5 Comics You Must Read Before Captain America: Civil War
Even if you've seen the 12 previous Marvel Studios movies, devoured both seasons of Agent Carter and made it through Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., you still might not feel ready for Captain America: Civil War. And who could blame you? With two separate teams of Avengers facing off against each other over issues of friendship, governmental oversight, and the love of a good slugfest, there's a lot to pick over in the movie—and that's before you even get to the two new(ish) heroes introduced: Black Panther and the all-new, all-different Spider-Man. But how can you prepare for what lies ahead? Here is your Civil War comics syllabus.
Civil War #1-7 (2006-2007)
The comic book that started it all off, this "Marvel Comics Event" (as each cover announced) is the source material for the new movie, even though the big-screen version of events isn't a straight adaptation (to be fair, the mechanics of the comic book storyline wouldn't work in the movie universe). Nonetheless, in these pages you'll find a central conflict between Cap and Iron Man, and a more hardcore take on how a fight between the two could go down: cloned gods, superhuman detention centers, and very bad things happening to some very good people are all here.
How to read it: Available digitally and in a print collection.
MarvelCaptain America Vol. 5 #25-42
The comic book fallout to Civil War goes places that the movies haven't, and won't anytime soon. Racist former Captain Americas, neo-Nazi plans to undermine America, and a supervillain team inspired by snakes are all off the menu for now, but we can always hope to see them in future. But even if the stories never hit the screens, this series—which features Iron Man, the Falcon, the Winter Soldier, and Black Widow—is still a smart political thriller that is focused on character interactions and set-pieces, so it's as close to a Captain America movie as you'll ever see on paper.
How to read it: Available digitally and in the Death of Captain America: The Complete Collection print collection.
Marvel
All-New Captain America #1-6 (2014-2015)
There's more going on in Civil War (the movie) than just heroes punching each other, and for those seeking to get a jump on just what that might be—no spoilers here, don't worry—this short-lived series that features Sam Wilson taking on the mantle of Cap acts as a welcome primer. It's not Sam you should be paying attention to if you're looking for Civil War connections, however. It's who he's having to deal with.
How to read it: Available digitally and in the All-New Captain America Vol. 1: Hydra Ascendant print collection. (And, no, that title doesn't count as a spoiler either.)
MarvelBlack Panther Vol. 3 #1-12 (1999)
There are many potential starting points to learn about T'Challa, the Marvel Cinematic Universe's newest (and, let's be honest, probably coolest) superhero, but let's go for the first year of the solo series written by Christopher Priest. These issues established Black Panther as the primary strategist in the Marvel Universe, and a character who juggles life as a monarch and a suited-up hero all while staying several steps ahead of his contemporaries, including some guest-starring Avengers.
How to read it: Available digitally and in the Black Panther by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection Vol. 1 print collection.
Marvel
Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #53-61 (2009-2010)
There are many places to find comic book tales of a high-school age Peter Parker (not least of which is Spidey, the current Marvel comic book series set in the hero's past), but this underrated run by writer Paul Tobin and a number of artists including *Daredevil'*s Chris Samnee and The Autumnlands' Benjamin Dewey is a quiet classic, managing to get across the excitement and loneliness of being a superhero but not being able to let anyone know.
How to read it: Available digitally, but the only print editions are back issues, sadly.
Marvel
