This adult take on Green Arrow debuted a new costume for the emerald archer and revolutionized the character to a level of realism and audacity that has never returned. This run featured the first time Green Arrow took a life. Juggling personal issues with Emerald City politics this run would be an excellent edition to any pay cable TV station's new line up.
4. Uncanny X-Men 238 Marvel 1988 Chris Claremont & Marc Silvestri
This issue concludes an epic showdown in which some of the X-Men have been kidnapped and put into prison camps in the oppressive nation of Genosha. Read the review from fellow blogger Geoff Klock to get a feel for how excellent and overlooked this X-Men story line was:
http://geoffklock.blogspot.com/2009/09/uncanny-x-men-238.html
3. G.I. Joe Yearbook 3 Marvel 1987 Larry Hama & Rob Wagner
This yearbook edition of G.I. Joe featured another classic silent issue entitled,"Hush Job." This epic story line featured a rescue mission of Snake Eyes by Storm Shadow and Scarlett revealing interesting facts of Snake Eyes life in quick flashbacks. (*Editor's note: G.I. Joe 85 was also an underrated gem of the G.I. Joe line as it featured an almost silent issue with sound effects splashed in, the story isn't as epic in scale but is still a well drawn fun read and deserves to be mentioned here.)
#852. Daredevil Born Again Marvel 1986 Frank Miller & David Mazzucchelli #227-233
When Daredevil's identity is sold to Kingpin by his ex-lover and secretary Karen Page, Daredevil plunges into a world of desperation and insanity. Having to put his life back together piece by piece, Matt Murdock rises once again, showing the true resiliency of hero. Of all the epic runs Frank Miller had on Daredevil this story line seems to be forgotten at times. (*Editor's note, this run also features an epic appereance of the Avengers only written in a way Miller can, making fan boys dream of what such a run he could have had on the Avengers in his glory days.) I feel this run is more realistic and inspiring than his more iconic and well known run introducing Elektra making it a sure must not to be overlooked book of the 1980s.
1. Usagi Yojimbo 1987 Fantagraphics Books Stan Sakai
To this today the ronin rabbit, Usagi Yojimbo, is the most underrated comics character of all time. Applauded by college professors, cited by teacher's of Japanese history and culture, this series transcends the medium and tells engrossing stories that both readers of young and old alike can enjoy. Usagi Yojimbo serves as an homage to the samurai films of Kurosawa and the character is even named after Miyamoto Musashi a true swordsman of historical Japan! The stories are timeless and beautifully drawn, written, and lettered by the award winning Sakai himself. Pick up one book, and I guarantee you will be hooked for a lifetime of enjoyable adventures.
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