100 Comics Every Modern Day Collector Should Own

There's good comics, and then there's Oh-man-this-was-the-coolest-thing-I-ever-read-in-my-whole-fanboy-life comics. So what we've done here at Wizard Central is pick 100 of the coolest, most superbly written, beautifully drawn, "if you don't own these, you're a dork" comic books from the Modern Age (that's like from the '70s and up). If you're a true comic fan, you'll want to get a hold of these books, even if it means selling your Sony PlayStation to get 'em! And if you're having trouble finding these stories in single issue format, the majority of 'em are available collected in trade paperback. Now go and buy them.

The Amazing Spider-Man #229-#230
These two issues define what Spider-Man's all about. In a nutshell: The unstoppable Juggernaut wants to capture the precognitive (and immobile) Madame Web. With the F.F., Avengers and X-Men out of town, it's up to Spidey to find a way to beat the unbeatable foe. So, how's he do it? Simple: He can't. After Spidey's futile attempts to stop him, an innocent pays the price for the Juggernaut's rampage. Blaming himself for the tragedy, a battered and broken Spider-Man sets off on a suicide run to bring Juggy to justice. In a shocking finale, we learn just how much Spidey truly believes that with great power comes great responsibility.

Animal Man #15
Writer Grant Morrison's entire 26-issue run on this series is truly outstanding, but this issue really stands out. In it, Animal Man joins forces with Dolphin to put an end to some cruel fishermen who find pleasure in slaughtering helpless dolphins. Morrison successfully manages to put you inside the head of one of the dolphins and her mate, adding true impact to this tale. Learn the ways of the dolphin and how they're truly different from us in an extremely touching story. When you're done reading this one, you'll find yourself ashamed for being human.

Astro City #1-#6
Welcome to Astro City, where the charm of these issues is that superheroes are the norm and their stories are mostly told by the city's denizens-normal, everyday folk. One tale is of a Superman-type hero who refuses to have a "normal" life as long as there's trouble somewhere; a follow-up sees him on a date with a heroine. Another asks: What does a two-bit hood do when he discovers a superhero's secret identity? Others explore how superheroes affect the daily lives of Astro City residents, including when the arrogant Crackerjack saves Mr. Bridwell from a burning building, and when Marta-a junior clerk in accounting-finds herself in the middle of a battle between the Unholy Alliance and the First Family.

Batman #404-#407
Reprinted: Batman: Year One TPB
Hot off of Daredevil's "Born Again" storyline, Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli reunite to tell Batman's origin in an awesome story entitled "Batman: Year One." Ever see Batman totally screw up? Or get his butt majorly whupped? You will, right here. But Batman almost takes a back seat, as the bulk of the story's told from Commissioner Gordon's (he's only a lieutenant at the time) point of view. And as Bruce Wayne finds his way to becoming a masked vigilante, good cop Gordon learns police politics the hard way as the corrupt police commissioner wants him out of Gotham.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1-#4
Reprinted: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns TPB
Arguably the greatest Batman story ever told, this futuristic Bat-tale begins some 10 years after the Dark Knight has retired. But when things get reaaaal bad in Gotham, Bruce Wayne dons the mantle once again and sets off to clean up the city. But this Batman's older, angrier and more violent. He's also far from his prime and not exempt from mistakes. Witness his ultimate battle with the Joker, and a fight to the death (!) with his rival Superman! Writer/artist Frank Miller captures the true essence of Batman on every page and drops clues as to what happened to the rest of the heroes in the DC Universe.

Batman: The Killing Joke
The ultimate Joker story? Could be. One of the crown jewels in Alan Moore's writing crown (along with what's become rare interior art by the colossally talented Brian Bolland), The Killing Joke gives you a brilliant dual story as you follow the present-day Joker on a brutal and disturbing campaign of horror in an attempt to drive Commissioner Gordon insane. Woven throughout the main story are a series of flashbacks chronicling a failed comedian's descent into grief and despair, leading to the creation of one of the most spectacular comic book villains of all time.

Captain America #253-#254
This two-partner highlights John Byrne's Cap run, as it shows what Captain America's really all about: a true hero with the utmost regard for all life. But that's really put to the test when Cap gets a call from the original Union Jack asking for his help in stopping the resurrected vampire Baron Blood. When Cap arrives, it's shield-slinger versus bloodsucker in a vicious battle. And while Cap must make a heart-wrenching decision, a shocker of an ending sees the death of a hero and the birth of another.

Daredevil #181
Reprinted: The Elektra Saga TPB
The cover pretty much says it all: "Bullseye vs. Elektra-one wins, one dies!" Sounds kinda hokey by today's standards, but this brutal story was done at a time when the death of a major character wasn't commonplace. In this case, one is Daredevil's most hated enemy, while the other is his former-lover-turned-assassin who he's sworn to bring to justice. What follows is a brutal, wince-inducing brawl that ends with a decisive winner and Daredevil standing face-to-face with the murderer. What happens next would haunt Daredevil for years to come.

Daredevil #227-#233
Reprinted: Daredevil: Born Again TPB
When former DD confidante Karen Page (now a porn star) sells Daredevil's secret identity (Matt Murdock) for drug money, it sets off a chain of events that rocks Murdock's world in an epic saga entitled "Born Again." Turns out that the Kingpin gets wind of this info and strips Murdock of his job, his friends, his sanity, and almost his life. But can even the might of Kingpin keep a good man down? Murdock sums it up best before seeking revenge on the Kingpin: "I have shown him…that a man without hope is a man without fear."

Fantastic Four #242-#244
Reprinted: The Trial of Galactus TPB
Easily the coolest storyline in John Byrne's unforgettable run on the Fantastic Four, this ish presents Galactus' final attempt to consume Earth's energies. Can the combined might of the F.F. and the Avengers (along with benchwarmers Daredevil and Spider-Man) halt the nigh-omnipotent Galactus? Nope. While this slugfest goes down in history as one of comics' coolest, Earth is doomed…until the reinforcements arrive (that's when we see Galactus do something we've never seen before). All this, plus Mr. Fantastic provides one of the greatest comic book quotes ever, and that's only at the end of Part Two!

Fantastic Four #258
Arguably the best comic book villain of all time, Dr. Doom was never at his finest unless penned by writer/artist John Byrne. While Byrne gave us a handful of great Doom stories, none came close to this issue's up-close and personal look inside the egomaniacal villain-his thoughts, his motivations and, ultimately, the rage that fuels his madness. With nary a single cameo by a costumed do-gooder, you'll tour the halls of Castle Doom, observe the price paid by those that fail their master, and witness chilling brutality when his young ward Kristoff suggests that Doom may have…an equal.

The Incredible Hulk #340
Reprinted: The Incredible Hulk: Ground Zero TPB
Wolverine. That'd be enough to grab almost any comic fan's attention, but this issue has so much more to offer. Back before Peter David and Todd McFarlane started calling each other names, they produced some of the most exciting Hulk stories to date. One of the highlights of their run was this ish, which saw the most kick-ass, visceral Hulk/Wolverine fight EVER! Here we see the limits of the Hulk's "invulnerability," how far Wolverine can be pushed until he snaps, and finally…which hero is left standing. Nope, it's not what you think.

The Infinity Gauntlet #1-#6
Reprinted: The Infinity Gauntlet TPB
The X-Men's last stand. The death of Spider-Man. Galactus defeated. In the most spectacular cosmic storyline to ever grace a comic page, the mad god Thanos has constructed a weapon of unlimited power, the Infinity Gauntlet. In an attempt to please the lady Death, Thanos sets out to murder half the universe. And succeeds. What follows is a no-holds-barred battle royale, as the surviving heroes of Earth rally to avenge their fallen comrades and put an end to the mad god's plans in a spectacular, yet futile display. One by one, Earth's champions meet their doom, insuring the damnation of the universe…until something happens

Iron Man #149-#150
Reprinted: Iron Man vs. Doctor Doom TPB
He's the ultimate Iron Man villain. No, not the Mandarin.Titanium Man? Nah. The Unicorn? Please. We're talking Dr. Doom, the coolest sparring partner we've seen for ol' Shellhead yet. This killer two-partner sees the two of 'em lock horns, get tossed through Doom's time platform and land back in medieval times, smack-dab in the middle of Camelot. Aligning himself with Arthur, Iron Man faces overwhelming odds at the hands of Doom and an army of the undead, resurrected by Arthur's sorceress sister Morgana Le Fey. Hopelessly outmatched, IM's gotta battle sorcery with science, conserve his dwindling energy supply and do the unthinkable to get back home.

Marvels #1-#4
Reprinted: Marvels TPB
This gorgeous look at the beginning of the Marvel Universe is seen through the eyes of Daily Bugle photographer Phil Sheldon, as the dawning of the superhero unfolds right before a normal person's eyes. Writer Kurt Busiek and painter Alex Ross bring out the best of Marvel's superheroes and beautifully show you what made those early stories so great. See how superpowered soldiers affected the outcome of WWII, how society first dealt with mutant hysteria and how the coming of Galactus and the Silver Surfer heralded the end of the world. Plus, learn if Spider-Man was truly responsible for the murder of his former girlfriend Gwen Stacy.

Saga of the Swamp Thing #21
Reprinted: Saga of the Swamp Thing TPB
This issue, entitled "The Anatomy Lesson," was the catalyst for an incredible run of Alan Moore Swamp Thing issues, in which Swampy evolved from a boring, pathetic, hollow swamp monster into an intelligent, intriguing, godlike creature. It begins here when Jason Woodrue (the Floronic Man) is hired by an old man to perform an autopsy on the recently killed Swamp Thing and discover its secrets. But when Woodrue learns the truth about the swamp creature, the old man refuses to listen, and in doing so may be signing his own death warrant. Moore does a brilliant job of updating Swamp Thing's origin, without negating any of the past.

The Sandman #1-#7
Reprinted: The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes TPB
Writer/creator Neil Gaiman combined mythology, horror and a bit of the dreamstuff to show that comics are a legitimate form of literature. This first story arc tells of Morpheus (the Sandman, Lord of Dreams, etc.) as he's summoned and imprisoned by an old magus for nearly 70 years. Learn of Morpheus' escape and subsequent search for his helm, dreamstone and pouch of sand (containing much of his power), which brings him on a journey from the dreamworld to Earth to the most horrifying diner in America, all the way to the very depths of Hell itself!

Superman #21-#22, Adventures of Superman #444
When writer/artist John Byrne ended his epic run on the Superman titles, he sure went out with a bang, as Superman crosses the ultimate line! The Man of Steel is beaconed to an alternate dimension, where three surviving evil Kryptonians find Earth and systematically murder the entire population! The last line of defense? Only Superman-with the assistance of the alternate dimension's Supergirl, Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor-is left to stop the trio from crossing dimensions to the DC Universe Earth for similar results. And, as each of the heroes falls, Superman must resort to a solution that will affect him for the rest of his life.

Superman Annual #11
The incredible Watchmen team of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons join forces to bring you a glimpse at Superman's birthday party. When Wonder Woman, Batman and Robin show up at the Fortress of Solitude, it seems the Man of Steel's started the party without 'em. Apparently, Superman unknowingly opened a gift from Mongul containing the Black Mercy, a plant/fungus that attaches itself to its victims in a form of symbiosis. The catch? It grants its victims their hearts' desires. So while Supes is "happily" imprisoned in his own mind, the rest o' the gang must take down Mongul, but they're waaaaay out of their league.

Tales of the Teen Titans #42-#44, Annual #3
Reprinted: The New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract TPB
This four-parter, called "The Judas Contract," is one of the best superhero stories of the 1980s! It turns out that one of the Titans' own members has been a spy for Deathstroke the Terminator for well over a year's worth of continuity. At the story's start, this rogue member covertly assists Deathstroke in fulfilling his H.I.V.E. contract: capture the Titans for their subsequent deaths. One by one, each Titan is taken out…with one exception: Dick Grayson. But can he get enough help to rescue his teammates? Heroes and villains are born, heroes and villains die and the Titans would never be the same again.

Thor #337-#355
As significant as Frank Miller was to Daredevil, Walt Simonson's Thor captured the essence of the character, creating an as-yet unmatched run on the series. Kicking off by bestowing the power of Thor to the alien Beta Ray Bill, Simonson gives us the awakening of the dark god Surtur, the forging of the dark sword Doom, and the foretold Norse apocalypse: Ragnarok. The most ruthless of villains ally themselves with the gods as the final battle for Creation builds to its shocking finale. Hopelessly outmatched, Earth's heroes are powerless to stop Surtur on his mad quest of destruction, leading him to the Rainbow Bridge of Asgard, where Thor makes his final stand to stop the demon lord…and fails.

The Uncanny X-Men #126-#128
Reprinted: Classic X-Men #31-#33
No other storyline better sums up what the X-Men are about. In an attempt to halt the murderous rampage of the reality-warping Mutant X (a.k.a. Proteus), the X-Men head to England to confront the villain. But even with the cosmic power of the Phoenix on their side, the team is disturbingly laid to waste by the nigh-omnipotent Proteus. What follows is a look into the fears and phobias that make each X-Man "human" and unique, and how the relationships between the members make them more than a team. Culminating in Proteus' dark secret and an X-Man setting aside his beliefs in a last-ditch effort to stop the villain, this is THE X-Men story.

The Uncanny X-Men #135-#137
Reprinted: Classic X-men #41-#43 and Uncanny X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga TPB
Through the seeds of "The Dark Phoenix Saga" are planted between issues #129 and #134, this is where the controversial story hits full throttle. Not only does a major X-Man die, but another quits because of it! Due to recent mind-tampering, Phoenix (a.k.a. Jean Grey) transforms into the twisted Dark Phoenix and destroys an entire alien race. But can even the X-Men, with some help, stop her fury? Meanwhile, a galactic tribunal is formed to try Phoenix for her crimes against the universe, with the sentence being death! Even the X-Men can't predict the curveball thrown at the story's climax.

The Uncanny X-Men #141-#142
Reprinted: Uncanny X-Men: Days of Futures Past
Before killing heroes was a common thing, this X-Men two-parter stunned the world with its shocking depiction of an apocalyptic future where almost every mutant you loved was dead! It all started when Senator Kelly was assassinated by the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, sparking the introduction of the Sentinel program, which caused all-out war in the U.S., killing and imprisoning almost all mutants. But a few X-Men survived, and in an attempt to prevent their reality from happening, they send Kate Pryde back in time to keep Kelly's assassination from ever taking place. Thing is, she might be too late.

Watchmen #1-#12
Reprinted: Watchmen TPB
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons changed the very course of the comics industry with this masterful tale, setting some pretty high standards. Watchmen centers on a paranoid world (where Richard Nixon's still president) that doesn't trust superheroes. But a group of heroes returns to the stoplight when a former teammate is murdered. As their investigation gets closer to the truth, more and more people are killed. In the end, see how far one hero is willing to go in order to grant complete world peace. This highly intelligent work, which will really make you think, is one of the best, if not THE BEST, comic book series ever. Period.

Comics' Best-Kept Secrets
If you're looking for some other great comics just slightly off the beaten path, here's a list of 10 titles you should give a try:

The Books of Magic (mini-series) #1-#4
14-year-old Tim Hunter is told he has the potential to be the world's greatest sorcerer. Unfortunately, one of his tour guides-the Phantom Stranger, John Constantine, Dr. Occult and Mr. E-wants Tim dead!

Elementals (1st series) #1-#5
Just as the Elementals start coping with their newfound powers and the fact that they've come back from the dead, they're kidnapped by Saker and imprisoned on Nacht Island. There, they hone their powers and learn of Saker's plan to release the Shadow Spear-a deadly, supernatural assault on all of humanity.

The Golden Age #1-#4
This Elseworlds tale has the Justice Society of America come out of retirement to face the greatest menace the world has ever seen. And you won't believe who it is! Some will live and many will die.

Hawkworld (mini-series) #1-#3
This gorgeously illustrated, dark and graphic origin tale of Hawkman reveals a huge conspiracy throughout the high-societal land of Thanagar that Katar Hol plans on blowing wide open. It's an emotional roller coaster as Hol must decide where his loyalties lie.

Jon Sable, Freelance #1-#6
This straightforward action/adventure series (with a dash of humor) stars a freelance mercenary who leads a double life as a popular children's book author. Learn the sad tale of what turned an honest, hard-working family man into one of the world's best guns-for-hire.

Magnus, Robot Fighter (Valiant) #1-#4
Magnus begins to realize that the freewill robots he's been destroying aren't malfunctioning at all, but are in fact actual thinking beings. Can he cope with the fact that he's murdering the robots that have declared all-out war on him and his society?

Miracleman #1-#16
While Miracleman tries adjusting to normal life with godlike powers, he must confront his former young partner, Johnny Bates, who's been corrupted by his own godlike powers. As they duke it out through the streets of London in one of the most violent battles of all time, Miracleman must make a tragic decision.

Solar (Valiant) #1-#4
What happens when a man who read comics as a kid suddenly gets the power of a god? He fights crime, sees his therapist, and damages Antarctica-the usual stuff. Does it pay to go on with your everyday life when your subconsciousness manifests itself as a superhero in the physical world

Squadron Supreme #1-#12
In the face of worldwide chaos, the Squadron Supreme takes complete control of the U.S. in order to save it from anarchy! Total control carries its toll however, as the Squadron is plagued by death, betrayal and attacks from enemies as well as friends who've sworn to stop them.

Thanos Quest #1-#2
In a story that leads up to The Infinity Gauntlet, the wickedly clever Thanos sets out to steal the six Infinity Gems from their holders. With them, he should have enough power to finally fulfill his destiny: wiping out half the population of the universe.