Starting with comics - DC or MARVEL and where to begin?

SirJoker

Hi,

I want to start reading comics and because I'm a total newbie with this. I mean I watch the films and series of course and that is mainly the reason why I want to start with comics but there is so many of them... does anybody have an advice where to begin? I'm a fan of the DC series on the CW like Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl... but I'm also a fan of the MARVEL film and series universe (Iron Man, Thor, Cap. America, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

Also Starring LeVar Burton

SirJoker wrote: »

Hi,

I want to start reading comics and because I'm a total newbie with this. I mean I watch the films and series of course and that is mainly the reason why I want to start with comics but there is so many of them... does anybody have an advice where to begin? I'm a fan of the DC series on the CW like Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl... but I'm also a fan of the MARVEL film and series universe (Iron Man, Thor, Cap. America, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

There's some great comics series that are neither DC nor Marvel. Personally, I enjoy a lot of the stuff Image puts out, but there are several labels putting out some great series.

Do you have access to a Comic Book Shop? If so, your best bet is to go in and ask whoever working there where they think you should start - tell them you've never read comics before, but want to start and tell them the things that interest you and they'll be able to point you in the right direction.

Tefral

Comics are a wierd one as there are so many retcons and deaths and rebirths. Its best Starting with a storyline and move on from there.

One of the ones i would recommend is the infinity wars since thats what the MCU is revolving around at the moment.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00CJJOYHA/ref=dp_st_0785121056

Id then move on to Civil War 1 and 2

in the DC Universe
Read Frank Millars Daredevil and also Frank Millars Dark Knight Returns.

Doctor DooM

I'd start with the Bendis New Avengers arc- as basically everything you think of as Avengers these days, including Civil war starts there- for the Marvel side.

For DC, the current Rebirth comics are a great hopping on point, besides the usual Dark Knight/Starman and Vertigo Watchmen/Sandman suggestions.

I assume you're more interested in the mainstreamy, superheroey stuff for now (nothing wrong with that either, most people do!)

endacl

Beano.

Accept no substitutes.

Nervous Wreck

So first things first: DC or Marvel? .... Both! The divide isn't nearly as pronounced as the media would have you believe. They both have some really great stuff. In recent years, Marvel has been streets ahead of DC in terms of quality but DC's new line, "Rebirth", has really levelled the playing field. They've got some great stuff coming out more regularly and cheaper than Marvel.

As Doctor DooM said above, Rebirth is a great jumping on point if you wNt to dive into single issues. Of the bunch of Rebirth #1s ive read so far, the best have been Superman, The Flash and Wonder Woman. Any of those titles will serve you damn well. Last week, All-Star Batman #1 came out and it was fantastic (backup story was drawn by Irish artist, Declan Shalvey).

If you'd prefer to read a full story, the following trade paperbacks are definitely worth a read, based on your interests, and will be good hop-on points/intros for characters:

Iron Man: The Five Nightmares by Matt Fraction
Thor God of Thunder: The God Butcher by Jason Aaron
Captain America: Man Out of Time by Mark Waid
Daredevil by Mark Waid
Batman: The Court of Owls by Scott Snyder
Civil War by Mark Millar
Trinity by Matt Wagner
Iron Fist The Living Weapon by Kaare Kyle Andrews
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis
Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson


I get all my comics from Big Bang Comics in Dundrum, which I hugely recommend.

Nervous Wreck

Jumping back in here to add some more recommendations for people new to comics:

Marvel
Spidey - 12 issue series about the high school years of Spider-Man
Vision - 12 issue series, one of Marvel's best in years
Unworthy Thor - 5 issues. Great standalone piece.

DC - specifically Rebirth titles. Would recommend tpbs of the following Rebirth books
Batman
Superman
Superman: Action Comics
Green Arrow
Titans
Super Sons
The Flash
Nightwing

pjohnson

If you're an X-Fan I'd reccomend Cullen Bunn's Uncanny X-Men. Team is possibly a bit jarring if you only know the Fox 90's cartoon but its a great title. Even Cullens current work on X-Men Blue is excellent.