10 Comics You Need to Read Before Seeing "Iron Man 3"

Check out the comics that inspired Marvel's next blockbuster.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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With new superhero movies seemingly hitting theaters every week during the summertime, it’s an understatement to say that it’s a good time to be a comic book fan. But these movies don’t just appeal to the hardcore fans that live and die by their mammoth collections of Mylar-sealed pop art. Even casual moviegoers who wouldn’t be caught dead in the dusty corners of the local comic book store line up around the block to catch a glimpse of their favorite heroes on the big screen.

With Iron Man 3 hitting theaters in the U.S. this Friday, it’s only natural that fans of this big-budget movie series would be curious about the comic book roots of the character, and that’s why we have compiled a list of 10 Comic Books You Need to Read Before Seeing Iron Man 3. Whether you are looking for the story that inspired the movie, the first appearance of the villainous Mandarin, or just a comic that further fleshes out what has made these characters so relevant for so long, we’ve got you covered.

Related: The 10 Best Avengers Stories of All Time 
Related: The 10 Best Captain America Stories of All Time
Related: The 10 Best Spider-Man Stories of All Time 

10. “Rescue Me” (Rescue #1)

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9. “The Dragon Seed Saga” (Iron Man #270-275)

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8. “The Mask in the Iron Man” (Iron Man #26-30)

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7. “Assemble” (Dark Avengers #1-6)

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6. “World’s Most Wanted” (Invincible Iron Man #8-19)

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5. Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin (Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin #1-6)

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4. “Haunted” (Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D #21-26)

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3. “Armor Wars” (Iron Man #225-232)

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2. “The Hands of the Mandarin!” (Tales of Suspense #50)

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1. “Extremis” (Invincible Iron Man #1-6)

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