Essential ESSENTIALS - Your thoughts?

[Expletive Deleted]

This week's Onion (http://avclub.com/content/node/44295) has a list of the top ten essential ESSENTIAL volumes. I'd probably toss the FF volumes to the front of the list (ahead of Spider-Man), but I'd say they make a decent case for each selection.

What would you say are the ten most essential ESSENTIALs?

[Shellhead]

This week's Onion (http://avclub.com/content/node/44295) has a list of the top ten essential ESSENTIAL volumes. I'd probably toss the FF volumes to the front of the list (ahead of Spider-Man), but I'd say they make a decent case for each selection.

What would you say are the ten most essential ESSENTIALs?

Until those excellent Dark Horse reprints, the Essential Conan deserved high ranking on any Essential list. Also, Essential X-Men #1 was almost as great as Essential X-Men #2, as the early Cockrum issues were just as enjoyable as the Byrne issues.

[scratchie]

Until those excellent Dark Horse reprints, the Essential Conan deserved high ranking on any Essential list. Also, Essential X-Men #1 was almost as great as Essential X-Men #2, as the early Cockrum issues were just as enjoyable as the Byrne issues.Yeah, I've gotta say that I always liked Cockrum's art more than Bryne's. I think the stories improved right at the end of Cockrum's run, though.

[Shellhead]

Yeah, I've gotta say that I always liked Cockrum's art more than Bryne's. I think the stories improved right at the end of Cockrum's run, though.

Agreed, but after Byrne left and Cockrum returned, the artwork didn't seem quite as good. Different inker maybe?

[Ryan K]

I'd say Essential X-Men Vol. 2 deserves to be a little higher. It contains The entire Dark Phoenix Saga, Days of Future Past, and the Proteus saga. I'd like to see the Spider-man's and FF's mixed up a bit. I really don't have any problems with anything on the list though.

[Dizzy D]

I want to come in full red-faced and make comments how they have no clue on good comics, but they have both Howard the Duck and Strange Tales on it... Dammit, now I have got my geek on for nothing.

I'm trying to think of any other that may go before the multiple volumes of Spider-Man and Fantastic Four, but I can't think of anything.

[Shellhead]

I haven't enjoyed much that John Byrne has done in the last 15 years, but I have to say that his pencils look great in b/w in the Essential Iron Fist. Sadly, the Claremont writing drags down the results a little, leaving it off my Essential Essentials list.

[thik_3rd]

i don't know about the most "essential" essentials, but avengers 1, 3 and 4 are my favorites.

[The Wayner]

We discussed this in the Classic Comics forum, and my reply remains the same:

No Hulk? Bah.

[The Lucky One]

Can't argue with their list, but I do think it's a shame it wasn't a top 15 instead... if any other Essential deserves to have a couple of volumes in there, it's Tomb of Dracula.

-D

[TheBronzeMarvel]

OK, I haven't seen the TPB yet, but since so many other titles have been reprinted over the years (Spidey in Marvel Tales, X-Men in Classic X-men), I would like to see Defenders up on the top 10. And maybe Super-Villain Team Up.

[Tragix]

Essential Avengers Vol.1

[Siddon]

Its way to slap-dashed for my taste, as someone who has read all of these stories Spider-man did not have the four best essentials, you can make a case for any of them but

Fantastic Four 3 should have been number 1
Dr. Strange 1 number 2
X-men number 3

[Jessica Drew]

Essential Avengers Vol.1

That one's especially fun whenever Jan speaks!

[scratchie]

OK, I haven't seen the TPB yet, but since so many other titles have been reprinted over the years (Spidey in Marvel Tales, X-Men in Classic X-men), I would like to see Defenders up on the top 10. And maybe Super-Villain Team Up.Defenders Volume 2 will definitely belong in the top 10. Defenders Volume 1 is kind of "meh".

[Evan Lanctot]

Essential Avengers #4 also belongs on the list, as does Essential Defenders.



Evan

[Zero Hunter]

See I am not really a fan of the early FF or Spider-Man so the list means nothing to me. I liked alot of the ideas that came out of those two books early on, but not enough to get me to buy the Essetnials. I am more of 70's fan as far as Essentials go.

About the only really old school Essentials I have are the Avengers 1-5. I alreayd had all the all New X-men stuff form when they reprinted it as the Classic X-Men series. The rest are all 70's stuff like Iron Fist, Spider Women, Tomb of Dracula 1-3, Howard the Duck, Werewolf by Night, and Defenders. Ghost Rider 1 and maybe some of the latter Spider Man volumes like 6 on are on my to get list.

Soon to be adding Defenders 2, Nova 1, and Moon Knight 1.