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Post by coke & comics on Dec 22, 2019 7:53:47 GMT -5
4. Daredevil and Captain America
"Armageddon"
from Daredevil #233 (Marvel, 1986)by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli  It also features the Avengers, but I decided to downplay that fact above, per the rules of this contest. Besides, most of the Avengers only show up for like a page. But oh what a page. "A soldier with a voice that could command a god... and does." Once the pill-popping psychopath with delusions of patriotism is subdued, then it's up to Captain America and Daredevil to expose government connections to the Kingpin of crime, and trace the origins of Nuke all the way back to the experiment that once created Captain America. Frank Miller had done a legendary run on Daredevil, which came to an end. He returned to the book a few years later for one more sprint, this time teamed with the legendary David Mazzucchelli. (The same team would later reunite for Batman Year One) Over the course of 7 issues, they tear Matt Murdock's life apart, but leave him standing strong despite it all. This is their final issue. Kingpin has grown tried of his more subtle attacks on Daredevil and unleashed hell on New York. For those keeping count, this is the 3rd Daredevil entry and second entry without Spider-Man. 
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Post by MWGallaher on Dec 22, 2019 9:25:01 GMT -5
4. Aquaman and Deadman in Aquaman 50-52 By Steve Skeates and Jim Aparo (Aquaman), Neal Adams (Deadman) Mar/Apr - Jul/Aug 1970 When I found out about the existence of this weird little crossover, I had to hit the back issues and obtain it. Aquaman, drawn by my favorite artist, Jim Aparo, was already a favorite character, and Deadman, as I've mentioned on a previous day, I can always count on for a worthwhile read. This wasn't a conventional crossover, but instead, that relative rarity in which two characters have (mostly) separate, parallel adventures that impact each other. In this case, alien invaders interrupt the Ocean Master's warning and transport Aquaman to a strange foreign world. Aquaman goes sci-fi! Meanwhile, Deadman, in his backup feature, is ordered from Nanda Parbat back into the wider world, where he returns to his spirit form on a mission from Rama Kushna, where he deals with Orm and the aliens back in Atlantis. It's Deadman's sojourn in Orm's body that restores his memory, and sends him to warn Aquaman, as seen in the previous story. From there, we get two more issues in the same format--Aquaman adventuring in the alien undersea world, unable to assist Atlantis dealing with an alien invasion, Deadman handling his own side of the alien invasion in the backup. Let's let Steve Skeates tell the story behind the story, from the letters page:  There's so much to love about this one! At one point the storylines tie together directly, as Adams' Deadman eavesdrops on Aparo's Aquaman panels:  Aparo is considered by some to be a Neal Adams "clone" (although Sienkewicz, Nasser, and others have done far more clone-like work!), but I never agreed, and always preferred Aparo. He often admitted to Adams' influence on his work and it's interesting to see them sharing the pages of these issues to get a good contrast of their individual strengths (Adams would later finish an issue of B&B for the ailing Aparo). Another treat is seeing Jim illustrate himself and Skeates as Atlanteans "Jimm" and "Steev" for a bit of comic relief. Aquaman and Deadman are not an obvious choice for any kind of a team-up, but almost any crossover can work in the comics, if it's done imaginatively enough! We've seen plenty of good examples this year, and it's my pleasure to add this one to the pile!
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Post by Icctrombone on Dec 22, 2019 10:19:55 GMT -5
4. Crossover-Ironman/SubmarinerIssue- Tales of Suspense 79, 80(...) I Think I first read this in the Origins of marvel Superheroes TPB from the 70’s. It was a treat to see Gene Colan draw both Ironman and Namor, since he was the regular penciler for both series. Nope, it was reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Superhero Battles, the very awesomest of the Fireside reprint books. Thanks. I have all those tpb books but I was too lazy to do the research. |
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Post by Farrar on Dec 22, 2019 12:10:02 GMT -5
4. Crossover-Ironman/Submariner Issue- Tales of Suspense 79, 80 Tales to Astonish 82 Writer Stan Lee Artist- Gene Colan/Jack Kirby Inker- Jack Abel/ Dick Ayers Publisher- Marvel Year- 1966[/b I Think I first read this in the Origins of marvel Superheroes TPB from the 70’s. It was a treat to see Gene Colan draw both Ironman and Namor, since he was the regular penciler for both series. The story- Ironman is attacked by Warlord Krang and after pushing back the threat, is confronted by Namor. Namor was trailing Krang and felt shellhead cheated him from revenge, so he took it out on the golden Avenger. This story crossed over from Ironman’s book to Submariners book and amounted to being a slugfest with top grade artwork by Colan and Kirby, who took over for a sick Colan on the final chapter. I always felt Submariner worked and works best as a badguy. Yeah, it’s a Marvel Trademark flimsy plot for a fight but it’s a visual treat. Thanks for posting this, icc--it just missed my list. You make great points so I don't feel so bad about not including this on my list. For me, when I first read this crossover in the Iron Man and Sub-Mariner Essential volumes, and to me--in the black and white Essentials presentation--I found the switch from Colan to Kirby within the Astonish #82 story itself quite jarring (despite the blurb about the artist switch). For that issue Colan did a couple of pages...and then it was Kirby! I mean, I know Colan spent time on those pages (and they were sublime) but geez, couldn't they just have asked Kirby to redraw those first two pages? Oh well, guess he was too busy, since he was doing FF, Cap, Hulk, Thor and various covers and layouts at the time. I've read that at that time there was talk of reshuffling the features in the split books, so that the books would feature Iron Man/Namor....Cap/Nick Fury...and Hulk/Dr. Strange. Given the proximity of this particular crossover with the Cap-Nick Fury crossover a bit earlier over in Tales of Suspense #78, I think this story may have been intended as a lead-in to the new set-up. (But as we know the books remained as they were until the spin-offs/retitling in 1968.) |
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Post by beccabear67 on Dec 22, 2019 13:08:32 GMT -5
4. Aquaman and Deadman in Aquaman 50-52 Aquaman and Deadman are not an obvious choice for any kind of a team-up, but almost any crossover can work in the comics, if it's done imaginatively enough! We've seen plenty of good examples this year, and it's my pleasure to add this one to the pile! I only ever managed to get one of these three issues but that alone was memorable.  Nice to learn about the rest of the story. Great choice! |
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Post by Paste Pot Paul on Dec 23, 2019 5:09:20 GMT -5
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Post by Paste Pot Paul on Dec 23, 2019 5:25:19 GMT -5
4. DC Comics Presents 59. Superman and the Legion of Substitute Heroes
DC Comics 1983  I almost went for the Ambush Bug issue cos I loves that too, but I had to haves me some Legion, even if only the subs. Giffens humor in this period still holds great delight for me, and combined with a healthy dose of lampooning the idiocy of some 60's creations this is perfect. Hey Confessor ... now this is funny
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Post by brutalis on Dec 23, 2019 8:26:34 GMT -5
Day 9. Dracula versus the Werewolf by Night
Werewolf by Night #15 and Tomb of Dracula #18. 1974
A Wolfman (how appropriate for this cross-over) with art by Colan/Palmer/Ploog for a monstrous meeting in the night! At the time I did NOT have any issues of TOD or WBN in my collection other than these 2 cross-over issues. And let me tell you, they had me wishing that I could find any of either series! Gorgeous artwork with a strong story providing reason for these 2 creatures of the night to meet and eventually fight. Evoking the very best essence of the old Universal Monster movies and I read these 2 issues and drew scenes from within them for many a year throughout high school. There is something very special about the similarities and connections to be found between vampires and werewolves and this story had me digging further into the lore and stories of both in books, and isn't that what a great story should do? Captivate and inspire your interest further?
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 23, 2019 10:50:57 GMT -5
Solo #5 "Framing Sequence" (DC 2004) Slam Bradley & King Faraday, Zatanna, Black Canary and Catwoman.  On the Ninth Day of Christmas Darwyn Cooke gave to me...Slam Bradley I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'd have been perfectly happy if DC had given the keys to the DCU to Darwyn Cooke and let him drive it as he saw fit. Cooke had the perfect combination of reverence for what went before for without getting bogged down with the minutiae of continuity and the "need" to explain everything (I'm looking at you Geoff Johns and the Secret Origin of Barry Allen's bowtie). Add to that his artwork was amazing and his use of color was as good as anyone I've ever seen. This is probably my most "push the envelope of what is allowed" entry. Solo was an experiment in the early 2000s by DC where artists were given a double-sized issue to do short stories. The framing sequence in Cooke's issue sees Slam Bradley hanging out at Jimmy's 24/7, a bar, and interacting with a number of people including King Faraday, Zatanna and Dinah Lance, and Selina Kyle. It's only a nominal story. But it's one of the great character pieces of the past 30 years and in the end you know and care more about the characters than you did before. 
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Post by Prince Hal on Dec 23, 2019 10:58:14 GMT -5
^^ Also a vanity pick, I see.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 23, 2019 11:11:55 GMT -5
^^ Also a vanity pick, I see. I was using this name well before Bradley was re-introduced into the DCU. |
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Post by Prince Hal on Dec 23, 2019 11:45:19 GMT -5
^^ Also a vanity pick, I see. I was using this name well before Bradley was re-introduced into the DCU. Oh. I figured you were a Golden Ager from Earth-Two. |
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Post by rberman on Dec 23, 2019 12:41:09 GMT -5
Solo was an experiment in the early 2000s by DC where artists were given a double-sized issue to do short stories. That sounds neat! I just ordered Amazon's last copy of the Deluxe Edition compiling it. Thanks for the tip. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 23, 2019 12:44:19 GMT -5
Random thoughts on Day Nine. Because...why not at this point?
The Amazing Spider-Man #161-62. I was reading Amazing semi-regularly at this point but did not read these issues. I've read them since...but don't much remember them.
Batman Family #3. I...I'm...almost speechless. This isn't even among J.L. Garcia-Lopez's better work.
The Tick #3-5. I need to read more of The Tick.
Batman/Tarzan : Claws of the Catwoman I didn't think of this one. I've read it. And I remember thinking it was better than it should be. I should likely re-read it.
Ghosts #97-99. These were the only issues of Ghosts I bought off the spinner racks. I had more issues but they all came from garage sales. I probably should have thought of these though they wouldn't have made the cut. But nice to see them here.
Iron Man #131 & 132. Have we seen this one? Seems like we have.
Detective Comics #833-834. This is WAY after I'd stopped reading Batman.
Batman/Hellboy/Starman #1-2. I considered this. I liked, but didn't love it.
Superman/ Shazam: First Thunder #1-4. I know pretty much nothing about this. And I try (not always successfully) not to judge things I don't know about. But Superman + Judd Winick. Nah!
The Brave and the Bold 85. I feel like I've talked about this one.
Tales of Suspense 79, 80. I think I read this originally in Marvel Double Action. Good choice.
Werewolf by Night #32, 33. I read this during a back-issue read. I have no memory of it at all.
Daredevil #233. Mazzuchelli is brilliant.
Aquaman 50-52. This is such a bizarre team-up. But cool.
Werewolf by Night #15 and Tomb of Dracula #18. I thought about this one. Tomb of Dracula was great.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 23, 2019 12:45:13 GMT -5
Solo was an experiment in the early 2000s by DC where artists were given a double-sized issue to do short stories. That sounds neat! I just ordered Amazon's last copy of the Deluxe Edition compiling it. Thanks for the tip. It has its ups and downs but it was a cool experiment. Cooke, Howard Chaykin and Sergio Aragones put out my favorite issues. |
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