Help Getting Started With Comics

[Rellings]

Hi, I've never been a big comic guy, I have a few random ones spread around my apartment. Part of the reason is I don't know where to start! I'm interested like many, in Wolverine. I'd like to start somewhere where I don't have to back order 400 issues, but I don't want to miss alot either.

I was looking at the Wolverine and Wolverine Origins comics and was wondering, which I should start with? Or start with one of the many X-Men series, which I have no clue where to start with that, there are like 5 different series! I want to be able to read the story and not be reading things that have happened and not wondering what the hell they are talking about.

As you can tell, I'm overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the many different series and have no clue where to start. I just want to start where I havent missed anything, so Issue #1 would be the best.

 

[Darthphere]

Hi, I've never been a big comic guy, I have a few random ones spread around my apartment. Part of the reason is I don't know where to start! I'm interested like many, in Wolverine. I'd like to start somewhere where I don't have to back order 400 issues, but I don't want to miss alot either.

I was looking at the Wolverine and Wolverine Origins comics and was wondering, which I should start with? Or start with one of the many X-Men series, which I have no clue where to start with that, there are like 5 different series! I want to be able to read the story and not be reading things that have happened and not wondering what the hell they are talking about.

As you can tell, I'm overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the many different series and have no clue where to start. I just want to start where I havent missed anything, so Issue #1 would be the best.

Good to see the interest. You seem to like the merry band of mutants so i suggest you check out Uncanny X-Men and X-Men starting next month when new creative teams come on board. If youre a Wolverine fan, Wolverine Origins is only on issue #3 so it may be easy for you to pick up those issues at your local comic book store. Im not a fan of it, but if id say check it out.

 

[Darthphere]

Are there any other characters youre interested in specifically?

 

[Rellings]

I'm interested like many, in Wolverine.

^^^^^
Also I'm sorta into the gritty, no holds barred, violent kinda story as with The Punisher. But Wolverine is plenty violent enough. I just need to know where to start. Id like to start a #1 of something and as stated above, I dont want to be reading things that I've never heard of, and feel out of the loop. Same thing with the Punisher, I have no clue where to start, I hate missing big key story moments.

 

[Darthphere]

^^^^^
Also I'm sorta into the gritty, no holds barred, violent kinda story as with The Punisher. But Wolverine is plenty violent enough. I just need to know where to start. Id like to start a #1 of something and as stated above, I dont want to be reading things that I've never heard of, and feel out of the loop.

Punisher War Journal #1 comes out in September, I think that will be to your liking. Ohter than that its gonna be pretty hard to get you started on a title with a #1 right now. Wolverine origins is your best shot with only 3 issues so far.

 

[The Cleric]

whether you want to consider this word of advise or not, i just want to add my "two cents" issues concerning everyones favorite muties arent all that great these days. so if you want to pick xmen books, theres no need to look far back for any plot details. just go to wikipedia for any details regarding charectors. astonishing xmen is okay, probably the best x book out right now.

 

[The Cleric]

gritty... just get brubakers daredevil series. everyone hates daredevil, but his book is awesome. Cap America has a dark feeling to it too. but you have to like the charector to understand how good the book is.

 

[Rellings]

I don't mind back ordering a few issues, as long as they are not too expensive. But nothing crazy like 100 issues.

 

[Darthphere]

Also Criminal by Ed Brubaker and Sean Philips in October should be a nice gritty crime/noir story.

 

[Darthphere]

I don't mind back ordering a few issues, as long as they are not too expensive. But nothing crazy like 100 issues.

Are you familiar with the term Trade Paperback? Id suggest you pick Uncanny X-Men Next Week with #475 and try to find a TPB of X-Men: Deadly Genesis or read up about it on Wikipedia.

 

[BlazingBread]

You could pick up eternals #1 (which to my knowledge i didnt need to read previous stuff to understand)Flash:the fastest man alive #1 just came out as well you could pick up. If you didnt mind doing a little research to the events leading up to civil war i would recomend those aswell. But ya there arnt many #1s out there at the moment. But from the sounds of it you would like Wolverine Origins 1-3.

 

[SouLeSS]

You could also get all the backissues online. It's what a lot of us did to understand the stuff that happened in the older years.

Just look for a site that has all the "key issues" mapped out, and look for those online.

 

[Rellings]

Thanks for the recommendations! I think I'll start with the Origins then. Is this a branching story from the Wolverine Series or from one of the X-Men series?
Also is there a way to back order the Wolverine Series in bulk to save money, or any other way?

And last question: what X-Men series do you recommend(if at all) that has key Wolverine plot points?

 

[Darthphere]

Thanks for the recommendations! I think I'll start with the Origins then. Is this a branching story from the Wolverine Series or from one of the X-Men series?
Also is there a way to back order the Wolverine Series in bulk to save money, or any other way?

And last question: what X-Men series do you recommend(if at all) that has key Wolverine plot points?

Its supposed to be the telling of WOlverine's origin, since after this big event called the House of M, he remembers everything.

Try Ebay.

I dont think any of the X-Titles really have key Wolverine plot points, Astonishing is the only x-title that features Wolverine.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

You can pick up Punisher startin' with the next story arc. Punisher is the kinda book you don't HAVE to follow 'cause each story is fairly self contained. All ya need to know is he's Punisher and he kills criminals. There, yer caught up.

As stated, try th' X-books when the new creative teams come on 'cause Astonishing is the only decent one so far. May also wanna check out New X-Men, which trades are available of to get ya caught up. (Note, the series actually starts out as New Mutants then goes into New X-Men). Wolverine Origins is him rediscoverin' his past and as said is on issue 3. Regular Wolvie's in the middle of a crossover event so unless ya get them all you'll be lost.

I also recommend pickin' up The Essential Wolverine volumes; giant TPBs which collect most of his first series in black and white, but fer one price you get upwards of 22 issues per book. Some of the best Wolvies to be found in that run.

 

[GNR]

A Wolvie fan?

Dude,go out and get the Enemy of the State and Agent of SHIELD paperbacks.Both stories go together and it was one hell of a Wolvie story with lots of action and guest stars.

 

[Rellings]

Its supposed to be the telling of WOlverine's origin, since after this big event called the House of M, he remembers everything.

Try Ebay.

I dont think any of the X-Titles really have key Wolverine plot points, Astonishing is the only x-title that features Wolverine.

Do you think I should pick up the House Of M before I read Origins?

 

[Darthphere]

Do you think I should pick up the House Of M before I read Origins?

I wouldnt recommend it, its really not at all that necessary.

 

[Rellings]

Well I guess I'll start with Origins and maybe pick up the Wolverine Essentials books to catch up on the Wolverine series. Thanks for all the replies everybody.

 

[Ikaris-Eternal]

i would also highly recommend the essentials series

Frank Miller's Wolverine mini from the early 80's would probably speak to you. It is set in Japan - very cool.

if you are getting an essential x-men, i recommend #2

it anthologizes some of the greatest storylines in X-Men history (Hellfire Club, Phoenix becomes Dark Phoenix, Days of Future Past, Proteus, Alpha Flight makes their first real appearance) and is created by the dynamite team of Chris Claremont and John Byrne

 

[Rellings]

http://www.thisispopculture.com/2004/02/marvel-essentials-complete-list.html

This shows (I believe) the comple essentials lists, which one of these are you refering to Ikaris-Eternal?

 

[Ikaris-Eternal]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0785102981/thisispop-20/002-7195184-7379268

that one

 

[Rellings]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0785102981/thisispop-20/002-7195184-7379268

that one

Cool. I think there are 7 X-Men Essentials, so I will probably get them all to catch up.

 

[MyPokerShirt]

You should take a look at Image, Top Cow etc. Independent comic labels are always trying new things. They also tend to be adult books and when you're picking up a number 1 you know you probably havnt missed anything. Lots of Marvel/ DC number 1s are probably renumberings and so have lots of history still. But again, you could just look at wikipedia. There will also be a bibliography of important events on there (if u DO want to get wolvie back-issues).

Do you guys honestly recommend Origins to a newb? I know its workin on the premise that he remembers everything now and so even long term fans wont know most of the stuff, but surely there'll be lots of reference to established history??

 

[MyPokerShirt]

(seeing as you guys are talking about essential volumes up there ^) which essential volume covers the lead-up to the night gwen stacy died and the goblins last stand? I (obviously) have reprints of these two spider-man issues, but would like the full build-up with gwen and goblin and the aftermath and the essential volume seems good value