You voted and now we continue our countdown of your votes for the top comic book one shots and "done in one" stories!
Enjoy!
10. "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man" Amazing Spider-Man #248 (1983)
People always remember the ending of this one-off tale by Roger Stern, Ron Frenz and Terry Austin, but I don't think the beginning gets enough credit. Stern comes up with a truly novel approach to telling the story, intercutting the article about Timmy with Spider-Man meeting the boy, in response to the article...
It is a great plot device and Stern uses it really well. Frenz and Austin shine on the artwork and, of course, the character drama at the heart of the tale is quite gripping. Peter sharing time with a young boy who idolizes him gives readers a unique perspective on Spider-Man and what it means, truly, to be a hero. A touching work that is hard to read without getting a bit sentimental about it.
9. "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice and the American Way?" Action Comics #775 (2001)
Joe Kelly used this “anniversary” issue to take on the idea that perhaps Superman’s ideals were out of date in the 21st century. He did this by pitting Superman by a new superhero team called The Elite who were recklessly killing bad guys and causing widespread damage but were gaining a good deal of popular acclaim in doing so. They mocked Superman and repeatedly challenged him to fights before Superman finally agreed to take them on and in doing so, gave them a taste of their own bitter medicine.
But don't worry, not really. He then reveals that this was all theatrics to make it LOOK like he stooped to their level, but in reality, he did not. Classic stuff.
The art was by Doug Mahnke, Lee Bermejo and a host of inkers.
Page 2: [valnet-url-page page=2 paginated=0 text='The countdown continues with #8-7!']
8. "Men of Good Fortune" Sandman #13 (1989)
This novel story by Neil Gaiman, Charles Vess and Steve Parkhouse, opens in 1389, with Robert "Hob" Gadling mocking the very idea of death. He decides that it might be okay for others, but not for him. Dream happens to be at the same tavern with his sister, Death, and they decide to do a little experiment. Dream tells Hob that he will meet him at the same tavern a hundred years from then. He agrees and we then follow the pair over the next hundred years, as Hob has his ups and downs in his life...
What's interesting is how Hob sort of turns the tables on Dream as he realizes that perhaps these meetings are less about Hob learning a lesson and more about Dream just liking having a friend for once. It's a charming tale.
7. The Batman Adventures: Mad Love #1 (1993)
In this classic one-shot, Paul Dini and Bruce Timm spotlighted their creation, Harley Quinn, with a spotlight and a look at her origin and how she exists in relation to the Joker.
In the story, Harley decides that the only way to make Joker really pay attention to her is to kill Batman for him. She seems poised to pull it off, too, when Batman plays upon her fragile psyche (and what he knows of the Joker's ego)...
This is an extremely well told story with stunning artwork from the great Timm.