[Batman]

I've seen this topic at some comic book forums, but I don't want to talk to that bunch of douche-nozzles and pre-adolescents. (In other words, I don't know anybody there.) So I figured I'd start it here.

Basically, what team or writer-artist do you think did the definitive run of issues on some comic book you like? For the sake of the those who may not have read the issues, particularly our non-geeks friends here at Punboard, if you're the first to mention a particular run, try to post a few pictures of the art and say a few things about what you liked about the storylines and such.

Then we can agree, disagree, debate, etc.

Go!


(I'll post one or two of my faves in a little bit.)

[Batman]

OK, he won the Superhero Showdown, so let's start with Batman.

My favorite run of issues on Batman is without a doubt the "Year One" storyline written by Frank Miller with art by Dave Mazzuchelli. The art was beautiful, and redefined Batman's look. The maturity of tone made me realize at the age of 16 that comic books were something I could continue to follow my whole life. Even the colors and the letters were amazing--a whole Batman series, Legends of the Dark Knight, was basically based on reminding people of "Year One" by using Todd Klein--the letterer's--innovative technique of using different handwriting to distinguish between the thoughts of the two POV characters (Batman and Gordon.)

Also, Gordon is a badass. But Batman is even more of a badass. To me, that's the difference between Miller's take on Batman then and now. In All Star Batman & Robin, Batman is being a badass, in "Year One" he just is. The first scene in "Year One" that really made me go, "Woah! Now that's Batman!" was one where he's on the grounds of his estate, wearing sweats and working out, practicing his kicks. Practice kicks which are slowly chopping down the giant oak tree that he's kicking.

Hey! I found an image of that scene!



Another thing that the storyline does is answer the objection that Batman just goes after street crime, and doesn't do anything about it's causes. In "Year One," he's just working his way up the food chain, and it leads him all the way to the top.



I'd put in more images, but my scanner's on the fritz.

My only reservation is that I'm not sure that one story running 4 issues really qualifies as a "great run." Greatest Batman story for sure, but maybe a longer run with multiple storylines would be a better candidate for the definitive run on Batman.

I have some ideas on that, but I've monopolized the computer here in the Alderman household long enough. What do you all think?

[OpTard]

a 4 issue story is definitely NOT a run

[docx]

operationretard said:

a 4 issue story is definitely NOT a run

And yet it is the first iteration of Batman that pops into my head when I think of the Dark Knight as a comic book character (as opposed to Adam West or one of the movies). Doesn't that qualify it for "definitive"?

[OpTard]

it's certainly a definitive STORY. and one of the greatest comics ever made. but i can't consider it a run. frank miller's daredevil is a run. clairmont/byrne x-men is a run. walt simonson's thor is a run. year one is a story. definitive, sure, but just not a run.

[docx]

Is the Kevin Smith Daredevil a run?

For definitive runs, my choice would be the Garth Ennis/Steve Dillon/Jimmy Palmiotti Punisher. No stupid white gloves and boots. No angelic symbols and demon-killing bullets. No anything nice or merciful. Just a merciless, brutal, violent body count story. Totally awesome Punisher, and the only one I like to think of when I hear that title.
Plus, the cover art is so great.

[Stu]

Gail Simone on Birds of Prey, especially when Ed Benes was on art. The Chuck Dixon stuff I've read (just the one tpb) was good, but she did really well at turning it into a proper action comedy book and expanding the cast to include Huntress and Lady Blackhawk and all the new members since OYL. She does really fun and exciting stories without needing any a-list guest characters/villains most of the time, and has created a few good ones of her own, like Black Alice and Creote, and did wonders for Black Canary's character to make her her own person independent from Green Arrow...which is why I'm annoyed by the recent repairing of them in Green Arrow and the engagement coming up.

[Batman]

I've neglected this thread just 'cause I've been busy with other things. I want to get caught up on it.

docx - The Smith/Quesada DD was eight issues, but it was all one story, so I still don't think it would count as a "run." Maybe we should just call it definitive writer/artist team.

Here's an example of the Tim Bradstreet covers you referred to, for those who may not have seen them.



There were three teams whose take on Punisher I really liked:

Steven Grant and Mike Zeck (1986 5-issue mini)-


Mike Baron and Klaus Janson (1st team on the continuing series in 1987)-


Mike Baron and Hugh Haynes (an obscure artist that I really like who drew the book in '91 and '92) -


I'm not sure which I'd consider definitive. Probably Baron and Haynes.


stu -

Here's an example of Benes's Birds of Prey work for those who may not be familiar:



Personally, I've never read the book. I take it I'm missing out?


My new addition here tonight will be John Ostrander and Joe Brozowski on Firestorm. This is one of the most unjustly obscure and under-rated comics ever. (For the non-geek, Firestorm is a rather goofy super-hero who is formed by uniting two men who were in a nuclear accident together--Ronnie Raymond a college student, and a nuclear physicist named Martin Stein.) When Martin tells Raymond that he has a brain tumor in issue #62, and he wants to destroy all nuclear weapons and end M.A.D. before he dies, that speech is one of the most fondly remembered comic book scenes ever for me.



The part where he talks about remembering a time when the sword of damocles wasn't hanging over everyone's heads, and how never having known that stunted younger people who were born after the Cold War began, that really touched a nerve with me.

I also really love the "return of Martin Stein" storyline:



These issues are among the most prized in my collection, because they meant so much to me, but were never really the "it" thing.

[Lucky]

Hmm, are you missing out with BoP? I don't know. I love Canary and I've grown to dig Oracle so I dug the book. And stu's right, Simone did a great job establishing Canary as the standout character she really should be and not Green Arrow's girlfriend (although I personally feel they SHOULD be together so I'm ok if they are). On the other hand the Savant/Creote characters/story isn't one I go crazy over but I did enjoy it. And it was huge for that Canary development. Canary's long term story with Shiva and that one issue where Canary collected DC's most kick ass fighters for a brawl are the most memorable to me. Have I mentioned I love Black Canary? Although I also enjoyed the sort of gradual acceptance and warming of the Huntress as she opened herself up.

I'd recommend reading it. Skip the pre-series specials unless you really want to see how the Canary/Oracle relationship first starts. They really kinda suck. But I'd say its a good read if not a necessary one. And with Canary seemingly getting a renewed place in the DCU I think its fair to say Simone made that possible.

I've only read the first couple of issues of the OYL BoP though and got completely turned off. Huntress never did a lot for me and I range from hate to complete apathy with all the new characters. Very turned off by the whole thing. But I'll probably give it a chance sooner or later. I read that book for Canary though so I'll just go to JLA.