Our Favorite Comics (A Classic Comics Christmas '05)

[Cei-U!]

As requested, here are the lists submitted by our Classic Comics regulars of their/our ten favorite comics of all time. First, here are the posters who submitted a complete list of ten:

berk

#10 Doctor Strange #171
#9 Thor #157
#8 Fantastic Four #81
#7 Doctor Strange #4
#6 Man-Thing #22
#5 The Eternals #1
#4 Master of Kung Fu #49
#3 Miracleman #1
#2 Mechanics #1
#1 Llord Llewellyn #2

Cei-U!

#10 Sam & Max, Freelance Police Special #1
#9 Fantastic Voyage (nn)
#8 The Brave and the Bold #55
#7 Zap Comics #0
#6 The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1
#5 Four-Color #932
#4 Justice League of America #21
#3 The Avengers #4
#2 Rocky and His Fiendish Friends #1
#1 Superman #252 aka 100-Page Super-Spectacular #DC-13

dan bailey

#10 Action Comics #364
#9 Son of Satan #8
#8 Marvel Treasury Edition #10
#7 Captain America #111
#6 Captain Savage #10
#5 Not Brand Echh #10
#4 Superman #202 aka 80-Page Giant #G-42
#3 Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #104 aka 80-Page Giant #G-38
#2 Superman #197 aka 80-Page Giant #6-36
#1 Sgt. Fury Special #4

Dr. Hfuhruhurr

#10 Amazing Spider-Man #151
#9 Avengers 151
#8 All-Star Comics #61
#7 Iron Fist #15
#6 Justice League of America #171
#5 Strange Tales #178
#4 Detective Comics #443
#3 Fantastic Four #51
#2 Marvel Graphic Novel #1
#1 The Amazing Spider-Man #39

Gingold

#10 Best of DC Digest #18
#9 Swamp Thing Annual #2
#8 JLA #1
#7 The Incredible Hulk #312
#6 Fantastic Four Vs The X-Men #4
#5 Fantastic Four #352
#4 Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #2
#3 Justice League International #8
#2 The Invisibles #12
#1 Marvel Graphic Novel #6

Graham Vingoe

#10 Daredevil #191
#9 Amazing Adventures #34
#8 Superboy and The Legion of Super-Heroes #253
#7 Master of Kung Fu #115
#6 Cerebus #51
#5 The Avengers #161
#4 Animal Man #26
#3 Daredevil #179
#2 The Avengers Annual #7
#1 Saga of the Swamp Thing #21


Jolly Mon

#10 World’s Finest Comics #221
#9 The Avengers #123
#8 Batman #237
#7 Giant-Size Invaders #1
#6 Marvel Graphic Novel #9
#5 Legion of Super-Heroes #38
#4 Omega the Unknown #1/Marvel Presents #3 (tie)
#3 Marvel Graphic Novel #1
#2 All-Star Comics #58
#1 Giant-Size Avengers #1

Kan-Man

#10 Tarzan #211
#9 The Avengers #119
#8 Detective Comics #500
#7 The Flash #229
#6 Shazam! #1
#5 Adventure Comics #434
#4 Detective Comics #430
#3 100-Page Super-Spectacular #DC-14
#2 Justice League of America #!01
#1 Batman #244

Lone Ranger

#10 The Tick #6
#9 Creepy #6
#8 World’s Finest Comics #236
#7 Little Lulu #142
#6 Four Color #882
#5 The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #13
#4 Marvel Team-Up #119
#3 The Avengers #181
#2 The Brave and the Bold #165
#1 Justice League of America #142

MDG

#10 Batman #179
#9 Justice League of America #47
#8 Creepy #5
#7 Marvel Collectors’ Item Classics #21
#6 Ghost Stories #17
#5 R. Crumb’s Head Comix TPB
#4 Crypt of Terror #1
#3 Binky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary (nn)
#2 Arcade #1
#1 Eightball #15

MWGallaher

#10 Marvel Feature #4
#9 Marvel Graphic Novel #13
#8 Crossfire #5
#7 Phantom Stranger #18
#6 The Demon #1
#5 Adventure Comics #431
#4 Captain Marvel (Milson) #3
#3 Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #142
#2 Mister Miracle #7
#1 The Brave and the Bold #101

Nathan Carroll

#10 Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #107
#9 The Amazing Spider-Man #60
#8 Ambush Bug #1
#7 V for Vendetta #10
#6 Lone Wolf and Cub #4
#5 The Amazing Spider-Man #269
#4 The Amazing Spider-Man #270
#3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #10
#2 Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #99
#1 Uncle Scrooge #169

Red Oak Kid

#10 Batman #198
#9 Tales of Suspense #52
#8 Marvel Triple-Action #1
#7 Action Comics #341
#6 Astonishing Tales #25
#5 Swamp Thing #2
#4 The Shadow #1
#3 The Avengers #93
#2 Savage Tales #2
#1 New Gods #7

Scott Shaw!

#10 Four Color #1091
#9 Popeye #32
#8 Wonder Wart-Hog Magazine #2
#7 Uncle $crooge #14
#6 Brain Boy #3
#5 Fantastic Four #36
#4 Donald Duck #54
#3 Ghost Stories #1
#2 Tales Calculated to Drive You Bats #3
#1 Kona, Monarch of Monster Isle #3

Simon Garth

#10 The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2
#9 Daredevil #181
#8 X-Men #108
#7 The Avengers #143
#6 Strange Tales #181
#5 Thor #362
#4 Warrior #2
#3 Man-Thing #12
#2 The Avengers Annual #10
#1 The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #14

Sir Tim Drake

#10 Christmas with the Super-Heroes #2
#9 Uncle $crooge #296
#8 Blazing Combat #4
#7 Thor #373
#6 Master of Kung Fu #40
#5 Conan the Barbarian Annual #5
#4 Magnus, Robot Fighter #35
#3 Nexus #11
#2 Legionnaires #0
#1 New Teen Titans #38

Slam Bradley

#10 Limited Collectors’ Edition #C-52
#9 Marvel Tales #71
#8 Gladstone Comic Album #25
#7 Detective Comics #500
#6 The Brave and the Bold #197
#5 DC Super-Stars #17
#4 The Phantom #74
#3 The Sandman #8
#2 DC Special #29
#1 Justice League of America #127

spoon jenkins

#10 The Legion #20
#9 Transformers #7
#8 Detective Comics #526
#7 Uncanny X-Men #269
#6 Crisis On Infinite Earths #11
#5 Spider-Man 2099 #3
#4 New Mutants #63
#3 Green Lantern #200
#2 West Coast Avengers Annual #1
#1 Classic X-Men #44

telerites

#10 All-Select Comics #10
#9 Marvel Team-Up #7
#8 Batman #234
#7 Wonderworlds Comics #4
#6 Superman Vs. The Amazing Spider-Man #1
#5 Strange Adventures #117
#4 Incredible Science Fiction #32
#3 Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #141
#2 Swamp Thing #7
#1 The Defenders #2

zilch

#10 Amazing Adventures #17
#9 Kamandi #2
#8 Captain America #156
#7 Justice League of America #100
#6 The X-Men #63
#5 All-Star Squadron #31
#4 The Avengers #69
#3 Miracleman #10
#2 Secret Origins #50
#1 100-Page Super-Spectacular #6

Next come those posters who've contributed partial lists. I'll move them up the line as they make additions.

Aaron King

#10 Resurrection Man #13
#9 The Doom Patrol #120
#8 The New Mutants Special Edition
#7 The Filth #12
#6 The Amazing Screw-On Head (nn)
#5 Mister Miracle Special #1
#4 Flight FCBD (nn)
#3 Scene of the Crime #1

InfoBroker

#10 Amazing Fantasy #15
#9 Zot! #11
#8 The Amazing Spider-Man #50
#7 100-Page Super-Spectacular #6
#6 Groo the Wanderer #93
#5 Fantastic Four #59

prince hal

#10 Adventure Comics #312
#9 Batman #156
#8 Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? #1
#7 The Sandman #19
#6 Our Army at War #160

The Wayner

#10 Rom #30
#9 Marvel Two-in-One #38
#8 Star Wars #27
#7 Jonah Hex #72
#6 House of Mystery #265
…
#1 The Incredible Hulk #222

scratchie

#10 Man-Thing #15
#9 Hate #5
#8 Eightball #12
#7 The Defenders #31

T GUy

#10 Marvel Tales #29
#9 The Avengers #116
#8 100-Page Super-Spectacular #DC-20

Jason Everett

#5 Doctor Strange #55
#4 The X-Men #205
#3 New Mutants Annual #2


You know, the fun for me has been writing up the reasons why each book is special, and reading the others. A list is just, well, a list. It's the mini-essay with each one that has made this so delightful.

I couldn't agree more, Greg. Here are links for the ten original threads where those mini-essays can be seen in all their geeky glory:

The First Day of Classic Comics Christmas (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=97812)
The Second Day of Classic Comics Christmas (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=98029)
The Third Day of Classic Comics Christmas (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=98196)
The Fourth Day of Classic Comics Christmas (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=98329)
The Fifth Day of Classic Comics Christmas (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=98483)
The Sixth Day of Classic Comics Christmas (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=98678)
The Seventh Day of Classic Comics Christmas (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=98824)
The Eighth Day of Classic Comics Christmas (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=98997)
The Ninth Day of Classic Comics Christmas (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=99179)
The Tenth Day of Classic Comics Christmas (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=99304)

Cei-U!
I summon the creme de la creme!

EDIT: Updated 1/4/06 to reflect late additions

[Aaron Kashtan]

At Kurt's request I am sticky-ing this thread.

[Scott Shaw!]

Wanna know something really scary? Out of all of these wonderful personal favorites, there are only a handfull of comics here that I HAVEN'T already read or owned! They are:

-- Four Color #882
-- All-Select Comics #10
-- Wonderworlds Comics #4
-- Amazing Science Fiction #32

Oddly, I can't find a listing for that last one in the OVERPRICED STREET GUIDE...!

(Cheez, you guys really know how to make a fella feel old!)

Aloha,

Scott!

P.S.: Kurt, my #2 choice is actually Tales Calculated to Drive You Bats #3 (the one with that great flying saucer cover!)-- SS!

[Cei-U!]

P.S.: Kurt, my #2 choice is actually Tales Calculated to Drive You Bats #3 (the one with that great flying saucer cover!)-- SS!

Noted and corrected, Scott, thanks.

Cei-U!
I summon the red pencil!

[Jolly Mon]

One minor correction, my #9 was Avengers #123, not #193. (193 I have as well, but it wasn't really notable :( )

And by the way, thanks for the great idea. It was a load of fun and a walk down memory lane (mine, and the other posters).

[Cei-U!]

One minor correction, my #9 was Avengers #123, not #193. (193 I have as well, but it wasn't really notable :( )

I have no idea what you're talking about...

Cei-U!
I summon the Edit button! :D

[gentlesatirist]

...and a bit saddened by the amount of (now-unavailable) 80-page giants, 100-page spectaculars and annuals on these wonderful lists, I realized that there's so much stuff available in trade paperback form - and so much comic material stocked by public libraries these days - that maybe kids do have access to older comic stories, even if they're not doing so in the manner that we did.

At our own public library - in scenic Wickliffe OH - there's a section of about 4 or 5 shelves devoted to comics. It's about half manga, but also mixed in are Golden Age reprint archives of Plastic Man and Captain America. Other reprint volumes are scattered throughout.

Weep not for the 100-page super-spectacular, my friends.


- FE
Wickliffe OH

[Nate C.]

Next come those posters who've listed everything except their top choice (I'll move them up the line if and when they tell us their #1 pick). That means *you*, Nathan! :p



Sorry, Kurt.

The holidays and other useless stuff got me!

It is finished!

Nate.

[telerites]

Wanna know something really scary? Out of all of these wonderful personal favorites, there are only a handfull of comics here that I HAVEN'T already read or owned! They are:

-- Four Color #882
-- All-Select Comics #10
-- Wonderworlds Comics #4
-- Amazing Science Fiction #32

Oddly, I can't find a listing for that last one in the OVERPRICED STREET GUIDE...!

(Cheez, you guys really know how to make a fella feel old!)

Aloha,

Scott!

P.S.: Kurt, my #2 choice is actually Tales Calculated to Drive You Bats #3 (the one with that great flying saucer cover!)-- SS!

Scott,

The Amazing Science Fiction #32 should be Incredible Science Fiction #32. I thought about correcting the list when Kurt compiled it but after all the work he had done, I decide what's an adjective here or there. Actually the last three you list are from my top ten. But correcting the title of EC book may take that one off of your list. ;)

[Cei-U!]

The Amazing Science Fiction #32 should be Incredible Science Fiction #32.

Y'know, I wondered about that. I'm made the correction above.

Cei-U!
I summon the virtual White-Out!

[scratchie]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post their picks. I don't think I've read a tenth of it yet, but it's all been pretty good reading. And thanks to Cei-U for compiling all the results.


Next come those posters who lacked either the time, the opportunity or the inclination to submit a complete list:In my case, I just didn't have much more to add. I'd posted examples of my three "quintessential" comic book writers (Gerber, Bagge and Clowes) and didn't really have anything else to say. We were supposed to be posting books that we couldn't imagine living without, and since I got rid of 90% of my comic book collection in the 80s (and most of the remainder was Gerber-authored books), there wasn't that much to add.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Kurt, here's my correct list. Sorry about the confusion:

1. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 39
2. DEATH OF CAPTAIN MARVEL
3. FANTASTIC FOUR 51
4. DETECTIVE COMICS 443
5. STRANGE TALES 180
6. JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 172
7. IRON FIST 15
8. ALL-STAR COMICS 61
9. AVENGERS 151
10. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 151

[Cei-U!]

Kurt, here's my correct list. Sorry about the confusion:


No sweat, Chet.

Cei-U!
Loves him some Edit but-tan!

[Nate C.]

Man, what a great thread idea this was.

Kurt, the pressure is on for Christmas 2006. Might I suggest a similar idea but with different results. (The twelve days of __________) or something with a similar pattern of posting and rememberance.

(am I having a Christmas in July moment?)

[Whirlysplat]

I guess Miracleman 15 is my all time number 1
Watchmen issue 12 is 2
Marvels 1 comes in at 3
Kingdom Come 12 at 4
Daredevil 181 at 5
Batman 210 at 6
Thor 300 I know, I know, but I love that issue! At 7
Sandman 1 at 8
2000 AD 2 at 9 Dredds first appearance! Nuff Said!
Giant sized Avengers 2, first comic I ever read at 10!

- Whirly

[diamond-blades]

I guess Miracleman 15 is my all time number 1
Watchmen issue 12 is 2
Marvels 1 comes in at 3
Kingdom Come 12 at 4
Daredevil 181 at 5
Batman 210 at 6
Thor 300 I know, I know, but I love that issue! At 7
Sandman 1 at 8
2000 AD 2 at 9 Dredds first appearance! Nuff Said!
Giant sized Avengers 2, first comic I ever read at 10!

- Whirly

Noone likes Conan anymore? Conan was one of the best IMO.

[Kirk G]

OK, now that we have these massive lists, can anyone compile them and see if there is any common ground? OR, if there are a handful of issues that get consistently high marks? Ex: Avengers #4, 93, FF #51, X-men #141-142, etc...

[Jerkmeister]

cool thread. i'll come up with my own top 10 soon enough. gonna have to sit down and think awhile for this cause i've read PLEANTY of comics in my time, he he.

[Simon Garth]

OK, now that we have these massive lists, can anyone compile them and see if there is any common ground? OR, if there are a handful of issues that get consistently high marks? Ex: Avengers #4, 93, FF #51, X-men #141-142, etc...

In all that list, there are a grand total of 3 comics that appear twice - all the rest get 1 vote each, which, I must admit, I found astounding. Though, I suppose, given the small sample size and the disparity of tastes, it shouldn't really have been that surprising.

The 3 were:
100-page super spectactular #6
Detective #500
Marvel Graphic Novel #1

[Cei-U!]

In all that list, there are a grand total of 3 comics that appear twice - all the rest get 1 vote each, which, I must admit, I found astounding. Though, I suppose, given the small sample size and the disparity of tastes, it shouldn't really have been that surprising.

The 3 were:
100-page super spectactular #6
Detective #500
Marvel Graphic Novel #1

Hey, thanks, Simon! I always meant to go back and do this but never got around to it. You da man.

Cei-U!
I'll summon the lightning... someday!

[Mysterious Mox]

Top 10 Comics (only with these illustrators):
1) Donald Duck/Scrooge McDuck (Carl Barks)
2) Modesty Blaise (Holdaway)
3) Blake & Mortimer (Jacobs)
4) Prince Valiant (Foster)
5) Spirou and Fantasio (Franquin)
6) Tintin (Hergé)
7) Asterix (Uderzo)
8) Blueberry (Giraud)
9) Mickey Mouse (Paul Murry)
10) Calvin & Hobbes (Watterson)


Top 10 Comic Stories
1) Prince Valiant - The Menace of the Hun
2) Blake & Mortimer - The Yellow Mark
3) Modesty Blaise - The Gabriel Set Up
4) Tintin - Prisoners of the Sun
5) Spirou & Fantasio - The Murena's Hideout
6) Asterix and Cleopatra
7) Blueberry - General Golden Mane
8) Tarzan in Savage Pellucidar (Russ Manning)
9) Scrooge McDuck - Land Beneath the Ground!
10) Hobbit (David Wenzel)

[Sheepish08]

Along with books of calvin and hobbes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_and_Hobbes) i love asterix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterix)- i also found an old asterix game for (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atari-Asterix-Obelix-XXL-PS2/dp/B0001D1RX0)PS (http://www.hitmeister.de/item_all.php?id_type_item=4&categories=463) - they are really assessible i think to both adults and kids.

[sirusdesign]

The name of two fictional comic book characters, owned by Marvel Comics and appearing that that company's Marvel Universe. Aaron Nicholson first appeared in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #92. After his "death", S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, David Ferrari took the name of Answer in Captain America vol.The Answer is the name of two fictional comic book characters, owned by Marvel Comics and appearing that that company's Marvel Universe. Aaron Nicholson first appeared in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #92. After his "death", S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, David Ferrari took the name of Answer in Captain America vol. 3 #42.

[nash69tanim]

I really like those comics. Good list buddy.

[shaxper]

Only a few years late to this thread...

Honestly, ever since I first became a poster at CBR in 2006, I've wanted to go back and do this one, but it's a very tall order and it took a long time for me to sit down and really consider -- especially since (as most of you know) I'm more into runs than individual issues. I usually find more payoff in tracking long term progressions in stories, and so a lot of the issues I chose only make sense in that context. Many of these actually don't work very well on their own without knowing the long continuities that led up to them.

Anyway, here they are:

12. Superman #149: "The Death of Superman"
writer: Jerry Siegal
pencils: Curt Swan

I'm probably the only fan out there who was touched by both deaths of Superman, though this one was far more imaginative, fulfilling, and ahead of its time. This imaginary ending to Superman's legacy was a well thought-out epic that reached much further into the Superman franchise than just killing The Man of Tomorrow. I was particularly impressed with Siegal's brilliant and ruthless characterization of Luthor here, as well as the fact that Supergirl got a chance to step it up and be a lot more than a second rate hero by the end.

Where was I when I first read this issue: A little local coffee shop called Bella Dubby a few years back. I read it in DC's Greatest Imaginary Stories.


11: Usagi Yojimbo #75: "Hokashi p.2"
writer/artist: Stan Sakai

This issue has two of the features that are common to most of my selections -- it elicited a powerful emotional reaction, and it's not actually my favorite story featuring this character, just my favorite stand alone issue. This was the conclusion to Usagi's travels with his son, Jotoro. Usagi had spent approximately two years in real-world time traveling with Jotoro and working up the nerve to tell Jotoro that he's really Usagi's son. During that time, I'd made my prediction about how the story would probably end and how I'd prefer it to end, but in all of my thinking, I never predicted the actual ending in which Usagi walks away, regretting not telling Jotoro he's his father just as Jotoro walks away, regretting not telling Usagi that's he's his son (he knew all along!). I was floored and speechless for at least thirty seconds after.

Where was I when I first read this issue: Carribou, my favorite coffee shop for comic reading, a few years back.


10. Harbinger #0
writer: Jim Shooter
pencils: David Lapham

This is mostly a nostalgia vote, but back when I was 13, Harbinger #0 knew exactly what it felt like to be 13. It's primary character, Pete Stancheck, though probably 14 or 15, was exactly as awkward as I was, as socially ostracized as I was, and as much a mix of positive ideals and dark, dark temptations as I was. Everything about the plotting, characterization, and even art made Pete's world so familiar and awkward to me, and yet it was also the ultimate empowerment fantasy, full of unchecked opportunities for freedom, control, and acceptance, but all with a dangerous price attached to them. I've never seen a story understand me as well as it did back then.


Where was I when I first read this issue: On the couch in my mother's living room back in 1991. A reprint of this issue had come free with my Harbinger trade paperback, and I hadn't expected much from it.

(continued...)

[shaxper]

9. Strange Tales #141
writer: Stan Lee
pencils: Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange), Jack Kirby (Nick Fury)

For the past year or so, Doctor Strange had been desperately fleeing from Dormammu and fending off hopeless despair for the slightest chance of survival while lead feature feature Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. had been slowly building toward a victory over Hydra. Both epic story lines (scripted by the Lee at his best and penciled by his two greatest pencilers) ended in victory in this sense-shattering issue. Damn powerful pairing of the two.

Where was I when I first read this issue: In my home office a few years back, barreling through issues of Strange Tales, one after another, and entirely unaware that this synchronized climax was coming.


8. Uncle Scrooge #293: "The Billionaire of Dismal Downs"
writer/artist: Don Rosa

I don't think there's a single chapter in Rosa's "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" that isn't absolutely amazing, making this one a tough choice. There were others that were more fun, more exciting, better plotted, or more rich in characterization/development for Scrooge, but this one made me tear up, and I'll never forget it. This is the issue in which Scrooge finally returns to his family after years of building his wealth in America. He convinces his siblings to return to America with him and, as they depart, we learn that Scrooge's father has passed away in the night, his ghost waving goodbye to them and then departing with an ancestor for the afterlife. It was a touching testament to the degree in which Scrooge was losing his past as he charged into his future.

Where was I when I first read this issue: In my home office, on my couch, only last year, reading "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" hardcover from Boom! studios.


7. Fantastic Four #50: "The Startling Saga of the Silver Surfer!"
writer: Stan Lee
pencils: Jack Kirby

I read the entire Galactus trilogy in about an hour, but #50, the final installment, was the one that really made my heart pump at triple speed, especially that climactic and reluctant struggle between Silver Surfer and Galactus, as neither really wants to fight the other (contrary to popular belief, they had a strong relationship prior to this), but neither is willing to back down, either. More powerful still was the fact that The Surfer's willingness to sacrifice his relationship with Galactus in order to protect the Earth ended up being for nothing -- he wasn't the one who saved the day, even though he was the one who made the supreme sacrifice, punished for it by being bound to the Earth by Galactus. Wow. One heck of a battle of emotion and ideals, with everything hanging in the balance, even when the physical conflict never amounted to much. The fact that Kirby could keep such a struggle so visually appealing speaks volumes about his abilities.

Where was I when I first read this issue: At my dining room table about five years ago. I NEVER read at the dining room table, but when FF #48-50 arrived in the mail, I couldn't wait long enough to bring those issues up to my room to read them.

(continued...)

[shaxper]

6. Cerebus #265
writer/artist: Dave Sim

I'll readily admit that I think Cerebus is the most important comic book series ever published, and certainly the highest quality one as well. It has its flaws in spades, and the series certainly has its ups and downs. What surprised me about #265 (the end of Form & Void) was that, I'd thought we'd finished all the exciting stuff ages earlier at the end of Minds (#200). Everything since had felt like rambling falling action, even while it was often very entertaining. Imagine my surprise, then, when we arrived at a true climax of the series at the end of this issue, in which Cerebus finds out his parents have died and unleashes his guilt/anger on Jakka, sending her away forever while in a fit of rage, and throwing away all that they'd worked to achieve as a couple.. In my mind, this was the true emotional climax of the entire series, and it definitely brought a tear to my eye.

Where was I when I first read this issue: On a hotel balcony, overlooking the pool, with my wife reading next to me while on summer vacation last year. I can still smell that ocean breeze.


5. Detective Comics #853: "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader p.2"
writer: Neil Gaiman
pencils: Andy Kubert

You really didn't need the first part of the story. This is the final death of Batman at an intentionally unspecified point in the future. But even that's not accurate. However, explaining this in more detail would pretty much give the entire story away, and it's revelations and how/when it reveals them make up so much of its power. This was, in my mind, the definitive Batman story, capturing who he is and who he has been far more than any other story I've ever read. It wasn't perfect, mind you, but it was powerful, thoughtful, and emotional by the close. No matter how many times I read this one, it always leaves me with a tear in my eye, and (If you haven't figured it out by now) that's a major criteria for me when it comes to my favorite comics of all time.

Where was I when I first read this issue: I believe I was at Carribou Coffee, but it's hard to be sure because I've read it so many times since. My most vivid memories are of reading it over friends' and family members' shoulders as I've forced them to give it a chance. My 68 year old mother, who hasn't read a comic since the 1950s, gave it a try!


4. Batman #428: "A Death in the Family, p.3"
writer: Jim Starlin
pencils: Jim Aparo

This one is pure nostalgia. This is the third comic I ever bought (I got the first two when I was four, I think), and the first one I ever read and understood. In one quick issue, it gave me the complete backstory on Starlin's Jason Todd, Batman's emotional investment in him, and the consequences now that he had been killed. It was a powerful, moving story, in which my boyhood hero had been reduced to a powerless victim, and that amazing Aparo art forever defined what Batman and Robin should look like for me. Had I read this comic as an adult, it probably would have been a runner up for this list, but the nostalgia factor rockets it right to #4.

Where was I when I first read this issue: I had been with my best friend and my mother at her school (she'd gone back to college) when a colleague informed her that Robin had just died and the comic was going to be an instant collector's item. I was ten years old and didn't give a damn about comics, but I grew up on Batman and Robin, so I cared a little. My mother drove us to the local stationary store (remember those?), gave us money to buy two copies, and told us to run in and find them. My friend had no interest in the comic and went to look at something else, but I started reading it right there in the store and still remember my utter shock at seeing Jason's bruised, bloody, dying mother lying in the wreckage of a detonated bomb, as well as that panel where Bruce finally found Jason's body.


(continued...)

[shaxper]

3. Uncle Scrooge #14: "The Lost Crown of Genghis Khan"
writer/artist: Carl Barks

While, for the most part, I'm into runs, I'm always astounded by just how rich and complete each individual issue of most Carl Barks 20 page adventure stories from the '40s and '50s were (not so much in the '60s). This was the first time I really, truly got that about him. This story has it all -- a clever mystery about a thief who leaves no footprints in the snow, lots of humor in the dynamics between Donald and Scrooge, cleverness and excitement as the triplets attempt to solve the mystery, and laugh out loud humor and cuteness as we finally meet Gu!, the abominable snowman. This one had it all. I often hear the square eggs story or the golden Helmet story getting the most praise out of Barks' works, and they are great, imaginative stories, but The Lost Crown just felt tighter, better balanced, and over-all more enjoyable for me.

Where was I when I first read this story: I don't honestly remember. It may have been in the "Carl Barks' Greatest Ducktales Stories" tpb in my office. I have a far better memory of reading The Golden Helmet (my first experience with Barks) and a long run of Barks stories on a summer Alaskan cruise with my wife, but I don't specifically remember reading this story sometime after The Golden Helmet, prompting me to buy all those issues I later read on the Alaskan Cruise.


2. X-Men #153: "Kitty's Fairytale"
writer: Chris Claremont
pencils: John Byrne

This is the issue that made the X-Men for me. A lot of people look to The Dark Phoenix Saga as their definitive high point, but this little aftermath story is what really defined the heart of the team and made it something special, in my opinion. In this issue, in the wake of a number of recent defeats and dark moments for the X-Men, most notably the destruction of the mansion and the loss of Jean Grey, Kitty tells Illyana a bed-time story in which the X-Men play fairytale parodies of themselves in a fantasy world, re-enacting the basic premise of the Dark Phoenix Saga. As Kitty tells the tale, one X-Men after another passes by her door, overhears the story, and begins to eavesdrop. By the end, Kitty has inadvertently prompted them to face their losses with humor and resilience; she's given them heart, a family bond, and a reason to keep going. The balance of humor and touching emotion won me over instantly as an adolescent, and I was an X-Men fan for years after as a result.

Where I was when I first read this issue: I had picked up the reprint of this story in X-Men Classic (not understanding at first that it was a reprint, or I probably wouldn't have bought it). I don't remember actually reading it, but I clearly remember spending the rest of the day thinking about it and sneaking peaks at it again while eating dinner at a diner with my father that evening (I guess I brought the comic with me?).


1. New Teen Titans #39: "Crossroads"
writer: Marv Wolfman
pencils: George Perez

I've written and re-posted my essay on why this issue made me a comic fan for life and revealed to me the true purpose/strength of continuity in comic books, but I won't repeat all that again. I'll just say that this was the issue in which I saw my boyhood role model grow up as Dick Grayson took off the Robin costume for the last time, unsure of who he would become, but sure that he had outgrown his old role. The adolescent in me was so inspired by this introspective move toward maturation and independence that I barely noticed my shock or sadness that this was the end of Robin. What also clearly resonated for me was the support of his team as Dick did this, particularly Donna Troy, who looked on with such pride and love that I was genuinely moved. I think I can chalk that single panel up to why every serious friendship I've ever formed since that moment was in small, tight-knit groups, and why my closest friends within these groups tended to be females. I'd always wanted to be Robin as a child, but as an adolescent, this story made me want to be him and follow him more than ever.

Where was I when I first read this issue: I was with my mother and a friend in a random comic shop we'd spotted on the way back from visiting my grandmother. As fans of Batman (who wasn't in 1989?) we were immediately drawn to "Batman and Other DC Classics #1," even moreso when we saw that it was free. Sure, it turned out to be nothing more than excerpts of and promotions for upcoming DC tpbs, but it contained that scene from New Teen Titans #39 (as a promo for The Judas Contract tpb), and I read it right there and was floored. I bought The Judas Contract tpb that same week, read the scene again, read the full issue for the first time, and then read the entire tpb from cover to cover.

[dan bailey]

Very nice job, shax. You'd have fit right in with us old-timers.

I'm jealous, of course, that you were able to with a full dozen. Maybe, just maybe, I'll proceed at some point with the thought I've occasionally entertained of adding the 11th & 12th sports that the dastardly Cei-U! inexplicably omitted in coming up with the concept way back when.

[shaxper]

Very nice job, shax. You'd have fit right in with us old-timers.

I like to think that I'm crankier, whinier, and generally more stubborn than all of you old timers combined :wink:



I'm jealous, of course, that you were able to with a full dozen. Maybe, just maybe, I'll proceed at some point with the thought I've occasionally entertained of adding the 11th & 12th sports that the dastardly Cei-U! inexplicably omitted in coming up with the concept way back when.

That would explain why I began with a list of ten before remembering that we always do 12 for Classic Comics Christmas. I was having a terrible time with 10. My list naturally came to sixteen at first, and while I was able to get it down to 12, omitting any of those final 12 would have been truly difficult for me.

Still wish I'd been able to cram in World's Finest Comics #172: "Superman and Batman -- Brothers."

[dan bailey]

I like to think that I'm crankier, whinier, and generally more stubborn than all of you old timers combined :wink:


Odd ... I thought we'd met before.

Clearly, you don't know me from Adam's off ox. (And then there's Cei-U!, who makes me look like Mr. Rogers on Ecstasy.)

[shaxper]

Odd ... I thought we'd met before.

Clearly, you don't know me from Adam's off ox.e

Yeah, but you've got the whole Dr. House thing going on. We expect you to be grumpy, so your kind moments are the ones that stick out.

Sorry. You've been type-cast :wink:



(And then there's Cei-U!, who makes me look like Mr. Rogers on Ecstasy.)

I believe I went off on him once, very early on in my time here at CBR, and proving myself the bigger grump, he's been nothing but kind to me since :smile:

[dan bailey]

Yeah, but you've got the whole Dr. House thing going on.

Now, see, my curmudgeonliness extends to not having TV (as opposed to a TV), so I have only the vague idea that that's a reference to a show. I take it this Dr. House is not to be confused with Katie Couric.

[shaxper]

I take it this Dr. House is not to be confused with Katie Couric.

I have no idea what you meant here, but that's got to be the funniest line I've heard in weeks.

[Slam_Bradley]

Nice job, Shax. And it made me go back and revisit what I and others had said and I always enjoy that.

[Chris N]

This year's Classic Christmas put me in a mood. So, if you'll permit the indulgence, I'm going to steal a page from shaxper (a fine fellow to steal a page from if ever there was one).

I made a list. Favorite single issues at least 10 years old (though they would have been too new in '05). I also made a rule needed for my own sanity: one entry per writer per title. I stuck to the letter of that rule and only broke its spirit two or three times. Beyond that, what shaxper had to say goes word-for-word for me, so I'l just quote him and pretend I said it:


Only a few years late to this thread...

Honestly, ever since I first became a poster at CBR in 2006, I've wanted to go back and do this one, but it's a very tall order and it took a long time for me to sit down and really consider -- especially since (as most of you know) I'm more into runs than individual issues. I usually find more payoff in tracking long term progressions in stories, and so a lot of the issues I chose only make sense in that context. Many of these actually don't work very well on their own without knowing the long continuities that led up to them.

Anyway, here they are:

12. Daredevil #8, the Devil's Deliverance
by Kevin Smith and Joe Quesada

I'm a big Kevin Smith fan these days, but my first exposure to him was his work on Volume 2 of Daredevil. This was also my first real exposure to Daredevil. (I'd read a couple Daredevil stories I really didn't like, having arrived to late for the work of Miller, Nocenti etc.) And I loved the entire Guardian Devil story. With more context, I appreciate that the story is a love letter to Born Again, a superior story. But I still think this had a few things going for it. A moving goodbye letter from Karen among them.

Smith's idea for the story was to retell Born Again, but changing the idea of hope to that of faith. This issue forms an epilogue to the saga, with the villain defeated at the end of the previous issue. And it features a demoralized Daredevil talking to Spider-Man. Daredevil gives an excellent speech about the absurdity of it all, finally asking: "Can you tell me one thing that makes any sense in that mess whatsoever?!?"

And Spider-Man responds: "You saved that baby girl's life."
​

11. Fantastic Four #262, Trial of Galactus
by John Byrne

One of my earliest Fantastic Four comics as well as the first trade I ever got. Also one of the first comics that blew my young mind. As the living embodiment of the entire universe let people understand the essential part a devourer of worlds plays in the grand scheme of things.

But the cosmic is balanced with the human as well, as we get the touching scene of Xxan Xxar and his failing resolve.


10. Deadenders #3, Stealing the Sun
by Ed Brubaker and Warren Pleece

20 years after the cataclysm, 20 years since the light of the sun has been seen on earth. Except in the rich sectors, which have artificial weather including simulated sunlight. Sector 5, however, is under the real sky, the very bleak sky.

And Beezer's friend Jasper is dying; so he decides to steal the sun. His girlfriend writes about the day sun came to Sector 5, how it's one of those days everyone will remember. But in their crowd, they "will remember it as the day when a boy didn't know how to let go of his best friend, so he made all hell break loose instead."

[Chris N]

9. Spectacular Spider-Man #189, the Osborn Legacy
by J.M. Dematteis and Sal Buscema

Sal Buscema is one of the best storytellers in comics, and I consider this issue the single best spotlight of his talents, illustrating Dematteis' climactic chapter in the saga of Harry Osborn, the story of Peter Parker's best friend driven to madness.

The first truly great Spider-Man story I ever read.

8. Sandman #19, A Midsummer Night's Dream
by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess

I struggled hard with which issue of Sandman to choose. My favorite issues involve Hob Gadling or Emperor Norton, the life-affirming characters to balance the somewhat emo lord of dreams.

​But I went with an issue that I felt like acted as a microcosm for those themes of the series as a whole I find I most connect with.

​ "Things need not have happened to be true; stories and dreams are the shadow truths that will live on when mere fact is but dust and ash and forgot."

"He did not understand the price; mortals never do. They see only their dreams, their heart's desires. But the price of getting what you want is getting what you once wanted."

And the idea of change so prominent in the series shows up as well, just as powerfully, if less poetically. When Titania tells Dream he has changed, he rebuffs her: "I do not change."

​

7. Infinity Gauntlet #4, Cosmic Battle at the Edge of the Universe
by Jim Starlin, Ron Lim, and George Perez

An empowered Thanos dispatches with each of Earth's superheroes one by one, until only Captain America is left standing.

"As long as one man stands against you, you'll never be able to claim victory."

"Noble sentiments from one who is about to die."

"I've lived my life by those sentiments. They're well worth dying for."

Probably the comic that truly made me fall in love with comics (and superhero comics in particular)

[Chris N]

6. Ultimate Spider-Man #5, Life Lessons
by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley

The first 5 issues of Ultimate Spider-Man are an expanded retelling of an 11 page story I consider the greatest ever told. Which makes it an odd choice for this list.

But this retelling has a couple things the original missed. One is Ben delivering the speech about power and responsibility. The other is found in this issue, the moment of decision to become a hero. In possibly my favorite page in comics history, master storyteller Mark Bagley gives us Peter on a roof flashing back to the key events: Ben's speech, his letting the crook past, Ben's murder and finally Ben asking him, "Do you understand."

Resolve forms in his face as he clutches his mask and says, "I do now."


5. ​Marvels #0
by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross

Almost any issue of this amazing miniseries was a contender for this list, but it is this promotional prelude that I love the most. This retelling of the origin of the Human Torch adds an emotional weight to the story I felt it previously lacked. But what I really love is the final lines, that interpret the Human Torch's escape as the beginning of a story, a story of Marvels.
​

4. Zot! #28, Autumn
by Scott McCloud

I'm afraid of growing up. I thank graduate school for helping me put it off as long as it did. Now I'm 30, have a career, and am looking seriously into home ownership. Fortunately still single. ​And I've seen too many friends give up dream jobs in order to cope with financial realities.

All my worst fears are summarized in this issue. As Jenny's mom looks at her life, the car and the house and all the goals realized, and understands that something was missed. Something was lost which should never have been. Something she associates with the smell of burning leaves in the yard in autumn.

[Chris N]

3. Avengers annual 7, the Final Threat
by Jim Starlin

I love the strange death of Adam Warlock. From both perspectives. And I love the story of Thanos gaining ultimate power to present Death with a mighty gift only to let it slip through his fingers. Every time it's been told. This was the best.

2. Astro City #1/2, the Nearness of You
by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson

I love Astro City and the shifted perspective on superhero stories we all know well. In Dreams, The Scoop...

This offers not only that great new take on a familiar story, but also manages to remind me hauntingly of my own life. That realization that what you've lost was never real to begin with. I know that with that comes a strong desire to forget. But Michael Tenicek, in a moment of true heroism, chooses to remember. And finds contentment.

1. Spider-Man, from Amazing Fantasy #15
by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

Duh.

[Chris N]

The absence of X-Men, Usagi Yojimbo and Swamp Thing (or anything by Alan Moore) from the above saddens and confuses me. But this is what I came to.

The self-imposed rule about one entry per creator per title was all that made the above possible in my mind. My original draft list was way too long and was overfilled with issues of Astro City and Marvels.

[shaxper]

Nice selections! I'm going to have to go back and reread the Infinity Gauntlet after reading about the impact #4 had on you.

[Deason]

I get an error when trying to follow the links at the end of the first post in this thread

i.e.

The First Day of Classic Comics Christmas
The Second Day of Classic Comics Christmas
The Third Day of Classic Comics Christmas
The Fourth Day of Classic Comics Christmas
The Fifth Day of Classic Comics Christmas
The Sixth Day of Classic Comics Christmas
The Seventh Day of Classic Comics Christmas
The Eighth Day of Classic Comics Christmas
The Ninth Day of Classic Comics Christmas
The Tenth Day of Classic Comics Christmas

[Cei-U!]

I get an error when trying to follow the links at the end of the first post in this thread

The threads those linked to were erased a few months ago by the tech guys for valid but boring reasons. None of us here at Classics are thrilled about it but, as an old roommate of time used to say, "it bes what it bes." We miss 'em too.

Cei-U!
I summon the bummer!

[dan bailey]

Yep. Man, if I'd known that was gonna happen, I'd have saved those & burned them to disc or something; I'm sure I'm not the only one. *sigh*

Hard to believe that this'll be the 8th Christmas countdown.

In four years we'll be able to rank them in order of preference, from 1 to 12. Or maybe -- in the spirit of the original installment -- 2 years.

[Cei-U!]

I've been thinking about making "Favorite Comics" next year's theme to mae up for the loss.

Cei-U!
I summon the insider info!

[Slam_Bradley]

I've been thinking about making "Favorite Characters" next year's theme to mae up for the loss.

Cei-U!
I summon the insider info!


I can pretty safely say that a number of mine would be different.

[Scott Harris]

Maybe we could do this as a Summer Fun Special in June or July, so we can also still do an all-new topic for next Christmas. Just a thought.

[Slam_Bradley]

Although that particular list is still there. And the daily jumps still work.

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?159154-Our-Favorite-Comic-Book-Characters-(Classic-Comics-Christmas-06)

[Slam_Bradley]

Actually...seems like all of them are working in the sticky at the top except the first 10 days.

[Cei-U!]

My bad. I meant "Favorite Comics," not "Characters." I've changed my earlier post accordingly.

Cei-U!
I have a brain fart!

[Slam_Bradley]

My bad. I meant "Favorite Comics," not "Characters." I've changed my earlier post accordingly.

Cei-U!
I have a brain fart!

OK. Gotcha. I actually kind of doubt there would be that much change to that list for me. Maybe a bit depending on the cut-off date.