A quick summary of MCU comics - Part 1/9 [Iron Man 3 Prelude]

So, if you're like me (and who doesn't want to be?), you love knowing every possible detail about movies and the like, because it gives you more of the story, it gives you more to know, and it just makes you better than everyone else (that's a joke).

Marvel has already gotten a reputation for cameos, Easter Eggs, and mid-credits/post-credits scenes in their films. Now with the shared continuity of the MCU, it's getting even more intense.

The MCU (that's Marvel Cinematic Universe) has officially expanded beyond just the films, making the term "Cinematic" not quite correct. So, it has officially been labeled "Earth-199999" by Marvel as its own reality, unrelated to the others. However, because that's far too many 9s, it's still commonly referred to as "the MCU."

However, in addition to the movies, the MCU includes short films, comics, novels, video games, and will soon be including a TV show. I hope to do posts on all of these at some point, but today I'm focusing on the comics.

Before I go further, let me clarify, I am only talking here about the comics that are OFFICIALLY part of the MCU, which have neat little logos stating that they are "Official Tie-In" comics. Now, there are many other comics that the writers intended to take place in Earth-199999, but its not official canon in the eyes of Marvel, so those will probably get their own post some day.

Now, for the comics themselves. I've found it very difficult to find an official, comprehensive list anywhere, so this is what I'm including: (note, you can link to the other pages by clicking on the title!)

Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week
Avengers Prelude: Black Widow Strikes
Iron Man 3 Prelude
Thor
Thor: The Dark World Prelude
Road to Marvel's The Avengers
(Includes)
-I Am Iron Man
-Iron Man 2: Agents of SHIELD
-Iron Man 2: Public Identity
-Captain America: First Vengeance

This post will focus on what's probably the most popular right now, the Iron Man 3 prelude. Future posts will discuss the others.

I will also add that this is just to give a GENERAL IDEA of what happens in the book, to help you decide whether or not to buy it and give it a full read (I would suggest looking on ebay). This is not a comprehensive summary.

OK, so, Iron Man 3 prelude.

Part I is where the meat and potatoes of this story is.We see some Stark Tower info before it's built (this comic comes before The Avengers), and probably the most important thing is this book is that Stark takes back his suit from Rhodes, takes all the Hamemer-tech out, and gives Rhodes a brand new suit. Rhodes then starts working with the government tracking down Ten Rings operations in the Middle East.Turns out Hammer was working with them just as Stane was in Iron Man 1, and Rhodes gets into trouble. He requests back-up, but can't get any because there's a "situation in New York" (insert panels of the Avengers final battle scene). *Laugh* Ends on a cliffhanger, because they want you to buy Part II.

Par II is much less about learning secrets and more about following up on Rhodes, who wins, but damages his suit terribly (good thing he gets a new one in Iron Man 3). Aside from another panel showing the "situation in New York," Stark is barely in this one. We see another appearance of the "sonic cannons" seen in The Incredible Hulk (designed by Stark), and Rhodes takes off to help in Manhattan. But by then time he gets there, everybody is at Shawarma. In the epilogue, we get the first glimpse of Stark's huge collection of armors, and he refers to them as his "Iron Legion."

My recommendation: If you don't care about the in-between of the movies, don't bother with this. If you love that kind of stuff like I do, see if you can find a collection of both on ebay for ~$5. The first part is definitely more juicy than the second, but its nice to have closure.

For more info on Earth-199999, either wait for more of my posts, or check out this website:
http://marvel.wikia.com/Earth-199999

Is this where Rhodey decides to steal Cap's look?

Notice that these armors all look pretty similar, as opposed to the publicity photos and trailers where there are many different ones. Point is, he's got tons of armor now.