In previous posts, I discussed comic book stories some deem silly or heinous, and a lot of comments, both here and elsewhere, agreed with those assessments.
However, I don’t want to give the impression that comic book writing is necessarily bad.
In fact, comic book writing requires a special set of skills similar to movie making. The comic book writer serves as scriptwriter, cinematographer, dialogue and scene editor, and researcher, and has to convey ideas from all of these disciplines to an artist who will draw the story (unless, of course, the writer and artist are the same person, in which case he or she wears even more hats – penciller, inker, and often colorist.)
The comic book writer must also be a team player who is willing to modify her original vision of the story to accommodate contributions from the artist and, often, dicates from an editor.
Having written both comic book and prose stories, I can tell you that, for me at least, the former were much more difficult to write.
So, here’s an attempt to even the score by highlighting “good” comic book stories. I confess up front that these stories are very old and are biased toward Marvel and DC. Since we’re talking about super-heroes, the latter seems appropriate, and, as for the former, a good story should be memorable – which means neither you nor I should have to think very hard to recall it.
1. The Avengers/Defenders War
Avengers # 115-118 and Defenders # 8-10, September-December 1973
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| Source: GCD. © and TM Marvel |
The skinny: Two teams of heroes are tricked into fighting each other over a powerful weapon that can alter the world.
What works: Hero teams battling hero teams is nothing new, but I’ve rarely seen it done so well as here. Every development of the story flows organically from who the characters are and from what they want.
For example, when the Avengers are tipped off that the Defenders might be up to something, they disperse to the far corners of the world to investigate. The Silver Surfer (a Defender) accidentally triggers a volcano, demolishing an Avengers quinjet and injuring the Scarlet Witch. Her beau, the Vision, is so overcome with rage that he attacks the bewildered Surfer – and their fight “confirms” the lie the Avengers have been told about the Defenders’ motives.
My favorite chapter, though, is from Avengers # 117, when two apparently mismatched heroes – Captain America and the Sub-Mariner – decide to trust one another and come to realize they’ve been had. Only Cap – because of who he is and his past association with Namor – is able to see beyond the latter's imperious threats and put aside his own ego, which turns the tide of battle.
2. “The War Between Krypton and Earth”
Adventure Comics # 333, June 1965
Writer: Edmond Hamilton (with art by John Forte)