Wednesday 9 February 2011

The 200 Best Comics of My Lifetime (The Last 20 Years): 190-181

190. Impulse #3
DC - June 1995
Writer - Mark Waid
Artist - Humberto Ramos
Any issue of Mark Waid's run on Impulse is a good example of the originality and flair the series enjoyed; the characterisation of Bart Allen is incredible, and his interactions with the various characters in this fledgling issue demonstrate just how masterful Waid was becoming in regards to the Flash family.





189. Supreme #52
Awesome Comics - September 1997
Writer - Alan Moore
Artists - J. Morrigan & Mark Pajarillo
Alan Moore's late '90s run on the book Supreme is one of the more underrated parts of his career; this issue features the return of Supreme's arch-nemesis and has some incredible writing from Moore as he places Supreme in a disturbing hall of mirrors.



188. Batman: Sword of Azrael #1
DC - October 1992
Writer - Denny O'Neil
Artist - Joe Quesada
Introducing a new character into the Batman mythology, this mini-series tried to give a darker edge to the world of Batman, and to a degree it succeeded; it was only in the aftermath that Azrael would be strategically placed within the books in an effort to usurp Batman following the "Knightfall" event, at this point that was still a way off, and the character seemed unique and interesting.



187. Ultimate Fantastic Four #1
Marvel - February 2004
Writers - Brian Michael Bendis & Mark Millar
Artist - Adam Kubert
The Ultimate Fantastic Four series was the last of the ongoing titles to be introduced to the Ultimate Universe, and while it fared better than the X-Men title in terms of quality, it's history was rocky; the first issue gives no indication of that, though, with a solid re-interpretation of Reed Richards' upbringing that introduces all the characters while giving us an intricate look into the mind of the young genius.


186. Fables #1
Vertigo - July 2002
Writer - Bill Willingham
Artist - Lan Medina
Fables is a fan favourite series that started out as a strangely gothic looking and sounding Vertigo title; the first issue was an example of just how fantastic the series could be, introducing all the major characters and setting up the universe that would continue expanding throughout the next one-hundred issues.



185. Fantastic Four #500
Marvel - September 2003
Writer - Mark Waid
Artist - Mike Wieringo
The big anniversary issue for the Fantastic Four came alongside the concluding chapter to Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo's deconstruction of Doctor Doom; the final chapter focuses on Reed Richards' mission to defeat his arch-nemesis and the brutal ramifications of his actions.


184. Justice League of America #0
DC - September 2006
Writer - Brad Meltzer
Artists - Ed Benes, George Perez, Jim Lee, J. H. Williams III, Gene Ha, Dick Giordano, Eric Wright, Tony Harris, Kevin Maguire, Dan Jurgens, Howard Porter, Luke McDonnell, Rags Morales, Ethan Van Sciver & Phil Jimenez
Regardless of how bad Brad Meltzer's run on the Justice League became, or even how bad the book remains to this day, the first taster issue was an absolutely fantastic tour de force, mainly due to the stellar team of artists; every page burst at the seams with brilliance, and the numerous teasers for what was to come from the DC Universe proved engaging and thought provoking.


183. Ultimate Spider-Man #78
Marvel - August 2005
Writer - Brian Michael Bendis
Artist - Mark Bagley
Some of the best issues of Ultimate Spider-Man are those that don't even focus on the titular character, or his alter ego; this issue is all about Mary Jane Watson and her coming to terms with a break-up with Peter Parker, leading to some of the most emotional material Brian Michael Bendis has ever written.


182. Green Lantern: Rebirth #1
DC - December 2004
Writer - Geoff Johns
Artist - Ethan Van Sciver
This was the moment that Geoff Johns took the reigns of the Green Lantern universe and truly showed DC what a genius he was; this first issue sets up the return of Hal Jordan, and sows the seeds for every major story arc for the next six years.







181. Uncanny X-Force #1
Marvel - December 2010
Writer - Rick Remender
Artist - Jerome Opena
It's a rare thing for an X-Men series featuring characters like Deadpool and Fantomex to grab me, but this series has pulled me in and demonstrated just how dark and witty the X-Universe can be; the storyline established here is great, while the art from Jerome Opena shows that he's truly someone to watch heading into the future.

Next: 180-171

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