Comics New-comer... what should I read?

[Goddamn_Batman]

So I always liked Spider-Man, watched the cartoon and loved the movies and all, but never really got into the comics regularly like I have with DC. But I've been reading up in wikipedia about the events of Civil War and Back in Black, and with One More Day coming up, I feel like this is the right time to jump in.

So, my question, as a noob to Spider-Man comics, what should I go out and read? Give me your crash course reading list to not only get me up to speed with Spidey's world, but to fill me in on some important mythology or past events that might be referenced in such an important event like OMD.

 

[3dman27]

try the marvel adventues spidey first

 

[Venom 1988]

My personal list:
-Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol.1 (if your willing to shell out the cash for it)
-Death of the Stacys
-Kraven's Last Hunt
-Son of the Goblin
-Birth of Venom (Takes out some portion of stories that dont deal with Venom, but overall very good.)
-Spider-Man: Blue
-Marvel Knights Spider-Man (#1-12 Hardcover)
-Spider-Man: Reign (alternate future story, not essential but a great story)

 

[Shin-Natsume]

So I always liked Spider-Man, watched the cartoon and loved the movies and all, but never really got into the comics regularly like I have with DC. But I've been reading up in wikipedia about the events of Civil War and Back in Black, and with One More Day coming up, I feel like this is the right time to jump in.

So, my question, as a noob to Spider-Man comics, what should I go out and read? Give me your crash course reading list to not only get me up to speed with Spidey's world, but to fill me in on some important mythology or past events that might be referenced in such an important event like OMD.

so you first have to know that, like with DC; marvel has various continuitys.

you will often read the term 616, that means classic marvel universe, where civila war and such took place. then there is the marvel adventures series, the spider-man lvoes mary jane series, the ultimate universe and some other...

basically, the non 616 and non ultiamte issues are a save read because they are mostly self containing. not all of them but msot of them. i alsor eccomend spider-girl its a good book.

in 616 alot happened, so you migth read up some character bio on marvel.com
in ultimate universe, everything is different. its completelöy new and has nothing to do wtih any other universe. ultimate is ultiamte, ther est is something else. think batman confidential, but much more varying from original source material...

hope that helps...

 

[Themanofbat]

So I always liked Spider-Man, watched the cartoon and loved the movies and all, but never really got into the comics regularly like I have with DC. But I've been reading up in wikipedia about the events of Civil War and Back in Black, and with One More Day coming up, I feel like this is the right time to jump in.

So, my question, as a noob to Spider-Man comics, what should I go out and read? Give me your crash course reading list to not only get me up to speed with Spidey's world, but to fill me in on some important mythology or past events that might be referenced in such an important event like OMD.

Well, if you're getting info on current Spidey events from Wiki, and you feel like jumping in, then I'd suggest getting the 4 "One More Day" titles (Amazing Spider-Man #544, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #24, Sensational Spdier-Man #41 & Amazing Spider-Man #545), which then jumps into Amazing Spider-Man #546 with the start of the "Brand New Day" arc and continues with each issue of ASM, where Marvel tells us that ASM will have the continual "old school" soap opera storytelling feel to it.

I wouldn't bother with Ultimate... but that's my opinion.

 

[Norman Osborn]

Well, if you're getting info on current Spidey events from Wiki, and you feel like jumping in, then I'd suggest getting the 4 "One More Day" titles (Amazing Spider-Man #544, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #24, Sensational Spdier-Man #41 & Amazing Spider-Man #545), which then jumps into Amazing Spider-Man #546 with the start of the "Brand New Day" arc and continues with each issue of ASM, where Marvel tells us that ASM will have the continual "old school" soap opera storytelling feel to it.

I wouldn't bother with Ultimate... but that's my opinion.

Have we ever, as a spider-man fan group, ever sat down and attempted to put together a "those to avoid spidey tales" list?......cause it's really hard to advise a spidey newb what they should read when that freaking list is so endless....it may be more informative and helpful to a newb to give em a list of stuff they should stay away from.......I mean we bicker amongst ourselves but really, is there any one amongst us who doesn't abhor the "Other"?.....and haven't we done a greater good stopping an up and coming spidey-fan from reading the "Other" than tempting them with a specific ish that tugs at our heart strings, but is still at its core, just another good ish in a sea of Spidey greatness?

 

[Goddamn_Batman]

Have we ever, as a spider-man fan group, ever sat down and attempted to put together a "those to avoid spidey tales" list?......cause it's really hard to advise a spidey newb what they should read when that freaking list is so endless....it may be more informative and helpful to a newb to give em a list of stuff they should stay away from.......I mean we bicker amongst ourselves but really, is there any one amongst us who doesn't abhor the "Other"?.....and haven't we done a greater good stopping an up and coming spidey-fan from reading the "Other" than tempting them with a specific ish that tugs at our heart strings, but is still at its core, just another good ish in a sea of Spidey greatness?

See, now that's interesting, because I was planning on reading The Other, but sounds like I should avoid it, huh? Any reason why, and would I be missing any important Spidey-history by skipping it?

And thanks to everyone for helping, by the way, always nice to get help on this sort of stuff.

 

[Norman Osborn]

See, now that's interesting, because I was planning on reading The Other, but sounds like I should avoid it, huh? Any reason why, and would I be missing any important Spidey-history by skipping it?

And thanks to everyone for helping, by the way, always nice to get help on this sort of stuff.

Dude I just saved you from countless hours walking around your bedroom muttering "what were they thinking?"....I've actually saved you IQ points that would have suredly peeled off your cerebrum after reading such nonsense and dribble......and for no compensation whatsoever, I'm gonna do it for you twice......"stay the hell away from Sins Past too!!!!"

 

[Norman Osborn]

See, now that's interesting, because I was planning on reading The Other, but sounds like I should avoid it, huh? Any reason why, and would I be missing any important Spidey-history by skipping it?

And thanks to everyone for helping, by the way, always nice to get help on this sort of stuff.

and to be more specific......you'd miss next to nothing because most of what happened in "the OTHER"...has long since been forgotten...mercifully

 

[antonydelfini]

Essential Spider-Man Vol. 1 first my friend. And if you're rich, Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus.

 

[Infinity9999x]

Th essentials are always good buys. They're timeless and classic storylines.

Also, I'd say about the first 10 TPB of Ultimate Spider-man are great. They do a good job of inserting the classic Spidey feel into the modern day.

 

[Hobgoblin]

The Master Planner
Kraven's Last Hunt
Death of the Green Goblin (both Norman and Harry)
Revelations (Norman shown as Clone Saga mastermind)
the origin of the Hobgoblin
Death of Capt Stacy
Venom and Carnage origins
the first Morlun arc but stay away from The Other

or to get up to speed without having to buy all this stuff, go here
www.spiderfan.org/characters

 

[shinlyle]

Just avoid the following:

-The CLONE SAGA
There's a reason this is the but of so many jokes in the comic community. It's really that bad.

-The Other
In 10 years, people will still be talking about how bad this was...just like the Clone Saga. The only I would rate the Clone Saga as worse would be because it was dragged out for 3 years and some change.

-Sins Past
Only 6 issues, and it is by far the WORST story ever concieved in Spider-Man's 45 year hostory.

-The entire "Iron Spider" armor era.
Few things have been more demeaning for Spider-Man than having him refer to Tony Stark as "boss", and basically losing all of the qualities that made him great.

-New Avengers (all of it)
I know I'll get some flack for this, but understand, these aren't bad STORIES. It's just that Spidey is treated like a rank amatuer and the comic relief, instead of the veteran hero with the smart-mouth that you'd expect. In the second issue, he is unmasked and has his arm broken by...Jigsaw. Also, it doesn't get any better from there. He has yet to do anything useless in that book. It's not a bad book, like I said, but Spidey could hav ebeen left out, and it wouldn't have changed a thing.

-Marvel Knights: Spider-Man 13-18
Reginald Hudlin sucks. This is a known fact. His "Wild Blue Yonder" arc was terrible...and followed by the "Other". So..there you go.

-Ultimate Spider-man (everything after the "Hollywood" arc)
I loved USM alot...but everything after "Hollywood" has been let-down after let-down. Spidey has had his ass kicked so much in that book, you wonder if he even knows that he has super-strength or speed. Elektra owned him...ELEKTRA-LITE, even! So, the first 10 trades/5 hardcovers are pretty good, but avoid the rest...especially ULTIMATE CLONE SAGA. Making Dock Ock into Magneto is a lame idea, no matter how you slice it.

-Venom: Lethal Protector-his entire hero career
Venom....long teeth and tongue...as a superhero. And this continues for a few YEARS. It's got SOME highlights, but nothing that makes up for the ridiculousness of Venom being a hero.


That's about it everything else is either great or at least tolerable. Those are the only REALLY disgusting tingI can think of, off the top of my head. Start with the Essentials, then move on to the wonderful era of ASM#200-350, and then proceed with caution.