Redartz: Well, it's Thanksgiving week here in the USofA. So many of us will be busy preparing, travelling, cooking, or just building an appetite. And for all our friends 'cross the waves', hopefully a good week is underway as the holiday season approaches. At any rate, here at BitBA we like to keep up the conversation, so: I'm thankful for each one of you that takes a few minutes from your busy days to visit . Also many thanks for all the great subjects you've submitted this year. Which reminds me, what do you have for a topic today?
As we await your answer to that question, here's another for you. This question is inspired by our fine friend Doug over at Black, White and Bronze (which you should definitely check out, if you haven't yet). Over the past months Doug has presented a very thoughtful analysis and review of the monumental graphic story "Maus", by Art Speigelman. While reading Doug's column, it struck me that if somebody asked me what one single comics story they really should read, just one single comic story among all, Maus would be the one. And so, my specific challenge for you: if you could recommend to someone a single comic story (may be a single issue, may be a single story), one which impacted you like no other, one you would say EVERYONE needs to read, what would it be?
Best wishes to all, and thanks in advance for your participation!
6 comments:
Red - I too am thankful for this blog of yours!
You are spot on that Maus is the epitome of walk the comic form is capable of.
From a different perspective, I would say one should read Action 1 and Detective 27 to understand the simple, humble origins of this $$MM industry and the $$BB movies. Such a long, long road has been traveled from 1938 and a comic of 1 - 2 pages, to today in our hobby.
Yeah, picking just one story is almost impossible due to differing tastes and all that. Maus is a good one, or maybe something by Eisner (Contract With God?) to show the way the dialogue and visual elements can work together.
Personally, I'd recommend the Death of Gwen Stacy/Green Goblin (I know it's two issues, but there are plenty of single issue reprints of the story) as a good window into why some people (i.e. us comic geeks) love comics so much.
Yep-- I think it kinda has to be MAUS. . . and then everything else next.
Although I would offer up BONE to someone who was flat-out unaccustomed to reading Graphic Novel-type literature. . .
For a single-issue "Here's why comics are fun!" offering? Pfft-- I'm gonna ALWAYS go with Incredible Hulk #111--! ("Shanghaied In Space")
For coming-in-in-the-middle-yet-still-getting-pulled-right-in? Avengers #58 ("Even An Android Can Cry").
HB
The collected Manhunter saga from Detective Comics by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson wins my vote. I pretty much read it every year or so, most recently in the IDW original art format. Storytelling is nigh immaculate.
As for as single issue (I think it's about to be reprinted as a facsimile) I'd have to recommend Fantastic Four Annual #6 which introduced Annihilus and Franklin Richards in one swell foop.
Rip Off
So, this question got my mental wheels turning a little too much. Here's my attempt to answer it.
Thanks all for your comments; I definitely cannot argue with any of your choices. Top notch stories all around.
And a special tip of the cap to Edo; thanks for sharing the link to your post. I won't say much about it here as I'd rather everyone follow your link and read your words themselves. However, you're quite correct; it is a nigh-impossible question to answer...
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