What would you say are the underrated Marvel gems of the '80s?

[Hybrid]

I've been kind of fascinated with the '80s era as of late, as it was something of a golden age for the industry in general. Comics were getting more mature, plots more complex, and overall there was more grit and grim to it. Yet at the same time they didn't veer to heavily into being "dark", they still were about good people, and kept varying levels of idealism to prevent you from being apathetic, unlike in the regrettable '90s dark age.

This is especially true for Marvel. I feel like this was possibly the best and most influential decade for superhero storytelling and the impact is still being felt today. I'd say the most well-remembered and influential runs of the '80s are:

• X-Men (Chris Claremont)
• Spider-Man (Roger Stern/Tom DeFalco/David Michelinie among others)
• Daredevil (Frank Miller)
• Thor (Walt Simonson)
• Fantastic Four (John Byrne)

But really, it's just scratching the surface and there's a lot of good stuff to read.

So what would you say are the best comics that tend not to be as acknowledged of that era?

The most obvious example is Power Pack. Not so great sales, because it was a weird beast. It was a book starring kids that wasn't a kids book, and just as serious as the others. Many dismissed it as a dumb kids book, but those who stuck around loved it. The series was kept alive for a decent length, doing just good enough, and had an enthusiastic following, primarily with adults rather than children. Is it any wonder why whenever there's talk of MCU Power Pack, many, many fans are very excited, and the ones against it know nothing about them and just assume it'll be for kids?

Anyways, what other examples do you think fit? Discuss.

[Snoop Dogg]

Squadron Supreme (Gruenwald)

Iron Man (O'Niel/Layton+Michelinie)

Captain America (Gruenwald/Stern+Byrne/DeMatteis+Zeck)

Avengers (Stern + Buscema + Palmer)

Incredible Hulk (Mantlo + Buscema)

[XPac]

In my mind, Squadron Supreme should be up there with Watchmen and Kingdom Come. It's a story that's respected, but not to the degree it should IMO.

And I think Sterns Avengers run is a bit underrated. It's my all time fave.

[mikelmcknight72]

In my mind, Squadron Supreme should be up there with Watchmen and Kingdom Come. It's a story that's respected, but not to the degree it should IMO.

And I think Sterns Avengers run is a bit underrated. It's my all time fave.

In spite of how dated the classic Squadron Supreme maxi-series feels, I'm still very fond of it.

The original Power Pack series was pretty darned good, and it tied to a number of other big parts of the Marvel Universe: The FF (Franklin was a member and stayed with the Powers), Thor (Beta Ray Bill appeared at least twice), the X-Men, etc. The first issue I read back in the day was #19. It was a Thanksgiving issue in 1986. The story involved the Morlocks, Wolverine, Shadowcat, Cloak & Dagger, and it was during one of the times Franklin was staying with them. I haven't read in years, but I recall it ending with a Thanksgiving party that reminded me of the Peanuts Thanksgiving special.

[U.N. Owen]

Geez, it's time for me to get on my soap box about Power Pack.

Power Pack was great. It had its moments of being a cliche cheesy kids book, mainly because we have the power of hindsight over its environmentalism and drug messages. At the same time, we got surprisingly good action. The Mutant Massacre tie-in surprisingly kept the somber tone of the event. It wasn't afraid to play the superhero bit straight. You see adult and teen characters bleed from their injuries, so do the Power Pack which shocked me as a kid.

[Electricmastro]

Also, in addition in Spider-Ham:

The Sensational She-Hulk

West Coast Avengers

Dazzler

Moon Knight

The Thing

Psi-Force

D.P.7

Strikeforce: Morituri

The Mutant Misadventures of Cloak and Dagger

Saga of the Sub-Mariner

Eternals

Nightmask

The Vision and the Scarlet Witch

Spitfire and the Troubleshooters

Fallen Angels

Spellbound

Dakota North

Elektra Saga

Magik

Firestar

Machine Man

Rocket Raccoon

[Sutekh]

Byrne's run on the West Coast Avengers, and first two years of Alpha Flight were pretty amazing.

Of the New Universe stuff, I liked D.P. 7 most of all, but Psi-Force was also pretty cool. Strikeforce Morituri, which was (mistakenly?) advertised a time or two back in the day as part of the New Universe, was also amazing for the first year and a half or so.

If Squadron Supreme had better art, I think it could have been much better regarded, as it had a sort of darker take that made the Watchmen so successful, but, IMO, looked a little too cartoony by comparison, which I think did it no favors.

[Electricmastro]

[Hybrid]

I don't think the image is working...

Edit: Nvm, it works now.