Comments on: Comics Should Be Good Top 50 Countdown! - #49

By: Jeff Ryan

Jeff Ryan — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:19:35 +0000

Quasar #49 featured a ... it was...okay, it was a pretty bad issue. Something about her, the female Adam Warlock, fighting Quasar's girlfriend. And at the end a supporting cast member revealed herself to be...some minor-league villain from a Thor annual the rest of humanity had forgotten about. With art by the guy who made Ravage 2099. (Well, who drew the issues after the original artist left.)

By: Random Stranger

Random Stranger — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:28:47 +0000

Running the countdown out to one hundred would be interesting since after #50 "easy picks" get harder and harder. I'd be inclined to say "both!" to FF 51 and 52 but after that it becomes harder to justify. Actually the tough number I'm waiting to come up next is #4. There's a lot of competition for that.

By: ja-x

ja-x — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:21:00 +0000

I consider #49 to be a big deal because this was the middle of a transformation in comic book storytelling.

Not only is it an iconic cover, and an incredible story, and the introduction of Galactus and Silver Surfer, but it was the middle of the first epic story in comics (where it starts, issue 36 or 40 or wherever, I'm open on that).

So thanks for choosing it.

And if the countdown were extended to 52, it could include both the great moral dilemma of FF #51 and the introduction of the Black Panther in FF #52.

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:14:18 +0000

I reckon the #3 cover (the first one with costumes) is probably slightly more famous than this one. Although #49 is a better cover.

By: buttler

buttler — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:16:07 +0000

Oh, some other 49s: Hank Pym figures out that he can grow as well as shrink and becomes Giant-Man in Tales to Astonish. The first appearance of the X-Men outside of X-Men when Iron Man met the Angel in Tales of Suspense. First appearances of Mesmero in X-Men, the Puzzler in Action., and the Mad Hatter and Vicki Vale in Batman.

By: buttler

buttler — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:00:24 +0000

That said, if #49 is FF/Galactus, does that mean #48 is . . . the thunderous debut of the Porcupine in Tales to Astonish? Stay tuned!

Then again, everything from #45-49 could be FF for all I know, although that would mean snubbing the Melter.

By: buttler

buttler — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:49:55 +0000

Well, Marvel Mystery Comics #49 introduced Miss America. But I make a policy of never arguing with Galactus.

By: fourthworlder

fourthworlder — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:12:43 +0000

Sandman 49 was the conclusion of Brief Lives and the spilling of family blood, I'd pick it for second place. Although that Invunche story in Swamp Thing was seriously nasty.

And why are people so concerned about the Galactus trilogy running three issues, when the Inhumans story that led into it ran for 4 1/2? I basically consider FF#36 - 67 as being one long continuing story.

By: Patrick Joseph

Patrick Joseph — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:20:56 +0000

Swamp Thing #49 was the penultimate chapter of American Gothic. Lots of extremely disturbing concepts and imagery in that one.

The invunche, Judith's body falling off and her head turning into a crow, Abby arrested for bestiality, an ancient tribe wearing the skins of their enemies as kilts.. Pretty intense for something I bought off the newsstand in 1986.

Love and Rockets, Cerebus, Nexus, American Flagg!, Shade The Changing Man, and Starman all spring to mind as series that had strong penultimate chapters in their 49th issues.

However, FF was there first. Excellent choice.

By: kushiro

kushiro — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:04:28 +0000

The first thing I thought of for #49 was Hal Jordan wasting a bunch of Green Lanterns on his way to Oa during Emerald Twilight. Not as significant as the events of the next issue (killing Kilowog, destroying the power battery, and Kyle getting his ring), but memorable enough for me.

By: mrjayberry

mrjayberry — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:50:40 +0000

ja-x I would think the galactus trilogy wasn't the first three part story. I remember something about how rare the "Monster Society of Evil" 25 parter in Captain Marvel was back in the 40s but I would think that 20 years later somebody had done a 3 part story.

By: sononsj

sononsj — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:43:29 +0000

I think FF #51 is, for lack of a better phrase, just the pure essence of Kirby so my vote would go towards that.

By: DanLarkin

DanLarkin — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:00:01 +0000

Galactus is awesome and all, but Brave and the Bold #49 features a baseball-playing gorilla.

By: Random Stranger

Random Stranger — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:47:12 +0000

I actually think #51 is a more iconic cover but that can't fit into your countdown.

By: ja-x

ja-x — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:10:52 +0000

The Galactus trilogy (issues 48, 49 and 50) might also be the first 3 part story in comics. Kirby and Lee were pushing the envelope at this time. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Could you extend your list to 51 so it can include FF 51 "This Man, This Monster" ?

By: Dan K

Dan K — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:08:29 +0000

Bone #49 sticks in my mind. It's the beginning of the end.

By: Morten

Morten — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:18:36 +0000

Another iconic FF cover would have to be 48, its a piece of comic book cover history.