Despite the negative reactions and stupid missteps I’ve read about Civil War over the past several months, I find myself drawn to the damn thing. The current issue of Previews has listed no fewer than five Civil War collections listed, including he main Civil War TPB and 4 side-stories. But when the tie-in collections include Amazing Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four, it’s hard for someone coming into the story cold to know what can be skipped witout losing story essential elements and what should be avoided altogether.

So, here’s my question to anyone who’s actually keeping up with this thing. At a bare minimum, what would I need to buy to get the most out of my Civil War reading without buying every freaking crossover collection Marvel’s going to churn out over the next few months?

Comics