Redartz: Hello once again! Ready to consider some memorable comic stories? If so, proceed: we are looking at the year 1980, when comics started out at 40 cents and skyrocketed up to 50 cents. Oh, those were the days...
And what a year for comics it was. Although I usually try to limit representation on these lists to one per title, the sheer strength of the X-Men forced my hand. As always, some picks are obvious, some less so. You recall the ground rules: books published with cover dates between April 1980 and March 1981; my admittedly subjective choices, no particular order, and your critiques and nominations welcomed! Here we go...
X-Men 137- "The Fate of the Phoenix", by Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Terry Austin. The mutant team's preeminent team details the death of Jean Grey. 'Nuff Said.
Captain America 250- "Cap for President", by Roger Stern, Don Perlin, Roger McKenzie, Jim Shooter, John Byrne and Joe Rubinstein. A fun tale of speculation, introspection, characterization and politics!
DC Comics Presents 29- "Where No Superman Has Gone Before", by Len Wein, Jim Starlin and Romeo Tanghal. Superman goes through an emotional wringer courtesy of the Spectre.
Amazing Spider-man Annual 14- "The Book of the Vishanti", by Denny O'Neal, Frank Miller and Tom Palmer. One of Spidey's best annuals, with some gorgeous art (and a great cast- Dr. Strange, Dr. Doom and Dormammu). I wasn't a fan of Denny's work on the regular title, but he aced this story.
New Teen Titans 2- "Today...the Terminator", by Marv Wolfman, George Perez and Romeo Tanghal. The new team start to get to know each other, and we all meet the Terminator (no, not Arnold). The book is really hitting it's stride...
X-Men 141- "Days of Future Past", by Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Terry Austin. Truly one of the best stories of the decade. Better than issue 137? Too close for this fan to call, so both make the list.
Daredevil 169- "Devils", by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson. A great, chilling, cinematic Bullseye story, set against a holiday background. Great story, great cover, great team.
Detective Comics 500- "The Too Many Cooks...Caper!", by Len Wein and Jim Aparo / "Once Upon a Time", by Len Wein, Charles Shulz and Walt Simonson. A two-fer, representing this collection of solid stories in a giant anniversary edition. The first- a clever yarn incorporating many of the former residents of Detective Comics, the second a salute to Snoopy's writing career presented by two of comicdom's finest.
Micronauts 20- "Enter: Ant-Man", by Bill Mantlo, Pat Broderick and Armando Gil. A wild, wonderful romp in a supermarket with the Micro's and Ant-Man, and loads of insects. And a roll of bathroom tissue.
Mystery in Space 111- "The Singling", by Gerald J. Brown and Jim Aparo. A tale of betrayal and regret, told visually (no text); reminiscent of some of the classic EC sci-fi stories. One of several fine tales in this often-overlooked gem of an anthology...
Okay, you've seen my picks. Now's your chance to improve on it: name your choices for the best of '80; the nominating process here is wide open!
