Reading Marvel Comics - The First 50
I decided, randomly on a whim, that I was going to buckle down and attempt to read the massive history of comics that is Marvel. This was actually partially prompted by finding a site (http://cmro.travis-starnes.com/) that is a massive fan-driven effort to put all the comics into a reading order where everything makes sense. It starts off in 1961 with the first issue of the Fantastic Four comics, and continues from there. Yes there are comics missing from the order, the original Captain America comics from the 40s being some of them, but a starting point had to be chosen and this one actually makes a lot of sense.
Quick backstory, I never read comics growing up. I read books, mostly. I got into manga and anime when I was a teenager, but they're very different from Marvel or DC comics in a lot of ways. The extent of my comic-book knowledge is the little bits and pieces I've picked up browsing the web from time to time, or the various live-action movies. (I've seen most of them lol)
As I've finished reading the first 50 issues at this point according to the order, I figured I'd like to log what I thought about what I've read so far, as it'll be interesting to look back and see further down the line.
So, let's start with Iron Man, cause he's fun. There's only been 2 issues with Iron Man in them at this point, so there's not really all that much to say. There's no overarching plot-line at all, even the plot-line of "Tony trying to get the shrapnel out of his chest/stop being dependent on the Iron Man suit" can only be inferred at this point. He's made no efforts to do anything about it, and other than a throwaway line about not being able to swim with a hot chick, he doesn't really seem to dislike his circumstances at this point. At this point he's still manufacturing weapons, so he's not even trying to do anything about war or violence in the world, he's more a reactionary hero. Monster/villain of the week shows up, he vanquishes them. Not necessarily bad, but not really exciting either. I've enjoyed the Iron Man comics so far, but that doesn't mean much, I've enjoyed the first two issues of nearly every comic.
Moving on to Spider-Man, he's had 3 issues so far, and I've enjoyed them all. Yeah, the Fantastic Four crossover in the second issue was gratuitous, but it also served a good point in contrasting two very different types of superhero. The intro issue of Spider-Man (actually Amazing Fantasy #15) is a spectacular origin story, and one I think anyone with an interest in comic-books/Marvel should definitely read. What strikes me as interesting about Spider-Man at this point is he's a rare protagonist that at this point is pretty happy with his lot in life. He'd like to not be considered a vigilante fugitive and he'd like his Uncle to still be alive, but he doesn't really want to change anything. He just wants to fight crime and help people, and while corny, it's enjoyable.
We've mentioned the Fantastic Four, so let's talk about them. Oh dear, the Fantastic Four. I never had much respect after that first issue, when we learn that "Cosmic Rays" are a thing, and they give everyone that goes into space superpowers, but it's gotten to the point where I almost want to start skipping stories with the Fantastic Four, because they're boring and often not written well most of the time. The only real strength to the Fantastic Four are the recurring villains of Doctor Doom and the Sub-Mariner. They're actually interesting characters, unlike almost everyone else. Add to all of this the blatant sexism inherent in the fact that the Invisible Girl has the most useless power in the universe at this point in time, and it's absurd. (No really, there's been one story where the Invisible Girl actually did something useful with her ability to turn invisible. ONE. Out of at least 18.) There is often no accountability for the rampant property damage being done, nuclear bombs going off with no ill effects, and don't even get me started on the damned "Fantasticar." At least that thing's stupid re-design has it make a little more sense aerodynamically.
Moving sideways to the Human Torch spin-off comics. Yeah that's right, he got his own spin-off comics before there were even 8 issues of the Fantastic Four comic out. These vary wildly in quality, some are written quite well while others are trite drivel. There is absolutely no sense of continuity when it comes to the Torch's powers, from issue to issue his strengths and weaknesses are wildly changed, but on the strength of sheer storytelling, I'd actually probably recommend these spin-offs more than the original comics.
Let's talk about a series I've actually enjoyed wholeheartedly, Thor. These are often quite cliche, but they never fail to bring a smile to my face. This is probably influenced by the fact that I've been a huge mythology buff my whole life, but I feel the stories are made more interesting because they have all this mythology to draw upon. Any issue with Loki is always hilarious and totally worth a read, and I honestly think these are some of the best comics so far.
And now about the comic that was one of my absolute favourites and then went entirely downhill. The Incredible Hulk. I loved the first 2 issues of this, I thought they were mature, interesting, and well written so long as you accepted the plot devices. And then they jumped the shark before that phrase was even coined. Honestly, I'd probably tell people to read the first 2 issues and then abandon ship, because it becomes really obvious that they had no idea where to go with the character, and I feel they didn't think the more mature storyline that was the direction they were originally heading was all that well received. I could be completely wrong, but issues 3-6 strike me as them trying to appeal more to "the kids."
Last and definitely least, let's talk about Antman. I want Antman to die in a fire, I really do. I never had high expectations for a hero named Antman, but even with low expectations it's a total let-down. There are ants making honey, there are ants managing to catch him after he's flown hundreds of feet with no impact, and honestly, if I wasn't completely OCD about it, I'd have stopped reading Antman after the very first issue he was in.
And that's it, really. A lot of mediocre, with occasional bright spots, and the rare moment of complete crap. There are probably about 6-7 issues I would wholeheartedly recommend, and an equal number I'd warn people away from :P
Quick backstory, I never read comics growing up. I read books, mostly. I got into manga and anime when I was a teenager, but they're very different from Marvel or DC comics in a lot of ways. The extent of my comic-book knowledge is the little bits and pieces I've picked up browsing the web from time to time, or the various live-action movies. (I've seen most of them lol)
As I've finished reading the first 50 issues at this point according to the order, I figured I'd like to log what I thought about what I've read so far, as it'll be interesting to look back and see further down the line.
So, let's start with Iron Man, cause he's fun. There's only been 2 issues with Iron Man in them at this point, so there's not really all that much to say. There's no overarching plot-line at all, even the plot-line of "Tony trying to get the shrapnel out of his chest/stop being dependent on the Iron Man suit" can only be inferred at this point. He's made no efforts to do anything about it, and other than a throwaway line about not being able to swim with a hot chick, he doesn't really seem to dislike his circumstances at this point. At this point he's still manufacturing weapons, so he's not even trying to do anything about war or violence in the world, he's more a reactionary hero. Monster/villain of the week shows up, he vanquishes them. Not necessarily bad, but not really exciting either. I've enjoyed the Iron Man comics so far, but that doesn't mean much, I've enjoyed the first two issues of nearly every comic.
Moving on to Spider-Man, he's had 3 issues so far, and I've enjoyed them all. Yeah, the Fantastic Four crossover in the second issue was gratuitous, but it also served a good point in contrasting two very different types of superhero. The intro issue of Spider-Man (actually Amazing Fantasy #15) is a spectacular origin story, and one I think anyone with an interest in comic-books/Marvel should definitely read. What strikes me as interesting about Spider-Man at this point is he's a rare protagonist that at this point is pretty happy with his lot in life. He'd like to not be considered a vigilante fugitive and he'd like his Uncle to still be alive, but he doesn't really want to change anything. He just wants to fight crime and help people, and while corny, it's enjoyable.
We've mentioned the Fantastic Four, so let's talk about them. Oh dear, the Fantastic Four. I never had much respect after that first issue, when we learn that "Cosmic Rays" are a thing, and they give everyone that goes into space superpowers, but it's gotten to the point where I almost want to start skipping stories with the Fantastic Four, because they're boring and often not written well most of the time. The only real strength to the Fantastic Four are the recurring villains of Doctor Doom and the Sub-Mariner. They're actually interesting characters, unlike almost everyone else. Add to all of this the blatant sexism inherent in the fact that the Invisible Girl has the most useless power in the universe at this point in time, and it's absurd. (No really, there's been one story where the Invisible Girl actually did something useful with her ability to turn invisible. ONE. Out of at least 18.) There is often no accountability for the rampant property damage being done, nuclear bombs going off with no ill effects, and don't even get me started on the damned "Fantasticar." At least that thing's stupid re-design has it make a little more sense aerodynamically.
Moving sideways to the Human Torch spin-off comics. Yeah that's right, he got his own spin-off comics before there were even 8 issues of the Fantastic Four comic out. These vary wildly in quality, some are written quite well while others are trite drivel. There is absolutely no sense of continuity when it comes to the Torch's powers, from issue to issue his strengths and weaknesses are wildly changed, but on the strength of sheer storytelling, I'd actually probably recommend these spin-offs more than the original comics.
Let's talk about a series I've actually enjoyed wholeheartedly, Thor. These are often quite cliche, but they never fail to bring a smile to my face. This is probably influenced by the fact that I've been a huge mythology buff my whole life, but I feel the stories are made more interesting because they have all this mythology to draw upon. Any issue with Loki is always hilarious and totally worth a read, and I honestly think these are some of the best comics so far.
And now about the comic that was one of my absolute favourites and then went entirely downhill. The Incredible Hulk. I loved the first 2 issues of this, I thought they were mature, interesting, and well written so long as you accepted the plot devices. And then they jumped the shark before that phrase was even coined. Honestly, I'd probably tell people to read the first 2 issues and then abandon ship, because it becomes really obvious that they had no idea where to go with the character, and I feel they didn't think the more mature storyline that was the direction they were originally heading was all that well received. I could be completely wrong, but issues 3-6 strike me as them trying to appeal more to "the kids."
Last and definitely least, let's talk about Antman. I want Antman to die in a fire, I really do. I never had high expectations for a hero named Antman, but even with low expectations it's a total let-down. There are ants making honey, there are ants managing to catch him after he's flown hundreds of feet with no impact, and honestly, if I wasn't completely OCD about it, I'd have stopped reading Antman after the very first issue he was in.
And that's it, really. A lot of mediocre, with occasional bright spots, and the rare moment of complete crap. There are probably about 6-7 issues I would wholeheartedly recommend, and an equal number I'd warn people away from :P