions books telling of Thor's banishment that is a prequal to Journey Into Mystery #83.
Matt used ACTUAL myth and very well done, the Trade is called Thor:Ages of Thunder but the single books are,Thor Ages of Thunder one shot, Thor Reign of Blood one shot and Thor Man of War one shot, each story is set in a different Ragnarok, just relaying the fact the Asgardains repeat themselves after each Ragnarok.

 

[IFryKids]

Annihilation

 

[Manic]

Being the huge X-Men fan that I am, I can definitely recommend...

...

...uh...





X-Factor, I guess.

 

[Jennifer Walters]

Heh. Yeah. X-Factor's the only truly good X Book on the market.

For the love of god stay away from Legacy and X-Force.

 

[Manic]

X-Men Legacy, also known as: The Rogue Show Starring Rogue (featuring the X-Men)

 

[CConn]

This thread is hardly a glowing endorsement for Marvel.

I myself read:

Amazing Spider-Man
Avengers books
Captain America
Daredevil
Fantastic Four
Incredible Hulk
Ultimate Comics Avengers
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man

All very high quality books, imo. And all of them are quite enjoyable on their own...without needing to involve any crossovers.

 

[Jennifer Walters]

I'll back up the love for Captain America, Thor, and Hulk (just Incredible though. Not the one with the red guy on the covers).

Incredible Hercules is/was good too. The cosmic stuff is also great. (Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy especially.)

 

[kguillou]

I say read the following:
1) Mark Millar's Civil War
2) Warren Ellis' Thunderbolts
3) Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-men
4) Iron Man Extremis
5) All of Brubaker's Captain America
6) JMS' Thor
7) Bendis AND Brubaker's Daredevil
8) Brubaker and Fraction's Immortal Ironfist

 

[Tron Bonne]

Guardians Of The Galaxy is pretty fantastic, not too God awful much in the way of crossovers. It's only been going for about two years, so not a whole lot of content to catch up on.

Incredible Herc is pretty fantastic, too. It's ending, though, after about two years

 

[TheCorpulent1]

The story's continuing in Prince of Power, though.

 

[Spider-Jay420]

Okay, so I've spent I'd say the last four or five years pretty much reading only DC and indie comics, and really haven't given Marvel a fair shake in quite a while. Really, I haven't paid much attention to the goings-on in 616 since Civil War, but I really would like to get back into it to see what all's been going on.

So to get me caught up, which particular story arcs are A) essential to know what's happened to the Marvel Universe since then, and B) are actually worth reading? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Secret Invasion. That was a pretty big deal. I would say skip all the tie ins, but definitely read the 8 issues. Dark Avengers too, as far as what's been happening currently. Daredevil taking over the Hand ninja clan has been pretty good.

Of course, you could just wait 2 months and get in on the ground floor with this new Heroic Age about to be upon us. Everything's been dark and gloomy since Civil War and Heroic Age will be a tonal shift back to bright and shiney Superheroism, it seems.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

More like it'll be a shift back to the normal order of the world, really. The superheroes will be the main game in town rather than the villains, they'll be reunited behind the Avengers, and they won't be forced to scurry around in the dark like criminals.

 

[Spider-Jay420]

all good things, in my opinion.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Same.

 

[topdog1]

Mighty Avengers with Pym at the head, Iron Man, Thor... Ummm...

I'm sure I'll think of a few others later. x.x

I love Pym's Mighty Avengers, too bad they are ending right?

Invincible Iron Man
Thor
Daredevil
Captain America

All self contained for the most part and great reads.

They are ending all this Dark Reign stuff at the right time. I'm so sick of all these "Dark" tales. I don't care about the Dark X-Men, Dark Avengers or Wolverine's kid any more. Away with them.

I stopped reading Amazing Spider-Man and have no disire to return

I stopped reading Hulk because of Red Hulk and Skaar but came back for this Fall of the Hulks stuff and have enjoyed it. This kidnapping of the smartest men in the Marvel Universe has played out nicely. Watching Doom and Reed fall has hooked me.

Fantastic Four has turned the corner and become good recently. A new creative team started a few issues ago and they're superb.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I love how Hickman's given Fantastic Four a sort of '50s sci fi vibe. It's very mysterious and everything feels fresh, as opposed to modern sci fi.

 

[Vartha]

The story's continuing in Prince of Power, though.

grumble grumble grumble

 

[TheCorpulent1]

What? Thor's guest-starring in Prince of Power. I figured you'd be excited for it.

 

[Vartha]

Herc's dead man....I'm happy Thor's the trainer but STILL

 

[TheCorpulent1]

He'll be back.