Sunday 13 February 2011

The 200 Best Comics of My Lifetime (The Last 20 Years): 40-31

40. Superman/Batman #26
DC - June 2006
Writers - Sam Loeb, Jeph Loeb, Audrey Loeb, Allan Heinberg, Brad Meltzer, Brian K. Vaughan, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Joss Whedon, Mark Verheiden, Paul Levitz & Richard Starkings
Artists - Art Adams, Carlos Pacheco, Duncan Rouleau, Ed McGuinness, Ian Churchill, Jeff Matsuda, Jim Lee, Joe Madureira, John Cassaday, Joyce Chin, Michael Turner, Mike Kunkel, Pat Lee, Rob Liefeld & Tim Sale
This is an issue that deserves recognition if only because of the stunning influence it had on the comic book industry. It's a dedication to the life of Sam Loeb, son of regular Superman/Batman writer, Jeph Loeb, who died of cancer; the story is his invention, and it's a showcase of talent, breaking contracts to do this charity issue, that bring it to life following his death. If you don't feel your heart break while reading this issue, you may have question whether you have a heart at all.


39. Strangers in Paradise #1
Antarctic Press - 1993
Writer - Terry Moore
Artist - Terry Moore
This is the book that started the greatest indie phenomenon of the last twenty years; Terry Moore's masterpiece about two best friends, and their relationship throughout their lives, became one of the most powerful, emotional comic books ever published. This issue introduces us to Francine and Katchoo and also gives us a look at the harsh nature of break-ups in a totally serious, and shocking way.


38. The Flash #0
DC - October 1994
Writer - Mark Waid
Artist - Mike Wieringo
As far as single issues of Mark Waid's Flash run go, this one takes the prize as the most enjoyable and accessible of the bunch, which is strange as it ties in to both the big Flash #100 arc, but also into the long forgotten DC Universe event, Zero Hour. It's a great look at how Wally West has evolved as a character and shows him as truly one of the greatest heroes in comic books; every page is fantastic, and it's still one of the best issues of the Flash I've ever read.


37. Hellblazer #46
Vertigo - October 1991
Writer - Garth Ennis
Artist - Will Simpson
How do you truly destroy your readers at the end of a story arc and make them see you as the greatest writer the premiere Vertigo series has ever known? You have John Constantine overcome the threat of the Devil and defeat death, overcoming the threats that have been thrown at him over the last six issues, and then just as hope is restored, you kill off his newest friend; someone he got close to, not realising he would be around long enough to mourn over them. It's harrowing stuff.


36. Hellboy: The Corpse & The Iron Shoes
Dark Horse - January 1996
Writer - Mike Mignola
Artist - Mike Mignola
Looking back, the days when Mike Mignola wrote and drew every Hellboy story were the golden era for the character; this double-feature one-shot illustrates perfectly just how outstanding Hellboy could be as a book. The second story may have faded into obscurity, but the first, The Corpse, is one of the most memorable Hellboy adventures ever printed, to the point where elements of the story were incorporated into the first feature film just to meet fan demand.


35. Invincible #12
Image - April 2004
Writer - Robert Kirkman
Artist - Ryan Ottley
Nobody saw the twist in the first year of Invincible coming; it was shocking to discover that Invincible's father, the trusted and beloved Omni-Man was actually an invader sent to conquer the planet. While this revelation was months old by this point in the story, it was the conversation between Invincible and Omni-Man that makes this one so special, as the father attempts to justify his actions to the son; the ensuing fight was arguably the most brutal superhero battle ever published, and served as an example of just how mature Invincible could become when necessary.


34. Gotham Central #10
DC - October 2003
Writer - Greg Rucka
Artist - Michael Lark
Gotham Central was an example of just how fantastic a book set in the DC Universe could be, even without the constant presence of superheroes in the stories. Focusing on the Gotham City Police Department it presented us with a brutal and realistic look at the world of police officers in a strange world filled with super-powered criminals. This issue, the final part of the award winning Half A Life arc, deals with a confrontation between Renee Montoya and her obsessive stalker, Two-Face, and is one of the rare issues to feature a major appearance by Batman, which comes as a wonderful shock, and fills the story with a sense of tension and fear missing from many of the other instalments.


33. Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 2) #36
Marvel - December 2001
Writer - J. Michael Straczysnki
Artist - John Romita Jr.
This is one of the most brutal and powerful comic books ever published, focusing on Spider-Man's reaction to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City. It's one of the most poignant comic books of all time, but while it's here based on it's merits and impact, it is also the first implication that JMS may not be the best writer for Spider-Man or, indeed, any Marvel characters as he demonstrates a total lack of integrity when it comes to writing characters like Doctor Doom, whose reaction to the disasters would not be one of sadness and self-reflection.


32. JLA #1
DC - January 1997
Writer - Grant Morrison
Artist - Howard Porter
This was the moment that comic books began to be redefined for the 21st century; in fact, without this issue, I would go so far as to argue that a vast majority of comic book readers would not be the slightest bit interested in Batman or Superman right now. Grant Morrison and Howard Porter's tale of a new group of heroes emerging to save the world, only to be revealed as threats to both the JLA and the human race as a whole, was engaging and original; plus, the final page reveal of Batman is something borrowed numerous times since to gain a sense of power and menace and draw people in for the next issue.


31. Daredevil (vol. 2) #81
Marvel - March 2006
Writer - Brian Michael Bendis
Artist - Alex Maleev
With their final issue on the title, Bendis and Maleev made the conscious decision to completely ruin Matt Murdock's life. In the wake of the Murdock Papers arc, the Kingpin's checkmate move is to force Ben Urich into an impossible situation that compromises Murdock's identity, and places him in danger. This final issue reflects on that as Matt envisions a scenario where he escapes to France with his wife, only to end up in a final showdown with Bullseye; in reality, though, he remains trapped and imprisoned in a maximum security prison, alongside his enemies.


Next: 30-21

No comments:

Post a Comment