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There are fun one-shot stories, one issue, no digging for 20 bagillion issues to find out EVERYTHING that happened. However, there's something to be said for 4, 10 or more issues all dedicated to one train of thought. Sometimes, well, the stories... well... anyone remember 'Blood Lines?' Thought so. But when it WORKS, you have something that is timeless. These stories were originally printed as mini-series many years ago, but all are now available in trade-paperback form, the second title is the one from the trade-paperback. No digging through the back-issue bins to get these all together. These stories are tests of courage, resilience, and help to define what a hero truly is. It ain't the suit, it ain't the shoes. It's about being able to stare into the heart of the dragon, KNOWING you will be incinerated, knees shaking, stomach turning... but you never, EVER blink.
1. The Flash; Return of Barry Allen. You have so many classic elements that make this story an epic. There is the 'return' of a hero we thought was dead, in this case the return of Barry Allen, who died after heroically saving the universe in 'Crisis on Infinite Earths.' There is ultimate challenge our hero must face, in this case Wally West finally coming to terms with the true Legacy of being The Flash. And, of course, you need a VERY cool villain to bring it all together. Sorry, no hints on this one, but it makes perfect sense when you read this one.
2. Martial Law; Crime and Punishment. Before, 'Hit-Man' brought us Tommy Monoghan, there was Martial Law, a VERY violent piece of comic art that also told an amazing story of betrayal, political turmoil, and a true anti-hero's tale of justice. The story is set in a nebulous near future, where genetic manipulation is pretty normal, and soldiers are literally built through gene-therapy, with disturbing results. Enter Martial Law, a former commando who's job is to capture/kill any soldiers who fall out of line. Basically, he's a hero-hunter. Through the story, he is embroiled in an ugly plot involving a government cover-up, and a paragon of morality gone over the edge. Unfortunately, the book is sooooo violent it can turn your stomach. However, that shouldn't detract from the amazing story being told, and the umpteenth examination of what a true hero is.
3. The Crow. Yes, the movie was pretty cool, but the MINI-SERIES... oh boy. Is this about revenge? Definitely. Anger? Of course. Love? Unquestionably... in a very bizarre way. What if the ONE thing in this universe is taken away from you, and it's not because of an accident, not due to disease... but due to the senseless anger, fury, and violence of someone else. Your only crime? Being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Some people become crusaders for change. Some go into catatonia. In this piece, we see another form; pure, uncontro;led, uncompromising vengence.
4. Daredevil; Born Again. As Ralph Macchio mentions in the forward of this trade-paperback, the REAL hero of this is Matt Murdock, rather then Daredevil. The beauty of the story, like most of these, is the examination of a hero. In this story, Matt's identity has been discovered by the King Pin, and he loses EVERYTHING; home, job... his entire life. The story DOESN'T track Matt going after the King Pin and kicking Fisk's butt. That's LATER. This story is the sloooooooooooooooooow and painful destruction of a human being... and the long road to put yourself back together again.