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cap_ironman2013-10-09 03:48 pm
salmastryon.livejournal.com) wrote in cap_ironman2013-10-09 03:48 pm
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Part Two of an MCU Fan's Introduction to Comics
Note: I've edited the previous part to added the excellent suggestion to use the library to find trades and to fix the link to the New Avengers, Vol.1 trade at Amazon and all of the Marvel Adventure links.
Part One: Format and the Avengers
Part Two: Captain America and Iron Man
Part Three: Black Widow and Hawkeye
Part Four: Hulk, Bruce Banner, Thor, Donald Blake and Loki
So, you aren't just satisfied with reading about their adventures together and with the Avengers. If you want to know more about them, here are some individual title recommendations.
Steve Rogers ~ Captain America
Captain America, Volume 5 - First Issue: Captain America(2004), First Trade: Captain America: Winter Soldier, Book One
This is the start of the Ed Brubaker run as the writer for Captain America. This will invariably show up on a list of what to read if you are interested in Captain America. Brubaker is considered by most, the one who defined the modern day Captain America. The volume starts off with the introduction of the Winter Soldier. Other important characters you'll get to know are Sam Wilson(Falcon), his long time partner and best friend, and Sharon, his on again off again love interest. Even if you are a Stony fan this is well worth reading and gives an insight into who the major players are in Caps life when he's not with the Avengers and Tony. If you want to go into the upcoming movie Captain America: Winter Soldier blind, I recommend holding off on reading this. The other three recs below will hopefully hold you over until then.
Note: For those buying trades, if you can find the Captain America Omnibus, Volume 1 inexpensively, pick it up instead. Unfortunately it is out of print, but it includes the issues 1-25, Captain America 65th Anniversary and Winter Soldier: Winter Kills. It takes five trades to cover that content with the currently in print trades.
Series at Marvel~First Collection at Comixology~First Trade Paperback at Amazon
Captain America 65th Anniversary - Issue: Captain America 65th Anniversary(2006), Trade: Included in Captain America: Red Menace, Book One
This issue takes us back us back to before Steve was frozen. He's on a mission with Bucky and the Howling Commandos. Since they are sneaking in to help the resistance clandestinely the Invaders are unfortunately not included (more on them later.) Basically the Red Skull is digging up something in a European castle and it is up to our heroes to find out what and stop him. The story made me smile and introduces you to the 616 Bucky who is different than the MCU one. This is a set up as a flashback in the above Captain America series, but it can be read totally stand alone if you ignore the last two pages. Those last two pages don't really spoil anything either since they are totally out of context.
Captain America 65th Anniversary(2006) at Marvel~Captain America 65th Anniversary(2006) at Amazon
Captain America: Man Out of Time - Issues: Captain America: Man Out of Time(2010) #1-5, Trade: Captain America: Man Out of Time
This is a modern retell on the 616 events that covers Bucky's death and how Steve was frozen, defrosted and became part of the Avengers. The entire series is set from the point of view of Steve. You get a look at Bucky and Cap's relationship towards the end of the war and his first impressions of the Avengers. I think it does a great job of setting up Steve's viewpoint of the future and how he finally acclimates and settles into becoming an Avenger. The Avengers fights themselves are glossed over, but that's okay because this isn't about those fights and battles, it is about Steve coming to accept his place in the future and a member of the Avengers. Stony Pluses: Iron Man and Captain America snark towards the end. Steve not knowing Tony and Iron Man are the same person.
Series at Marvel~Series at Comixology~Trade at Amazon
The Marvels Project - Issues: The Marvels Project(2009) #1-8, Trade: The Marvels Project
This covers the origin story of the Invaders. The Invaders was the Superhero team Captain America ran around with before he was frozen. I debated including this here instead of in a later post, in the end though I really enjoyed reading this and thought this was a good book to learn more about Captain America. Besides I wanted an even number of recommendations for Steve and Tony.
The current version of Captain America and Bucky's origin story is covered in this along with stories about Fury, the two original human torches, Namor and other more obscure characters from that era. It is pretty much stand-alone except for one thing. The story itself is sandwiched in between two cameos of the Two-Gun Kid. I found it frustrating that nothing is really explained about him in this story. That being said he himself has nothing to do with the actual plot of the series. Two-Gun Kids bio on the Marvel Wikia if you are interested in him after reading this as well.
Note: Do not confuse this with Marvels which is a different series
Series at Marvel~Collection at Comixology~Trade at Amazon
Tony Stark ~ Iron Man
Iron Man: The Mask In The Iron Man - Issues: Iron Man(1998) #26-30, Trade: Iron Man
This is the Sentient Armor arc. Tony's Armor comes alive and Tony has to deal with the ramification of it and its actions. While this is a recent story arc, it is a great arc to understand 616 Tony Stark. During this he examines who or what actually is Iron Man. Stony Pluses: A flash back to training with Steve helps save Tony.
Note: The Trade this is in it actually a pretty good starting point. It includes Iron Man(1998) #1 as well which summarized his origins and deals with him coming to terms with what he wants with his life now.
First Issue at Marvel~Trade at Amazon
Iron Man: Iron Monger - Issues: Iron Man(1985) #193-200, Trade: Iron Man: Iron Monger
This starts out with Rhodey trying to convince Tony, now that Tony has started getting his life back on track and is sober, to become Iron Man again. The arc deals with Tony facing why he doesn't want to put the suit on again and overcoming it. Stane, meanwhile, is trying to drive Tony back to the bottle again. Things you'll also see is Clint being sneakily supportive and lots of Rhodey and Tony interactions.
Note: The description for the Iron Man: Iron Monger trade at Amazon is incorrect.
First Issue at Marvel~Trade at Amazon
Iron Man: Extremis - Issues: Iron Man(2004) #1-6, Trade: Extremis
This is the story arc that launches Iron Man, volume 4. (See what I mean? Cap is starting volume 5 at this point) It is also considered by some required reading for Iron Man. This book shapes much of who Iron Man is and what he can do leading up to, during and after the Civil War. As for the story itself, there is a fanatic running around creating havoc who has been enhanced by Extremis. It is up to Tony to stop him and figure out how this happened. Pluses: Sexy Armor need I say more?
Note: While I like the next arc, Execute Program, it is the ramp up leading into the Civil War and explains one of the reasons he took the side he did. Much like the Civil War, I think that having no understanding of the 616 version of Tony Stark will be a handicap.
First Issue at Marvel~Collection at Comixology~Trade at Amazon
Civil War: The Confession - Issue: Civil War: The Confession(2007), Trade: Iron Man: Civil War
This pretty high to the top of required reading for a Stony fan. While this takes place during the Civil War, it can be read without any knowledge of the specific events of the Civil War. This is basically Tony talking to Steve's corpse. If you are one to cry at angst, have your tissues ready when you read this. Stony Pluses: This can easily be interpreted as Tony confessing his love of Steve. Tony devastated by Steve's death. Steve even looks hot as a corpse. How does he do that?
Note: The trade also includes the Civil War issues of Iron Man and Iron Man/Captain America: Casualties of War. I've not read the Civil War, but while Casualties of War is good it flashes back to a lot of things in their history and goes into their stances in the Civil War, so you might want to hold off reading it until you read the Civil War.
Issue at Marvel~Issue at Comixology~Collection at Comixology~Trade at Amazon
Other Versions of Steve and Tony
These are titles I really wanted to recommend, but they aren't actually 616 canon, but are really good reads. So enjoy!
Captain America: The Fighting Avenger - Issues: See list at the bottom, Trade: Captain America: The Fighting Avenger
When I asked for recommendation of something fun about Steve Rogers this is one of the recommendations given to me and I love it! It includes issues of Marvel Adventures in addition to Captain America: The Fighting Avenger. The Fighting Avenger is about Steve's first mission before he was frozen. This is definitely not 616 canon as you will be able to tell with the difference in origin story. Steve though is still his lovable self. As to the Marvel Adventure issues all I've got to say is baby rhino!
Issues: Captain America: The Fighting Avenger(2010)~Marvel Adventures: The Avengers(2006) #3 and #37~Marvel Adventures: Super Heroes(2010) #5
Captain America: The Fighting Avenger(2010) at Marvel~Trade at Amazon
Iron Man Noir - Issues: Iron Man Noir(2010) #1-4, Trade Iron Man Noir
What if Tony Stark had lived in the years leading up to WWII? You get Tony Stark daring adventure who searches the globe of places of mystery. I've not gotten around to reading it yet, but I plan to. I've heard a lot of good things about it and there are some great fics. So, if you want to know more about that Tony, here is where you read.
Note: You can also get these issues in the more expensive trade called Marvel Noir: Daredevil/Cage/Iron Man.
Series at Marvel~Collection at Comixology~Trade at Amazon
Iron Maniac - Issues: Marvel Team-up #1-6 and #21-24, Trades: Marvel Team-Up Vol. 1: The Golden Child and Marvel Team-Up - Volume 4: Freedom Ring
In the first arc, an alternate version of Iron Man shows up. Though, he's not the Tony Stark we all know and love. He doesn't care what happens or who he kills as long as he gets home. In the second arc, after he escapes from S.H.I.E.L.D. he decides to call himself the Iron Maniac. He's leaving a path of destruction and death in his wake. If you want to read about the evil Iron Man that pops up occasionally in fics this is the guy they are most likely referencing. While Marvel Team-up is technically set in 616 knowing what is going on in the regular continuity is unnecessary.
Series at Marvel~Golden Child and Freedom Ring at Amazon
Next week will be about the 616 versions of the other MCU Avengers.
Part Two: Captain America and Iron Man
Part Three: Black Widow and Hawkeye
Part Four: Hulk, Bruce Banner, Thor, Donald Blake and Loki
So, you aren't just satisfied with reading about their adventures together and with the Avengers. If you want to know more about them, here are some individual title recommendations.
Captain America, Volume 5 - First Issue: Captain America(2004), First Trade: Captain America: Winter Soldier, Book One
This is the start of the Ed Brubaker run as the writer for Captain America. This will invariably show up on a list of what to read if you are interested in Captain America. Brubaker is considered by most, the one who defined the modern day Captain America. The volume starts off with the introduction of the Winter Soldier. Other important characters you'll get to know are Sam Wilson(Falcon), his long time partner and best friend, and Sharon, his on again off again love interest. Even if you are a Stony fan this is well worth reading and gives an insight into who the major players are in Caps life when he's not with the Avengers and Tony. If you want to go into the upcoming movie Captain America: Winter Soldier blind, I recommend holding off on reading this. The other three recs below will hopefully hold you over until then.
Note: For those buying trades, if you can find the Captain America Omnibus, Volume 1 inexpensively, pick it up instead. Unfortunately it is out of print, but it includes the issues 1-25, Captain America 65th Anniversary and Winter Soldier: Winter Kills. It takes five trades to cover that content with the currently in print trades.
Series at Marvel~First Collection at Comixology~First Trade Paperback at Amazon
Captain America 65th Anniversary - Issue: Captain America 65th Anniversary(2006), Trade: Included in Captain America: Red Menace, Book One
This issue takes us back us back to before Steve was frozen. He's on a mission with Bucky and the Howling Commandos. Since they are sneaking in to help the resistance clandestinely the Invaders are unfortunately not included (more on them later.) Basically the Red Skull is digging up something in a European castle and it is up to our heroes to find out what and stop him. The story made me smile and introduces you to the 616 Bucky who is different than the MCU one. This is a set up as a flashback in the above Captain America series, but it can be read totally stand alone if you ignore the last two pages. Those last two pages don't really spoil anything either since they are totally out of context.
Captain America 65th Anniversary(2006) at Marvel~Captain America 65th Anniversary(2006) at Amazon
Captain America: Man Out of Time - Issues: Captain America: Man Out of Time(2010) #1-5, Trade: Captain America: Man Out of Time
This is a modern retell on the 616 events that covers Bucky's death and how Steve was frozen, defrosted and became part of the Avengers. The entire series is set from the point of view of Steve. You get a look at Bucky and Cap's relationship towards the end of the war and his first impressions of the Avengers. I think it does a great job of setting up Steve's viewpoint of the future and how he finally acclimates and settles into becoming an Avenger. The Avengers fights themselves are glossed over, but that's okay because this isn't about those fights and battles, it is about Steve coming to accept his place in the future and a member of the Avengers. Stony Pluses: Iron Man and Captain America snark towards the end. Steve not knowing Tony and Iron Man are the same person.
Series at Marvel~Series at Comixology~Trade at Amazon
The Marvels Project - Issues: The Marvels Project(2009) #1-8, Trade: The Marvels Project
This covers the origin story of the Invaders. The Invaders was the Superhero team Captain America ran around with before he was frozen. I debated including this here instead of in a later post, in the end though I really enjoyed reading this and thought this was a good book to learn more about Captain America. Besides I wanted an even number of recommendations for Steve and Tony.
The current version of Captain America and Bucky's origin story is covered in this along with stories about Fury, the two original human torches, Namor and other more obscure characters from that era. It is pretty much stand-alone except for one thing. The story itself is sandwiched in between two cameos of the Two-Gun Kid. I found it frustrating that nothing is really explained about him in this story. That being said he himself has nothing to do with the actual plot of the series. Two-Gun Kids bio on the Marvel Wikia if you are interested in him after reading this as well.
Note: Do not confuse this with Marvels which is a different series
Series at Marvel~Collection at Comixology~Trade at Amazon
Iron Man: The Mask In The Iron Man - Issues: Iron Man(1998) #26-30, Trade: Iron Man
This is the Sentient Armor arc. Tony's Armor comes alive and Tony has to deal with the ramification of it and its actions. While this is a recent story arc, it is a great arc to understand 616 Tony Stark. During this he examines who or what actually is Iron Man. Stony Pluses: A flash back to training with Steve helps save Tony.
Note: The Trade this is in it actually a pretty good starting point. It includes Iron Man(1998) #1 as well which summarized his origins and deals with him coming to terms with what he wants with his life now.
First Issue at Marvel~Trade at Amazon
Iron Man: Iron Monger - Issues: Iron Man(1985) #193-200, Trade: Iron Man: Iron Monger
This starts out with Rhodey trying to convince Tony, now that Tony has started getting his life back on track and is sober, to become Iron Man again. The arc deals with Tony facing why he doesn't want to put the suit on again and overcoming it. Stane, meanwhile, is trying to drive Tony back to the bottle again. Things you'll also see is Clint being sneakily supportive and lots of Rhodey and Tony interactions.
Note: The description for the Iron Man: Iron Monger trade at Amazon is incorrect.
First Issue at Marvel~Trade at Amazon
Iron Man: Extremis - Issues: Iron Man(2004) #1-6, Trade: Extremis
This is the story arc that launches Iron Man, volume 4. (See what I mean? Cap is starting volume 5 at this point) It is also considered by some required reading for Iron Man. This book shapes much of who Iron Man is and what he can do leading up to, during and after the Civil War. As for the story itself, there is a fanatic running around creating havoc who has been enhanced by Extremis. It is up to Tony to stop him and figure out how this happened. Pluses: Sexy Armor need I say more?
Note: While I like the next arc, Execute Program, it is the ramp up leading into the Civil War and explains one of the reasons he took the side he did. Much like the Civil War, I think that having no understanding of the 616 version of Tony Stark will be a handicap.
First Issue at Marvel~Collection at Comixology~Trade at Amazon
Civil War: The Confession - Issue: Civil War: The Confession(2007), Trade: Iron Man: Civil War
This pretty high to the top of required reading for a Stony fan. While this takes place during the Civil War, it can be read without any knowledge of the specific events of the Civil War. This is basically Tony talking to Steve's corpse. If you are one to cry at angst, have your tissues ready when you read this. Stony Pluses: This can easily be interpreted as Tony confessing his love of Steve. Tony devastated by Steve's death. Steve even looks hot as a corpse. How does he do that?
Note: The trade also includes the Civil War issues of Iron Man and Iron Man/Captain America: Casualties of War. I've not read the Civil War, but while Casualties of War is good it flashes back to a lot of things in their history and goes into their stances in the Civil War, so you might want to hold off reading it until you read the Civil War.
Issue at Marvel~Issue at Comixology~Collection at Comixology~Trade at Amazon
These are titles I really wanted to recommend, but they aren't actually 616 canon, but are really good reads. So enjoy!
Captain America: The Fighting Avenger - Issues: See list at the bottom, Trade: Captain America: The Fighting Avenger
When I asked for recommendation of something fun about Steve Rogers this is one of the recommendations given to me and I love it! It includes issues of Marvel Adventures in addition to Captain America: The Fighting Avenger. The Fighting Avenger is about Steve's first mission before he was frozen. This is definitely not 616 canon as you will be able to tell with the difference in origin story. Steve though is still his lovable self. As to the Marvel Adventure issues all I've got to say is baby rhino!
Issues: Captain America: The Fighting Avenger(2010)~Marvel Adventures: The Avengers(2006) #3 and #37~Marvel Adventures: Super Heroes(2010) #5
Captain America: The Fighting Avenger(2010) at Marvel~Trade at Amazon
Iron Man Noir - Issues: Iron Man Noir(2010) #1-4, Trade Iron Man Noir
What if Tony Stark had lived in the years leading up to WWII? You get Tony Stark daring adventure who searches the globe of places of mystery. I've not gotten around to reading it yet, but I plan to. I've heard a lot of good things about it and there are some great fics. So, if you want to know more about that Tony, here is where you read.
Note: You can also get these issues in the more expensive trade called Marvel Noir: Daredevil/Cage/Iron Man.
Series at Marvel~Collection at Comixology~Trade at Amazon
Iron Maniac - Issues: Marvel Team-up #1-6 and #21-24, Trades: Marvel Team-Up Vol. 1: The Golden Child and Marvel Team-Up - Volume 4: Freedom Ring
In the first arc, an alternate version of Iron Man shows up. Though, he's not the Tony Stark we all know and love. He doesn't care what happens or who he kills as long as he gets home. In the second arc, after he escapes from S.H.I.E.L.D. he decides to call himself the Iron Maniac. He's leaving a path of destruction and death in his wake. If you want to read about the evil Iron Man that pops up occasionally in fics this is the guy they are most likely referencing. While Marvel Team-up is technically set in 616 knowing what is going on in the regular continuity is unnecessary.
Series at Marvel~Golden Child and Freedom Ring at Amazon
Next week will be about the 616 versions of the other MCU Avengers.