Superhero Comics

Although I like watching most of the superhero comic book based live action movies, I watch them mainly because they are in live action movie format. As a kid I was really into comic books and superhero comics and cartoons. I had my favourites – Superman, Spider-man, Flash, Batman. I also read some, but not a lot, comics of Iron Man, Green Arrow, The Fantastic 4, The Hulk, Thor, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, He-man & the Masters Of The Universe and maybe a few others. Now these were all till the age of 11, because the comics were easily more available in Kuwait (where I lived from birth till the age of 11) and much less in India (atleast during the late 80s & 90s). Once I moved back to India I read Phantom, Mandrake and some others which were lesser known compared to the others. Phantom in particular was the most popular comic book hero in India.

By the time I turned 13-14 I lost interests in the comics and super heroes in particular. I mean in comic book or animation form. I would watch a live action movie or tv show about the superheroes, especially the Superman & Batman movies, but nothing else. I never had anymore desire to read the comics. As of 2014 I have seen so many superheroes come to life on the big screen – Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor, Hulk, Daredevil, Wolverine & the X-Men, Captain America, Hellboy not to mention Superman & Batman rebooted! And yes the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! For me the movies are the be all & end all of these superstars as I haven’t been a big time reader of comics and haven’t in over 25 years atleast. I wouldn’t know if the storylines of the movies have been changed or the characters altered as I haven’t followed the comic books. It wouldn’t matter to me if it were different and the only thing that affects me are the reboots of the movies, if I have seen the original ones.

I am aware of some animated movies of, especially Superman & Batman, which are out and some of which have got rave reviews. However not having followed the comics & animated ones, I have no clue as to which ones to get, which ones to watch first, how they match or differ the storylines in the comic books series etc. Any suggestions?