8. Planetary
Writer Warren Ellis stated in his proposal for Planetary What if you had a hundred years of superhero history just leaking out into this young and modern superhero world. Thats the set up for this postmodern example of how to make something old seem fresh and new. Ellis and artist John Cassadays story revolves around super team Planetary, an organisation who investigates the secret history of the world which brings them into contact with alternative versions of figures from popular culture. The self-styled Archaeologists of the impossible consist of three supers with different powers (manipulation of computers, creation of ice and fire plus the standard strong man) as they investigate everything from Godzilla to Sherlock Holmes. Published by DC imprint Wildstorm, were also treated to surprisingly alternative versions of DC characters like Superman and Green Lantern but also a number of Marvel characters including Thor and the Hulk. First published in 1998, with only a 27 issue run, this tightly plotted reference filled comic also has some of the best visuals ever put to page courtesy of John Cassadays gold standard realistic artwork which makes Planetary an essential read for anyone looking for something a bit different but familiar at the same time.