I've been a comic reader on and off over the years but I wanted to really sink my teeth into it lately. I've read a few of the more popular stories. Most notably, Extremis, Hyper Velocity, and The End. What stories do you recommend to get into Iron Man more?
I used to own a comic shop and i always tell people start with what is currentish. Mostly comics will be 6 issue (give or take) story arcs. If you find yourself in the middle of an arc go back an issue until you find the start of it*. After you have been reading some go find some TPB/graphic novels of older stuff.
*Comic books are great about adding an asterisk with a footnote about where to find info about something they mention in the issue that you may have missed so you can go find that issue and see what they are referencing.
Any thoughts on the compendiums that occasionally get published which include the entire arcs (including supplemental issues from other lines)?
I haven’t read comics in a long while (launch of the Ultimate line, IIRC); not sure if they still even do those?
A lot of times those are going to be cheaper, if you like the thick spined books those are the way i would go. I personally like single issues because they are easier to open without damaging the book. But if i came across one that was a full collection i would jump on it instead of trying to track down all of the issues.