The best one-shots and short complete stories in comics are, at the top,The Killing Joke,For the Man Who Has Everything,Whatever Happened to the Man of TomorrowetSuperman: Peace on Earth. This tier list ranks full stories in a single issue (or short story) according to their quality. Facts (authors, dates) verified, no invented odds; each entry refers to a record when it exists.
The one-shot is an exercise in style: telling a complete and striking story in a single issue. This tier list classifies these short stories according to their quality and their posterity. Many are signed by the greatest authors, who concentrate most of their art there.
Editorial Ranks, Factsverified. Each entry refers to a site file when it exists.
Tier S: the legendary one-shots
The Killing Jokeoffers the definitive Batman/Joker face-off in a single issue.For the Man Who Has EverythingetWhatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow, two masterpieces by Alan Moore on Superman, andPeace on Earthof Dini and Ross complete this summit.
Tier A: notable short stories
Gotham by Gaslight(the first Elseworld),Daredevil #191(“Roulette”, by Miller),ASM #248(“The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man”, heartbreaking) andSandman #19(the only comic to win a World Fantasy Award) are the pinnacles of the format.
Tier B: the Dini & Ross and beyond
The series of great painted one-shots by Paul Dini and Alex Ross —War on Crime,Power of Hope,Spirit of Truth— and theAstro City #1/2by Kurt Busiek illustrate the power of the short story.
Tier C: the cult one-shots
JLA: Liberty and Justice,Superman #400,Hellboy: The Corpseand the anthologyBatman: Black and Whitecomplete the selection.
Tier D: the complete stories to discover
Batman/Judge Dredd,The Sandman: The Dream HuntersetSuperman: The Wedding Albumclose this tier list: quality one-shots, more confidential.
To remember
- Alan Mooresigns several of the best one-shots in history.
- The one-shot concentrates the artof an author in a single story.
- Some one-shots(The Killing Joke) are key numbers sought after.
- Each entry refers to a site file when it exists.
Frequently asked questions
The Killing Joke(Moore & Bolland) is the most famous. Alan Moore's stories about Superman (For the Man Who Has Everything, Whatever Happened…) are just as acclaimed.
It's a comic that tells a complete story in a single issue, with no planned sequel. It is a popular format for concentrating a strong and autonomous story.
ByThe Killing Joke(Batman/Joker) orSuperman: Peace on Earth(painted by Alex Ross). Both can be read at once.
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