DC Comics is home to some of the greatest heroes and villains in print, ranging from Batman and Superman to Joker and Brainiac. During the 1980s, the comic book industry underwent something of a revolution, thanks to the work of a new generation of creators and turning points for key characters. The decade was an era rife with experimentation, character deconstruction, fresh ideas and massive events, All of which made it one of the most memorable periods in comics history.
The 1980s produced too many brilliant comic book stories to count, though a few stand out from the rest for their lasting impact, well-written stories, and stunning art. From character reinventions to tragic deaths, the impact of the 80s can’t be overstated, and some of​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​a​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​a​​​​​​​​​​​​​​a​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​aday_days. For people who want to understand modern DC or enjoy some classic escapist stories, this decade is a great place to start—and the stories prove it.
10
“Batman: A Death in the Family” (1988)
Jim Starlin, Jim Aparo and Mike Mignola
“Batman: A Death in the Family” begins when Joker captures Jason Todd, later beating him almost to death and leaving him to perish in an explosion. Upon finding his ward dead, Batman vows justice for his adoptive son, and pursues the Joker to the United Nations. With the help of Superman, the hero tries to bring down the Clown Prince of Crime once and for all – Leaving readers to wonder if he would finally break his rule of not killing to avenge Jason.
“A death in the family” is something of a controversial comic, especially due to the fact that readers voted for the death of Robin. But as a tale of revenge, an exploration of Batman’s code and the limits of his friendship with Superman, the story is essential reading.
9
Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)
Alan Moore and Brian Bolland
Batman: The Killing Joke Explore the origins of the Joker, from a failing comedian to a patsy for gangsters, and become the villain after falling into a vat of chemicals. In the present day, he targets Batman for his most extreme attack yet, shooting Barbara Gordon and psychologically torturing her father, hoping to break his rival’s code.
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The killing joke Is certainly an acquired taste in the world of comics, with even Alan Moore has distanced himself from the story due to its effect on the industry. However, as a standalone, dark Elseworlds-style story, It offers readers a great psychological thriller with arguably the greatest rivalry in comic book history.
8
Justice League International (1987)
JM DeMatteis, Keith Giffen and Kevin Maguire
In the aftermath of Crisis on Infinite EarthsThe Justice League roster was significantly altered, as Batman led a new lineup that included Guy Gardner, Mister Miracle, Shazam, and Big Barda. From the beginning, the clash of personalities and new friendships defined this era of the Justice LeagueLeading to an iconic run that sees the team foil terrorist plots and be betrayed by one of their own.
While it may not be as synonymous with the grit and depth that other ’80s comics delivered to readers, the Justice League International Era is one of DC’s greatest team books. With a combination of ​​comedy, slice of life, great action and the height of more obscure superheroes, this title is rightly remembered by many as one of the best things of the decade..
7
“What happened to the man of tomorrow?” (1986)
Alan Moore, Ed Hannigan, Kurt Swann and Murphy Anderson
As DC began winding down the Bronze Age in preparation for Crisis on Infinite EarthsAlan Moore was hired to put his spin on Clark Kent before John Byrne would later reinvent the character. told in Superman #423 And Action comics #583, The story explores the last days of the Man of Steel, as his villains escalate their violence, culminating in a siege of the Fortress of Solitude. With Mr. Mxyzptlk revealed as the mastermind behind the attack, the story sees the deaths of key Superman allies in an epic last stand.
Moore’s brief run on Superman, affectionately dubbed “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?,” Gives some semblance of a happy ending to DC’s first hero, even if it’s left intentionally ambiguous. The story walks the line between Moore’s typical downbeat, serious writing and a more optimistic take on the superhero genre, giving Silver Age Clark Kent a touching send-off.
6
“Batman: Year One” (1987)
Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli
After redefining Daredevil for Marvel Comics, Frank Miller made the move to DC, where he brought the same gritty treatment to Batman. In “Year One,” he explores both the Caped Crusader’s origin story and his first year as a vigilante, focusing on both Bruce Wayne’s war on crime and Jim Gordon’s early years in the GCPD.
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“Batman: Year One” manages to convey the importance of the Dark Knight without relying on its classic rogues galleryInstead focusing on Gotham’s organized crime problem. This four-part story lays the foundations of the modern Batman mythos, focusing on how corrupt the city was when the character started his career – and reminding readers of how far he’s come.
5
The New Teen Titans (1980)
Marv Wolfman and George Perez
Heralded by many as the greatest teen-based comics of all time, Marv Wolfman and George Perez New Teen Titans Explores Dick Grayson’s life after Batman. Along with heroes like Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy and Starfire, the former Gothamite hero leads the Titans in his new identity as Nightwing. Together, they cross paths with the mercenary Deathstroke, leading to one of their most epic adventures in history, The Judas Contract, which sees the Titans in an all-out war with the villain.
The series does an excellent job of balancing out its characters, giving each one their moment in the limelight. Ranging from the exploration of Raven’s power and her connection to Trigon to the origin of Cyborg, the series earned its reputation as one of the greatest team comics of all time – and Perez’s art immortalized its best stories.
4
The question (1987)
Dennis O’Neill and Dennis Cowan
Between the early 1970s and 1990s, Dennis O’Neill earned a reputation as one of the most prolific writers in DC Comics, thanks to his time on series like Batman And Green Lantern. Although these two series stand out as his best known titles, some of his best work comes from his tenure on The questionAlong with artist Dennis Cowan. The series follows a post-Crisis A question as he tackles crime and corruption in Hub City, one of the most brutal cities in the DCU.
O’Neill S The Question series welcomes the Charlton Comics vigilante into the world of DC, Send Vic Sage on a journey through the heart of the city’s social and moral decay. In addition to his own solo series, the hero also crossed paths with Blue Beetle in his own series, giving readers an action-packed crossover that gave them a nod to Guard.
3
Guard (1986)
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ seminal limited series Guard Brings the reader a great piece of alternative history in a world where Richard Nixon won a third presidential term and the world teeters on the brink of nuclear war. After the murder of the comedian, an ex-superhero from the now-disbanded team known as the Minutemen, the masked vigilante Rorschach investigates. As the conspiracy-minded protagonist delves deeper into the case, he begins to realize that something much bigger is at work.
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Guard Doubles as a compelling murder mystery and an interesting deconstruction of the superhero genre, with Moore exploring various superhero archetypes in his writing. From the cynical Doctor Manhattan on God to the brutality and trauma of Rorschach, the series gives readers the writer’s view of what superheroes would be like if they really existed.
2
The saga of the swamp thing (1984)
Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, John Totleben and Rick Weitch
After Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson complete their run on swamp thingAlan Moore joined the series. From the beginning, the British author dedicated his run to the reinvention of this characterReconcile him as the avatar of the green – and make it clear that Alec Holland is gone for good. From there, the series delves into the character’s supernatural roots and other elemental forces at work.
The saga of the swamp thing Offers readers a blend of gothic horror, tragedy and dark fantasy, climaxing in the formation of the Justice League Dark to face the forces of darkness. Some of DC’s greatest supernatural characters appear here in Moore’s run, which delivered some big, emotional moments for the characters — and introduced fan-favorite occult detective John Constantine.
1
The Dark Knight returns (1986)
Frank Miller, Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley
When it comes to explaining 80s comics, Few stories come close to perfectly embodying what the decade represents as The Dark Knight returns. In the future, the story explores Gotham City in the midst of an escalating crime wave as a gang dubbed the Mutants terrorizes residents. Seeing how bad things have gotten, an older Bruce Wayne comes out of retirement as Batman, dons the cape and heads to challenge the mutant leader. Accompanied by Kerry Kelly, who declares himself the new Robin, the Dark Knight confronts his worst villains – and his best friend.
The Dark Knight returns Complete Frank Miller’s reinvention of Batman, turning into a brilliant miniseries that explores Gotham’s need for the Caped Crusader. The series gave readers what is still considered to be the definitive take on the character, one that gave fans the bitter match of the century between the Dark Knight and Superman in one of the greatest fights in DC Comics History.