The BEST and WORST of comic book death
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Limited Edition
The BEST and WORST of comic book death
Since it's the biggest thing going right now, let's hear your thoughts on COMIC BOOK DEATH. It's obviously only a temporary thing in comics, but what are some of your favorites, or most memorable? Least favorites? Who went out with class and who went out like like a chump? Who made the best comeback and who should have stayed dead?
All death is open to discussion, so let's get at it...
All death is open to discussion, so let's get at it...
#5
DVD Talk Godfather
I didn't mind Kord's death... although I like the character, I thought they handled it pretty well.
I agree that there are a lot of worsts, mainly when there are characters that I enjoyed in previous series just offed for little or no reason other than cannon fodder. Still haven't read civil war, but the New Warriors thing seems like a perfect example. The whole "Avengers Disassembled" thing didn't sit all that well with me either. Hawk killing Dove II and becoming Monarch really upset me too.
One of my favorites has to be Gaiman's Sandman. I also liked the (first) death of Jean Grey, and Barry Allen, who to my knowledge has never come back and set up Wally becoming the Flash.
I agree that there are a lot of worsts, mainly when there are characters that I enjoyed in previous series just offed for little or no reason other than cannon fodder. Still haven't read civil war, but the New Warriors thing seems like a perfect example. The whole "Avengers Disassembled" thing didn't sit all that well with me either. Hawk killing Dove II and becoming Monarch really upset me too.
One of my favorites has to be Gaiman's Sandman. I also liked the (first) death of Jean Grey, and Barry Allen, who to my knowledge has never come back and set up Wally becoming the Flash.
#6
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I remember when one of Jaime Madrox's dupes was shot and died in the pages of X-Factor. Madrox was quite affected by the dupes death when he realized that he could not reabsorb him. I thought this was really well written.
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Best: "Preacher" when the Saint of Killers shot God in the face.
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Best: Captain George Stacy in Amazing Spider-man #90 - To the best of my memory, that was the first time a "major" character was killed (and stayed dead!).
Worst: Aunt May - the death was fine; the resurrection sucked donkey balls.
Worst: Aunt May - the death was fine; the resurrection sucked donkey balls.
#9
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I was always very fond of the original Scourge of the Underworld's villain killings. You never knew when or where he was going to show up, or what lame bad guy he was going to take out next. Those were some exciting times.
#10
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by Bronkster
Best: Captain George Stacy in Amazing Spider-man #90 - To the best of my memory, that was the first time a "major" character was killed (and stayed dead!).
Worst: Aunt May - the death was fine; the resurrection sucked donkey balls.
Worst: Aunt May - the death was fine; the resurrection sucked donkey balls.
#11
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Limited Edition
OOOOH. On another Captain America note, one of the first "death" issues that really knocked my socks off , was when John Walker's parents were killed by the Watchdogs, and he just completely freaked out and went into this murderous bloodsoaked frenzy, including nailing one guy with a pitchfork! He was insane, and I love that issue!
#13
DVD Talk Godfather
Almost forgot one that shook me as a kid:
I think it was because at the time death was a little more permanent in the comic book world, but I vividly remember Val Armorr, the Karate Kid of the Legion of Superheroes, dying after being beaten to a bloody pulp by Nemesis Kid and, instead of dying in battle like he wanted to, sacrificing himself to thwart the Legion of Super Villain's plan. Nemesis Kid had the power to adapt to and defeat any single power that went against him. After that his wife, Projectra, who's power was basically just casting illusions, in a rage defeated and killed Nemesis with her bare hands.
Reminds me of why I loved the Legion so much. Yeah, I know, the names are corny, but I just didn't care.
I think it was because at the time death was a little more permanent in the comic book world, but I vividly remember Val Armorr, the Karate Kid of the Legion of Superheroes, dying after being beaten to a bloody pulp by Nemesis Kid and, instead of dying in battle like he wanted to, sacrificing himself to thwart the Legion of Super Villain's plan. Nemesis Kid had the power to adapt to and defeat any single power that went against him. After that his wife, Projectra, who's power was basically just casting illusions, in a rage defeated and killed Nemesis with her bare hands.
Reminds me of why I loved the Legion so much. Yeah, I know, the names are corny, but I just didn't care.
#14
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Best: The first time Jean Grey died, and came back, and died again.
Worst: Every other time Jean Grey died, or whatever synonym for die they want to use.
Honorary Mention: Colossus. Useless incarnate.
Worst: Every other time Jean Grey died, or whatever synonym for die they want to use.
Honorary Mention: Colossus. Useless incarnate.
#15
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Best: Barry Allen Flash in "Crisis on Infinite Earths."
Worst: When the X-Men "died" in the Siege Perilous or whatever the hell it was called back in the 1980s. Hated that whole storyline.
Worst: When the X-Men "died" in the Siege Perilous or whatever the hell it was called back in the 1980s. Hated that whole storyline.
#17
DVD Talk Godfather
best death... Ben Reilly, ending the whole Spider clone debacle?
#18
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From: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
Do "out of normal timeline" deaths count, like X-Men Days of Future Past?
#19
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From: So Cal
Originally Posted by fujishig
Hawk killing Dove II and becoming Monarch really upset me too.
#20
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by Superboy
That's not even remotely close to the problems with that storyline.
Honorable mention goes to that craptacular Graduation Day crossover that effectively ended Young Justice and killed (temporarily, of course) Donna Troy. How? By a Superman Robot.
#21
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by Josh-da-man
Best: "Preacher" when the Saint of Killers shot God in the face.
Damn, all these years going unspoiled on this story (how I managed that, who knows?) only to get it here. Damn
. Should be reading it faster. Only three more trades to go!note: I'm not mad or anything. Spoilers don't really bother me, least you think I was angry for real or anything.
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
The death of Sue Dibny in IDENTITY CRISIS was not only gratuitous, but disturbing. However, I was still gripped by this piece of pulp fiction.
I agree that the death of Barry Allen, while a little melodramatic (Marv Wolfman's dialogue/monologues can be a little bit too much with all the "God, help me to find strength to battle this demon!" and "Please, don't you understand...it is the end of all that is!"), was touching and memorable.
I agree that the death of Barry Allen, while a little melodramatic (Marv Wolfman's dialogue/monologues can be a little bit too much with all the "God, help me to find strength to battle this demon!" and "Please, don't you understand...it is the end of all that is!"), was touching and memorable.



