In response to the growing popularity of superheroes in the film industry, people have been wanting to get in touch with the heroes’ true origins in the comics. But where do we start? Where, in this vast, confusing, random heap of comic books do we begin? Let me tell you about the arc that first grabbed my attention as a comic book reader – the arc that has led to the many years of lonely Saturday nights curled in my bed, fueling my addictive questions of “What happens next?!??” or “What happened before that??!”. So here it is, a Marvel Comic book event that’s been officially Dorkamended (trademark pending).
Brother Against Brother
To give a general overview (don’t worry, no spoilers), this is an arc about the growing anti-superhero hysteria that seems to ensue in American society. After the events in The Road to Civil War, the government (and the people) seem to have had enough with superheroes and implement a Superhero Registration Act. This splits the superhero community as half of them believe this is the next step for capes to be accepted by the society and are pro-registration against the supers that believe this violates the very ideals of being a superhero-which are anti-registration.
The Reading Order
The list is provided here (in order, as well), but this does not include the Road to Civil War!!! You may be confused about what happened if you do not read The Road to Civil War beforehand.
Realistically, I know some of you are looking at this list thinking “I don’t have time to read all this! I have a job, friends, and a girlfriend (ok maybe not all of us but we can dream, can’t we?)”. So I’ll give the must read characters:
Must Read:
- Civil War
- Iron Man
- Captain America
- Spider-Man
- New Avengers
- Fantastic Four
- New Warriors
Also Like:
- Wolverine
- Thunderbolts
So go ahead and pick a side! I encourage you to read them all if you can, but if not only read the suggested. Be sure to let me know what you guys think and if you want suggestions on what to read after this, be sure to comment.
