*Obie, through his dabbling in arcane magiks mixed with ancient corrupt business practices, has had not just the colors of his fur switched, but a complete overhaul of his work ethic as well…I think I’m kinda okay with the mishap.
Not sure what “Comics Lust” is about? Take a look at the Introduction to “Comics Lust” post or take a look at the static “Comics Lust Table of Contents” page to jump to a topic.
Comics Lust
Miniseries to the Max (Part 1)
Ahhhh…the miniseries of the ’80s…oh, how I love thee. Whether you were alive and loving comic books like I was during the arrival of the glorious miniseries, or whether you recently came to comics, there is a treasure trove of groovy books awaiting you in the back issue bin—or in trade format depending on the popularity of the particular series. Now, Marvel was the one releasing most of the miniseries I read, but DC also had a few gems tucked away themselves. The thing that mattered most was that we had—primarily—done-in-four-issues stories that my mom would buy for my brother and me in an effort to keep us from strangling one another during long drives to a vacation destination. Her diversionary tactics brought peace to the realm of the red Ford Mustang II, and every so often brought a period of cooperation between my brother and me that was rarely seen back home. These comics were magical and having gone back to reread many of them over the past few years, they still manage to make this Donist smile wide.
Let’s have a look at some, and keep in mind that they are in no particular order other than what comes to mind…
Okay, now this is one that we found on the spinner rack at the grocery store, and read as the issues released. This book was also much loved and it practically fell apart in our hands, which given the going price for pristine copies of this series…well, best not to think about it too much now. Man, how could you not be a fan of The Uncanny X-Men back then? Then Marvel goes and spins off this beloved character into his own story? We had to get it. Chris Claremont wrote, Frank Miller drew, and even without any crazy, tertiary-colored supervillains to be found, this series knocked it out of the park. Thankfully, there’s a trade available of this must-read mini.
His costume might be a bit over the top, but I do not care in the slightest; I love it. I knew next to nothing about this vibrantly-colored, playing card-themed Jack of Hearts but he was everything I could ever want in a superhero, and with Bill Mantlo at the helm, there was much to love about this spacefaring powerhouse. I’m about due for a reread.
Wait just a minute…whaaaaat?! Yup, two separate series, each with the same title. One came out in 1982 and the other in 1984, and both are a blast. Leaning more on the humorous side of things with the introduction of Herc’s wisecracking Recorder, this futuristic series at times became really, really dark. There is actually a third chapter that was released as a Marvel Graphic Novel titled “Full Circle” that you will definitely have to pick up if you enjoyed both of the miniseries. Bob Layton rocks the socks off these books.
Let’s have a look at some, and keep in mind that they are in no particular order other than what comes to mind…
Wolverine #1–4
(Written by Chris Claremont, illustrated by Frank Miller, published in 1982 by Marvel Comics)Okay, now this is one that we found on the spinner rack at the grocery store, and read as the issues released. This book was also much loved and it practically fell apart in our hands, which given the going price for pristine copies of this series…well, best not to think about it too much now. Man, how could you not be a fan of The Uncanny X-Men back then? Then Marvel goes and spins off this beloved character into his own story? We had to get it. Chris Claremont wrote, Frank Miller drew, and even without any crazy, tertiary-colored supervillains to be found, this series knocked it out of the park. Thankfully, there’s a trade available of this must-read mini.
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| Wolverine #1 |
Jack of Hearts #1–4
(Written by Bill Mantlo, illustrated by George Freeman, published in 1984 by Marvel Comics)His costume might be a bit over the top, but I do not care in the slightest; I love it. I knew next to nothing about this vibrantly-colored, playing card-themed Jack of Hearts but he was everything I could ever want in a superhero, and with Bill Mantlo at the helm, there was much to love about this spacefaring powerhouse. I’m about due for a reread.
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| Jack of Hearts #1 |
Hercules: Prince of Power #1–4 & Hercules: Prince of Power #1–4
(Everythinged by Bob Layton, published in 1982 and 1984 by Marvel Comics)Wait just a minute…whaaaaat?! Yup, two separate series, each with the same title. One came out in 1982 and the other in 1984, and both are a blast. Leaning more on the humorous side of things with the introduction of Herc’s wisecracking Recorder, this futuristic series at times became really, really dark. There is actually a third chapter that was released as a Marvel Graphic Novel titled “Full Circle” that you will definitely have to pick up if you enjoyed both of the miniseries. Bob Layton rocks the socks off these books.
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| Hercules V1 #1 |
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| Hercules V2 #1 |
The Falcon #1–4
(Written by Bill Owsley, illustrated by Mark Bright, published in 1983 by Marvel Comics)The guy who was both Captain America’s partner and also stood in as Captain America for a couple years, the Falcon, gets his own mini, and it’s all sorts of alright. And speaking of Captain America, he appears briefly as the heroes take on the menace of Electro!
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| The Falcon #1 |
Hawkeye #1–4
(Everythinged by Mark Gruenwald, published in 1983 by Marvel Comics)Hey now! I recently finished rereading this one. We get classic Hawkeye and the series co-stars Mockingbird! Lot’s of action and fun even when one of the villains happens to be Oddball. Love this!
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| Hawkeye #1 |
Cloak and Dagger #1–4
(Written by Bill Mantlo, illustrated by Rick Leonardi, published in 1983 by Marvel Comics)I probably should not have been reading this more adult-oriented title as a kid, what, with drugs, runaways, prostitutes, and serial killers, but gosh darn it I was a fan. I still am, which is not a difficult thing given that this mini was written by Bill Mantlo. I guess I will have to pick up the eleven-issue series that followed—also written by Mantlo, no less! Now, I need to watch the new television show.
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| Cloak and Dagger #1 |
Gargoyle #1–4
(Written by J.M. Dematteis, illustrated by Mark Badger, published in 1985 by Marvel Comics)I kind of think this character is Marvel’s answer to DC’s Etrigan the Demon, only instead of a yellow and red color scheme, we have an orange and purple one. I like this series quite a bit now, but back in the day, I was a bit irked that Isaac Christians was actually an old man. Definitely worth checking out.
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| Gargoyle #1 |
The Demon #1–4
(Everythinged by Matt Wagner, published in 1987 by DC Comics)About time DC made an appearance, and what better series than one of my favorite ’80s minis of all time. I adore this book not just for Etrigan, but because it is written and drawn by Matt Wagner of the amazing Mage and Grendel. A great story of monsters, mayhem, and intrigue. Dang, this series rocks my world today every bit as much as it did back in the ’80s. A trade recently came out that you MUST read.
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| The Demon #1 |
X-Men and the Micronauts #1–4
(Written by Bill Mantlo and Chris Claremont, illustrated by Jackson “Butch” Guice, published in 1984 by Marvel Comics)A couple years ago, I covered each and every issue of Marvel’s The Micronauts in a series of posts called “Micronauts Monday.” For each post, I examined each issue from the perspective of my younger self and as an adult. The Micronauts is what made me a comic book collector, and what better way to grab my attention than to mix two of my favorite series into one. Hallelujah! Unfortunately, because of licensing issues with The Micronauts, you will probably have to dive into the back issue bin to find it, or you can click on the link above and easily order up the series lickety-split.
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| X-Men and the Micronauts #1 |
Vision and the Scarlet Witch
(Written by Bill Mantlo, illustrated by Rick Leonardi, published in 1982 by Marve Comics)Holy cow! How many of my favorite miniseries were written by Bill Mantlo?!?! Dang impressive. This is the mini that got me through the massive trip to Huntington Lake back when I was a wee Donist. I read these four issues over and over and really enjoyed them again a few years ago. One hint about issue four…Who’s your daddy? It’s also your lucky day, Denizens, you can find a trade of this mini with no probs, but buying the originals will probably save you a few gold pieces if you can find them.
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| Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1 |
And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are a bunch of others out there, some I have read, some I haven’t, but whether I like the stories or not, they all have a special place in this Donist’s heart.
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