The Le: What's your favorite comic book storyline or crossover?

Toychop: I’m not a fan of big company-wide crossover events. I understand why they’re done—fans dig ‘em and they sell like a mofo—but those stories usually leave me flat. They always seem to be trying too hard to “out-cosmic” the last big event, to cram in as many characters and storylines as possible. Characterization and relatable human elements seem, at best, a secondary consideration. All sizzle, no steak.  

Ha, that came across way more negative than intended. “Big cosmic event” adventures can be great if done right and the story keeps its focus. If I had to choose a favorite, I’d go with “The Dark Phoenix Saga” by Claremont & Byrne [Uncanny X-Men #135-#137]. They seeded the Dark Phoenix stuff for a year, then WHAM!, shifted it into high gear. And while it’s a cosmic-level tale (she ate a star!), it never lost its emotional anchor. The characters were rooted in human emotions of fear, anger and loss. It didn’t matter how big the story got, the reader’s feet never left the ground. Plus the ending actually paid off; God bless Jim Shooter for making Byrne & Claremont re-write it so Jean Grey died. At the time comic book death wasn’t a joke, and how else could it end…? Jean Grey killed BILLIONS of people. Well, aliens, actually, but same thing. She had to pay the ultimate price as part of her redemption. Good stuff, a high-water mark for cosmic spandex adventures.  

So yeah, “Phoenix” might be my favorite big storyline, but when I think of comics I love, the first books that jump to mind are Spidey’s original tussle with the Juggernaut [Amazing Spider-Man #229 & #230], the Surtur arc from Thor [Mighty Thor #337-#353] and the entire “Preacher” series. That’s all over the map comic book wise, but those stories make even the most far-fetched characters and situations feel real.




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