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Yes, this sounds pompous. EVERYONE has their own list of MUST READ comics. Here's another, and they aren't in any real order. The big deal about these books for me is that each of them brought something very, very special to the table when they came out. Maybe they changed the medium, maybe they just changed the character. All are waaaaaaaay cool.
1. 'Batman-The Dark Knight Returns.' Hey, if your gonna start this, might as well start it right. One of THE stories of the '80s and helped to signal a new renaissanse in comics. The big deal? It's not just the finaly confrontation against the 'big boy-scout,' although that is on of the best fights in comics. It's not just seeing villains such as the Joker and Two-Face meet their end, although those moments rocked. The best part is the fact that this story, in theory, was THE end for Batman. In his introduction, Alan Moore talked about how the real magic in myth and legend is that it has to end; Ragnaraock for the Norse gods, Camlan for King Arthur. The problem is comics just last forever. Everyone is always 30ish. Well, Frank Miller decided to take the plunge and write the difinitive end for the Caped Crusader. Yes, there are a multitude of 'What if' stories that propose the final adventure of the Dark Knight, but this is the finest.
2. 'Iron Man #200.' Every book tries at some time to do the ultimate fight; Superman Vs Doomsday, The Hulk Vs the Thing. However, none of them come close to Iron Man #200. The problem with all the other confrontations is that they are all so contrived; introduse some nasty character about 6 months ahead, have something horrible happen to lead to some need for revenge, have them beat the snot out of each other. WWF pay-per-views are less predictable. Iron Man #200 was different; this was the culmination of YEARS of hell for Tony Stark. Obadiah Stane was the mastermind behind the destruction of Tony Stark, Iron Man, and Stark Enterprises. At first, Stane sent minions to combat the Crimson Avenger. The confrontations escalated until it Stark lost everything; his company, home, his life, his armor... and Stark became an alcoholic again. Just when Stark seemed to get his feet under him, Stane struck again and blew-up the little electronics firm Stark had created. Yep, Stark was an unhappy camper. Issue #200 shows Stark finally coming to terms with his demons and who he is and taking on Stane mano-a-mano in armor in the skies above Stane International. It was a butt-kicking fight to the finish, and there will be no rematch, ever.
3. Usagi Yojimbo. Before Clint Eastwood, before Aaaaaanald... heck, before Jackie Chan, there was Toshiro Mifune, the ULTIMATE bad-ass. He appeared in a number of Akira Kurosawa movies, my favorite being 'Yojimbo.' Mifune played the loner anti-hero who used his mind as well as his sword to perfection. Usagi Yojimbo walks in the same path, he wanders through feudal Japan righting wrongs with his wits and his sword, always adhering to Bushido. Yes, the dialog is a bit corny, and the art doesn't have the glossy look we're familiar with. Get over it. The power of the character is that Usagi doesn't need a gun the size of Nebraska or the ability to obliterate suns with a glance to be dangerous. What makes him powerful is his mind and the confidence in his abilities. In that respect, Usagi Yojimbo is the ultimate warrior.
4. 'The Death of Capt. Marvel.' The problem with comics is the send of immortality. Ok, Barry Allen is DEAD, and other characters have met their demise, but there is always a sense they will live foreever. Jim Starlin proved otherwise with this graphic-novel. 'The Death of Capt. Marvel' is a very realistic and poignant view of the pain, horrors, fears, and closure ANYONE faces with death. Yes, there are a few obligatory fights, but the book is dedicated to the Kree warrior coming to terms with his demise with dignity.