Starting Your Marvel Cinematic Universe Journey: 10 Essential Comics for Beginners to start Reading
1. X – MEN (1991) :
• Published – October 01, 1991
• Publisher – Marvel Comics
• First appearance – The X-Men #1 in (September 1963)
• Created by – Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
About Comic Book –
It’s Xavier’s X-Men vs. Magneto, the master of magnetism! The X-Men’s oldest enemy is back and everyone who has the X-Men will join in to bring him down. This massive gatefold cover from Jim Lee promises that the fight is about to be epic. In 1963, with the success of Fantastic Four, co-creator Stan Lee wanted to create another group of superheroes. Unlike Lee’s previous Spider-Man-like creations, who acquired their powers by scientific means, Lee decided that this new group of heroes was “mutants”, Joe was born with powers because he was tired of creating different origins for each superhero.
Storyline (Plot) –
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, mutant human’s are born with a genetic trait called the X genes, which gives them natural superhuman abilities and powers, which typically manifest during there puberty. Most are subject to mutant prejudice and discrimination, due to their differences from humanity; Many of the X-Men stories include social commentary on bigotry, justice, and other political topics. The X-Men have fought against various enemies, including villainous mutants, human fanatics, supervillains, mysterious threats, supernatural ones, and evil artificial intelligence. In most iterations of the team, they were led by their founder, Charles Xavier/Charles Xavier. Professor X, a powerful telepath who runs a school for mutant children outside his mansion in Westchester, New York. Which is also super secretly the there headquarters of the X-Men. His stories often involve the character Magneto, a powerful mutant taking control of the magnetic field, who is portrayed as an old friend and enemy of Xavier, who acts as a rival or ally.
2. Ultimate Spider-Man :
• Published on – September 06, 2000
• Writer – Brian Michael Bendis, BendisBill Jemas
• Penciller – Mark Bagley, David Lafuente, Stuart Immonen,
• Publisher – Marvel Comics (Ultimate Marvel imprint)
• No. of issues – 160 + ( 3 Annuals and 1 Special edition)
About Comic Book –
The series was an unexpected commercial success, selling nearly 20 million copies worldwide and receiving critical acclaim from readers and critics, Particular praise was given to the writings of Bendis, the artwork of Bagley and Emmonen, and the updated re-imagining of the classic Spider-Man mythos. Bendis and Bagley’s race on the Ultimate Spider-Man set the record for the longest continuous run on Stan Lee’s Marvel Comics series.
Storyline (Plot) –
Orphaned at the age of six, Peter Parker is an excluded and isolated teenage science genius who lives in Queens, New York. While participating in a field trip to a scientific corporation, he was bitten by a genetically modified spider and, as a result, began to develop spider-like superpowers in him, which includes increased strength, speed, agility, stamina, durability and reflexes, as well as the ability to crawl solid surfaces and a sixth sense, which warns him of imminent danger, Which he decides to use for personal gain. When an armed thief, whom Peter had encountered before and refusing to stop due to malice, later murders his foster father/uncle in a robbery, So guilt-ridden Peter is later driven to use his abilities as the costumed Spider-Man to atone for his partial responsibility in the murder of his uncle.
3. Thor: God of Thunder (2012)
• Published – November 14, 2012
• First appearance – Journey into Mystery (August 1950 – 60)
• Created by – Stan Lee (writer/plotter) And Larry Lieber (writer/scripter)
• Publisher – Marvel Comics
About Character ( Thor ) –
• Full name – Thor Odinson
• Species – Asgardian
• Place of origin – Asgard
• Team – Avengers
Thor is one of the gods of Asgard and the son of the Asgardian king “Odin”. In addition to his Asgardian strength and very long lifespan, Thor controls the weather, and lightning. He also has the magical hammer Mjolnir, which enhances his abilities and gives him the ability to fly. Thor was first introduced as “surgeon Donald Blake’s” altered ego who had acquired the power of Thor, which was later said to have been coined by Thor’s father. Thor has since adopted other human identities and sometimes reigned as King of Asgard.
Storyline (Plot) –
Marvel now! The god of thunder begins! The gods are disappearing, become Thor down a bloody path that threatens to destroy all his past, present, and future. To save these worlds, Thor must uncover the terrible secret of the God Butcher (Character)!
4. Hawkeye (2012) :
• Published – August 01, 2012
• Writer – Matt Fraction
• Penciller – David Aja
• Published – Marvel Comics
About Hawkeye –
Clint Barton was the first character to take the name of Hawkeye. He was originally an observer who assisted with Black Widow and battled with Iron Man before joining the Avengers team.
Storyline (Plot) –
The breakout star and self-made hero of this summer’s blockbuster Avengers movie Hawkeye fights for justice! Along with the former young Avenger Kate Bishop, he is set to prove himself as one of the most powerful heroes on Earth! Matt Fraction and David Aza (Immortal Iron Fist) reunited to tell the ongoing stories of the Arrow-Avenger!
5. Ms. Marvel (2014)
• Published – February 05, 2014
• Writer – G. Willow Wilson
• Penciller – Adrian Alphona
• Published By – Marvel Movies
About Kamala Khan (Character) –
Kamala Khan is the fourth character to use Ms. Marvel’s code name. Created by “Sana Amanat”, G. Willow Wilson, and Adrian Alphona, the character first appeared in the “Captain Marvel” (August 2013).
Storyline (Plot) –
The legend is back! Marvel Comics presents the brand new character MS. Marvel, the phenomenal heroine who has become an international sensation that time! Kamala Khan is a simple girl from Jersey City – Until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who exactly is the brand new Ms. Marvel, Teenager, Muslim, and Inhuman. Find out that she takes the Marvel Cinematic Universe by storm, and get ready for an epic story that generations to come will be remember. History is now being made by her.
6. Black Panther (2016)
• Published – April 06, 2016
• Writer – Ta-Nehisi Coates
• Penciller – Brian Stelfreeze
• Created By – Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
About Character –
Black Panther have power to draw upon the knowledge, strength and experience of all previous Black Panther, enhanced strength, endurance, speed, agility, reflexes, stamina and senses. Place of origin Wakanda. Team affiliated with Avengers.
Storyline (Plot) –
The Black Panther comic is the story of the dramatic upheaval in a secret place name “Wakanda” and the struggle of Black Panther to do the right thing for his people as their king. Wakanda’s indomitable willpower – the famed African nation known for its vast wealth, advanced technology and warrior traditional history– has long been reflected in the will of its kings, the Black Panthers. But now the current Black Panther name, “T’Challa”, has learned that it has been tested by a superhuman terrorist group called The People, sparking a violent uprising among the citizens of Wakanda.
7. Avengers (2018) :
• Published – May 02, 2018
• Writer – Jason Aaron
• Penciller -Ed Mcguinness
• Publisher – Marvel Comics
• First appearance – The Avengers (September 1963)
About Comic –
The team debuted in The Avengers (September 1963). Like the Justice League, the Avengers were a group of superheroes, each of whom had their own existing series. All of the characters were created by story writer Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This initial series appeared both monthly in the issue (July 1964) and then monthly, published in issues (September 1996), which included several annuals, mini series, and a giant-sized quarterly sister series, which ran fully in the mid-1970s.
Storyline (Plot) –
Thor, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers. Finally, the three big Avengers are become reunited! And just in time to save the world from complete destruction at the hands of their most powerful enemies of all time: the 2000-foot-high space god called the “Celestials”. Watch the arrival of the last host. Who will answer the call of Earth’s mightiest heroes to united for a new era? Hint: One of them has a burning skull in place of the head. And what strange, world-shaking connection existing between the final host and “Odin’s” ancient band of prehistoric Avengers.
8. Hulk (1999)
• Published – February 08, 2006
• Writer – Greg Pak
• Penciller – Carlo Pagulayan
• Publisher – Marvel Comics
• Created by – Stan Lee & Jack Kirby
About Hulk (Character) –
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in comic books published by “The Marvel Comics”. Creater “Stan Lee” and artist “Jack Kirby” this character first appeared in the first edition of “The Incredible Hulk”. In his comic book appearances, the character, who has Dissociative Identity Disorder, is primarily represented by the ego Hulk, a huge, green-skinned, heavy-bodied beast with an unlimited amount of physical strength and stamina.
Storyline (Plot) –
The first appearance in the “corporeal planet”, also known as the “Planet Hulk” Wild alien planet. Suppressing the barbarian tribes. Corrupt monarchs. Deadly female warrior. Gladiators and slaves. War axes and hand blasters. Monsters and heroes… And the Incredible Hulk! Let the demolition begin! The epic story of “Planet Hulk” starts from here.
9. Civil War (2006)
• Published – May 03, 2006
• Written by – Mark Millar
• Penciller – Steve Mcniven
• Publisher – Marvel Comics
• Main characters – Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man
About Comic Book –
There is a ongoing conflict Marvel Cinematic Universe, threatening to pit friend against friend, brother against brother – And all this would be a single mistake that would become to the loss of thousands of lives and a fire in the fuse! As the war claims its victims, no one is safe as a teams, also friendships, and families begin to break down.
Storyline (Plot) –
This comic book explores the conflict between there freedom and there security in the backdrop of real-life events and discussions about such as the increasing surveillance of its citizens by the government. The story plot revolves around the government passing a superhero registration act, which apparently induces super-powerful human individuals to act under official regulation, similar to superhero law enforcement. The superheroes who oppose the act, led by Captain America, find themselves in conflict with their supporters by Iron Man. Spider-Man is trapped in the middle, while the X-Men remain neutral for the survival of all the mutant race.
10. Runaways (2003)
• Published – April 16, 2003
• Writer – Brian K. Vaughan
• Penciller – Adrian Alphona
• Publisher – Marvel Comics
About Comic Book –
The Marvel editor staff agreed to this comic book “Runways” , leading Wizards Magazine to name the series “one of Marvel’s best original concepts in past thirty years.” The tsunami impression was unsuccessful, and the series ended in issue no. #18. After the series was sold to “Digest”, Vaughn pitched the idea again to Marvel, who accepted the story.
Storyline (Plot) –
This series featured a group of six children whose parents regularly met for a charity event every year at a place. In one year, the children spy on their parents and learn that they are “Prides”, a criminal group of bosses, and the time-travelers, the wizards, evil scientists, alien invaded, and the telepathic mutants.
Age of some Avengers:
• Thor: Around 1,500 years old
• Captain America (Steve Rogers): 105 years old in Avengers: Endgame movie
• Iron Man: 53 years old in “Avengers: Endgame” movie