Sweeping, epic story arcs are great, but sometimes you’re in the mood for a one-and-done story. What are your favorite single issue stories from DC Comics?
I’ll start off with an obvious one: Superman Annual #11, Alan Moore’s “For the Man Who Has Everything” is still one of the finest Superman stories ever written, and I revisit it often.
Viking Glory - it’s a graphic novel, so maybe that doesn’t fit the bill. But it’s got my vote.
I thought the last issue of Geoff Johns’ and Dale Eaglesham’s run on Justice Society of America was fun. A nice one shot issue to wrap up a great run
Saga of Swamp Thing 21 The Anatomy Lesson by Alan Moore reimagines what Swamp Thing actually is. A true horror story and the start of a great series.
The New Teen Titans, Who is Donna Troy, by Wolfman and Perez has Dick Grayson as detective, discovering Donna Troy’s early life.
Batgirl 2009, issue 14, has Stephanie Brown as Batgirl team up with Supergirl on a girl’s night out on a college campus, where Dracula and other vampires come out of a movie and the two team up to rid the world of these monsters. Not serious at all, just great fun.
The Flash Vol. 2 #54 “Nobody Dies”
Wally tries to save a flight attendant in free fall!
The Batman Adventures: Mad Love
Batman Annual #2 by Tom King
-Countdown to Infinite Crisis
-Brave New World
-DC Universe: Rebirth
Harley Quinn Scratch and Sniff. Wild. Absolutely wild. Most fun I’ve ever had reading a comic
Detective Comics #826. It’s a simple premise and not any kind of big, epic, game-changing story arc, but the pacing and tension are absolutely flawless. It’s the best Joker story I’ve ever read. Heck, it’s the best story I’ve read in a comic book, full stop, and I’d rank it up there with Almost Got 'Im from Batman: The Animated Series as one of my favorite superhero stories in any media.
Now I feel like I’m overselling it, but it’s a really good story is all I’m saying.
Yes, 826 was good. Had not read it before, but love these one-shot threads (was another one awhile back) and try to check out those I haven’t read or don’t remember.
826 was an excellent recommendation! I enjoyed it. Would also be a good Christmas season read. I keep a list of Christmas themed comics to read then and added 826 to that list.
Thanks!
Stand alone stories are uncommon today. Superman Annual #11 is certainly one the best. The Flash #134 (Mark Millar, Grant Morrison, Paul Ryan, John Nyberg) from 1998 was also one of my favorite stand alone stories.
Harley Quinn Roadtrip
This is an easy one: Superman Annual #11 “For The Man Who Has Everything” by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Arguably the single greatest Superman story ever!
I know it’s an odd one, but I really liked Batman in Barcelona. All of the Paul Dini Detective Comics one shots are amazing as well. Nightwing 80 page Giant is a classic as well.
Superman “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow” by Alan Moore and Curt Swan.
That’s a two-shot though, right?
anyone remember the Harley Quinn San-Diego Comic Con one???
Flash 123 (Flash of two worlds) It is the “Big Bang”of the multiverse. No bigger, more important concept in the history of DC comics.
2nd on the list is Gotham by gaslight. It shows not just the true versatility of Batman (DC’s most iconic hero. No dis on the house of El) Batman is the most resilient of them all. Only one to be in continuous monthly publication since his inception 80 years ago. (Recall the few months of no Supes before Man of Steel launched) Also Gotham by gaslight is the birth of elseworlds. There would be no Watchman and the others without it.
Are they “the best” script or artwork…well best is always arguable. There is no doubt, through the entirety of DC’s history, they are the most significant. Both are brilliant stories that took massive leaps into the unknown and seared their ideas into the frontal lobe of DC forever.
@Haru I remember the Harley SDCC special. It was a hoot!