Image - May 1992
Writer - Todd McFarlane
Artist - Todd McFarlane
Spawn is where, for me, modern comics began; it was always the series people say you should have been reading in the early '90s, and looking back it is still a monumental achievement. It has it's flaws, certainly; the characters feel underdeveloped and the dialogue is outrageously over-bearing and unnecessary, but as an example of what comics could do, it is unrivalled.
49. Johnny the Homicidal Maniac #3Slave Labor - January 1996
Writer - Jhonen Vasquez
Artist - Jhonen Vasquez
Johnny the Homicidal Maniac is one of the most disturbing, dark humour series ever produced, and the third issue is the prime example of just how frightening the book could become. The issue's main focus is Johnny rescuing the child, Squee, from a paedophile and the horrific acts that come out of this event; this, alongside the various other vignettes make up a truly brilliant piece of comic book.
DC - January 1998
Writer - Grant Morrison
Artist - Howard Porter
This issue of JLA was a true example of the extent of Grant Morrison's genius, as he propelled us into the future to see a world where Darkseid had defeated the JLA and taken over. It was a brutal portrait of a nihilistic future, and the final showdown between Darkseid and the members of the JLA is brutal and unforgiving.
47. Wolverine #66Marvel - August 2008
Writer - Mark Millar
Artist - Steve McNiven
The Civil War team of Millar and McNiven reteamed in 2008 to bring the world "Old Man Logan," a portrayal of Wolverine in the distant future, in a world where the villains united and crushed the superheroes. It's essentially a superhero version of Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven," and the first chapter shows a changed Wolverine, on the start of a journey to reignite his brutality.
Image - June 2009
Writer - John Layman
Artist - Rob Guillory
Chew has become one of the best Image books being published right now, thanks to it's awesome creative team and it's insanely fun and original concept. The adventures of FDA agent Tony Chu in a world where chicken has been outlawed, is an immensely fun romp and the characters come to life thanks to Rob Guillory's insanely good cartoony artwork.
45. Batman: Gotham NoirDC - 2001
Writer - Ed Brubaker
Artist - Sean Phillips
An Elseworlds one-shot focusing on a noir version of Jim Gordon was a fantastic concept, even before Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' names are attached to it. The idea of Gordon being a gumshoe and encountering the various Batman characters in fragmented, realistic forms was an incredible one, and the execution here is absolutely incredible.
DC - August 2009
Writer - Greg Rucka
Artist - J. H. Williams III
This comic book was a long time coming; the ever-delayed introduction of Batwoman into the Batman family, having been given the starring role in Detective Comics following Batman's demise in Final Crisis. The story isn't the real draw here, though it's fantastic; the art is the dominant factor, with J. H. Williams III expanding the canvas of the comic book and turning this from storytelling into redefinition.
Wildstorm - June 1999
Writer - Warren Ellis
Artist - John Cassaday
Every issue of Planetary was fantastic in the early days of the run, and the third issue is a prime example of just how vibrant and original the series could be. We follow the adventures of a ghostly police officer seeking revenge on those who murdered him; it's a great concept and when you throw in the main characters of the series, Snow, Jakita and Drummer, it becomes even more compelling.
Vertigo - March 2010
Writer - Jason Aaron
Artist - Danijel Zezelj
Sometimes the best issues of Scalped are those that divert from the main thread of the series, like this issue which focuses on an elderly couple living out in the wilderness, completely separate from any of the characters we've met before. To show the brutality of life on the Rez through their eyes is a brilliant move, and it highlights the humanity that this series sometimes lacks due to it's various hate-fuelled characters.
41. New Avengers #1Marvel - January 2005
Writer - Brian Michael Bendis
Artist - David Finch
This was the true start of everything great Brian Michael Bendis was going to pump into the Marvel Universe over the next five years. There's set-up here for stories that wouldn't happen for nearly half a decade, and the line-up on the soon-to-be formed Avengers team within is genius. This comic book changed things, and made Marvel comics a lot more fun. On the downside, it also brought the Sentry into continuity and everyone hates him, but this issue is almost devoid of that, as he doesn't turn up until the final page.
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