peter john rios

Covers of comics that are (or have been) in my collection at one point or another.

#168

Conan (1985)

Marvel Tales (1984)

Robin: I had such high hopes when The Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul started. But it really ultimately added little to the overall narrative. Damian is such a great character though. (2008)

Superman: An interesting two-art story (that concludes in Detective Comics 756) where Lois and Batman plot to steal a Kryptonite Ring from the newly elected President Luthor. Only, when they break into the White House, Superman is waiting for them. Great writing, great art, a fun moment with the “new” Krypto and Batman as well as the ever-looming threat of Luthor as President. Especially since Sam Lane, Lois’ father, is on his staff. Loeb really helped to shape an interesting Superman universe at this time. Plus, I love Lois’ face on the cover. (2001)

Wonder Woman (2001)

There are two more issues worth mentioning that aren’t part of my collection:

Daredevil: The first appearance of Elektra! I’ve read the issue in a Frank Miller Visionaries trade years ago. But I never actually owned a copy of the issue. (1981)

Justice League of America: Featuring the Secret Society of Super-Villains in a story called The Last Great Switcheroo. The second part of a two-part story that is the basis for Brad Meltzer’s Identity Crisis maxi-series. Never read this issue, never owned it. But I look for it often in back issue bins. (1979)

Covers of comics that are (or have been) in my collection at one point or another.

#181 part 1

Who knew #181 would be so important edition?

Avengers: I’m not sure I would call this issue iconic but it definitely is a classic moment in Avengers history for a number of reasons: The cover, the limiting of the team roster, including Falcon purely for quota purposes, the beginnings of the true origins of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, even the first appearance of future Ant-Man Scott Lang. (1979)

Brave and the Bold: Purchased solely for the Hawk and Dove appearance. I try and collect Teen Titans and TT-related character appearances whenever I see them pop up in other titles. (1981)

Cerebus (1994)

Conan (1986)

Daredevil: Last Hand. Arguably the most iconic issue of Daredevil ever. When I first read the Frank Miller run - way after it was actually released - I was amazed how much of a stand alone issue this was from what came before. Yes, it has threads from previous stories, etc, but it really is its own issue. Powerful, brutal for 1982 standards, and, much like the Death of Gwen Stacy or the Dark Phoenix Saga, it casts a long shadow over the title for decades. (1982)

Green Lantern: Hal Jordan gives up being Green Lantern - at least until the Crisis… ends. (1984)

Covers of comics that are (or have been) in my collection at one point or another.

#190

Brave and the Bold: Most likely I picked this up for Adam Strange. And then, as a bonus, there’s a Nemesis back-up tale featuring artwork by Dan Spiegle. (1982)

Cerebus: I just got my hands on a bunch of issues around this time (Thanks Chris Beckett!) - so I’ll add them from here on out even though there are few that I could add to previous posts. (1995)

Daredevil: Elektra… Resurrected! And all in white. Interesting to see some of the Klaus Janson art and how it helped to shape the look of the book for Mazzucchelli, Weeks, etc. (1983)

Green Lantern (1985)

Justice League of America: A well designed cover by Brian Bolland which was recreated by artist/animator Big Jim Miller for the CGS homepage, which you can see here. (1981)

Uncanny X-Men: The chilling yet awesome Kulan Gath two parter begins - a character that hadn’t been used since Claremont resurrected him for a Marvel Team-Up story in 1979! I was always a fan of these two issues - and just like every good alternate history tale, it’s dark with many deaths. Eventually it all gets reverted back to the norm and it’ll be another 15 years before the sorcerer is resurrected during the Busiek/Perez Avengers run. (1985)

Wonder Woman (2003)