Top 5 1980s books.

[comicworkbench]

I think we need to look at the crazy 1980s. What are your top 5 comics from the 1980s?

[Capitalrecoveryman]

1) Moore run on Marvel/Miracleman
2) Watchmen
3) Batman Year 1
4) Moore run on Swamp Thing (and if I have to be more specific, I'll take the arc with the Plant dude where the JLA has to pull out a can of whoop-ass)
5) Tie between Daredevil 181 and the Moore Superman 2 parter

[marvelguy]

As of now looking back in the 80's, there were some books that I didn't read that is stll good today but during the 80's my top 5 were :

The Black Suit Spidey stories
John Byrne's FF & X-Men (that counts as 2?)
The Buscema Avengers run
Crisis on Infinite Earths
the time when McFarlane/Jim Lee/Liefeld hit the comics scene on ASM, X-Men and New Mutants....good times (umm......Liefeld doesn't counts as good times now)

[Capitalrecoveryman]

I remember being shocked in the black costume Spidey days when Jean DeWolf was killed. I was convinced Betty Brant got killed in a cliffhanger also.

[marvelguy]

I can't believe I left this out...the Wolverine mini. I remember this book as cool back then.

[toz1960]

Ah the good old days.Here's mine:

1.Dreadstar
2.Mage
3.Miracleman
4.Nexus
5.Fish Police(yes I'm serious)

Look Ma,or DC or Marvel

[malaprop]

I had Wolverine #1 on my list, plus I'd add Dark Knight Returns, Sandman #1, and Dark Horse Presents.

[kenmacny]

Any story with the Brood involved. Those things scared the crap out of me. Doing all that Alien impregnating thing they do...

[pasnat54]

I hadn't realized there were so many great books introduced in the 1980s.

The Great Darkness Saga, Legion of Superheroes
The Watchmen
V for Vendetta

Plus the 80's were great for independents:

Nexus
Love and Rockets

And Sandman was introduced in 1989, so I guess you could include it here.

[Capitalrecoveryman]

Hmmm. I just noticed Dark Knight Returns is not in my top 5. There was a time I would've had it number one, no questions asked. I guess IMO it hasn't aged well compared to other books of that era.

[comicworkbench]

I am going to focus on what I think has aged well. Meaning what I still enjoy reading, these days. As you know things change from month to month.

1. Really getting back into Moore's Swamp Thing issues. Also trying to complete the run so it stands out right now. (I see Capitalrecman agrees)
2. Once a year I pick up and re-read Miller's Daredevil.
3. McFarlane's Amazing Spider-man run was the best.
4. Crisis
5. Sentimental pick. Really liked JRJR and Claremont's run on the X-men just because they got me into them (#208 was my 1st X-men, loved the battle scenes). #200-213 were fun. I was a little young for Byrne's original run, one of my all time favs.

Now I really like Byrne's FF but at the time I skipped them. Secret Wars was cool, the first few were really good. Punisher was fun and Zeck is awesome. LSH Great Darkness Saga is a yearly re-read for me. There are lots of great stuff. Batman 404-408 Year One and then Miller and Maz's Daredevils #227-232? DK. I liked Byrne's Superman. Jim Lee on the X-men but I have not re-read them since buying them and reading them. Dreadstar is great too.

[marvelguy]

Oh yeah...the Byrne Superman run...it's classic! Anyone remember reading Action Comics Annual #1? Now that was a doozy back then. Cool vampire story.

[razorz000]

I can't put so many good books in to JUST 5 as the 80's was a start for many-many good things to come.

But their are lot of great lists posted already..... :D

[comicworkbench]

Yes, classic issue Action Annual #1 Art Adams on Batman and Sups!


Oh yeah...the Byrne Superman run...it's classic! Anyone remember reading Action Comics Annual #1? Now that was a doozy back then. Cool vampire story.

[stupidman]

There was a thread like this on the Ebay Threaded Board (that died, of course). Cocky listed Dark Knight, Watchmen, Miracleman, Crisis, Daredevil, Sandman, Animal Man, Year 1, Killing Joke and then I added Morrison's Doom Patrol, New Teen Titans (esp Judas Contract), Secret Wars, GI Joe, Batman Year One, Byrne's FF, Hellblazer, Squadron Supreme, Legion of Super-heroes: The Great Darkness Saga, Dreadstar, Camelot 3000, Punisher mini (Zeck), Wolverine mini (Miller), Grendel, Mage, and a personal fav, Judge Dredd.

Picking 5 is very tough. Definitely at least one work by Moore in there.

[fastballspecial]

I remember being shocked in the black costume Spidey days when Jean DeWolf was killed. I was convinced Betty Brant got killed in a cliffhanger also.


Peter David crushed me when he killed here. I was still a teenager and other then Jean Grey's death this one tore me up. I mean there was no chance at all she lived. I bought the TPB a few years back just to see the scene again it still floors me.

[fastballspecial]

Hmm only 5 here it goes. I will pick out a few different ones besides Watchmen and Dark Knight.

The Great Darkness Saga, Legion of Superheroes - This is the only Legion story every in my opinion. I didnt even know who the hell Darkseid was I had to go look him up.

Byrne's FF Run - Galactus, The Baby Dying, Surfer, Doom, up until the last few issues of his run he was the man. Old Timers hated him for changing Doom, but man could he tell a story back then. WTF happened to him now he cant even draw decent.

Stern's Avengers - 240ish -275 - Simply Avengers Magic. Stern could spin an Avengers tale like no other.

Squadron Supreme 1-12 - Gruenwald at his best. This 12 issue mini told an excellent story of what happens when the Super heroes try to do what they think is best for their country.

Batman 10 Nights of the Beast 417-420? I think - Batman's never been better other then Lee/Loeb stuff.

[marvelguy]

Batman 10 Nights of the Beast 410-413? I think - Batman's never been better other then Lee/Loeb stuff.

It's #417-420 and KGBeast was the villian. I remember reading that, awesome stuff!

[fastballspecial]

It's #417-420 and KGBeast was the villian. I remember reading that, awesome stuff!

Correction made sir. I was too lazy to look it up.:)

Yeah KGBeast was a villain that was just underused. Would love to see him again. He is a Russian Deathstroke.

[Poe]

One title that sticks out to me from the 80's was Elementals from Comico.

The "heroes" in this series had sex and killed their opponents. It was full of surprises and had, to this day, one of the most memorable long running sub-plot payoffs ever.

Comics today are far more violent but back in the 80's this title stood out for its adult themes and more graphic violence.

After reading this title the Marvel/DC fare seemed kind of boring.

[NEXTLVL]

i cant pick just 5 but i can tell you one of the best you guys seem to be forgetting .

KRAVENS LAST HUNT!!!!!! best spidey story ever!!!!!

oh and didnt mcfarlane start on asm in the 90's

[NEXTLVL]

One title that sticks out to me from the 80's was Elementals from Comico.

The "heroes" in this series had sex and killed their opponents. It was full of surprises and had, to this day, one of the most memorable long running sub-plot payoffs ever.

Comics today are far more violent but back in the 80's this title stood out for its adult themes and more graphic violence.

After reading this title the Marvel/DC fare seemed kind of boring.

i felt the same way when i read FAUST , ultra violence,weird sex, and just all around demonic!!!!!!

[comicworkbench]

Amazing Spider-man #298 was from 1988. Kinda slipped that run in there.

Kraven's last hunt was fantastic, forgot about that one.

[Capitalrecoveryman]

I think James Robinson killed him off last year.

You're right. That was a great arc. However, I think it was later revealed Bats went back and released him which kind of ruined it for me.



Correction made sir. I was too lazy to look it up.:)

Yeah KGBeast was a villain that was just underused. Would love to see him again. He is a Russian Deathstroke.

[fastballspecial]

Amazing Spider-man #298 was from 1988. Kinda slipped that run in there.

Kraven's last hunt was fantastic, forgot about that one.

Personally I prefer the Sin Eater Saga myself from Peter David. To this day the death of Jean De Wolf was the number 2 shocker in my reading career. Only death of Phoenix was higher.

[marvelguy]

oh and didnt mcfarlane start on asm in the 90's

He started on ASM #298(March 1988) and the rest is history.

[Karma23]

Miracleman - tops my list easily
Nexus - A fantastic, and far too often, overlooked series.
New Teen Titans - I'm surprised that the Wolman/Perez era hasn't been lsited yet!
Crisis On Infinite Earths - At the time, just fantastic fun.
Dark Knight Returns/Watchmen - well, because we know how great they were and what an impact they are still having on comics today.

All this coming from a Marvel Zombie

[marvelguy]

Miracleman - tops my list easily
Nexus - A fantastic, and far too often, overlooked series.
New Teen Titans - I'm surprised that the Wolman/Perez era hasn't been lsited yet!
Crisis On Infinite Earths - At the time, just fantastic fun.
Dark Knight Returns/Watchmen - well, because we know how great they were and what an impact they are still having on comics today.

All this coming from a Marvel Zombie

Stu posted the Teen Titans thing.

There are great stories that isn't Marvel, but I tend to think Marvel inspires them to do better. :D

[Karma23]

My apologies to Stu then! It was George Perez artwork that drew me to the Teen Titans and ultimately to check out DC books in general.

[marvelguy]

I haven't thought of that before...Perez did indeed draw me towards DC.

[toz1960]

YEA! Mayhap we should make this a top 10 list instead of five.

[marvelguy]

Heck, we should make it a Top 20 of the 80's....

[stupidman]

One title that sticks out to me from the 80's was Elementals from Comico.

The "heroes" in this series had sex and killed their opponents. It was full of surprises and had, to this day, one of the most memorable long running sub-plot payoffs ever.

Comics today are far more violent but back in the 80's this title stood out for its adult themes and more graphic violence.

After reading this title the Marvel/DC fare seemed kind of boring.

i felt the same way when i read FAUST , ultra violence,weird sex, and just all around demonic!!!!!!

Brat Pack!
(Although it started in the summer of 1990)

Nice gif, NxtLvl!

http://members.aol.com/catmanstu/stoner.gif

[NEXTLVL]

Brat Pack!
(Although it started in the summer of 1990)

Nice gif, NxtLvl!


http://members.aol.com/catmanstu/stoner.gif



thank you

[fastballspecial]

Hmm lets see lets give some love to a few more.

Squadron Supreme 1-12 from Mark Gruenwald

How about Starlin's/Lim's Run on Silver Surfer?

While were on Starlin how about Breed from Malibu? Man I loved that book.

Thor 280-300 anyone???

[camper49]

I REALLY enjoyed that story in Avengers #217 (1982) when they kicked Henry Pym/Yellowjacket out due to Egghead's plotting.
Not that I didn't like Pym...I just thought it was cutting-edge scripting for its time.

[comicworkbench]

It is true that New Teen Titans does not seem to be too popular here.

Honestly, I really liked the title and the Perez/Wolfman run. I overlooked them because it was not a title I bought at the time. My best friend collected them and I, trying to be different did not. Later I bought most of the 1980-1984 series. The art is great and most stories held up well. Loved the Judas Contract and #13? (Doom Patrol stuff)- great cover.

[camper49]

I'm with you on that.
I first read the NTT in DCCP #26 as an insert.
I loved them instantly so I bought the first 30 issues.
I lost interest in the book after that though.

[fastballspecial]

Lets of course not forget the 5th of November here in this thread.

[Mac Man]

Sure, I'll probably leave some out, but these are the books / storylines that stuck out the most to me from that time (in no particular order):

As A Kid...
1. McFarlane Spider-Man
2. Inferno Story Line (X-Titles)
3. Batman Death in the Family
4. Marvel Universe Handbooks
5. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars

As An Adult Looking Back...
1. The Watchmen
2. The Killing Joke/ DKR / Year One
3. Wolverine Mini Series
4. Kraven's Last Hunt story arc
5. McFarlane Spider-Man