I love the idea that @modernzorker came up with in his post here that I also resteemed yesterday. He encouraged a few of us in the comics community to do the same, and I really love the idea. It is a super fun hobby, and considering I am fairly new to collecting, I feel like I can help guide a newer reader.

I have a bit different perspective when buying comics, I am basically 100% in it for the story. I don't really care about "collecting" a rare issue, or finding mint vintage finds. What I do care about, are quality stories with my favorite characters... and being able to read that story from start to finish (whenever possible).

My biggest hurdle in getting into comics was not knowing where to start.

"Do I have to start at #1?" "Well this character was introduced in the 57th issue of a totally different character... do I need all those too??" "I like (Insert Character), I just wanna read about them"

The answer to all of your concerns are 3 words...

Trade Paper Back

A trade paper back (or TPB) simply put, is a collection of single issue comics. Usually they will have an entire story-arch or atleast a good chunk of it. Some huge stories may come as several volumes... even then there will be a clear Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3, etc... As a fairly new reader, these have been my saving grace for my sanity, and my need to finish a story once I start it. I highly recommend going this route to start if you are new, and want some *good storylines.

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For ease of transition, I am going to recommend two Fantastic stories that are in TPB, that were both recently adapted into movies that you have probably already seen. These are two of my favorite comic storylines, and the movies based on them also happen to be two of my favorites.

Old Man Logan

Old Man Logan

At $13-$15 and no prior knowledge needed this has to be one of the best stories you can read. It is a treasure trove of easter eggs, fan favorite characters, and some of the coolest and most brutal panels you could hope to read. The art in this is fantastic, and the story line is probably my favorite thus far. The plot twist in this book literally made me stand up, and yell "OH MY GOD, WHAAAAAAAAAATTT???!?!?"

Obviously the recent movie Logan was loosely based on this idea. While a totally different story, it still has the same vibe of ... Western/Horror/Thriller.

Planet Hulk

Planet Hulk

Slightly more expensive around $16+ is Planet Hulk. Trust me though, that with that couple extra bucks, you get about 2-3x the reading material. This is a HULK of a book, one of the biggest I've read. This is another that is not lacking in plot, it keeps you intrigued in the drama/war/journey the entire time. You get to see the Hulk rise to greatness in this book, and it created what I think is the coolest hulk design of all time. The Gladiator Hulk, whom, if you have seen Thor: Ragnarok you are familiar with. That hulk design alone has caused me to make fan art, go see the movie opening day, and buy an expensive action figure haha.

This book is continued into a storyline called World War Hulk that is also available in TPB, but is not necessary for you to feel as if you "finished" the Planet Hulk story. This is also the beginning of "World Breaker Hulk" which is considered to be one of, if not THE strongest iterations of the Hulk ever.

My last few nerd posts:

Starlord and Ego Action figures
DEADPOOL
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