Let Us Bow Our Heads For Number 8

[kaholo1256]

........

 

When it comes to comics I have a fairly biased opinion. I'm a Marvel fan. I like what I like and for some reason I just never could really get into DC or touch on many Independents. It's not because of storylines, art, or even specific characters it's more of an overall opinion I hold from when I was a kid that grew more into a loyalty. No matter what the direction, how low some stories get, or how awful I think art may be I still follow many lines out of a sense of almost misplaced loyalty.

 

That being said, my number 8 spot takes me away from my comfort zone. In the early 90's while fully engrossed in comic madness as a young kid I came upon a story line that was so drawing it made headlines worldwide. As I child I didn't know it did as the only part of the weekly newspaper I read were the sports and cartoon section but as an adult this is what I picked up.

 

Anyways I want to say I was maybe 11 when this story line came out and while I was a Marvel follower DC had and still has the most iconic character of all time, Superman. Even without having read more than four or five Superman books at the time I still knew he could leap tall buildings in a single bound, the bullet thing, and beating up trains, probably not right but I got it. So at this point in my life I know he's an amazing guy who can always overcome adversity

 

But what makes this comic's cover Iconic wasn't his overcoming but yet what looked to be his loss. By now any collector worth there salt knows I'm talking about Superman 75 "The Death of Superman." To me when I think of loss, or when I hear a character is being killed off, or has died nothing comes to mind more than this cover. The flowing symbol of justice torn asunder atop a random stick is how I picture any character coming to an end. When one of my favorite characters, Cable from the New Mutants/X-Men titles died this was how I wanted to picture the cover. Even with Captain America's thought to be end I still pictured a scene like this one would have added more justice.

 

For most of us we know happens in this storyline so I'll leave all of that out. But even being given the issue name and number I will always remember that this cover and storyline followed. So with my 8th selection for Iconic covers I chose Superman #75

 

K

 

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[surfer99]

Traitor! What happened to MMM?!?! Just kidding, . I am a loyal Marvel fan as well and even I bought this issue when it came out. How could you not (if you could find it) with all the media hype? I still have mine in the black bag and everything. I have the one in the white bag too. Heck, I even bought that Batman book with the pink cover, can't remember the name...Dark Knight something or other. Anyway, even though its DC, this one is still a part of comics history so no shame in having it in your top 10 list. Just don't let Stan find out or he'll revoke your MMM status!

[SW3D]

That whole event just captured the collective imaginations of everyone... and I mean everyone! I remember the polybags with the black ribbons/arm bands to be worn in memory of Supes. Sadly, that marketing blitz was all short lived, and an entire industry soon felt the ripple effects and fallout. But looking back 21 years later, it was an awesome event! Comic books finally took center stage.

 

Just my two cents... loyalty is a good thing, but don't allow it to deny you the pleasure of discovering so many brilliant titles from DC and the Indies. I'm not loyal to any of the big two... I love them both and love the indies as well: Dark Horse, Image, Pacific, Top Cow, Eclispe, IDW, etc.

 

SW3D

[Brandon Shepherd]

I've written about this comic event several times and I credit it for starting me on comics in general. This storyline in no Dark Phoenix saga, or anything close to it but it does have the power of nostalgia behind it for me and many others. You're right on about the iconic status of the cover to Superman #75, it's one of those covers that gets it right with a powerful image, it really sets the tone for the loss of such a character.