{"id":8291,"date":"2018-11-17T19:59:30","date_gmt":"2018-11-18T02:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/michelfiffe.com\/?page_id=8291"},"modified":"2023-11-17T14:44:56","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T21:44:56","slug":"bin-recs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/michelfiffe.com\/?page_id=8291","title":{"rendered":"Back Issue Recommendations"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This is a list of personal favorites, choice cuts in case you’re ever at a loss when facing the bins. Although my back issue preferences are in constant flux, these selections make up a solid foundation consisting of mostly 80s & 90s mainstream-leaning fare. If some 70s gem pops up, or some modern outlier creeps in, awesome. I’m not mentioning stuff that’s either super iconic (i.e. we all know Miller\/Janson’s DD<\/em><\/a>\u00a0and Ostrander\/McDonnell’s Suicide Squad<\/em><\/a> are great<\/a>… or do we??) or stuff that’s been substantially collected — a few things here and there had bound editions but even those are out of print. Either way, I’ll be updating this list whenever the chance presents itself, which will include expanding the list with more underground\/small press\/alternative material.<\/p>\n

Additionally, I’ve ranked comics<\/strong><\/a>, mentioned favorite classics<\/strong><\/a>, and made lists for several artists I’ve written about<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don’t forget to peruse the Bin Diving Megalist<\/strong><\/a>, an index of shops across the US with affordable back issue activity, amassed with the help of the Copra Press Club<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

DC<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Blackhawk 251-273 \u2022 <\/strong>This is the Dan Spiegle show all the way.
\nCinder & Ashe 1-4 \u2022 <\/strong>Jos\u00e9 Luis Garc\u00eda-L\u00f3pez can do no wrong.
\nDeathstroke the Terminator 1-11 \u2022 <\/strong>Wolfman at his best. Good, pulpy action.
\nEclipso 11-18 \u2022 <\/strong>Gruesome narrative with awkward art is a fine combo.
\nFirestorm 65 \u2022 <\/strong>This Ross Andru fill-in eerie & great.
\nFlash (1988)<\/a> 1-8, 24-28, 54 \u2022 <\/strong>Baron\/Guice & Loebs\/LaRocque sets capped off by a perfect issue.
\nHardware (Milestone) 5-7 \u2022 <\/strong>McDuffie\/Cowan at their grimiest.
\nJustice League of America 139-146, 149\/150, 251-254 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>Englehart, then a Conway\/McDonnell epic.
\nJustice League International 1-10<\/a>, 38-40 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>If you limit yourself to any issues, let it be these.
\nMartian Manhunter (1988 mini-series) 1-4 \u2022 <\/strong>DeMatteis\/Badger made beautiful work together.
\nNew Titans<\/a> 71-86 \u2022<\/strong> “Titans Hunt” lived up to the hype.
\nPlastic Man (2004) 8 \u2022<\/strong> Random, hilarious issue in Baker’s run.
\nShade the Changing Man (1978) 1-8 \u2022 <\/strong>Ditko, duh. The original issues are nicer to look at, but thankfully it’s collected.
\nShadow of the Batman<\/strong><\/a>\u00a01-5<\/strong> \u2022 Classic Marshal Rogers reprints.
\nVigilante 39, 40 \u2022<\/strong> DC’s grindhouse aesthetic.
\nWasteland<\/a> 1-18 \u2022 <\/strong>Get whatever you find, any issue.<\/p>\n

MARVEL<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Avengers 273-277 \u2022 <\/strong>Stern\/John Buscema\/Palmer, powerhouses all.
\nCaptain America 345-350, 367, 372-378 \u2022<\/strong> Dwyer & Lim flanking the greatest Magneto story.
\nDakota North<\/a> 1-5 \u2022 <\/strong>Thomases\/Salmons on fire.
\nDaredevil 248-266 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>I keep hearing that people haven’t read these. Criminal!
\nDefenders 31-41, Annual 1, Giant-Size 2 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>All about the Steve Gerber\/Sal Buscema\/Klaus Janson team.
\nGuardians of the Galaxy 18, 23, 28, Annuals 1 & 2 \u2022 <\/strong>Valentino, Texeira, and Nu-Trimpe = bonkers comics.
\nIron Man 256, 258-266 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>JRJR drawing the best Iron Man comics you ever seen.
\nMarshal Law 1-6, Takes Manhattan, Kingdom of the Blind \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>Hits every note on every level.
\nPunisher War Zone 1-6 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>JRJR again, this time with Klaus!
\nPunisher: The End \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>Ennis\/Corben single-issue masterpiece.
\nQuasar<\/a> 18-27 (mostly Cosmos In Collision) \u2022 <\/strong>Reluctantly sublime, these comics.
\nShe-Hulk (2004) 1-4 \u2022<\/strong>\u00a0This Slott\/Bobillo\/Sosa team-up were enjoyable, brisk, and super pretty.
\nSquadron Supreme \u2022 <\/strong>Stands the test of time on the strength of Gruendwald’s passion.
\nWhat If? Volume 2 (1989) 3-7, 10, 26 \u2022 <\/strong>Standalone bursts of hyperviolent fantasies.<\/p>\n

MISC<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Authority 13-16, 19-22 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>Millar\/Quitely at their hungriest.
\nBadger 59 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>Quintessential 80s “groundlevel” comic by Baron\/Pander Bros.
\nBloodstrike 4 – 6 \u2022 <\/strong>Do I really need to sell these at this point?
\nDick Tracy 1-3 \u2022<\/strong> Baker’s deadline art is better than many at their most punctual.
\nGinger Fox 1-4<\/strong>\u00a0\u2022 <\/strong>Top level Baron\/Panders stylish nuttiness.
\nGrimjack 1-3, Casefiles 1 & 2 \u2022 <\/strong>Interesting to see Ostrander develop his noir voice.
\nThe Mark 4 \u2022 <\/strong>Early Tony Salmons for Dark Horse.
\nNext Man 1-5, Special<\/strong> \u2022<\/strong> I rediscovered this comic and now I’m in love.
\nSecond City<\/a> 1-4 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>An intense and deceptively quiet mini from Duncan\/Elliot.
\nTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (’89) 19-21 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cReturn to NY\u201d might very well be\u00a0the only<\/em>\u00a0Turtle comics.
\nTerminator: Secondary Objectives 1-4 \u2022 <\/strong>Robinson\/Gulacy\/Kesel killing it.
\nVelocity: Pilot Season<\/strong><\/a> 1 \u2022 Casey\/Maguire on a tight & charming one-shot.
\nVroom Socko: Paid In Full One-Shot \u2022<\/strong> Evan Dorkin rules.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

CREATORS<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

HOWARD CHAYKIN<\/strong>
\nAmerican Flagg! 1-12, 15-26 \u2022 <\/strong>Howard’s kicking everyone’s ass with this.
\nBlackhawk 1-3 \u2022 <\/strong>Perhaps my favorite Chaykin project.
\nPower & Glory 1-4, Holiday Special \u2022 <\/strong>Extremely underrated.
\nShadow (1986 mini-series) 1-4 \u2022 <\/strong>Can’t pimp this enough.
\nTwilight 1-3 \u2022 <\/strong>Recently collected, but I see the issues in bins. Cheaper that way.<\/p>\n

ERNIE COL\u00d3N<\/strong>
\nAX<\/a> \u2022 <\/strong>Wrote, drew, colored, lettered this Marvel one-shot OGN.
\nDamage Control<\/a> \u2022<\/strong> Get them ALL. Four issues per volume, 12 excellent Dwayne McDuffie\/Col\u00f3n comics total.
\nGrim Ghost<\/strong><\/a> 1-3 \u2022 <\/strong>Three pretty issues from Atlas Comics.
\nMagnus Robot Fighter 13-16 \u2022 <\/strong>These issues are too beautiful for their own good. Seriously, the cartooning, the coloring, perfect.
\nManimal<\/a> \u2022 <\/b>Collection of a bizarre serialized 70s comic.
\nMedusa Chain<\/a> \u2022 <\/strong>DC OGN, same as AX: full art chores.
\nStrip Search<\/a> \u2022 <\/strong>Black & white adults only OGN.<\/p>\n

KEITH GIFFEN<\/strong>
\nAction Comics 577, 579, 646 \u2022<\/strong> Non-Ambush Bug issues.
\nDaredevil 247 \u2022<\/strong> An odd pairing, but they made it work.
\nDC Challenge 11 \u2022 <\/strong>Dr. Fate & Batman.
\nDC Comics Presents 88 \u2022<\/strong> Creeper story.
\nDr. Fate (1987) mini-series 1-4 \u2022<\/strong> The great Dave Hunt on inks.
\nHeckler 1-6<\/strong> \u2022<\/strong> Be gentle with these. They’re treasures, but also the paper is super brittle.
\nHell on Earth \u2022 <\/strong>Oversize mid 80s DC graphic novel. Rare oddity.
\nHex 15-18<\/strong>\u00a0\u2022 <\/strong>Pretty looking rent work.
\nJustice 9-11 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>Weird rent work.
\nLegion of Superheroes (1989) 1-24 \u2022 <\/strong>Giffen’s finest moment.
\nMarch Hare 1 \u2022 <\/strong>Black & White independent.
\nMr. Monster 6 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>W\/Ditko reprint.
\nNexus 23 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>Fill-in.
\nNightmask 8 \u2022 <\/strong>More weird rent work.
\nPeter Parker, Spectacular Spider-Man 120 \u2022 <\/strong>Spidey + Colletta = Great Giffen fill-in.
\nPunx 1-3 \u2022 <\/strong>Funny to see the enthusiasm die halfway thru.
\nSecret Origins 18, 44, 48 \u2022 <\/strong>Essential.
\nStarbrand 9 \u2022 <\/strong>Weirdest rent work. (Aren’t they all?)
\nSuperman:Man of Steel 15 \u2022<\/strong> Inspired half-issue.
\nSupreme Annual 1 \u2022 <\/strong>Post-Trencher style.
\nTrencher 1-4, X-Mas Bites One-Shot \u2022 <\/strong>Full on Trencher style.
\nVictory 1 \u2022 <\/strong>Kirby property for Topps comics.
\nVideo Jack 1-6 \u2022\u00a0<\/strong>Rare “creator-owned” Giffen.
\nWally Wood’s T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents (1984) 1-5 \u2022<\/strong> First collaboration w\/Bierbaums. Will doubtlessly remain out of print.
\nWorld’s Finest 322 \u2022 <\/strong>Peak 80s Keith doing Superman & Batman.
\nYoungblood Strikefile 8 \u2022 <\/strong>Really good Dutch short story.<\/p>\n

KLAUS JANSON
\nDC Comics Presents 82 \u2022 <\/strong>Having Klaus draw Superman is always a treat.
\nDetective Comics 568 \u2022 <\/strong>Another sharp jack-of-all-trades job.
\nFrost & Fire \u2022 <\/strong>Same as Giffen’s graphic novel. Wrote\u00a0and<\/em> painted it, too.
\nPunisher (1987) 1-5 \u2022 <\/strong>G O A T
\nPunisher\/Captain America: Blood & Glory 1-3 \u2022 <\/strong>Prestige Format goodness.
\nSt. George 1-6 \u2022<\/strong> Beautiful to look at.
\nStar Wars Annual 3 \u2022 <\/strong>The only SW comic I own. Real pretty.
\nWolverine 26 \u2022 <\/strong>Tom Palmer inks!<\/p>\n

WALTER SIMONSON<\/strong>
\nOrion<\/a> 1-25 \u2022 <\/strong>Surpasses the source it’s inspired by. Career best.
\nFantastic Four<\/a> 337-354 \u2022<\/strong> Entertaining, innovative, underrated.
\nCyberForce 0 \u2022 <\/strong>Timeless artist taps into a specific vibe.
\nSuperman Special (1992) \u2022 <\/strong>Originally slated to be an Annual.<\/p>\n

TREVOR VON EEDEN
\nBatman Annual 8 \u2022<\/strong> TVE’s “I’ll show them” comic. It paid off.
\nBatman and the Outsiders 15 \u2022<\/strong> Better than a fill-in ought to be.
\nGreen Arrow (1983 mini-series) 1-4 \u2022 <\/strong>Fun and inspired.
\nThriller<\/a> 1-6 \u2022 <\/strong>Stick to the first 4 if you have to.
\nWorld’s Finest 287<\/a>, 305, 307 \u2022 <\/strong>Human eyes don’t deserve these.<\/p>\n

JORGE ZAFFINO<\/strong><\/a>
\nHellraiser Book 2 \u2022 <\/strong>Prestige Format EPIC anthology.
\nSavage Sword of Conan 162<\/strong>\u00a0\u2022 This magazine, in the bins or not, find it immediately.
\nSeven Block \u2022 <\/strong>Re-released in b&w I believe. I don’t mind the old colors actually.
\nTerror Inc. 1-7 \u2022 <\/strong>Very underrated, never to be collected I bet. Chichester’s best.
\nWinterworld 1-3 \u2022 <\/strong>Also re-released, same treatment.
\nBatman: Black & White 2 \u2022 <\/strong>Short story, last mainstream work.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is a list of personal favorites, choice cuts in case you’re ever at a loss when facing the bins. Although my back issue preferences are in constant flux, these selections make up a solid foundation consisting of mostly 80s & 90s mainstream-leaning fare. If some 70s gem pops up, or some modern outlier creeps […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8291","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michelfiffe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michelfiffe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michelfiffe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michelfiffe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michelfiffe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8291"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/michelfiffe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9862,"href":"https:\/\/michelfiffe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8291\/revisions\/9862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michelfiffe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}