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Post by chadwilliam on Sept 9, 2016 23:09:11 GMT -5
There are those stories which seem guaranteed to be included in whatever 'Greatest Tales' Lists have yet to be written - ie. the Imaginary Death of Superman story from Superman 149 will likely be reprinted quite a number of more times over the next 10 to 20 years as will, say, The Joker's Five Way Revenge from Batman 251 - but it seems to me that there are a number of tales that were highly regarded as 'Classic' at some point in the past that have seen that status slip away sometime prior to the present. Of course, much of this is based purely on personal opinion, but what are those once classic stories that have now, if not been forgotten, are no longer singled out as something special to you?
A Couple off my List:
1. Superman Red/Superman Blue - Remembered fondly enough in 1992 to be recalled by a number of comic book professionals in Wizard's Superman Tribute Special and obviously the basis for a storyline in the Superman titles in 1998, it just doesn't feel as if there's the reverence for this tale that there once was. Mention 1992's Death of Superman storyline and you're certain to find people bringing up 1962's Imaginary Classic. Reflect on the Silver Age era of Superman and 164's Superman vs Luthor tale will evoke fond memories, but Superman Red/Superman Blue? It doesn't seem to be one of those tales that gets singled out for praise anymore. Am I wrong?
2. The Squire of Gothos Mansion from Batman 227. Certainly the cover to this issue is a classic - I won't even bother to post a picture since I know everyone here has seen it - Neal Adams giant Batman overlooking a castle take on the 1939 Bob Kane original, but the story inside? You know, I wonder if this one was a classic or was destined to be a classic. Though Neal Adams is most often credited for taking Batman back to his roots, Irv Novick beat him to the punch with his moodier, eerier take on the character starting round about 1968. However, it was Adams work which really resonated with readers and therefore Adams who gets the credit and yet...
I first read this story in Batman From the 30s to the 70s and its inclusion in this book suggests that it was something of a standout at the time. A creepy castle, a ghostly apparition, moody shadows, Batman swinging by his neck so he can reach a torch with his legs and burn through the ropes which are slowly strangling him - both Denny O Neil and Irv Novick were firing on all cylinders here and I'm sure in that alternate universe where Neal Adams never worked on Batman this is a story that receives regular praise from fans. Has it been reprinted at all since the 1970's however? |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,408
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Post by shaxper on Sept 10, 2016 6:59:15 GMT -5
Len Wein's Untold Legend of the Batman instantly comes to mind.
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Sept 10, 2016 12:49:17 GMT -5
Len Wein's Untold Legend of the Batman instantly comes to mind. That one should rank among any Batman fan's favourite stories! |
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Post by adamwarlock2099 on Sept 10, 2016 13:08:24 GMT -5
Speaking of Len Wein, I know it's been reprinted, since I own a TPB, but how forgotten is his and Wrightson's run on Swamp Thing? Maybe not forgotten in general but always seems to be overshadowed by Moore's when Swamp Thing is mentioned. And I prefer Wein/Wrightson's.
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Post by hondobrode on Sept 10, 2016 15:31:47 GMT -5
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Post by rom on Sept 10, 2016 22:32:49 GMT -5
IMHO the Wein/Wrightson 1970's Swamp Thing run is iconic & classic; it's probably one of my favorite horror comic storylines, though ST may be considered more of a super-hero. It helps that I'm a huge fan of most '70's comics, especially horror (and horror related) series.
I strongly prefer this to the later & more popular Moore/Bissette/Totleben ST series, which to me seemed a lot more metaphysical & psychological (if that makes sense) in tone. In fact, I tried to collect these later '80's ST comics & couldn't get into them; I bought 1-2 issues early on, before giving up on the series.
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Post by batlaw on Sept 10, 2016 22:41:58 GMT -5
On a related note, I had the chance to meet Bernie Wrightson at comic con last week. A delightful man. Without speaking out of turn, he's apparently not doing so good health wise : (
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Post by Icctrombone on Sept 11, 2016 6:05:03 GMT -5
On a related note, I had the chance to meet Bernie Wrightson at comic con last week. A delightful man. Without speaking out of turn, he's apparently not doing so good health wise : ( I'm glad that he is up and around. Last I heard he had a stroke, I think. |
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Post by hondobrode on Sept 11, 2016 19:10:19 GMT -5
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Post by pinkfloydsound17 on Sept 11, 2016 19:35:18 GMT -5
I find a lot of collector's are gung ho on variant covers yet again. There are a number that go for ridiculous money and people seem to be jumping on that train which may contribute to more classic comics being overlooked/forgotten. Maybe it is because of where I live, but the Death of Gwen Stacy seems to be forgot and largely unknown to most younger comics fans. I am sure it is still reprinted occasionally but for such a monumental event, I feel like its value has slipped slightly in recent years.
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Post by berkley on Sept 11, 2016 22:04:21 GMT -5
I think that in the wake of Alan Moore, not only Swamp Thing (which I find memorable mainly for Wrightson's art, though Len Wein's work was certainly more than competent) but much of the more innovative writing from the Marvel of the early 70s has been undervalued. I'm think especially of the two Steves, Englehart and Gerber: Englehart's Doctor Strange, Gerber's HtD, Omega, and Man-Thing, to name a few, to me rank far, far above all but the very best of today's comics, and are still a match even for those chosen few.
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