Your Favorite Series Most Relevent Issue

IMJ · Post by **IMJ** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:15 pm

Here's a tough question that sort of spawned in my head after looking at a CGC 9.8 listing for Uncanny X-Men #135.

What issue of your favorite series would say is the most relevant and collectible issue of that volume? The caveat being that you can choose any issue other than the 1st one.

This is tougher than you'd think. For example, there's a lot of books throughout Iron Man volume 1 that I'd say qualify, but if I really wanted to be accurate I'd have to cave and go with the one that was more widely relevant to Marvel at large as opposed to the Iron Man mythos at large. I'd say for Iron Man volume 1, this book would have to be Iron Man #55, the first appearance of Thanos (and several other cosmic big wigs).

What do you guys have? Any series (even if it's a story relevant issue of NFL Superpro because in that issue he gets married or some other nonsense), any issue other than #1.

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:48 pm

gl

Green lantern 25

end of the sinestro corps war and the blackest night prelude a shame she never became a key issue

[/list]

comicsyte95 · Post by **comicsyte95** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:55 pm

My favorite non Valiant book is Silver Surfer #44 where Thanos has acquired the infinity gauntlet and toys with Drax the Destroyer and the Silver Surfer.

superman-prime · Post by **superman-prime** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:56 pm

very classic marvel cosmic

maraxusofkeld · Post by **maraxusofkeld** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 3:01 pm

Mine would be Giant Size X-men #1, X-men #94 and the Neal Adams X-men run #56-66. I know that's more than one issue but I feel that all of them are uber key as they made the X-men what they are today.

JonesyAZ · Post by **JonesyAZ** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 3:17 pm

DC/Vertigo's The Sandman issue 8, by Neil Gaiman

This issue featured the first appearance of Sandman's sister Death, and really set the tone for the rest of the series

IMJ · Post by **IMJ** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 3:58 pm

Wow... some awesome answers here! Both of the cosmic book choices are great, although I would've gone with issue #34 for that volume of Surfer as it's much more relevant and defining for that entire volume and the Marvel U as a whole.

I never read Sandman, but I could see how issue 8 is the real deal too, and I like how you mention that it sets the tone for the rest of the series. That goes a long way towards making it the must buy issue of a volume!

maraxusofkeld, your X-books are relevant, but it sort of dodges the real question here. If you had to parse them out and pick one, which would it be? And we aren't necessarily talking favorite, although favorite and most relevant tend to go hand in hand often... I could see how Giant Sized X-Men #1 truly fits the bill.

maraxusofkeld · Post by **maraxusofkeld** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:09 pm

JonesyAZ wrote:DC/Vertigo's The Sandman issue 8, by Neil Gaiman

This issue featured the first appearance of Sandman's sister Death, and really set the tone for the rest of the series

This was a nice choice.

comicsyte95 · Post by **comicsyte95** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:26 pm

IMJ wrote:Wow... some awesome answers here! Both of the cosmic book choices are great, although I would've gone with issue #34 for that volume of Surfer as it's much more relevant and defining for that entire volume and the Marvel U as a whole.

I never read Sandman, but I could see how issue 8 is the real deal too, and I like how you mention that it sets the tone for the rest of the series. That goes a long way towards making it the must buy issue of a volume!

maraxusofkeld, your X-books are relevant, but it sort of dodges the real question here. If you had to parse them out and pick one, which would it be? And we aren't necessarily talking favorite, although favorite and most relevant tend to go hand in hand often... I could see how Giant Sized X-Men #1 truly fits the bill.

Silver Surfer 34 was a good choice as well.I have read that book probably 20 or 30 times in the HC Rebirth of Thanos alone i couldnt even guess how many times ive read the issue itself.

I havent remember if i read that issue of Sandman but it sounds like a great issue.

Giant sized X-men #1 i havent read in awhile is that the one with Krakoa the living island?If it is that was a great read.

IMJ · Post by **IMJ** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:30 pm

comicsyte95 wrote:Giant sized X-men #1 i havent read in awhile is that the one with Krakoa the living island?If it is that was a great read.

GS X-Men #1 is relevant because it's the first time the more modern and incredibly recognizable grouping of Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler and Storm are banded together as X-Men!

ian_house · Post by **ian_house** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:43 pm

Flash 123

1st GA Flash in Barry's time. Plus it was the 1st visit to Earth 2 and therefore the beginning of the DC Multiverse. The cover is also pretty damn iconic.

ian_house · Post by **ian_house** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:44 pm

By the way great idea for a thread IMJ!

IMJ · Post by **IMJ** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:53 pm

ian_house wrote:Flash 123

1st GA Flash in Barry's time. Plus it was the 1st visit to Earth 2 and therefore the beginning of the DC Multiverse. The cover is also pretty damn iconic.

I'm not read up enough on the Flash to know otherwise, but this seems like a pretty solid choice. What volume does this represent?

ian_house wrote:By the way great idea for a thread IMJ!

ian_house · Post by **ian_house** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:56 pm

IMJ wrote:
ian_house wrote:Flash 123

1st GA Flash in Barry's time. Plus it was the 1st visit to Earth 2 and therefore the beginning of the DC Multiverse. The cover is also pretty damn iconic.

I'm not read up enough on the Flash to know otherwise, but this seems like a pretty solid choice. What volume does this represent?

ian_house wrote:By the way great idea for a thread IMJ!

Volume 1 in numbering but kind of 2nd. This series resumed the defunct golden age series numbering in the late 50s.

Can I nominate a different Flash volumes best issue?

IMJ · Post by **IMJ** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:46 pm

Ya! I'd say the most key issue that represents a given volume, as long as it isn't a #1 fits the bill!

maraxusofkeld · Post by **maraxusofkeld** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:06 pm

This was a really great idea for a thread and the IM #55 was a super sweet choice for that run. I always have wanted that book !

IMJ · Post by **IMJ** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:36 pm

Not every series is born of a Silver Age classic. I've always been a Quasar fan, and no issue of that series represents what the character is all about more than the final part of the late Mark Gruenwald's "Cosmos In Collision".

Quasar #25 is a definitive issue for the series with gorgeous Capullo artwork (pre-Spawn with clean lines), and some of the grandest scale cosmic storytelling since Starlin's Cosmic Cube saga. This issue is the culmination of the "hidden cosmic threat" which was the primary reason Quasar was appointed the Protector of the Universe years and years earlier. In it, he transcends his abilities to use the Quantum bands, and is revealed to be an avatar of Infinity - the construct that Marvel's Eternity was born from. Quasar faces and overcomes Maelstrom who tortured and killed Quasar earlier in the arc to take the Bands from him. Maelstrom is able to open the bands up to their Universal power and combines them with his own kinetic abilities. Earlier in the arc, Maelstrom’s power levels are measured in a definitive moment against Thanos, who lays a blast from all of the Infinity Gems upon him. Maelstrom stands amidst the attack, and scoffs to Thanos in the wake of the blast, "Get behind me Thanos, and I'll make whatever havoc you've wreaked seem like child's play".

The "Cosmos In Collision" arc is terrific, but it's issue #25 that Quasar not only defeats Maelstrom psychologically, but sacrifices himself to crush Maelstrom in a black hole only to have the battle continue on the cosmic astral plane. The issue defines Quasar's role with Infinity, the protector of the Universe, and reveals Maelstrom as the avatar of Oblivion, master of Thanos' Death. This is a revelation that we saw expanded upon years later in the post-Annihilation Guardians of the Galaxy books. This issue also wraps up Act I of the 60 issue series, begins a new tone for the book, introduces a new Capullo designed costume, and shows Quasar as a Universal force acknowledged and respected by the largest entities of the Universe in a way that characters like the Silver Surfer or Warlock never had been.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:51 pm

JonesyAZ wrote:DC/Vertigo's The Sandman issue 8, by Neil Gaiman

This issue featured the first appearance of Sandman's sister Death, and really set the tone for the rest of the series

Great choice. Saddest scene in comics, ever:

"Is that all I get?"
"I'm afraid so."

Those who read the book will know what I mean by saddest.

sanman · Post by **sanman** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:53 pm

Green Lantern #76 not only redefined Green Lantern (and Green Arrow) but the modern DC comic.

Here’s a great article is you want to read more: http://dccomics40.blogspot.com/2010/02/ ... rn-76.html

IMJ · Post by **IMJ** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:58 pm

sanman wrote:

Green Lantern #76 not only redefined Green Lantern (and Green Arrow) but the modern DC comic.

Here’s a great article is you want to read more: http://dccomics40.blogspot.com/2010/02/ ... rn-76.html

I was really torn on this... I've got a decent Silver to Bronze age GL collection, with most of the keys and I couldn't come to my own idea of which book from that volume 2 era to nominate. This is definitely on the list, but something is missing from it when compared to some of the more poignant issues, or even important issues within the DCU (like the first Sinestro for example).

This is up there, but I'm torn as to whether or not it's the one from the run.

-Edit-
That's a pretty good article about that issue you posted though!

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:59 pm

sanman wrote:

Green Lantern #76 not only redefined Green Lantern (and Green Arrow) but the modern DC comic.

Here’s a great article is you want to read more: http://dccomics40.blogspot.com/2010/02/ ... rn-76.html

My next large purchase of Green Lantern, as long as the store still has them, is going to be 75-83 and 86-88. I love the GL/GA team-ups.

xodacia81 · Post by **xodacia81** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:02 pm

IMJ wrote:
sanman wrote:

Green Lantern #76 not only redefined Green Lantern (and Green Arrow) but the modern DC comic.

Here’s a great article is you want to read more: http://dccomics40.blogspot.com/2010/02/ ... rn-76.html
I was really torn on this... I've got a decent Silver to Bronze age GL collection, with most of the keys and I couldn't come to my own idea of which book from that volume 2 era to nominate. This is definitely on the list, but something is missing from it when compared to some of the more poignant issues, or even important issues within the DCU (like the first Sinestro for example).

This is up there, but I'm torn as to whether or not it's the one from the run.

The one that I think might be more of a "key", in terms of demand v. supply, is # 89, the original "end" of the series.

sanman · Post by **sanman** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:20 pm

IMJ wrote:
sanman wrote:

Green Lantern #76 not only redefined Green Lantern (and Green Arrow) but the modern DC comic.

Here’s a great article is you want to read more: http://dccomics40.blogspot.com/2010/02/ ... rn-76.html
I was really torn on this... I've got a decent Silver to Bronze age GL collection, with most of the keys and I couldn't come to my own idea of which book from that volume 2 era to nominate. This is definitely on the list, but something is missing from it when compared to some of the more poignant issues, or even important issues within the DCU (like the first Sinestro for example).

This is up there, but I'm torn as to whether or not it's the one from the run.

-Edit-
That's a pretty good article about that issue you posted though!

I can understand that—there were more hard hitting issues like Speedy’s drug abuse seen in #85 and #86. However, to me the importance can be summed in the panels below:

Yes, the characters are directly speaking about racism, but I think there’s so much more going on. It’s as if O’Neil and Adams are saying that up until now comics weren’t very real or relevant, but sequential art can and will be so much more.

I could go on but I’d just be a regurgitating what you already know. So let me just add that personally Green Lantern #76 is the earliest DC comic that challenged me as a member of society.

I love this run of books as each has a relevant tale to tell, but they all point back Green Lantern #76 and the journey we all must take and the responsibility to make a difference along the way.

sanman · Post by **sanman** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:27 pm

xodacia81 wrote: The one that I think might be more of a "key", in terms of demand v. supply, is # 89, the original "end" of the series.

I didn’t find #89 all that HTF. The expensive ones for me were #76, #85-87.

IMJ · Post by **IMJ** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:28 pm

sanman wrote:I can understand that—there were more hard hitting issues like Speedy’s drug abuse seen in #85 and #86. However, to me the importance can be summed in the panels below:

Yes, the characters are directly speaking about racism, but I think there’s so much more going on. It’s as if O’Neil and Adams are saying that up until now comics weren’t very real or relevant, but sequential art can and will be so much more.

I could go on but I’d just be a regurgitating what you already know. So let me just add that personally Green Lantern #76 is the earliest DC comic that challenged me as a member of society.

I love this run of books as each has a relevant tale to tell, but they all point back Green Lantern #76 and the journey we all must take and the responsibility to make a difference along the way.

What you are saying about this is so sound. But it's a social relevance.. much like the Speedy drug issue of that same series is.

Most of the choices so far seem to be defining character moments, or undeniably important moments that define a series, or a set of events. Or even books with a combination of elements that make it the book from a volume. GL #76 is an incredibly relevant comic, but is it the comic that defines Green Lantern and that character's Universe, motivations, relevance? I can say now that it doesn't define Hal's relevance if it's using him as a foil for the story.

Ironically enough, I don't know if I'm disagreeing with you about GL #76! It's just that those are the things that pop into my head about it. It's still a great choice though! Good convo...