Help me get back into comics.

[Scarlet spidey]

Hello, I am looking into getting back into comic books, so I figured I'd ask you guys.
I'm looking to get up to speed in the current times. And I'd also like to fine some "essential" Iron Man trades or something.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Well, what characters or genres do you like other than Iron Man?

As for Iron Man himself, the Director of SHIELD title is excellent if you like corporate intrigue and espionage mixed in with your superhero action. Invincible Iron Man just started, so you can probably find the first issue and jump in on that right from the beginning. Other than those, you can try to find trade paperbacks of some classic Iron Man stories like Demon in a Bottle and Armor Wars. Iron Man: Extremis by Warren Ellis and Adi Granov sets up Iron Man's current power set, and the Civil War and Iron Man: Director of SHIELD trades set up his current status quo as head of SHIELD.

 

[Czar Colossus]

Pick the 50yrs. of Ironman CD-Rom it's a great way to get a complete run to about the beginning of Civil War.

 

[JewishHobbit]

It's a decent time to jump in. Secret War's just beginning and most of the Non-Avenger titles seem to be going through a change now or soon. Thunderbolts is good but Ellis is leaving after this next issue (making way for a new writer for the Secret Invasion tie-in). Iron Fist is great, but the writer and artist are leaving after the next issue or two. The X-Men are all in an inbetween point where everything's a kind of no-team. Uncanny X-Men 500 is the real start.

With the exception of Captain America, the rest of the Marvel Universe is pretty easily ready to start for new or returning readers at the moment. I suggest getting Secret Invasion and just branch from there into the titles that interest you.

 

[yenaled]

Pick up Captain America Omnibus - there is no way you can't like it.

 

[JewishHobbit]

This is true. It's hard to just jump into now, but it is an awsome book and has been great in building.

 

[moraldeficiency]

hmmm, well for iron man there are the classic trades like Armor Wars and Demon in a Bottle. Iron Man: Director of SHIELD is out in trade now so that will get you caught up currently.

For other books, I have to agree with everyone else about Brubakers Cap. It's just excellent.

For newer books that you can get caught up with quick check out:

Iron Fist. It's also still pretty new with the first trade out and the second on it's way so if you like martial arts tournaments and general asskickery, it's a must.

Avengers the Initiative (best Avengers book) is in the same place as Iron Fist. Still just starting, two trades and you're caught up.

And on the same note but even more recent, Thor is exceptional.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

All right, if we're just throwing recommendations around without even knowing the dude's preferences, here are mine:

Thor - JMS is crafting something truly epic and restoring Thor, who had been trivialized and marginalized in decades past, back to his status as a genuinely awe-inspiring cornerstone of the Marvel universe.
Incredible Hercules - First and foremost, it's hilarious. But it's also a pretty deep examination of what makes Hercules tick from a perspective that's never been shown before: what if Hercules were actually forced to be responsible? Pak and Van Lente use mythology to great effect, and the clash between Herc's boisterous, reckless nature and his newfound role as role model to Amadeus Cho create a wonderful basis for development. Plus, Athena's in it now and she's totally played as a typical big sister to both Herc and Cho, which is just great.
Captain America - Probably, to be honest, the best thing Marvel's publishing right now. Brubaker, Epting, Guice, and Perkins are crafting a story that is sure to remain a high-water mark for the character and for comics in general, built on compelling plots that don't throw unnecessary twists and forced shocks around and some really strong, intimate character work.

 

[moraldeficiency]

All right, if we're just throwing recommendations around without even knowing the dude's preferences, here are mine:

Better that than hearing them and then disregarding them and telling him what he should really be reading anyway like we normally do...

 

[TheCorpulent1]

It's a tradition!

 

[moraldeficiency]

One that's near and dear to my heart. I just thought it was funny you were waiting to hear what he wanted. It's kinda like when your girl asks you what you want to do tonight before telling you what you're actually doing.

 

[Sugarculted]

Buy Nova. Just buy it, right now.

 

[Blader5489]

Start with these:

New X-Men omnibus
Iron Man: Extremis
Captain America omnibus


And for essential Iron Man trades, I recommend Demon in a Bottle and Armor Wars.