Let's Name the Top Single Issues Together

[dan bailey]

The redoubtable mrc1214's "Let's Name the Top 100 Comic Book Storylines/Events Together" thread, which he launched just a couple of days ago, has proven to be one of the most enjoyable I've ever participated in here ... & that's saying something. Quoting myself from there yesterday afternoon --

It occurs to me that it might be worthwhile to try this same approach with single issues. We did that (albeit with a scant 10, not 100) for Kurt's very first Christmas listing back in '05, but we've had a considerable amount of turnover since then. For that matter, my own choices wouldn't necessarily be the same even for 10; I've read (or re-read) a whole lot of great comics since then.

So here goes. I haven't specified a number for total listings because mrc1214 alluded to the possibility of replicating the couple of "1,000 comics to read before you die" books that are out, but I don't want to tie us to reaching such an advanced number ... though if it happens, I wouldn't be (a) surprised or (b) exactly disappointed.

As for guidelines, I'll just mostly crib from the Storylines/Events thread --

Let's name the top comic book single issues together. This is for what issues you think are the best of all time ... which is to say your favorites. If you like, for whatever reasons, #X of Archie's Pals & Gals more than Action #1 (which, let's be honest, the vast majority of us have probably never read a single page of), good for you!

Rules:
-Please Post Only 1 Post Per Entry
-Please Allow Others To Post Before Posting Again
-This is not supposed to be in any sort of order; we'll just add as we go.
-Please post the entire list with your addition at the bottom, preferably in bold so that it'll be obvious at a glance.
-Some commentary would be nice, but it's certainly not mandatory.
-Let's not turn this into an argument thread
-Have Fun!

For starters, a gigantic surprise from me, I'm sure. I've rhapsodized about this one before, so I won't go into any real detail here, except to note that this has to be the no-brainiest of no-brainers for me, featuring as it does my favorite artist's strong inks on my favorite character in a double-length special issue my favorite series, published toward the end of the summer of my favorite year (1968; I turned 9 in mid-September) for comics.

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4

[mrc1214]

This issue was one of the first I read when I started reading comics. A great all around issue with beautiful Michael Golden Art

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10

[Cei-U!]

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123

Cei-U!
I summon my bread-and-butter!

[mrc1214]

nothing to see here move along

[dan bailey]

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123

Cei-U!
I summon my bread-and-butter!

I'm sure you've held forth on this elsewhere, Kurt, but just out of curiosity -- did you buy this off the 'stands, or did you discover it later? You're a couple of years older than me, IIRC, so the first scenario is possible, though offhand I'd say a certain degree of precocity would've have to have been at work.

[hondobrode]

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123
4. Nexus : The Origin

I remember reading this issue thinking this is as perfect as a comic gets. It really blew me away. Steve Rude story and art.

[Ramage]

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123
4. Nexus : The Origin
5. Superman 162 (Superman REd/Superman Blue)

[Richard Bishop]

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123
4. Nexus : The Origin
5. Superman 162 (Superman REd/Superman Blue)
6. Saga of the Swamp Thing #21

This issue shouldn't need much explanation as to why it belongs on the list.

[hondobrode]

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123
4. Nexus : The Origin
5. Superman 162 (Superman Red/Superman Blue)
6. Saga of the Swamp Thing #21
7. Death of Captain Marvel

Jim Starlin putting the cap on a great run with a character he really made his own. Very powerful work.

[An Ear In The Fireplace]

Unlike the other thread, on this one I'll be totally subjective and pick my most favourite issues (at least to begin with).


1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123
4. Nexus : The Origin
5. Superman 162 (Superman Red/Superman Blue)
6. Saga of the Swamp Thing #21
7. Death of Captain Marvel
8. Detective Comics 361

The first issue of 'Tec I ever bought, featuring "The Dynamic Duo's Double Death Trap" and a fabulous Elongated Man back-up--plus lots of extra features and ads.

[CromagnonMan]

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123
4. Nexus : The Origin
5. Superman 162 (Superman Red/Superman Blue)
6. Saga of the Swamp Thing #21
7. Death of Captain Marvel
8. Uncanny X-Men #150

[Scott Harris]

Wow, there's already one issue on the list that I personally don't like at all. Hey, that's the itneresting part about these lists, right? Anyway, here's one I'm surprised nobody has mentioned already, even with only 8 picks so far:

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123
4. Nexus : The Origin
5. Superman 162 (Superman Red/Superman Blue)
6. Saga of the Swamp Thing #21
7. Death of Captain Marvel
8. Uncanny X-Men #150
9. Astro City #1/2

[Ramage]

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123
4. Nexus : The Origin
5. Superman 162 (Superman Red/Superman Blue)
6. Saga of the Swamp Thing #21
7. Death of Captain Marvel
8. Uncanny X-Men #150
9. Astro City #1/2
10. Adventure Comics 352 (Sun-Eater story)

[hondobrode]

1. Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos Annual #4
2. Avengers Annual #10
3. The Flash #123
4. Nexus : The Origin
5. Superman 162 (Superman Red/Superman Blue)
6. Saga of the Swamp Thing #21
7. Death of Captain Marvel
8. Uncanny X-Men #150
9. Astro City #1/2
10. Adventure Comics 352 (Sun-Eater story)
11. Daredevil # 191

"Roulette" by Frank Miller, Terry Austin and Lynn Varley. Matt playing roulette with a loaded pistol with Bullseye completely helpless in his hospital bed and Matt explaining why he's doing this and their mutual past. Couldn't believe it was happening and still to this day can't believe Marvel published it. Highest recommendation if you haven't read this issue.

[An Ear In The Fireplace]

I must be on everyone's ignore list.