To be fair to the movies, they've been cast well (with a few exceptions), the leads are telegenic, and the movies draw from the comic lore in the best ways, but when they have to change, it's for the better. For instance, I liked the Steve and Bucky friendship in the movie (in the comics, it's a relationship more along the lines of odd - Bucky is a child soldier to Steve's Captain America) because it came across as more authentic and real. I can understand why people would ship Steve/Bucky based on the movie, but based on the comics around that time? I tend to go... uuuh.
To be honest, Iron Man is a good get, because that's the comic movie that started the Avengers series. Iron Man II isn't as fast moving as one, because they had to get the set up in there, but it's worth it for Fury and Natasha's expanding leads, and Tony Stark's tortured relationship with his father (the movies got that right). I've never watched The Incredible Hulk because I don't like the character, and I don't think I've missed anything. Captain America is a good movie, filled with heart. As not an American, I went into it expecting to roll my eyes with the jingoism, but it's quite good.
Unlike a lot of people in fandom, I didn't like Thor much when it came out. I think it's because I watched Hannah the week before, and I loved it, and I expected more from Brannah's direction, but it was still a solid picture, so I didn't feel as if I wasted my money. With all the stories out there, it seems that it's struck a chord with people though (and I liked the characters enough to wish the movie well).
Is there a primer somewhere I should be reading
If you want to stick to the movies? No, not really. They are being true to the mythos of the comics in that Loki was the one who got the Avengers together, the Incredible Hulk was a part of the Avengers until he left, and Loki was instrumental in getting the Avengers to matter.
However, if you plan to venture into the comics verse, yeah, you might need a wikipedia, or probably just dip into Marvel Adventures: Avengers- good plots, great art, no learning curve to get in and call it a day.
I don't really read movie Avengers fic, but for writers it seems that valtyr, and gyzym gets loads of hits and comments. I'd comment more but I have to dash to work!
As a comics fan, movies are whole other beasts
To be honest, Iron Man is a good get, because that's the comic movie that started the Avengers series. Iron Man II isn't as fast moving as one, because they had to get the set up in there, but it's worth it for Fury and Natasha's expanding leads, and Tony Stark's tortured relationship with his father (the movies got that right). I've never watched The Incredible Hulk because I don't like the character, and I don't think I've missed anything. Captain America is a good movie, filled with heart. As not an American, I went into it expecting to roll my eyes with the jingoism, but it's quite good.
Unlike a lot of people in fandom, I didn't like Thor much when it came out. I think it's because I watched Hannah the week before, and I loved it, and I expected more from Brannah's direction, but it was still a solid picture, so I didn't feel as if I wasted my money. With all the stories out there, it seems that it's struck a chord with people though (and I liked the characters enough to wish the movie well).
Is there a primer somewhere I should be reading
If you want to stick to the movies? No, not really. They are being true to the mythos of the comics in that Loki was the one who got the Avengers together, the Incredible Hulk was a part of the Avengers until he left, and Loki was instrumental in getting the Avengers to matter.
However, if you plan to venture into the comics verse, yeah, you might need a wikipedia, or probably just dip into Marvel Adventures: Avengers- good plots, great art, no learning curve to get in and call it a day.
I don't really read movie Avengers fic, but for writers it seems that valtyr, and gyzym gets loads of hits and comments. I'd comment more but I have to dash to work!