Iron Man and Spider-Man trade to get?

[s1lentslayer]

Newbie here, with the new Iron Man movie coming out I want to read the comic book version first. Is there a trade that would be applicable? Also, is there a "must-have" Spider-Man trade to get me started web-slinging?

[kahunablair]

Well I'm a huge fan of Ultimate Iron-Man. Sadly I don't think it's going to have a whole heck of a lot to do with the version you'll see in the movie version.
Just in case you weren't aware, Ultimate series are a retelling of a characters origin. It helps to bring the character into the modern age. Sometimes this leads to two seperate Iron-Men series, and it doesn't look like it's the Ultimate version, we'll be seeing in the theaters.

[iSteve]

You might find Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus, Vol. 1 interesting. Here's the info about it:

Book Description
He was a teenage web-slinger, and he carved a career few heroes have equaled since! Witness the origins of Doctor Octopus, the Sandman, the Lizard, Electro and more of Spider-Man's original rogues gallery - most of whom remain in the spotlight forty years later! Plus: Spider-Man's identity is exposed for the first time! His first fights with the Green Goblin, the villain who would defeat him more disastrously than any other! Spidey's first effort to join a super-team, and his first effort to fight a super-team - all before his high-school graduation (and we've got that, too)! Guest-starring Doctor Strange, Daredevil, the Human Torch, the Hulk and more! Collects Amazing Fantasy #15, Amazing Spider-Man #1-38 and Annual #1-2 - plus the Spider-Man stories from Fantastic Four Annual #1 & Strange Tales Annual #2, and the covers to Marvel Tales #3-28 & Annual #1-2.

The only downside is that it costs $100. But you should be able to pick it up after Wednesday on Amazon.com for $62.99.

[iSteve]

Well I'm a huge fan of Ultimate Iron-Man. Sadly I don't think it's going to have a whole heck of a lot to do with the version you'll see in the movie version.
Just in case you weren't aware, Ultimate series are a retelling of a characters origin. It helps to bring the character into the modern age. Sometimes this leads to two seperate Iron-Men series, and it doesn't look like it's the Ultimate version, we'll be seeing in the theaters.

Kahuna's right. The Ultimate Spider-Man is definitely worth checking out. One of the best Spidey titles being published.

[superfriend82]

Yes would agree with i steve and Kahunablair the onmnibus and ultmate are good for new readers. i really like the ultmate U it hot only is it good for new readers it olso puts a new spin on them.

[paper]

Convince me to try Ultimate Iron-Man, Blair. I'm curious.

This is an interesting subject. Is there a trade to be recommended from modern Spider-Man? We keep talking about the omnibus for the origins of the title, and Ultimate for a solution to its convoluted evolution. But is there anything in between? I honestly can't think of a straight-up Spider-Man trade I've ever really wanted.

[kahunablair]

Convince me to try Ultimate Iron-Man, Blair. I'm curious.


Well I just have a few questions. Do you like the normal Tony Stark? Do you like his origin ?

[paper]

In the past I've taken on the role of Tony Stark apologist. I always saw the Tony stark presented in the movie trailer. I haven't read much Iron Man proper though.

You know me; I just like a good story with interesting characters.

[racemccloud]

I know I'm in the minority, but outside of the "Ultimate Spider-Man" trades (which would get my highest possible recommendation; if you've never read them I envy your ability to experience them for the first time), but I'd also recommend J. Michael Strazynski's "Amazing Spider-Man" trades, starting with "Vol. 1 - Coming Home". I liked the majority of JMS' run, although he certainly has had his detractors RIGHT HERE ON THIS SITE! Still, if you're going to pick one... go with Ultimate Spidey.

As for Iron Man... wait a few months until the movie is closer, and Marvel will give you all the "Iron Man" trades you can shake a stick at.

[kahunablair]

In the past I've taken on the role of Tony Stark apologist. I always saw the Tony stark presented in the movie trailer. I haven't read much Iron Man proper though.

You know me; I just like a good story with interesting characters.

Well ok.
The story actually mainly covers his childhood. Tony is born with a mutation. His entire body is filled with Neural tissue. In other words, he's pretty much a giant brain. Where as this is great because of the fact he's a genius, he also suffers. Because his entire body is made up of Nerves, he suffers from constant pain from the moment he was born.
His parents own Stark Enterprises and his father is a brilliant scientist. He spends his entire time working on a way to save his son from the pain. Over time he created a blue cream that when rubbed on Tony, it created a type of armor. Throughout the book, Tony's dad refines the "suit" until it isn't blue and Tony can begin to be a normal child.

Sadly while his father is wasting all his money and time to fix his son, his wife is being seduced and in turn, helps the "bad guy" overthrow Stark out of his own company.
Since the armor for Tony was created in the Stark Labs, the company wants the patent and cream back. Tony and his father are forced into hiding to avoid the lawsuits and risk of Tony being separated from his Dad.

And all of that happens in the first two issues..

It's a completely different take on Iron Man, and for the first time, I actually cared about Tony Stark. He isn't so much of a tool, that need to be taught humility. His father literally gave up everything for his son, and Tony learns to appreciate that fact.

Oh plus they gave a reason for the constant drinking. The alcohol actually helps him deal with the constant pain he is in. By drinking he's numbing his physical pain.

[paper]

That's kinda weird. Isn't brain tissue separate from sensory nerves? You can't feel a poke to the brain. So why would his whole body hurt?

Sounds cool though. I'll take a look at it the next time I'm in the shop.

[kahunablair]

That's kinda weird. Isn't brain tissue separate from sensory nerves? You can't feel a poke to the brain. So why would his whole body hurt?

They go into more depth then I did. So don't take my haphazard explanation as gospel.

EDIT:
Calling on WIKI for the assist...
Ultimate Iron Man #1 reveals that Tony Stark's genius is caused by an accident his mother suffered while she was carrying him in her womb. He has neural tissue throughout his body, as if his entire body is a brain, giving him tremendous mental capacity but at the cost of chronic pain akin to severe burns due to the overstimulation of neural cells in his skin. His father uses a newly invented biological armor to ease Tony's pain.

[hank41]

ultimate spider-man hardcover vol. 1

nuff said

[cormano]

ultimate spider-man hardcover vol. 1

nuff said

Yeah, I think the hardcovers actually work out to be cheaper than the trades.

[projektidiot]

Loeb/Sale's "Spider-Man: Blue" is not half bad.
Also Kaare Andrew's recent "Spider-Man: Reign" is a nice standalone police state Spider-Man story, even if it is pretty much a complete rip off of Dark Knight Returns.

The Iron Man "Extremis" trade was alright. And I mean purely alright. I don't think I've ever read a really great 616 Iron Man arc aside from when he's in a team.

The aforementioned Ultimate Iron Man was superb except for the cliffhanger ending that should not be found in a mini-series.

[esophagus]

That's kinda weird. Isn't brain tissue separate from sensory nerves? You can't feel a poke to the brain. So why would his whole body hurt?

Sounds cool though. I'll take a look at it the next time I'm in the shop.Ultimate Iron Man is the Ultimate book to read. I've yet to enjoy anything from the ultimate line, past or present, as much as I loved that book.

[s1lentslayer]

Thanks for the replies, looks like I'll try to get the first Ultimate Iron Man and Spider-man trades.

[kahunablair]

Ultimate Iron Man is the Ultimate book to read. I've yet to enjoy anything from the ultimate line, past or present, as much as I loved that book.
Actually I'm also a big fan of some of the Ultimate FF storylines. Some even as much as Iron Man. Sadly it's REALLY uneven, so it's hard to suggest that one as much.

Thanks for the replies, looks like I'll try to get the first Ultimate Iron Man and Spider-man trades.
Awesome to hear.
Be sure to keep us posted on what you liked/ didn't like.

[mikegraham6]

Ultimate Iron Man bugged me only because it really got interesting and then it ended with a "Keep an out for Ultimate Iron Man Vol. 2 next year!" ARGH!!! oh well, it will be starting soon.....

[ghostevo]

Ultimate Ironman Sounds pretty good, I might have to check that out. Can't really go wrong for under $10.

Which Spidey one is good to get?

[esophagus]

Actually I'm also a big fan of some of the Ultimate FF storylines. Some even as much as Iron Man. Sadly it's REALLY uneven, so it's hard to suggest that one as much.
FF is definitely up there. If Iron Man had gone on for as long as FF has I'd probably level them as even. But with such a limited amount out, Iron Man is all around better. If that makes sense. But yeah, UFF has defintiely had more than it's share of moments.

[mikegraham6]

FF is definitely up there. If Iron Man had gone on for as long as FF has I'd probably level them as even. But with such a limited amount out, Iron Man is all around better. If that makes sense. But yeah, UFF has defintiely had more than it's share of moments.

as a non-FF reader, i really enjoyed Ultimate FF, until Mike Carey jumped on. After that it was storyline after storyline of crap. It was the first Ultimate title i ever dropped. It upset me because i really wanted it to be good. Out of all the Ultimate title i benefitted most from UFF since i was very unfamiliar with Fantastic Four stories.


Also, Ultimate Galactus sucked