Blog Archives
Tainted Love In Tales from the Longbox – Uncanny X-Men #186 (1984)
Every other week, Jason Shayer will highlight an issue or a run of issues pulled from the horde of comic book long boxes that occupy more room in his house than his wife can tolerate. Each of these reviews will delve into what made that issue or run significant as well as discuss the creative personalities behind the work. “Long Box” refers to the lengthy, white cardboard boxes most comics find themselves stored within – bagged, alphabetized and numerically ordered.
Uncanny X-Men #186
“Lifedeath”
October 1984
Writer – Chris Claremont with plot assist by Barry Windsor-Smith
Artists – Barry Windsor-Smith/Terry Austin
“Once upon a time, there was a woman who could fly.”
Chris Claremont teamed up with Barry Windsor-Smith in 1984 for a double-sized issue of Uncanny X-Men. The art was a jarring break from the usual John Romita Jr. art. However, this collaborative effort generated a sequel in Uncanny X-Men #198 “Lifedeath II” and a couple of other stand-alone stories in Uncanny X-Men #205 (which focused on Wolverine) and Uncanny X-Men #214.
Tales from the Longbox/Titanic Teams – The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans #1 (1982)
Every other week, Jason Shayer will highlight an issue or a run of issues pulled from the horde of comic book long boxes that occupy more room in his house than his wife can tolerate. Each of these reviews will delve into what made that issue or run significant as well as discuss the creative personalities behind the work. “Long Box” refers to the lengthy, white cardboard boxes most comics find themselves stored within – bagged, alphabetized and numerically ordered.
Marvel and DC Present = The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans #1
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Walter Simonson
Inker: Terry Austin
As a comic book fan in 1982, you just couldn’t ask for anything more. While The Justice League of America and The Avengers were caught in a spiral downwards in terms of quality and talent, The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans were making their mark in comic book history. Both titles shared a lot of similarities: a young core of rookie heroes each struggling with their own degrees of teenage angst, great writing, fabulous artwork, solid character development, and fine storytelling.
