www.youtube.com/shorts/-KoRW4o8IpI Here ya go!

Managed to make this and somehow failed to mention the Ultimate comics, which you can also use and a jumping in point, though just me aware that they're their own little "Alternate" versions of the characters that will, at some point, end without tying into the current "Mainline" stories.

Don't be afraid to jump in anywhere! Most comics are designed to be accessible.

I just read Sub-Mariner: The Depths and I fully recommend it. It's a five-issue self-contained horror comic with Namor as a cryptid.

Some Doctor Strange recs below.

Modern Age: I'd recommend Jed Mackay if you just want to start reading a modern run right away. The order is Death of Doctor Strange -> Strange (2022) -> Doctor Strange (2023). I'd also recommend Doctor Strange (2018) #9. Waid's run is a mixed bag, but I really like that issue.

Bronze Age: Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme (1988 - 1996).

Silver Age: The original Strange Tales run by Ditko and Lee. Also, Doctor Strange (1974 - 1987).

Graphic Novels and Self-contained Comics: Into Shamballa, Fall Sunrise, The Mystic Hands of Doctor Strange, The Flight of Bones, The Oath, Doctor Strange: Strange Origin.

Crossovers and Team Ups: the original Defenders, Triumph and Torment (w/ Dr Doom), The Way to Dusty Death (w/ Spider-Man), Strange Tales Volume 2 (w/ Cloak and Dagger), Doctor Strange vs Dracula: the Montesi Formula.

Assorted Recommendations: Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme, Strange Academy.

Whenever he doesn't have his own ongoing or isn't in a team book, he has stories — like Doctor Strange vs Shuma Gorath in Marvel Premiere #10 - #14 — in comics like Marvel Premiere, Marvel Feature, Marvel Team-Up, and Marvel Fanfare. This fanpage is a great resource and will let you know which issues pertain to Dr Strange.

Feel free to visit r/doctorstrange if you have any questions.

They replaced the Romita painted covers? Blasphemous.

Here are some reading orders if you are interested...

I wrote Spider-Man recommendations here!

I wrote Fantastic Four recommendations here!

I wrote a Daredevil reading order here!

I wrote a X-Men reading order here!

And I wrote an Avengers reading order here! Spider-Man joins the team in this era!

You can read everything on Marvel Unlimited. A great option if you have a tablet! There's also your local library or their digital Hoopla service. Free options!

Have fun!

Start at the library by reading a ton of free comics and figuring out what you like and want to collect!

1. pick a character or team

2. buy a book featuring said character or team

3. read it

4. repeat

You can't go wrong with buying what interests you. Take a trip to your nearest comic store and start browsing.

There are some fantastic independent comic book publishers out there so don’t be afraid to go outside of DC and Marvel!

The comic world is a very big world. Imagine having to learn it all without the help of the internet.

I would pick a character and another completely different genre. Like Spider-Man and horror comics. There’s enough there to keep you really busy. But figure out what interests you. And you don’t have to be married to your decision. People’s interests ebb and flow. Have fun. Understand what you’re purchasing when buying any back issues. That means asking and learning. Have fun, it’s a great time to be a comic collector!

Here are some reading orders if you are interested...

I wrote Spider-Man recommendations here!

I wrote Fantastic Four recommendations here!

I wrote a Daredevil reading order here!

I wrote a X-Men reading order here!

And I wrote an Avengers reading order here! Spider-Man joins the team in this era!

Moon Knight recommendations:

Read these stories in order and enjoy!

Moon Knight (1980) #1-3 - origin story from the 80s! Definitely read the first issue at least... it will be referenced later!

Moon Knight (2014) #1-6

Moon Knight (2016) #1-14

Avengers (2018) #33-37 - "The Age of Khonshu"

• Moon Knight (2021) #1-30
• Moon Knight Annual 2022 (after issue #12)
• Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1-5
• Free Comic Book Day 2024: Blood Hunt

Punisher recommendations:

Garth Ennis wrote the definitive Punisher. Here is a reading order! Punisher MAX is the real highlight & can be read by itself. However, it's not on the Marvel Unlimited app because of the Mature rating. See if you can find trades thru your local library or Hoopla.

You can start with Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe as a fun intro!

Then you can read the Punisher MAX series by Jason Aaron. Similarly, you have to find it outside of Marvel Unlimited as well.

For comics you can find on Marvel Unlimited, here are my recommendations! Read them in order:

The Trial of the Punisher - a great two-part story!

Punisher (2011) - a well written 16 issue run by Greg Rucka! There's a small crossover with issue #10, so I'll list that here:

• Avenging Spider-Man #6
• Punisher (2011) #10
• Daredevil (2011) #11

Rucka's run ends with Punisher: War Zone (2012).

Punisher: War Machine - Frank Castle dons the War Machine armor!

Punisher (2022) - a 12 part story by Jason Aaron

Enjoy!

If you want some new reader-friendly recs from the last five years:

Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) by Jonathan Hickman (set in an AU where the Marvel History has been altered and lots of characters history has been changed. In this new world, Peter is a middle-aged man with a family and hasn't bitten by Radioactive Spider back in his teens.

Moon Knight (2021) by Jed Mackay: follows Moon Knight doing his usual stuff, beating people to a pulp and befriending vampires. Honestly this is probably the most tame moon knight series you could read, most of books go wild places lol.

Ms. Marvel (2014) by G. Willow Wilson: not from the last five years but its her first run and honestly best place to start with the character.

Punisher MAX (2004) by Garth Ennis: similar to Ms. Marvel not from the past five years but if you want Frank at his best, this is considered Punisher’s definitive series.

Fantastic Four (2022) by Ryan North: if you want some great Science Fiction mixed with puly adventure and wholesome family dynamic there probably is no better series to start with.

House of X/Powers of X (2019) and the Krakoa era by Jonathan Hickman and others: idk what else to say about this series without spoiling who wild it is, but if you want Games of Thrones x Superheroes, then this is the book for you

Get marvel unlimited, its has about every Marvel comic made i think, its 10$ so really cheap, its not really the same reading online and reading physical copies, but it’s really great if your just getting into comics

It's really not difficult. Pick a story and read it. If you like it, read more. If not, pick a different story.

https://www.continuityguide.net/

If you are interested in Venom, consider buying this Venom omnibus hardcover. It's quite hefty, but it's all the Venom you could ever want!

Here are some reading orders if you are interested...

I wrote Spider-Man recommendations here!

I wrote Fantastic Four recommendations here!

I wrote a Daredevil reading order here!

I wrote a X-Men reading order here!

And I wrote a modern Avengers reading order here! Included is a link to other great Marvel stories from the 2000s!

Have fun!

Sorry you got stuck with a shitty customer service. You might be interested in getting marvel unlimited, trying out a few series to see if you like them enough to purchase the physical copies.

The original ultimate Spider-Man series is about 150 issues, nothing to expensive, all the original ultimate series are reasonably priced tbf.

The original Secret Wars 12 issue mini is a great place to start. Iconic, fun read, #8 is a Spiderman key and they are doing a Secret Wars movie or something similar.

Check out Marvels Epic Collection tpbs for some chunky collections of past material. They collect stuff from the 60s up through the 90s.

Modern Epics also launched recently and collect more… modern material. First vol of Ultimate Spider-man just got collected as a Modern Epic.

Or go for Omnibus collections if youre a big spender.

I would get a library card and some apps like Libby/hoopla before going straight to marvel unlimited. You can find a lot of comics to read digitally that way without spending a penny.

As for your original question, just start picking stuff up that looks interesting. Trade paper backs are going to be a more cost effective way to get going, and they are usually pretty intuitive in their numbering. If you're looking to get into monthly single issues you can just kind of pick up any book and get going. There will always be more back story to get to, but it's not necessary to read everything.

Feel free to message me if you have any specific questions, and I'd be glad to help more.

99.99% of comics printed in the last 40 years are not going to be worth more than face value. So I would get it out of your mind your collection will appreciate significantly in value, unless you go for more speculative issues.

You see these people selling bulk collections, they definitely aren't making money doing that. Any issue worth value has probably been cleaned out.

You might get better advice on r/comicbookcollecting

If you are collecting for value. 1st appearances are the only thing that matter.

Bulk collections are never worth it unless you find one locally that hasn’t been pick through and you get for a good price.

Focus on what you like. Try to get the first appearances of your favorite characters.

Most first appearances of bigger/older superheroes have reprints. Don’t get scammed.

Buy a price guide and read the articles in the front. Study the series you enjoy and learn what first appearances you can look for in the wild.

Knowing what is a good price or not off the top of your head can save you a lot of time and money.

Look up local shows/conventions to get bigger key issues at. Dealers will always cut a cash deal to save fees. 10-20% off is a reasonable offer that should never offend a dealer. When you do make an offer, make the best you feel comfortable making and hold firm to it. Don’t get bullied by dealers or shop owners. Hold out for the right price.

Ultimate Spider-Man (1999) by Brian Micharl Bendis

Friendly-Neighborhood Spider-Man (2018) by Tom Taylor

Avengers: No Surrender by Mark Waid, Al Ewing and Jim Zub

Thor: God of Thunder (2012) by Jason Aaron (The Godbutcher storyline happens here)

If you need somewhere to read, Marvel Unlimited is a great choice if you don't have money for physical comics, but i would still go to a comic shop if i were you.

See if your local libraries have a graphic novel section. It’s a great way to sample some stuff and see what you like.

I wrote Spider-Man recommendations here!

I wrote an Avengers reading order here! Spider-Man joins the team in this era!

Thor recommendations:

Thor: Tales of Asgard by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby - How it all started. One of the most epic comics from the 60s! This part is only 6 issues.

Thor by Walt Simonson - the next great Thor run after Lee/Kirby. One of the best comics from the 80s!

Thor by J. Michael Straczynski - #1-12, #600-603 & the Giant-Size Finale. The best modern starting point for Thor! It set the tone for all Thor comics going forward

Thor by Jason Aaron - Spanning seven years, it was one of the best Marvel comics of the 2010s & a contender for best Thor run ever. Here's a reading order

Journey into Mystery by Keiron Gillen - a great Loki series that took place between the JMS & Jason Aaron runs. Kid Loki reading order!

You can read everything on Marvel Unlimited. A great option if you have a tablet! Use code FOUR4 for a discount. There's also your local library or their digital Hoopla service. Free options!

Have fun!

1. Pick a niche. A character. An artist. A style. It doesn’t matter what, but start with something “small” to focus in on. Make that the central point of your collection. I’m not saying don’t get other thing, just have a “target” you are aiming for, first.

2. Storage. Plan your storage. Get a box or two, and a shelf to put them on. Short boxes are infinitely more convenient in the long run. Long boxes have their place, but short boxes will probably serve you better at the beginning.

3. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Set a weekly, and monthly budget for yourself. As well as goals. Like no more than $20 (made up number) /week in books and no more than $100/month. This habit can spiral out of control.

4. Build relationships. Don’t be afraid to let people know what you are looking for. For example I’m trying to find a Miss America v1, #2. You never know who may have upgraded their copy and has a spare lying around and is looking to recoup a bit of their fun money.

5. The community is supportive. We actually like this, so ask questions, and most people will give nuanced opinions and why they think that way

Don't fall for the trick of thinking that this will be a "good investment" for you... because it's not. The only way anyone really makes money on comic books is by buying everything, and doing it that way you'll loose way more then you'll make.

Collect for the stories you want to read, artists you enjoy, or characters you're interested in and eventually some of the books you'll have bought may become valuable.

Happy Collecting

Lots. Collect what you like and enjoy. 🤘

Welcome to the rabbit hole.

Don't fall into FOMO. No regrets.

If its spiderman then ultimate spiderman is supposed to be the best modern introduction, if you want marvel in general ive been using chris claremonts run of uncanny xmen to establish a baseline in the marvel universe which has been pretty cool, avengers is worth taking a look at as well, i think that series includes more of the marvel universe than anything else

There are loads of ways to start. Have a chat with the folks at your local comic book store. They're always pretty knowledgeable & can hook you up. Marvel Unlimited is a online service allowing you access to a large back catalogue of digital comics and new releases for a monthly subscription fee. If you would rather have the physical comics, it can be an expensive hobby. Check out some of the Ultimate Universe books (that's where Miles Morales is from although things have changed a bit since his debut.). Best advice is just grab some books and start reading! There's decades of stories for you to discover and enjoy!

Start with Ultimate Comics Spider-Man volume 1. It is the beginning of the Miles Morales Story. I also suggest heading to your local comic shop, those guys will likely love to help you.

It's Spider-Man. r/respectthehyphen

I’m still relatively new but if I could offer my thoughts (some which others have said)

The mainline Batman starts at a new #1 this week so perfect time to pick up Batman. Additionally Absolute Batman, an alternate take on the character, has been fantastic and is a way you can read Batman without feeling the pressure of the decades worth of continuity. Sometimes I find reading something standalone first helps you get accustomed to comic reading before jumping into main line stuff.

As for collecting…I’d suggest start small. Browse your local comic shop and see if there’s anything that interests you (maybe 3-4 titles) and buy those every month. After a few issues see if you vibe with them or not. Look into trade paperbacks and omnibuses as they’re overall a bit cheaper than buying all the issues separately, very handy for stuff that’s already been out for a while.

And most importantly and I can’t stress this enough….set a budget. It’s very easy to go overboard because there’s just so much out there. In my first couple months collecting holy shit I spent so much because I just wanted everything. I was grabbing everything I was even remotely interested in and felt like I had to read as much as possible to keep up with comic culture. You don’t. Set a small budget (I did $20 a month which got me about 4 titles) and then work your way up as you feel comfortable. Check out local shops and their sales (a shop around me just had a sale on 50% off used trades and I managed to snag some good stuff). At the end of the day don’t overthink it. Have fun, they’re comics. All the best!

1st rule of collecting, buy things that you really want, not worrying about what other people are buying or saying you ought to have.

You might get started with buying the new monthly comics that come out, and/or look for a comic book shop that has "dollar boxes" with comics that are less expensive, and see what jumps out at you. You won't end up with a full run of anything, but then you can go on the hunt to get the missing issues.

For Batman I recommend starting with Year One then Loeb and Sale’s run

• Batman: Year One
• Batman: Haunted Knight
• Batman: Long Halloween
• Batman: Dark Victory

Some people start with New 52 run by Scott Synder

• Batman Vol.1: The Court of Owls
• Batman Vol.2: The City of Owls
• Batman Vol.3: Death of the Family
• Batman Vol.4: Zero Year - Secret City
• Batman Vol.5: Zero Year - Dark City
• Batman Vol.6: Graveyard Shift
• Batman Vol.7: Endgame
• Batman Vol.8: Superheavy
• Batman Vol.9: Bloom
• Batman Vol.10: Epilogue

Absolute Batman is also fantastic, this has given Batman a new origin story he’s not rich. It’s set in a different universe.

Batman is resetting at #1 on September 2nd with a new run by Mark Fraction if you want to check out a current run.

Batman has a new #1 that releases in a few days, so you can check that out. some context: at this point in continuity, Alfred has died and vandal savage is the new mayor of Gotham

X-Men also have a relatively recent #1's for 3 main titles. X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and Exceptional X-Men. Context needed: Mutants had an island nation called Krakoa, but they sorta ruined it, and now mutants are scattered across earth once more

Adejctivless has Scott and a few other mutants stopping threats like they usually do

Uncanny has Rogue and Wolverine take in a bunch of mutant kids as a sort of new "class of gifted youngsters"

Exceptional has Emma Frost and Kitty Pryde take in their own gifted youngsters, as sort of an after school program. also more urban based

let me know if you need anymore info. hope this helps!

As others already provided useful answers, I'll only focus on the collecting part: 

I myself also wasn't planning to collect comicbooks. I was just fascinated by Kraven the Hunter, and wanted to get my hands on the best Spider-Man comics starring him. I bought Nick Spencer's Hunted arc (The Amazing Spider-Man #16-23) in a singular book (as in my country specific Marvel arcs are sold in thick collective bricks). After reading it, I fell in love with Spencer's writing, so it became my goal to collect his entire run of TASM 😐 Later I found out about "Avengers 1.000.000 BC" that appear in Jason Aaron's Avengers run (I just LOVE prehistory). I researched the specific issues 1M BC Avengers appear in, and bought them. Now I think that I'll complete Aaron's run on Avengers... And probably on my way, I'll find some other interesting thing that will consume me. Ah, I almost forgot - I also began collecting Squirrel Girl comics as well (G.L.A, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl).

Long story short: I started with one comicbook (containing 7 issues), and now I'm getting out of shelf space. Collecting comics is an actual addiction - they look juicy and colorful, they smell nice, they present gorgeously on the shelf. I'd say that once you get your first comic, and it hooks you in, then as long as you have money you'll be getting more of them 😅