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Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: November 2004
Cover Price: $2.99
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Karl Moline

This is one of several one-shots that envisions what the Marvel Knights relaunches would have been like if they were published in 2099. In this future version of the Marvel Universe, the government re-enacted the Mutant Registration Act. The super-heroes joined together to defy the government but were eventually overpowered and went underground.

Samuel Fisk was raised in the shadow of greatness. His father would often remind Samuel that his grandfather achieved his goals by destroying his greatest enemy, Daredevil. In a bid to make up for his family’s crimes, Samuel has devoted his time and money to crime-fighting, now that he’s a grown man. As a testament to his guilt, he’s taken up the mantle of Daredevil and used his money to devise a powerful suit that amplifies his strength.

Unfortunately, his pursuit of crime-fighting has taken time away from his business and his family. On a slow night, Samuel decides to follow his wife and discovers that she’s sought attention from a suitor more willing to give it. And, it’s with this revelation that we discover Samuel’s days are spent as the Kingpin of Crime. His wife’s suitor is about to find out that he’s every bit as ruthless as his grandfather was.

Robert Kirkman (better known for writing/creating the Walking Dead) has created a truly interesting new take on the Daredevil mythos. And, the twist at the end has me wanting more! This story begs to be followed up on – how can one man balance being the Kingpin of Crime and a crime-fighter? How, Robert? How?!

On Ebay: Daredevil | Robert Kirkman | Karl Moline
On AtomicAvenue: Daredevil

Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!

Publisher: Amalgam Comics
Cover Date: June 1997
Cover Price: $1.95
Writer: Tom Peyer
Artist: Barry Kitson

When the DC and Marvel Universes merged in Marvel vs DC, a new one was created: the Amalgam Universe. This one-shot combined Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants with the Metal Men.

Magneto discovers that his Magnetic Men (Nickel, Iron, Cobalt, Antimony, Bismuth) have gained sentience so, he creates new identities for them and sends them out to live amongst humanity. Now, alone, he journeys to the living dinosaur island of Krakoa to continue his mission of defeating his brother Will Magnus, who wants to destroy mutantkind.

But, the Magnetic Men aren’t given much time to enjoy their newfound “humanity”. They’re quickly attacked and defeated by the Sinister Society (Soniklaw, Kultron, Vance Cosmic, Deathborg, Black Vulture) and brought back to Chemodam and Quasimodox – who intend to take over the Magnetic Men’s bodies.

Magneto’s attack on his brother’s fortress is halted when his magnetometer beacon warns him that the Magnetic Men are in danger. He follows the beacon and frees them from the Sinister Society – and during the battle, they release that they all have a common enemy in Will Magnus. United in purpose, a new team emerges!

There’s a lot of action happening in this issue that leaves very little time for character development. It’s got an enormous cast of 14 characters to juggle around but, it’s still a fun read that takes little brain power to enjoy. Not the finest example of comic story-telling but the art sure is nice and shiny.

On Ebay: Amalgam | Tom Peyer | Barry Kitson | Magneto | Metal Men
On AtomicAvenue: Amalgam Comics