I wasn't quite yet collecting comics when this came out. But it got referenced in Rogue's next appearance in Rom #31, so I sought it out. (Back before Rogue joined the X-Men.) Glad I bought it then because I'm not sure I want to know what the going rate for it is. Great comic!
#IHadThatComic
cover to JLA 22: The Sandman (Daniel) holds a clear globe in his hand that is filled with sand and Wonder Woman, Superman, and Green Lantern, all asleep. Cover by Howard Porter
panels from JLA 22: a boy named Michael Haney draws superheroes, and realizes that something (spoiler warning: it's Superman) is missing.
panels from JLA 22: Michael Haney is confronted by Sandman, who reveals Superman's logo on Michael's drawing. Sandman tells Michael "Believe and you will be saved."
OTD in 1998, #JLA 22 was released. #GrantMorrison gets #Superman. They believe that Superman has to exist. Their proof? If Superman didn’t exist, someone would just create him.
Oh yeah, and the Sandman (the Daniel version of Dream) makes a rare DCU appearance!
[1/4]
#IHadThatComic
cover to Ascender 17: Tim-21 stands, clearly damaged, but ready for combat. cover by Dustin Nguyen
cover to Bermuda 1: Bermuda grins slyly and holds a dagger toward the reader cover by Nick Bradshaw
cover to Black Hammer: Reborn 2: Skulldigger stands on the head of a giant monster, smashing it with a skull on a chain cover by Caitlin Yarsky
cover to Proctor Valley Road 5: Four girls walk out of a cave into the sunset, looking back at the reader cover by Naomi Franquiz
OTD in 2021, I bought these comics:
Ascender 17 by @jefflemire171.bsky.social & @duss005.bsky.social
Bermuda 1 by #JohnLayman & #NickBradshaw
Black Hammer: Reborn 2 by #JeffLemire & @caitlinyarsky.bsky.social
Proctor Valley Road 5 by #GrantMorrison, #AlexChild & #NaomiFranquiz
#IHadThatComic
cover to Hawkworld 2: Hawkman stands, staring soberly and holding a recently fired gun. Text: "Book Two: Freefall" cover by Timothy Truman
panels from Hawkworld 2 showing a sad, wingless Hawkman in exile on an island.
OTD in 1989, #TimothyTruman 's Hawkworld 2 was released. This fantastic reimagining is famously hard to reconcile with Hawkman’s long history, but just strap in and enjoy the ride.
Following the events of issue one, we find our (hawk)man looking at some hard time.
[1/5]
#IHadThatComic
cover to Asterios Polyp: a black and white illustration of Asterios standing and smoking a cigarette. There are overlapping horizontal blue and red boxes that partially cover the title and figure, creating purple boxes where they intersect. Cover by David Mazzucchelli
OTD in 2009, #DavidMazzucchelli released the masterful #AsteriosPolyp. Rarely has so much thought been put into the storytelling potential of color and shape in a graphic novel. This book is stunning visually and philosophically, and I need to read it again.
#IHadThatComic
cover to Unknown Solider 4: The Unknown Solider kneels with Clyde standing behind him, holding a gun to the back of his head. The image if superimposed over gravestone reading "Here rest in honor and glory, an American soldier, now in the arms of God" Cover by Tim Bradstreet
panels from Unknown Solider 4: Clyde and the Unknown Solider sit in a freshly dug grave. As rain pours onto them, the US explains that "one man, in the right place, at the right time, can make a difference. And win a war."
OTD in 1997, #GarthEnnis and #KilianPlunkett released the final issue of their #UnknownSoldier mini-series.
After three issues of political intrigue, most of this issue consists of an expository conversation as our two main characters sit in a freshly dug grave.
1/5
#IHadThatComic #ComicSky
cover to Batman and Robin 2: A large spectral Batman looms over the Gotham cityscape, facing an outstretched hand that hold a single domino. Cover by Frank Quitely.
panels from Batman and Robin 2: Robin fights conjoined triplets, who kick into a wall. The resultant cracks in the wall form the word "smash."
OTD in 2009, #GrantMorrison and #FrankQuitely 's Batman and Robin 2 was released. The choreography for Robin’s fight with Kushti (conjoined triplets who are acrobats in the Circus of the Strange) is perfect, as is the way sound effects are worked into the art itself.
1/8
#IHadThatComic #ComicSky
Cover to Ms. Marvel 6: Kamala sits on the steps of a bank, casually looking at her cell phone as her left arm stretch out behind her to knock a bank robber out. Cover by Jamie McKelvie
OTD in 2014, Ms. Marvel 6 was released. I love this series, and this is probably my favorite issue. @gwillow.me and #JakeWyatt absolutely nailed it. Kamala has two very different conversations with male authority figures, and neither turn out the way she expected.
[1/?]
#IHadThatComic #ComicSky
cover to Avengers 19: Ultron's stares at the reader, smoke pouring from his eye slits. His eyes are mouth are red, with the remainder of the cover is black. Text: "This evil reborn..." Cover by George Perez
cover to Hitman 40: Tommy and Ringo are in chains, clearly having been tortured. Cover by John McCrea
cover to Invisibles 8: The elephant god Ganesha stands in front of a man who scratches his head and looks at a book. Ganesha has eight eyes and eight arms. Six of the arms hold objects of importance to the Invisibles (the Eye of Providence, an origami time machine, a hand grenade, a lipstick, a crown, and typewriter). Cover by Brian Bolland
cover to JLA 32: The feet of Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Superman, and Batman stand over a fallen sign that reads "Welcome to Gotham" Cover by Howard Porter
OTD in 1999, I bought these 4 comics:
Avengers 19
@kurtbusiek.bsky.social
#GeorgePerez
Hitman 40
#GarthEnnis
@johnmccrea.bsky.social
Invisibles 8
#GrantMorrison
@seanphillips.bsky.social
JLA 32
@markwaid.bsky.social
#DevinGrayson
#MarkPararillo
Pretty good day!
#IHadThatComic #ComicSky
cover to Animal Man 26: Animal Man lies on the ground in front of a photograph of Grant Morrison seating in front of their computer and holding a cat. cover by Brian Bolland
Splash page from Animal Man 26: Animal Man stands, his back to the reader, in front of Grant Morrison, sitting at their computer workstation. Morrison says, "Me? I'm the evil mastermind behind the scenes. I'm the wicked puppeteer who pulls the strings and makes you dance. I'm your writer."
panels from Animal Man 26: Grant Morrison explains that they "didn't create you... or your family. I'm more of a demiurgic power. Someone else creates you to be perfect and innocent and then I step in and spoil everything. It's a little bit Satanic, I suppose."
panels from Animal Man 26: Buddy sees the death of his family in comic book and asks Grant Morrison if he knows what has been done to him. Morrison replies, "Of course I know. I wrote your grief and your rage and your acceptance."
OTD in 1990, the final issue of #GrantMorrison and #ChasTruog 's #AnimalMan run was released. The hero finally confronts the mysterious Big Bad, and it turns out to be Grant Morrison. In a stunning inversion of the Job story, we realize that we're on the wrong team.
#IHadThatComic
#ComicSky
cover to Patrick the Wolf Boy Rock 'n' Roll Special: Patrick rushes at the reading, made up like Paul Stanley's StarChild from Kiss, complete with a flying V guitar. A squirrel dressed as Elvis runs along side him saying, "Gimme Fever!" Cover by Art Baltazar and Franco
Back cover of the Patrick the Wolf Boy Rock 'n' Roll Special: a photo collage including a shot of Ookla the Mok performing at the 2001 Pittsburgh Comicon.
OTD in 2004, the #PatricktheWolfBoy Rock 'n' Roll Special came out. This one features ME! Well, my band #OoklatheMok. We interacted with Patrick in the comic, and made a photo appearance on the back cover!
[1 of 3]
#ArtBaltazar #FrancoAureliani #IHadThatComic #ComicSky
cover to Avengers 187: Scarlet Witch raises her arms in evil triumph and the Avengers (Captain America, Ms. Marvel, Falcon, Quicksilver, Wasp, and Wonder Man) hand upside down behind her. Text "The Witch of Wundagore Mountain!" Cover by John Byrne
OTD in 1979, #Avengers 187 was released. Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver (whose real names are Wanda and Pietro) meet their “real” father, Django Maximoff, who uses their “real” names, Ana and Mateo. He’s wrong about that, and also isn’t their real (or even “real”) father.
[thread]
#IHadThatComic
cover to Bloodshot Salvation 10: Bloodshot shields his eyes from the sun as he and Bloodhound walk out of a subterranean porthole into a desert. Cover by Kenneth Rocafort
cover to The Fix 12: Roy smiles and looks to the left and Mac lies at the bottom of the cover, with Pretzels the Beagle running in between them. Cover by Steve Lieber
cover to Mister MIracle 9: Mister Miracle holds his hand out to shake hands with Kalibak, who stares violently while holding a large glowing weapon. Cover by Nick Derington
OTD in 2018, I bought ten comics, including:
#Bloodshot Salvation 10 by @jefflemire171.bsky.social and #DougBraithwaite
#TheFix 12 by #NickSpencer and @stevelieberart.bsky.social
#MisterMiracle 9 by @tomking.bsky.social and @mitchgerads.bsky.social
(full list in comments)
#IHadThatComic
original cover to Kyle Baker's Why I Hate Saturn graphic novel.
DC's Piranha Press imprint was a noble experiment that resulted in at least one comics masterpiece: OTD in 1990, #KyleBaker released the mighty #WhyIHateSaturn. I was already a fan of his art, but was not prepared for him to become my favorite comic writer. [thread]
#IHadThatComic
cover to X-Men Red 5: Namor (wearing a full-body costume after being mocked in previous issues for not wearing any clothes) stands in water, looking fierce. Cover by Travis Charest
Panels from X-Men Red 5: Gabby and Gambit talk about how they know each other and the sexing of Sentinels.
panels from X-Men Red 5: a soldier confronts Storm and Jean. Storm tells him that "No true leader sees their own people as the enemy" and Jean tells him he's "been lied to." "That doubt you're feeling. That shame. That's the truth. Jakub. Your parents raised you better than this."
page from X-Men Red 5: Nightcrawler confronts Jean re: her interactions with the soldiers. She tells him she only merged their minds with the mutants they were attacking. "I've been in enough heads to know people aren't truly evil. They're simply protective, misinformed, and scared. Whoever is trying to breed hate, that's how we stand against them. That's how we fight this. We're going to crush the lies. We're going to weaponize the truth."
OTD in 2018, @tomtaylormade.bsky.social and @mahmudasrar.bsky.social released #X-Men Red 5.
This series was outstanding, full of good humor and desperately-needed hope. We needed this then, and need it even more now. If you missed it you should check it out.
#IHadThatComic
cover to Gender Queer: A short-haired figure in a t-shirt and shorts stands in knee deep water looking down at a shirtless figure with long hair reflected below them. Cover by Maia Kobabe
OTD in 2019, @redgoldsparks.bsky.social's remarkable memoir #GenderQueer was released. This remains the one of the most challenged/banned book in libraries, and needs our protection. Beautiful, heartfelt and wonderfully/painfully honest, this is what graphic novels are for.
#IHadThatComic
cover to Multiversity: Ultra Comics - Ultraa points at the reader and says, "Only you can save the world! If you value your lives, you must not read this comic!"
cover to Flash 163: Flash holds up his hand and stares at the reader as he says, "Stop! Don't pass up this issue! My life depends on it!" Text: "Is this the last stand of the fastest man alive? The Flash stakes his life on you!"
OTD in 2015, #UltraComics was released. Pax Americana gets the most attention, but this issue is the heart of the #Multiversity saga. #GrantMorrison writes and #DougMahnke illustrates.
The cover clearly references Flash 163, which looms pretty large in Morrison’s imagination.
[1/6]
#IHadThatComic
cover to The Book of Grickle: A sea of Graham Annable's wide-eyed bald men mill about, several of them holding large signs saying "The Book of" and the letters that form the word "GRICKLE."
page from The Book of Grickle: 12 panels showing a man talking on the phone and demonstrating Graham Annable's uncanny ability to show a broad range of facial expressions with very few lines.
OTD in 2010, the incomparable @grickle.bsky.social released The Book of Grickle. If you're not familiar with Graham Annable's work, fix that soon. His ability to communicate a broad range of facial expressions with relatively few lines is unparalleled.
#IHadThatComic
cover to Sexcatle: Shane Sexcastle stands, nunchaku in his hands, with blood pouring over his shirtless body.
panel from Sexcastle: Shane Sexcastle says, "That's when I knew I had to change. I had became a murder ouroboros. My killing causing killings I never intended to kill." A woman says, "I don't think you know what an ouroboros is."
panels from Sexcastle: Jo stands in a bathrobe, yawns and says, "Anyone else kept up all night by those crazy noises? Sounded like a pack of coyotes trying to smash coconuts into a mud gorge." Sexcastle stands next to another woman and says "Mornin', Jo." Jo's eyes widen and she says, "Oh."
OTD in 2015, @thekylestarks.bsky.social took up residence in my heart with the release of the wonderful action/comedy original graphic novel #Sexcastle. A perfect parody of 80s action films, and like all truly great parody, it loves the source material as much as it makes fun of it.
#IHadThatComic
cover to Scott Morse's Visitations graphic novel: Three sidescreen images, each representing one of the stories in the collection. Cover by Scott Morse
OTD in 1998, @crazymorse.bsky.social released Visitations. I'm a huge Scott Morse fan. Everything he's created is worth you time, and the #MagicPickle series is pure delight. This lacks any sense of fun or adventure, but it's emotionally perfect, and my favorite work of his.
#IHadThatComic
cover to Batman 16: Batman and Catwoman embrace on a mountain of skulls. Three inset circles show Robin, Nightwing, and Red Hood in crosshairs. The background image is Bane. Text: "I am Bane part one" Cover by David Finch
cover to The Champions 5: Sword in hand Gwenpool slices/bursts through an image of the Champions (Ms. Marvel, Totally Awesome Hulk, Nova, Cyclops, Viv Vision, and Spider-Man). She speaks the word "Gwen" which alters the logo so it reads "Gwenpions." Cover by Humberto Ramos
cover to Flintstones 8: Fred and Barney hold prehistoric version of gaming devices while Pebbles looks at them angrily. Cover by Cully Hamner
These 3 great comics came out on February 1, 2017:
Batman 16
@tomking.bsky.social
#DavidFinch
Champions 5
@markwaid.bsky.social
@ramosland.bsky.social
Flintstones 8
@manruss.bsky.social
@stevepugh.bsky.social
panels and discussion below
#IHadThatComic
cover to Animal Man 9: Martrian Manhunter stands proudly in a doorway with two technicians in front of him. Animal Man stands in the corner, holding the door and looking nervous. Cover by Brian Bolland
cover to Doom Patrol 20: Robot Man and Crazy Jane are imaged as paper dolls, with a giant pair of scissors opened in front of them. Text: "Cut along dotted line" Text: "Crawling from the Wreckage part 2 of 4" Cover by Richard Case
cover to Sandman 3: John Constantine looks at the reader as a piece of paper burns. Cover by Dave McKean
cover to Swamp Thing 84: Abby stands outside of Matt Cable's hospital room, looking nervous. Cover by John Totleben
January 31, 1989 was a great day for [pre]Vertigo comics!
Animal Man 9
#GrantMorrison
#TomGrummett
Doom Patrol 20
Also Grant Morrison!
#RichardCase
Sandman 3
#SamKieth
Swamp Thing 84
#RickVeitch
#TomMandrake
#IHadThatComic
cover to Amazing Spider-Man 252: homage cover to Amazing Fantasy 15, but with Spider-Man wearing his (then new) black costume. Text: "The rumors are true. Introducing... the new Spider-Man!" Cover by Ron Frenz
OTD in 1984, Marvel unleashed The Black Costume in #AmazingSpider-Man 252. From #RogerStern, #TomDeFalco, and #RonFrenz.
Who else grabbed this one off the racks?
#IHadThatComic
cover to The Bakers: Do These Toys Belong Somewhere? - Kyle Baker lies on the ground surrounded by toys, his wife and children looking on from behind him. Cover by Kyle Baker
cover to American Virgin 11: Adam Chamberlain stands shirtless on a body of water, looking up. Cover by Joshua Middleton
cover to Batman: Secrets - upshot of Batman looking down on someone. We can only see their right hand reaching up to Batman. Cover by Sam Kieth
OTD in 2007, I got these comics:
The Bakers: Do These Toys Belong Somewhere?
#KyleBaker
American Virgin 11
#StevenT.Seagle
@beckycloonan.bsky.social
#Batman: Secrets
#SamKieth
#IHadThatComic
cover to Heroes in Crisis 5: Superman floats in the air and points angrily at an mob gathering below him. Cover by Trevor Hairsine
cover to Man-Easters 5: a bloody cat print Cover by Lia Miternique
cover to Ms. Marvel 37: Kamala Khan stretches her right hand toward the reader and rears here left fist back to punch. Her face is angry. Cover by Valerio Schiti
cover to The Quantum Age 6: Hammer Lass strikes Gravitus across the face with her hammer. Text: "From the world of Black Hammer" Cover by Wilfredo Torres
I bought 9 comics in 2019, including these 4:
Heroes in Crisis 5
@tomking.bsky.social
@claymann.bsky.social
Man-Eaters 5
@chelseacain.bsky.social
#LiaMiternique
Ms. Marvel 37
@gwillow.me
#NicoLeon
The Quantum Age 6
@jefflemire171.bsky.social
@wilfredotorres.bsky.social
#IHadThatComic
cover to Enigma 1: an action shot of Enigma with an inset square of The Head. Text: "The Lizard, The Head, The Enigma" Cover by Duncan Fegredo
1. On 1.19.93, #PeterMilligan and @duncanfegredo.bsky.social released the first issue of their masterpiece #Engima. A meta-narrative that uses super-heroic dual identities as a metaphor for coming out (or closeted homosexuality as a metaphor for secret identities). Also, lizards.
#IHadThatComic
cover to Nexus 45: Badger wears a sea captain's hat and holds his cheeks apart, saying, "Yo, Larry!" while Nexus and Judah look on in disgust. Texst: "He's baaack...!" Cover by Steve Rude
panels from Nexus 45: Badger, Nexus, and Judah ride an airship to the bowl-shaped world.
#Nexus 45 (released OTD in 1988) was the beginning of a great six-part storyline featuring #Badger, who always just shows up. Badger takes everything in stride, while Nexus is the unwilling straight man to his antics. Judah doesn't trust Badger, but sees his potential utility.
#IHadThatComic
cover to the first issue of Moonshadow - Two panels: The larger image a shot of Moonshadow from behind with his arms outstretched as his father (a grinning glowing globe) glares down at him. Above that is a smaller image of Moonshadow young, angelic face Cover by Jon J. Muth
OTD in 1985, @jmdematteis.bsky.social and #JonJ.Muth gifted us with the 1st issue of #Moonshadow. The bones of the story are Dickensian but the plot trappings and tone are pure Vonnegut. If you like your space adventure served with empathy and existential philosophy, then dig in.
#IHadThatComic
cover to The Invisibles 13: Jack Frost, King Mob, Ragged Robin, and Lord Fanny stand gasping in shock. They each have word balloons, but the letter is superimposed with new text that says the following: Jack: Buy! King Mob: We are now leaving the 20th century! Join the revolution! Demand the impossible! Overthrow the spectacle! Beneath the side-walk, the beach! Disobey all imperatives! Robin: So what exactly is our revolutionary agenda, Boss? Fanny: Consume! Text: "For sale! Anarchy for the masses!" Cover by Brian Bolland
cover to JLA 16: the new JLA (14 heroes, three of whom are in shadow) gaze up and to the right in profile. Text: "This is it! The new lineup!" Cover by Howard Porter
cover to The Flash 135: Flash runs on water from a sinking boat with a woman and child in his arms. Text: Three of a Kind 3 of 3 Guest-starring Green Lantern and Green Arrow Cover by Rodolfo Damaggeo
January 28, 1998 was a great day to be a #GrantMorrison fan!
#Invisibles 13
@philjimeneznyc.bsky.social
#JLA 16
#HowardPorter
#Flash 135
#MarkMillar
#PaulRyan
#IHadThatComic
cover to Final Crisis 7: Superman flies toward the reader, his fist raised. The background is read with the words "Final" and "Crisis" in white forming columns surrounding the figure. Cover by J.G. Jones
panels from Final Crisis 7: Superman scream sings musical notes into the Miracle Machine, and we see the words "Darkseid always hated music"
OTD in 2009, the final issue of #FinalCrisis was released, where #Superman defeats #Darkseid by singing into the Miracle Machine. Did he sing a cover tune or compose an original melody? Were there lyrics? If so, what were they? My money’s on “I am Superman and I can do anything.”
#IHadThatComic
