Top 5 Mike Baron comic-book runs
It’s “Nexus” co-creator Mike Baron’s birthday today, and in honor, here are my picks for the top 5 comic-book runs by the longtime comic-book writer.
1. Nexus
The six-time Eisner-Award-winning “Nexus” was created by Baron and artist Steve Rude. Set 500 years in the future, Horatio Hellpop is a man who dreams of mass murderers, and is compelled to find and slay them. He is aided in this mission by his fantastic fusioncasting powers. With both superhero and science fiction elements, “Nexus” was one of the 1980s’ best comics. With more than 100 issues, “Nexus” is quite an investment of time, but one that will absolutely pay off. If you’re looking for a place to start, the Eisner-winning one-shot “Nexus: The Origin” is a good place to do so. Rude Dude Productions has reprinted the earliest and most recent issues of “Nexus,” and Dark Horse’s archives series has reprinted 10 volumes, going through issue No. 65. The next archive edition is due out this month. And though Nexus/Madman and Magnus Robot Fighter/Nexus aren’t counted in the canonical 100 + issues, they’re also fun issues that are worth seeking out.
2. Badger
Norbert Sykes, a veteran who suffered from multiple personality disorder, became the superhero “The Badger” in one of his personalities. Badger lives with Ham, a 13th century weather wizard with at times questionable motives. “Badger” was a very dark comedy with action elements. The original “Badger” series ran for 70 issues.
3. The Flash (1987) #1-14; Annual 1
Mike Baron and Jackson Guice took over The Flash after Barry Allen had been killed on “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Baron wrote Wally West, the former Kid Flash who took over the role, as an often-hotheaded 20-year-old, who nevertheless was learning to become a hero.
4. The Punisher Vol.2 #1 – #44, #46 – #48, #50 – #63, #76
You can easily argue that the Punisher wouldn’t have become the ubiquitous comic-book star he became in the 1980s without Mike Baron’s work on the character. Steven Grant and Mike Zeck brought the Punisher into the limelight with his hit miniseries, but Baron kept up the Punisher’s solo tales for several more years. While the series has some unfortunate moments, Baron was very successful at establishing the anti-hero Frank Castle.
5. Archer & Armstrong 13-26
I was going to suggest “The World of Ginger Fox,” which you can check out online here, but it was, I believe, an OGN rather than a run of single-issue comics.
Baron took over as writer from Barry Windsor-Smith, who had also drawn the previous issues. The odd couple pairing of Armstrong, a loutish, drunk eternal, with Armstrong, a young former monk, made “Archer & Armstrong” an action book that at times contained quite humorous exchanges.
- Matt Price
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