The Best of 1985-1989

[Air Wave]

Action Comics #600 from 1988

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[Air Wave]

Detective Comics #600 from 1989

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[Air Wave]

Aquaman #1 from 1986

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[Air Wave]

Power of the Atom #1 from 1988

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[Air Wave]

Martian Manhunter #1 from 1988

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[Nomads1]

Power of the Atom #1 from 1988

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Really loved this series, especially after Graham Nolan took over the art duties. Never cared much for the unimaginative redesign of the Atom's costume it sported, though.

Peace

[Air Wave]

Action Comics #563 from 1985

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[Air Wave]

Detective Comics #558 from 1986, featuring Batman & Green Arrow.

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[Air Wave]

One of your favorite logos:

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[Air Wave]

If you could revive one title from this era that no longer exists, what would it be and why?

[Rincewind]

If you could revive one title from this era that no longer exists, what would it be and why?

Suicide Squad by John Ostrander

Every other Suicide Squad writer has focused on the "Villains working for the government" aspect of Suicide Squad, which was 50% of Ostrander's run at best. His writing of Amanda Waller shows a principled, highly disciplined, controlling character trying to do good and navigate the tricky world of espionage with a team that has several members she doesn't even respect. Other writers have her as a mastermind, easily manipulating everyone, or a sociopath who will allow innocent to be hurt and killed to advance her agenda.

Ostrander also had about half the team be non criminals like Bronze Tiger, Nightshade, Vixen, and Nemesis. His work with them established the heart of the series.

And when he did use the villains, it wasn't to show how cool villains were. Captain Boomerang was a loser who nobody liked, but stuck around because he didn't have any better option. Deadshot was a burn out who didn't care if he lived or died. Count Vertigo was a manic depressive. Most of the villains were in over their heads in the missions and there were high casualties. But Ostrander also could highlight how dangerous they were. The first mission, Captain Boomerang easily takes out a speedster, noting that the Flash would have been able to escape. Captain Cold got a moment of glory and badassery long before Geoff Johns ever wrote him.

I would love to see Ostrander return to SS in an ongoing series.

[Air Wave]

Suicide Squad by John Ostrander

Every other Suicide Squad writer has focused on the "Villains working for the government" aspect of Suicide Squad, which was 50% of Ostrander's run at best. His writing of Amanda Waller shows a principled, highly disciplined, controlling character trying to do good and navigate the tricky world of espionage with a team that has several members she doesn't even respect. Other writers have her as a mastermind, easily manipulating everyone, or a sociopath who will allow innocent to be hurt and killed to advance her agenda.

Ostrander also had about half the team be non criminals like Bronze Tiger, Nightshade, Vixen, and Nemesis. His work with them established the heart of the series.

And when he did use the villains, it wasn't to show how cool villains were. Captain Boomerang was a loser who nobody liked, but stuck around because he didn't have any better option. Deadshot was a burn out who didn't care if he lived or died. Count Vertigo was a manic depressive. Most of the villains were in over their heads in the missions and there were high casualties. But Ostrander also could highlight how dangerous they were. The first mission, Captain Boomerang easily takes out a speedster, noting that the Flash would have been able to escape. Captain Cold got a moment of glory and badassery long before Geoff Johns ever wrote him.

I would love to see Ostrander return to SS in an ongoing series.

I feel like this doesn't count because the title does currently exist.

[Air Wave]

Suicide Squad #25 from 1989.

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[Air Wave]

World's Finest #323 from 1986. The final issue.

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[Air Wave]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booster_Gold