Great Comic Book Runs or Arcs

[Wee67]

I need to tap into the collective wisdom of my fellow comic book buds- What are some of your favorite runs or story arcs in comics?

I just finished reading the Nomad arc in Captain America. IT was pretty disappointing, but I'm glad I finally read. I'm in the middle the entire Sensational She Hulk run. The novelty is wearing off a bit, but it's still decent. Oh, I also read the run of Joe Fix-It Hulk.



Are there any significant story arcs I should read to better know the Marvel or DC universe? I did read the Onslaught series arc and the horrible Heroes Reborn that followed.



Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[Bruce Banner]

Speaking of Captain America, the relatively brief Roger Stern/John Byrne run is great... (#247 to #255).

[knight errant00]

The ones that spring immediately to mind . . .

Barr and Davis on Detective Comics

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Moench and Sienkiewicz on Moon Knight (the character has never been done better than in this run, IMO)

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Stern and Rogers on Doctor Strange

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And honestly, Star Hunters was the best space swashbuckling I think I've seen in comics

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[MRP]

One suggestion if you are trying to find stuff to learn the history of the Marvel Universe would be to check out the recent History of the Marvel Universe 6 issue mini-series by Mark Waid, not so much for the mini itself, but for the annotated footnotes that point to many, many wonderful reading suggestions to expand and highlight some of the things in the series. The series itself is ok (the framing sequence is the Watcher and Franklin Richards at the end of time discussion how things got there. The rest is an attempt to make the rest of Marvel history make sense (their answer is to create a fictional war in south Asia in a modern setting that serves as where Tony Stark, Frank Castle, etc. all had their war experiences) which works but is kind of meh.

Other favorite runs I would suggest-5 each Marvel/DC

The Ditko/Lee Dr. Strange (Strange Tales #110-146)

The Kree/Skrull War (Avengers 92-97)

The Korvac Saga (Avengers 158-177)

Miller's Daredevil (158-193ish; plus Born Again 223-232)

Micronauts War vs. Karza (Micronauts #1-12)

The Gray Man Saga (Justice League #1-6 by Giffen/DeMatteis/McGuire)

Shadow War of Hawkman mini (#1-4)

Sword of the Atom (mini #1-4, Special 1-3)

JSA All Stars #1-8 (series of standalone stories including my favorite Dr. Fate story by Darwyn Cooke)

DC: New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke (elseworlds but my favorite DCU story ever)

-M

[Jorge Galvan]

For now, there will be more when I get some sleep.



Kree Skrull war and correction; Avengers # 89-97.

The Great Darkness Saga: Legion of Super Heroes # 287-294 & Annual # 3

the Black Galaxy Saga; Thor # 419-424



"Sigh" Crisis on Infinite Earths # 1-12


NAMOR # 10-12 the INVADERS Reunion! (ONLY Roy Thomas & John Byrne can write for the Invaders)

[Dannyc]

Id recommend Mark Gruenwald/Kieron Dwyer's Captain America run. The Cap No More/John Walker storyline #332-#350 and the Bloodstone Hunt #351-371.

[Jmass]

Starlin's Thanos arc in Captain Mar-Vell

Starlin's Death of Warlock arc in an Avengers annual and a Marvel Two in One annual.

Brubaker's Captain America run.

[Jorge Galvan]

PLANETARY #1-25 complete run, brilliant!!!

Ministry of Space # 1-3, killer Chris Weston artwork!!

[Wee67]

Thanks so much for the suggestions!! I can't wait to dig in!

"Sigh" Crisis on Infinite Earths # 1-12

Your sigh made me chuckle in

[Earth 2 Chris]

The Mark Waid/Greg Larocque "Return of Barry Allen" arc, in Flash (vol. 2) #73-79 is one of my favorites.

[MegoSteve]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned these, but maybe it's because they are obvious:

John Byrne's Fantastic Four run #232 to 295 is classic.

Claremont's X-men run from Giant Size #1 to around when Byrne dropped off the book at #143. It's worth reading past that, but hard to beat issues 108-143 and the Dark Phoenix goodness.

The 1987 Justice League series is well worth reading... it's lighthearted and fun and if you buy back issues, they are dirt cheap.

Marv Wolfman and George Perez on New Teen Titans #1-50, particularly the Judas Contract storyline.

Of newer/modern stuff: I'm a big Tom King fan, particularly his mini-series like Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (soon to be a major motion picture in a theater near you), Strange Adventures, and The Human Target (which kind of petered out at the end, but Greg Smallwood's art was AMAZING, particularly if you like mid-century modern style).