DC Comics is home to the greatest heroes and villains in print, from Batman and Superman to the Joker and Brainiac. During the 1980s, the comic book industry underwent a revolution, due to the work of a new generation of creators and a change in key characters. The decade was a period full of exploration, character building, new ideas and great events, All of this made it one of the most memorable moments in comic history.
The 1980s produced too many brilliant comic book stories to count, though some stand out above all for their lasting impact, well-written stories and stunning art. From character reinventions to tragic deaths, the impact of the '80s cannot be overstated, and some of these stories are still worth reading today. For people looking to understand modern DC or enjoy some of the classic escapist stories, this decade is a great place to start — and these 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 with the Joker capturing Jason Todd, later beating him to death and leaving him to die in an explosion. When he finds his ward dead, Batman vows justice for his adopted son, and pursues the Joker at the United Nations. With Superman's help, the hero tries to bring down the Prince of Crime once and for all — leaving readers to wonder if he will finally break his no-kill rule to get revenge on Jason.
“A Death in the Family” is a controversial comic, mainly because the readers themselves voted for Robin's death. However, as a tale of revenge, an examination of Batman's code and the limits of his friendship with Superman, the story is worth reading.
9
Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)
Alan Moore and Brian Bolland
Batman: The Killing Joke explores the origins of the Joker, from a failed comedian to a gangster's patsy, to a villain after falling into a chemical cell. In the present day, he targets Batman with his most extreme attack yet, shooting Barbara Gordon and mentally torturing her father, hoping to break his rival's code.
The Killing Joke it's an acquired taste in the world of comics, even Alan Moore has distanced himself from the story because of its effects on the industry. However, as a standalone, dark Elseworlds-style story, offers readers a great psychological thrill that features arguably the greatest rivalry in comic book history.
8
Justice League International (1987)
JM DeMatteis, Keith Giffen and Kevin Maguire
After the Trouble in the Endless WorldThe Justice League roster was drastically changed, with Batman leading a new roster that included Guy Gardner, Mister Miracle, Shazam and Big Barda. From the beginning, personality clashes and new friendships defined this era of the Justice Leagueleading to an epic chase that sees the team thwart the terrorists' plans and be betrayed by one of their own.
While it may not match the grit and depth that other '80s comics brought to readers, Justice League International season is still one of the DC team's biggest books. With a mix of humor, slice of life, great action and the rise of mysterious heroes, the title is rightly remembered by many as one of the best things to come out of this decade..
7
“What happened Tomorrow Man?” (1986)
Alan Moore, Ed Hannigan, Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson
As DC begins to end the Bronze Age it prepares Trouble in the Endless WorldAlan Moore was hired to voice Clark Kent before John Byrne reinvented the character. It was said to Superman #423 again Action Comedy #583, The story deals with the final days of the Man of Steel, as his villains incite violence, leading to the siege of the Fortress of Solitude.. With Mr. Mxyzptlk revealed as the mastermind behind the attack, the story sees the death of Superman's greatest allies in a dramatic finale.
Moore's short run on Superman, affectionately called “What Happens to the Man of Tomorrow?,” provides a happy ending to DC's first superhero, even if it's left deliberately ambiguous.. The story walks the line between Moore's usual down-to-earth, serious writing and a more optimistic take on the superhero genre, giving Silver Age Clark Kent a heartwarming send-off.
6
“Batman: Year One” (1987)
Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli
After redefining Daredevil for Marvel Comics, Frank Miller moved to DC, where he brought the same treatment to Batman. “In Year One,” explores both the Caped Crusader's origin story and his first year as a vigilante, focusing on both Bruce Wayne's crime-fighting career and Jim Gordon's early years in the GCPD.
“Batman: Year One” manages to convey the importance of the Dark Knight without relying on his rogues' gallery.instead of focusing on Gotham's organized crime problem. The four-issue story forms the foundations of the modern Batman mythos, focusing on how corrupt the city was when the character began his career — and reminding readers just how far he's come.
5
The New Teen Titans (1980)
Marv Wolfman and George Perez
Heralded by many as the greatest teenage comedy of all time, Marv Wolfman and George Perez's. Teen Teen Titans explores Dick Grayson's life after Batman. Alongside 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, which leads to one of their most dramatic adventures in the story “The Judas Contract,” which sees the Titans in a never-ending battle with the villain.
The series does an excellent job of balancing its characters, giving each their moment in the spotlight. From exploring Raven's powers and her connection with Trigon to the origins of Cyborg, the series has earned its reputation as one of the greatest team-up comics of all time — and Perez's art has never been better.
4
Question (1987)
Dennis O'Neil and Denys Cowan
Between the 1970s and 1990s, Dennis O'Neil gained fame as one of the most prolific writers in DC Comics, thanks to his time on series such as Batman again The Green Lantern. While those two series stand out as his best-known titles, some of his best work comes from his work on Questionand singer Denys Cowan. The series follows the post-The problem A question as he deals with crime and corruption in Hub City, one of the most brutal cities in the DCU.
O'Neil's I Question series adopted Charlton Comics' watch in the DC world, sending Vic Sage on a journey through the heart of the city's social and moral decay. In addition to his solo series, the hero also crossed paths with Blue Beetle in his own series, giving readers an action-packed crossover that had them nodding their heads. They don't wait.
3
They don't wait (1986)
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
A limited series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons They don't wait brings readers a beautiful slice of alternate history in a world where Richard Nixon has won a third term as president and the entire world is on the brink of nuclear war. Following the assassination of the Joker, a former hero of the now disbanded group known as the Minutemen, the masked Rorschach investigates. As the conspiracy-minded character digs deeper into the case, he begins to realize that something bigger is at work.
They don't wait it doubles as both a compelling murder mystery and a fascinating reinvention of the superhero genre, with Moore exploring various superhero archetypes in his writing.. From the god-like critic Doctor Manhattan to the brutal and brutal Rorschach, this series gives readers the author's vision 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 Veitch
After Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson completed their run Swamp thingAlan Moore joined the series. From the beginning, the British writer has dedicated himself to reviving the characterrediscovering him as the Avatar of the Green — and making it clear that Alec Holland was gone. From there, the series explores the character's supernatural roots and other active powers.
The Saga of the Swamp Thing offers readers a combination of Gothic horror, tragedy and dark fantasy, culminating in the formation of Justice League Dark to confront the forces of darkness.. Some of DC's biggest characters appeared here in Moore's run, which brought some great, emotional moments to the actor — and introduced favorite occult detective John Constantine.
1
The Dark Knight Returns (1986)
Frank Miller, Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley
When it comes to defining '80s comedy, few stories come close to summing up exactly what the decade represented as The Dark Knight Returns. Set in the future, the story explores Gotham City amid a rising crime wave as a gang called the Mutants terrorize the citizens. Realizing how bad things have become, an aged Bruce Wayne comes out of retirement as Batman, donning a cape and a cowbell to challenge the Mutant leader. Accompanied by Carrie Kelly, who claims to be the new Robin, the Dark Knight faces his worst villains — and his best friend.
The Dark Knight Returns concludes Frank Miller's reinvention of Batman, opening a brilliant miniseries exploring Gotham's need for the Caped Crusader. The series brought readers what is still considered the definitive take on the character, giving fans the grudge match of the century between the Dark Knight and Superman in one of the greatest battles ever. DC Comics history.