In the modern comic era, superhero stories have become more "adult" and "realistic". That's not necessarily in blood and gore term, though. These days, attempts have been made to make superheroes more believable. Gone the days of 'pow and biff' superheroes like in Batman TV series.
As long as they are not overdoing it, I actually love this trend. There's good and bad apples, though. Dark Knight Returns and Son of the Demon are really excellent, while Ultimate X-Men is a failure (IMO).
I also remember owning three issues of World's Finest where Batman and Superman switched cities (Batman went to Metropolis, while Superman went to Gotham) to stop Luthor and Joker. The events eventually lead to the dark past of an orphanage founded and sponsored by Byron Willie; a former railroad tycoon who built the Gotham-Metropolist railway.
Willie, a twisted person he was, secretly trained the orphan to be criminals until he was eventually arrested. Later on, Willie's protege named Oliver Monks is blackmailed by Joker. Luthor offered to relieve Monks from the blackmail if he agreed to give up the orphanage. It was eventually turned out that Luthor wanted to do what Byron Wille had done; training orphans to become criminals.
Like "Made of Wood", the storyline is far from being perfect. However, the drawing and presentation really enchance the 'dramatic' impression of the story. For example, there ain't many superpower scenes in the story. Another example is less usage of dialogue balloons.
It's not even a graphic novel; it is merely three issues of World's Finest series, but I was quite satisfied with what I read. Like 'Made of Wood', I couldn't help but thinking: if only more superhero comics being made that way....
So what are the excellent, 'dramatic' superhero stories you have read? Share them here!
EDIT: here's a review of the World's Finest issues I read. Just find the keyword 'Oliver Monks' on the page.
:thumbsup
