The Quarter Bin: The Big Five-Ohhhhh $1 Challenge!

Martinex1:  George Orwell is quoted (perhaps erroneously) as saying, "At 50, everyone has the face he deserves."   This is a statement that has stuck with me as I approach the age of fifty.   I have about six more months to change my ways if I want to change my face.  Maybe some surgery is in order - ha!

I feel that the sentiment may be applicable to comics as well.  By the time a book reaches its 50th issue, it has set its course and has for the most part defined its themes, style, and substance to the audience.   Often the tone is set early on, and rarely does a book take a substantial path of redirection after that point.   In some cases, the X-Men for example there is a real resurgence much later, but for most titles the path is clear. 

Let's take a look today at a variety of titles at their 50 issue mark.   What do you think about these books?  Are they at their best at that point or on a downward trajectory?  I tried to stay within the Bronze Age but found it difficult, so I did include handfuls of masterpieces from the Silver Age to round out the offerings. Some are blockbusters and some are head scratchers?

Keep in mind that some classic titles never reached that anniversary.   The Invaders, the original Moon Knight series,and the first run of What If? never made it.   Spider-Woman ended on its 50th issue. Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D never came close, but Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos blew past it.  Stan Lee's Silver Surfer did not have a chance, but Captain Marvel limped along and finally made the cut. The Atom never hit fifty, but Captain Atom did.   I had hoped Batman and the Outsiders would make the cut, but no such luck.

Which would you buy if you could only read four?   Yes - I know the Silver Age issues skew your methodology for choosing, but try to be adventurous today. Everybody is going to pick that Silver Surfer appearance, so assume that the value stamp is missing and I spilled corn flakes on it!

What do you think about the books that have reached that fifty-issue plateau? Is four years and a couple of months enough time to hit the proper stride? Or did the book peak early and run out of breath? Are these examples already mired in mediocrity or do they still have a spark of something special?  Is the 100th issue a more likely measure of success?  Or issue number 25?  Share your thoughts?   Make your suggestions?   Leave your dollar in your pocket - this is all for fun; we are celebrating after all!  Fifty is quite the milestone!  Cheers!