The best Avenger comics to get? (For someone who's never read the comics?)

[Superfox]

I have a special someone who loves the Avengers movies and has seen all of them multiple times. As a gift, I want to give him a collection of some great Avengers comics, but I'm pretty much lost as to which to buy. I'm hoping some good people on this Forum might want to help me out? What Avenger comics would you buy, and why?

 

[Sexy Magician]

This can be hard to recommend to new readers, a lot of the stuff they will be seeing in the movies has roots in decades worth of comics. Some of the older stuff are classics some of the new stuff is great and there is good and bad inbetween, I'm gonna suggest titles that relate to the movies in a way,

The Infinity Gauntlet, this is an older story but it is already heavily rooted in the movies and it's more than likely the 3rd Avengers movie will be based on this, it will also serve as a nice introduction to Thanos, a character that is going to have a big presence in the movies.

Anything with Ultron, some stories are better than others, but again, it's a nice introduction to a villain that's being used in The upcoming Avengers movie.

Civil War, this is a story in constant debate, some love it, some hate it, I think it's ok, it doesent really connect to the movies but it would serve as an introduction to the wider Marvel Universe and it's other heroes yet to make a big screen appearance.

Then there is the different route, 'The Ultimates', this is a line of books that are not cannon with the rest of the Marvel Universe, they began in the 2000's where as the main Marvel Universe dates back to the 60's, it's a modern reimagining of Marvel heroes, a reboot so to speak, it's more adult themed, realistic and less fantastical than the main Marvel Universe, it's a great read and a lot of stuff you see in the movies took inspiration from theses books.
I recommend Ultimates graphic novel 1 and 2.

There was 2 other stories I was thinking of specifically featuring the villains Kang and the other Ultron but they are quite expensive, probably best to leave that to see if they even like the comics.

Hope this helps.

 

[LEGO Spidey]

Secret Wars or The Infinity Gauntlet, can't wrong with the two best crossover events in the history of Marvel.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Funny how those are considered Avengers comics now that the movies have integrated Thanos more into the Avengers' wheelhouse. Before the movies, most people seemed to consider them crossovers between the entire Marvel universe--Avengers, X-Men, FF, cosmic, etc.

Not that I'm saying they don't work as Avengers comics. Just funny how that attitude shifted. They're both great stories regardless, though (Infinity Gauntlet's a bit better, in my opinion).

 

[The Endless]

Stay away from Civil War.

Roger Stern's run was great. As was Kurt Busiek's. Those are my favourites. If you want to read up on Ultron check out Busiek's Ultron Unlimited. Fantastic story.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Personally, I'd say start at the beginning with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's work. Those first few issues are a bit rough since Lee and Kirby were literally making it all up as they went along, but there's still great stuff there. The first few issues should be available in the first volume of Essential Avengers, and I'm sure there are at least a few collections reprinting them in color since the movie came out.

 

[Sexy Magician]

Stay away from Civil War.

Roger Stern's run was great. As was Kurt Busiek's. Those are my favourites. If you want to read up on Ultron check out Busiek's Ultron Unlimited. Fantastic story.

See what I mean about the hate, it's justified though, there are some ridiculous plot points, but like I said, I think to a newcomer, that's a relatively modern comic to introduce the rest of the Marvel Universe, but that's just my opinion, there are probably tons of other story arcs out there that do it better.

 

[Sexy Magician]

Funny how those are considered Avengers comics now that the movies have integrated Thanos more into the Avengers' wheelhouse. Before the movies, most people seemed to consider them crossovers between the entire Marvel universe--Avengers, X-Men, FF, cosmic, etc.

Not that I'm saying they don't work as Avengers comics. Just funny how that attitude shifted. They're both great stories regardless, though (Infinity Gauntlet's a bit better, in my opinion).

I still consider it a Marvel Universe crossover event, but I just felt that a newcomer to comics, in particular one who is a big fan of the MCU movies, might benefit from reading this, plainly because it's the story the MCU have been building up to.

 

[The Endless]

I just don't think a story where the characters are written out of character for the sake of the plot is a good place to introduce people to comics.

If that was someones first time reading Iron Man, Hank Pym or Reed Richards they'd probably think they were villains.

 

[Sexy Magician]

I just don't think a story where the characters are written out of character for the sake of the plot is a good place to introduce people to comics.

If that was someones first time reading Iron Man, Hank Pym or Reed Richards they'd probably think they were villains.

Yeah that's a good point, no new reader wants to see robot Thor.

 

[LEGO Spidey]

I still consider it a Marvel Universe crossover event, but I just felt that a newcomer to comics, in particular one who is a big fan of the MCU movies, might benefit from reading this, plainly because it's the story the MCU have been building up to.

This. They're MU-wide crossover events but they provide the best introduction possible for new readers. Some people today might get put off if one or two of their favorite characters from the movies aren't present. Not saying newly-converted readers are shallow, but every little thing helps to bring them over to the greatness that is comic books. Plus, you know... SW and IG were my first two events growing up on all things Marvel, so I have a soft spot for both.

 

[Superfox]

Hi guys! Thank you everyone for helping me !

I'm so new to this but I'm trying my best to understand. My guy does love the X-Men movies, Gardians of the Galaxy (and also Spiderman, Batman (yes I know not Marvel)). He likes the darker, more adult and realistic portrayal of the characters, but he also likes the humor the movies have. A good plot is important to him.

Knowing this, would you say The Ultimates maybe is a better way to go? Since it's more adult themed and realistic? I'm interested in The Infinity Gauntlet and Ultron Unlimited also, because they are connected to the upcoming Avengers movies. How is the plot in these two?

The Endless: Do you have the name of some good comics by Roger Stern or Kurt Busiek ?

The Corpulent one: Am I right to assume Essential Avengers is a collection of all Marvel comics connected to the Avengers? Would this include The Ultimates, Infinity Gauntlet etc.?

 

[The Endless]

Kurt Busiek did Ultron Unlimited. I definitely recommend it. It's probably my favourite Avengers story.

As for Roger Stern? Under Siege is a great Avengers story. And he also wrote Dr Strange & Dr Doom: Triumph and Torment. Which is fantastic and has really cool art by Mike Mignola.

 

[chamber-music]

Kurt Busiek did Ultron Unlimited is a good read. A gritty big Avengers story with high personal stakes but it does require you to know a little bit about the villain and his relationship to the Avengers.

Deliver Us From…The Masters of Evil!” Avengers #54-55
Under Siege” Avengers #273-277
The Kree-Skrull War Avengers #89-97

 

[Superfox]

Thanks again!
I might go with Ultron Unlimited then, but I saw it's very expensive. I really like something that connects so the upcoming movie. I found a comic called Age of Ultron by Brian Michael Bendis, it seems pretty new though... have anyone read it?

 

[chamber-music]

Age Of Ultron the comic won't really connect that much with the film because certain characters and relationships in the comics aren't in the movies.

The Age Of Ultron the comic isn't considered very good by most people.

In the comics founding Avenger Ant-Man (played by Michael Douglas in the upcoming movie) invents Ultron while in the films it will be Iron Man who creates Ultron.

 

[The Endless]

I'd say Age of Ultron the movie is taking more inspiration from Ultron Unlimited than Age of Ultron the comic, from what i've seen and read so far.

 

[Namor ll]

my first avengers story was the korvac saga, id highly recommend it

 

[hippie_hunter]

Personally I find the Ultimates to be extremely overrated and I find Mark Millar to be a *****enozzle of a hack. If you want some good Avengers stuff I would recommend checking out Busiek's material. Best Avengers run ever IMO.

 

[Sexy Magician]

Personally I find the Ultimates to be extremely overrated and I find Mark Millar to be a *****enozzle of a hack. If you want some good Avengers stuff I would recommend checking out Busiek's material. Best Avengers run ever IMO.

Hey you're entitled to your opinion, maybe they are a bit overrated, but you can't deny the success that book had, and that's down to the fact it was pretty good, but I do only recommend Ultimates 1 and 2, stuff got weird after that.

There is also no denying the impact this line had on the MCU, Nick Fury spent a good 45 years being white in the main 616 Marvel Universe before Iron Man the movie came out, he was black for only 7 years in the Ultimate line by that time and the MCU went with that version of the character.

For me, The Ultimate line as a whole started out great, I'm also taking about Ultimate Spiderman, Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate FF, I was digging them all, then quality took a huge nose dive and I haven't read them since.

 

[The Endless]

I actually liked the Ultimates, for what it is. There is no point in writing an out of continuity story, an "elseworlds" story... and doing it exactly the same as the in continuity stuff.

Millar's Cap was a jingoistic *****e bag at times, but there was more layers to the characterization than that.

 

[Mee]

Civil War is a fun read (with great art too) if you can ignore some parts where Millar takes liberties with some of the characters. I don't know that that would be an ideal place for someone new to Avengers or Marvel to jump on. So much going on with so many characters and a lot of history/continuity behind it.


New Avengers: Breakout might be a good one for you. It's not groundbreaking but it's well-written and fun. You get to see a pretty A-list Avengers team with Cap, Iron Man, Wolverine and Spider-Man come together. David Finch's art, eh, probably some of his best in that book but he's not a favorite of mine.


This book is a bit underrated, or just never talked about even, but the 2nd Secret War Marvel did

might be another good one. Not Avengers per se, but it does have a lot of the themes from Marvel movies and TV like Nick Fury putting together superhero teams, distrust of Fury and SHIELD (especially from Cap), etc. Awesome painted art by Gabriel Del'Otto. Like I said not technically Avengers but I definitely recommend it.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Hi guys! Thank you everyone for helping me !

I'm so new to this but I'm trying my best to understand. My guy does love the X-Men movies, Gardians of the Galaxy (and also Spiderman, Batman (yes I know not Marvel)). He likes the darker, more adult and realistic portrayal of the characters, but he also likes the humor the movies have. A good plot is important to him.

Knowing this, would you say The Ultimates maybe is a better way to go? Since it's more adult themed and realistic? I'm interested in The Infinity Gauntlet and Ultron Unlimited also, because they are connected to the upcoming Avengers movies. How is the plot in these two?

The Endless: Do you have the name of some good comics by Roger Stern or Kurt Busiek ?

The Corpulent one: Am I right to assume Essential Avengers is a collection of all Marvel comics connected to the Avengers? Would this include The Ultimates, Infinity Gauntlet etc.?

The Essential collections are a line of paperbacks Marvel puts out reprinting their comics from the beginning in black and white on cheap newsprint. They're meant as an inexpensive alternative to the usually much pricier (although admittedly nicer) hardcover collections they put out from time to time. So Essential Avengers would just be the first few issues of Avengers from the '60s. I say it's a good place to start because it always makes more sense to me to start at the beginning.

After those first few issues, you can skip around. It's a good way to skip some of the less impressive runs and see how the Avengers evolved over the years. My personal favorite era is Kurt Busiek's run from the late '90s/early '00s--some people have already suggested the "Ultron Unlimited" story arc from that run, and it's definitely one of the high points.

I personally would never in a million years recommend The Ultimates, period. It's far too cynical a take on superheroes in general and the Avengers in particular, as far as I'm concerned. The movies borrowed various elements from that run--most notably the black Nick Fury--but they retained the spirit of the original Avengers comics far more than succumbing to the cheap, easy gimmick of The Ultimates, which dispensed with any semblance of nuance and turned the Avengers from heroes with feet of clay into a gang of barely restrained a**holes.

 

[bored]

Pretty much the whole Busiek run is essential. "Ultron Unlimited" is as awesome as people make it sound, and after that he also wrote my personal favorite Avengers story, "The Kang Dynasty".

 

[Dasher10]

I'd recommend Kurt Busiek, Geoff Johns and Brian Bendis with the latter's run brancing off into stories written by Dan Slott and Ed Brubaker. The three of them tell a single story over the course of over a decade that starts with only one title before branching off into two main titles after Civil War (New Avengers and Mighty Avengers) and then three main titles after Seige (New Avengers remains from the previous volume, Mighty Avengers becomes a vanilla adjectiveless Avengers title and Secret Avengers is brand new) but this era only lasts for two years so it's easy to collect.

I'd skip the Young Avengers, Avengers Initiative and Avengers Academy until you're done with the rest of this era since it's not inherently tied to the main plot until Children's Crusade and even then, you won't be lost by skipping these titles just like you won't need to read X-Men to understand AvX.

And if you want the WHOLE story, I'd go back to Infinity Gauntlet, then skip ahead to Operation Galactic Storm, then The Crossing, then Onslaught followed by Heroes Reborn: The Return. It helps Busiek's run make a lot more sense.

I'm also omitting Chuck Austen's run in between Johns and Bendis because it was bad enough that Bendis had to do a soft reboot of the whole team by having Wanda go crazy and abandon the team, Hawkeye spend a year dead, Vision be destroyed and Hank Pym retire because of how horribly Chuck Austen wrote them. Even then, Avengers Disassembled and the first few volumes of New Avengers are perfectly readable.

Once you're past both Omnibus volumes of Avengers vs X-Men at the end of the Bendis run, I'd recommend Uncanny Avengers, Mighty Avengers and both of Hickman's titles (Avengers and New Avengers). Everything else that says "Avengers" on it in is just icing on the cake. Even Secret Avengers after AvX isn't that important to continuity although I REALLY liked Kelly Sue Deconnick's Avengers Assemble until it got cancelled.