Prepping for "The Avengers"

This article at AICN gives a rundown of how to prepare for the days leading up to "The Avengers." Some suggestions are good, but some can definitely be improved. For instance, he feels that one should watch "The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes," read the "Avengers" prequel comic, play the "Avengers" facebook game, read "Iron Man: Extremis," and watching the "Avengers" 1970s what-if movie trailer on youtube.

I agree with the TV show, which is stellar and focuses on some of the major "Avengers" storylines from back in the day, from what I've read about. I also agree with reading the prequel comic, of course, as I think it'll enhance the experience and story, hopefully without any spoilers. However, the facebook game I can do without, and one time was enough for that 1970s trailer. And while "Extremis" isn't a bad idea, in case there's a hint towards "Iron Man 3" in the film, there's a few better things to be done. First, comixology has the very first "Avengers" comic, as well as the pivotal issue when Captain America is found and joins the team. Those should be essential pre-film reading, just to appreciate the history behind the film. Also, comixology had a sale on some thor comics, including the seven or so issues of a loki comic, which helps explain his point of view on events. I think that's going to be some good reading as well. 

Of course, the author of the video post linked above said he's seen the marvel films so many times, so he wanted to offer some novel advice on what to do before the film. But a marvel movie marathon is definitely in order. I was trying to figure out what order to watch them in, seeing as they all sort of tie in. "Captain America" is definitely first, followed by "Iron Man." It seems like "Iron Man 2" comes next, but during the events of that film, the first parts of "Thor" and "The Incredible Hulk" occur. Based on the image above, taken from http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/HorsemenWanted/news/?a=58521, it seems that "Thor" ends shortly before "Hulk" ends. I think my viewing order's going to be: CA, IM, IM2, IH, and finally thor, which makes sense as it'll lead most nicely into "The Avengers," with loki as the villain and all.