Which MAJOR Silver Age Key do you feel is above all else?

[Mac Man]

Its no contest...AF15 is THE Silver Age book above all others. The fellas that say it is/should be FF1 are still clinging onto the good ol' days from 20 years ago, when FF1 and Showcase4 ruled the roost.

 

I know this topic is well-worn, but I really would appreciate the viewpoint expressed above to be articulated further.

 

What exactly has happened over the past 20 years to influence the relative importance of AF #15 and FF #1? The different popularity of their movie franchises? Since it's SA comics we're considering, I can't see what relevance that has to the importance of the two comics. The differences in popularity of the characters during the Bronze and Copper ages? That would seem highly relevant if one were comparing BA or CA issues, but we're not. There also seems little to choose between the two comics in terms of the highly realized characters and terrific villains and supporting characters that followed.

 

I love Spiderman as a character and ASM as a comic, but the granddaddy of the SA that changed the game for everything that followed is FF #1. It sold more than any other Marvel comic during the SA, begat the most popular comic book company over a 30 year period, and was created by the most prolific and arguably greatest SA writer and artist team. Their run on it lasted longer than any other creative team run in comics.

 

The notion that it's 'no contest', as some have posited, just doesn't hold up either historically or objectively.

 

I think it can hold up if you take AF 15 IN context and look at it's role over the span of the past 40 years or so. Now, if we look at a simple slice of time--a moment on the timeline, then FF1 does hold up as a significantly prominent book.

 

On the other hand, I would say that recent movement on FF1 would demonstrate that it is receiving more recognition and the demand is increasing. I think anyone who fails to recognize its place as one of the most significant SA Marvel mega books is clearly missing the boat and doesn't really understand the history of comics in general. But, if you look at the overall influence AF 15 has had on all other comics that followed... I do believe it edges out FF 1.

 

If I were to rank them by overall importance, I'd say AF 15, FF1 and then a tie for 3rd between Hulk 1 and X-Men 1.

[RockMyAmadeus]

Daredevil #18.

 

 

[Thor Odinson-1970]

Better question: AF 15 ASIDE, what other would you choose?

 

I'd probably say... Avengers 4. Absolutely top-notch, Kirby at his best cover and splash. Sorry--can't beat 'em. Avengers 1 splash is close, but the cover is only so-so. FF1 cover is great, but the splash is complete . JIM 83 would be good... but the stupid aliens and the chopper. I do like Amazing Spider-Man 1, and my copy is ESPECIALLY close to my heart, but Kirby screwed the cover up a bit.

 

No, I'd probably give the nod to AV 4. I love that book. Really need to see about a Joe Simon sig on mine.

 

Hey!!! What have you got against 'em lovable Stone Men from Saturn and their space craft (not a chopper)?

After all, those critters do provide a sort of link to the pre-hero Marvel past.

 

Here's a shot of Kirby's original cover art to JIM#83 from the "Origins of Marvel Comics" TPB (c.1974) which had TWICE as many Stone Men drawn in.

Here's more of 'em at ya! Ha! Ha!

 

 

 

 

BTW, my personal favourite is JIM#83 - no surprise. I'm satisfied with it's 6th place standing in that recent SA Hierarchy poll, though it came very close to beating X-men#1 for 5th spot.

 

 

 

 

[jjonahjameson1]

Its no contest...AF15 is THE Silver Age book above all others. The fellas that say it is/should be FF1 are still clinging onto the good ol' days from 20 years ago, when FF1 and Showcase4 ruled the roost.

 

I know this topic is well-worn, but I really would appreciate the viewpoint expressed above to be articulated further.

 

What exactly has happened over the past 20 years to influence the relative importance of AF #15 and FF #1? The different popularity of their movie franchises? Since it's SA comics we're considering, I can't see what relevance that has to the importance of the two comics. The differences in popularity of the characters during the Bronze and Copper ages? That would seem highly relevant if one were comparing BA or CA issues, but we're not. There also seems little to choose between the two comics in terms of the highly realized characters and terrific villains and supporting characters that followed.

 

I love Spiderman as a character and ASM as a comic, but the granddaddy of the SA that changed the game for everything that followed is FF #1. It sold more than any other Marvel comic during the SA, begat the most popular comic book company over a 30 year period, and was created by the most prolific and arguably greatest SA writer and artist team.

The notion that it's 'no contest', as some have posited, just doesn't hold up either historically or objectively.

 

I'll respond to the main crux of your question when I have more time, but I placed one of your statements in bold because I believe Bendis & Bagley broke Lee & Kirby's 102 issue run with their run on Ultimate Spider-man. I don't recall the exact number of consective issues, but it was more than Lee & Kirby's 102.

[oakman29]

I always hold these bad boys up to a higher level than any other books.

Marvel

AF #15

ASM #1

F.F. #1

Hulk #1

X-Men #1

ToS #39

Avengers#1

DC

Showcase #4

Showcase #22

B&B #28

These will always be the big dogs in my collection

[Hibou]

I just found the original poll and thread about the Silver Age keys... sorry about that.

 

Interesting results!

 

I'm curious though as to what some feel about the 'costumed-hero' aspect to this question.

 

Of course DC had the established costumed-hero books prior to Marvel but I believe Fantastic Four 3 (where the FF first get their costumes) predates Amazing Fantasy 15 in 1962.

 

I just put up a poll about these 2 books...

 

http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=4681624#Post4681624