With multiple superhero movies coming out every year, it can be hard to ignore this part of the pop culture landscape. And while this particular genre may not be for everyone, the years of history and plethora of characters can be intimidating for those who just want to dip their toes into the waters of superheroes. Well, have no fear, there are some easy ways to get in on the action. With a little reading and a few movies, you’ll be prepped to join the Avengers in no time!
Familiarize yourself with the basics
If you are a superhero novice, there are two names you need to know: Marvel and DC. They’re the two companies that are responsible for most of the superheroes you see on the market today. Marvel has introduced characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, Captain Marvel and the rest of the Avengers, while DC is responsible for popular characters like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. If you want to learn more about what characters belong where, and how they are all interconnected, Fandom is a great place to get a general overview. For more specific information, check out the Marvel Database and the DC Database.
Pick up a book
If you want to learn more about a particular character and their backstory, there are plenty of books you can read. Instead of comic books which cover longer stories in shorter installments, these are full-length novels that comprise a single adventure in depth, making it easier to connect with a particular character. With the DC Icons series, popular YA authors are taking a stab at writing for characters like Wonder Woman, and on the Marvel side of things Black Widow (played by Scarlett Johansson in the Avengers movies) has her own series of YA novels.
Hot picks: Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo, Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl and the upcoming Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas
Or even a comic book
If you want a more traditional superhero read, pick up a comic book, like the upcoming Shuri comic book. With different storylines that span decades, it can be challenging to find a starting point when it comes to reading comics. Instead of reading single issues of comic books, beginners should look for collections, which group a lot of issues in one volume. Reading the volumes will make it easier to get to know the characters and the worlds they are part of. It will also eliminate the struggle of figuring out which issue you should read next.
Hot picks: Gotham City Sirens, Marvel’s Civil War and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl
Start watching a TV series
If reading a book doesn’t tickle your fancy, try watching a TV series. Most superhero TV shows have fewer characters and don’t have connections to films from the same companies, requiring less effort to keep up with the characters. The CW has a bunch of superhero-centric shows that focus on more than just fighting bad guys. But if you want a grittier take on the genre, Netflix has plenty of options to choose from.
Hot picks: Agent Carter, Jessica Jones, Supergirl and The Flash
Pick a couple of movies to watch.
Ten years of Marvel movies (with the occasional DC flick) is a lot, and even if you haven’t dedicated the last decade of your life to watching these movies, you still have time to catch up. If it is your first experience with superhero cinema, try watching a standalone film that fits into your preferred genre of film. If you like period pieces, try Captain America: The First Avenger or Wonder Woman. If you prefer comedies, check out Ant-Man or Deadpool. Films like these can be enjoyed on their own and if you like them, you can watch the sequels and companion films. If you want to watch a smaller series, you can check out trilogies and duologies like Andrew Garfield’s two Spider-Man films, or director Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
Hot picks: Batman Begins, The Amazing Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Black Panther and Deadpool
Go all in
If you just want to jump right in, go for it. There are many, many superhero movies, but if you move through them chronologically, you can watch the storylines unfold and marvel (no pun intended) at the impressive way all of these films are interconnected. There are fewer DC films to work through, so you can knock those out first if you’re in a time crunch. And once you’re done with those, you can tackle the close to 20 films produced by Marvel Studios. Stuck on what order to watch them in? Again, Fandom can be a useful tool in figuring out which film (or comic book issue) comes next.
Superheroes aren’t going anywhere so once you’re caught up, you’ll be ready for upcoming releases like Captain Marvel (starring Brie Larson) and the recently announced Black Widow film. Good luck and have fun!