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Detective Comics (1967)
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Detective Comics #359(January 1967)
Detective Comics #360(February 1967)
Detective Comics #361(March 1967)
Detective Comics #362(April 1967)
Detective Comics #363(May 1967)
Detective Comics #364(June 1967)
Detective Comics #365(July 1967)
Detective Comics #366(August 1967)
Detective Comics #367(September 1967)
Detective Comics #368(October 1967)
Detective Comics #369(November 1967)
Detective Comics #370(December 1967)
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The Speech Bubble 
I remember a story whose concept was very similar to the one you described when you explained your choice for Detective Comics # 366. It was called “Six hours to kill”, because in that case the Punisher had six hours to live instead of just one.
As for my choice, I pick Detective Comics # 360, for these reasons:
1) Once again we have a tagline that could be the title of a whodunit novel: “Case of the abbreviated Batman”;
2) Exactly like in whodunit movies, the villain is not shown, we can only see his shadow;
3) There’s another tagline that instantly catches your attention: “If you think this stands for the Caped Crusader, get set for a surprise when you read the last panel of this story!” Very intriguing indeed.
As for Spidey, of course I completely agree with the cover you chose, but I would like to make a special mention for ASM # 345, because we have a 4th wall breaking detail being very similar to the one I pointed out some weeks ago. Instead of the Thing now we have Venom, asking us “Miss me?” It’s less funny, but it’s equally appreciable.
“It was called “Six hours to kill”, because in that case the Punisher had six hours to live instead of just one.”
I take it he was poisoned…or was it some other reason?
“There’s another tagline that instantly catches your attention: “If you think this stands for the Caped Crusader, get set for a surprise when you read the last panel of this story!” Very intriguing indeed.”
Yeah. I’ve noticed a trend in these last few years of Detective Comics that have been featured in Retroactive: they are using that sort of tagline more and more often. It ranks right up there with “In this issue someone dies”, “Things will never be the same again”, and “Don’t miss the shattering conclusion”. Comic book staples in my opinion! 🙂
“Instead of the Thing now we have Venom, asking us “Miss me?” It’s less funny, but it’s equally appreciable.”
Yeah, that is a nice touch. I’m also a fan of #347 where Venom does his best Hamlet impersonation. And just whose skull does he have in his hands?
Thanks, once again, for sharing your choices! Much appreciated.
Thank you as well for your comment on my blog and for your replies! : )
P.S.: Yes, the Punisher had been poisoned. Luckily he found an antidote, and now he’s alive and kicking. : )
Whew. You had me worried there for a moment. 🙂
Great choice of covers, the one for Detective Comics #366 is really good. Its quite a shock to see Batman writing down his last will and testament. I really like the cover to Amazing Spiderman #346 as well. I’m a big fan of the Venom stories and this cover is awesome. A brilliant close up of Venom, with Spiderman caught in the reflection of his eyes. Venom looks so evil as his gaping mouth opens wide, revealing his razor sharp teeth. Great stuff!
Maybe one day we’ll get a worthy live-action version of this classic foe. Venom in Spider-Man 3 just didn’t cut it for me. He felt rushed and crammed in. Not something worthy of one of Spider-Man’s most lethal and popular foes.
Yes, I agree, Venom got a raw deal in Spiderman 3, it was so rushed and it didn’t work at all. Venom is a great character, lets hope he appears in one of the new Spiderman films as the main enemy, that would be great!
Venom is the type of character that I’d like to see stretched out. Have Eddie Brock introduced in one movie and then go full-blown Venom in the next. We need some build-up to the event and a satisfying conclusion as well. Sort of how they’re doing Norman Osborn this go around.