Action Comics #200

(1955, DC)
Maybe they didn’t get the memo about special issues back
in 1955, but this 200th edition of Action Comics is surprisingly
pedestrian. Besides offering up a typical Mort Weisinger-crafted, kid-inspired
romp that pits Superman against Native Americans (!) in “Tests of a Warrior,”
the issue also featured Congo Bill and Tommy Tomorrow stories.

Amazing
Spider-Man #200
(1980, Marvel)
It took two hundred issues, but
finally Peter Parker achieves a degree of closure concerning the death of Uncle
Ben. Uncovering new information about that fateful night, Spider-Man is set on a
path that leads him to one last confrontation with the burglar that shot
Ben.

Batman #200
(1968, DC)
This issue’s cover features
the Dynamic Duo proudly holding up a special bat plaque commemorating 200 issues
while a gallery of past covers provides the backdrop. Inside, “The Man Who
Radiated Fear” pits the caped crusaders against the Scarecrow and his
fear-inducing pill. Cameos abound.

Betty and Veronica #200

(2004, Archie)
Many of the Archie Comics line of titles made it to
this issue number, and they’re still going strong. In this second series of the
adventures of Archie’s two would-be girlfriends, the girls are up to the usual
shenanigans but with a modern flair. As the cover proves, they still have “all
eyes on Archie.”

Brave and the Bold #200
(1983, DC)
One of
the best examples of an anniversary celebration on this list, the tour de force
feature story “Smell of Brimstone, Stench of Death” ends the venerable title’s
run with a tale of two Batmen. Earth-2 villain Brimstone ensnares the mind of
his kindly Earth-1 double in a plot to gain revenge on at least one
Batman.

Captain America #200
(1976, Marvel)
You either
loved it or you hated it, but Jack Kirby’s return to the character he co-created
culminated in this cataclysmic conclusion to an eight-issue saga that has Cap
and the Falcon in search of the Madbomb on the eve of the United States’
bicentennial. Long before 28 Days Later…, this story centered on a
machine (not a virus) that could send an entire city into a murderous
rage.

Cerebus the Aardvark #200
(1995,
Aardvark-Vanaheim)
Another signpost on the journey to the series’ 300th and
final issue, this installment – collected in the “Minds” trade paperback – is
the last part of the “Mothers and Daughters” story arc. Concluding plot threads
introduced at the beginning of the series, the issue features Cerebus meeting
his creator, a god named Dave.

Fantastic Four #200
(1978,
Marvel)
What else could it be but one of a million “final battles” between
life-long rivals Reed Richards and Victor Von Doom? Preceded by a nostalgic
final Kirby cover, this double-sized issue sees Latveria pass into the hands of
rebel leader Zorba while Doom falls victim to madness…for a while
anyway.

Four Color #200
(1948, Dell)
One of the venerable
series of comicdom, eventually stretching to over 1300 issues and featuring a
kaleidoscope of cartoon and comic strip stars as well as film and television
adaptations. The 200th issue focused on Warner Bros.’ own Bugs Bunny as he
became a “Super Sleuth.”

Incredible Hulk #200
(1976, Marvel)

Behind the great Rich Buckler/John Romita Sr. cast cover was a “fantastic
voyage” undertaken by a shrunken Hulk (guided by Banner’s intellect) into the
brain of Major Glenn Talbot. Saving the Major from his coma is the mission, but
when Banner loses control of the Hulk, Doc Samson has to take desperate measures
to save the lives of both men.

Justice League of America
#200
(1982, DC)
A star-studded artist line-up illustrated this
anniversary match, pitting the original members of the Justice League – now
possessed by an alien force – against the then current team. It’s 72 pages of
action-packed hero-bashing with a wraparound cover. What more could you ask
for?

Kid Colt Outlaw #200
(1975, Marvel)
Sometimes a series
doesn’t know when it’s time to hang up its hat. By #140, this series was mainly
a reprint showcase for the fast-shootin’ cowboy, but someone must have been
enjoying it because the title didn’t end until #229. The anniversary issue
featured a dynamic new cover by Gil Kane.

March of Comics
#200
(1960, Western)
Another long-lived title with over 480 issues.
For this series, #200 was no special celebration but just another installment,
this time featuring the contemporary western television series, Fury.
Peter Graves starred as a ranch owner who adopts an orphan boy that
befriends the wild stallion called Fury.

Millie the Model
#200
(1973, Marvel)
When you’re as busy as Millie, you don’t have
time to slow down and celebrate a special issue, so for this 200th installment,
Millie simply went about her usual routine, getting embroiled in “The Crazy
Clean-Up” and “Her Hair-Raising Tale” among other run-of-the-mill
features.

Spectacular Spider-Man #200
(1993, Marvel)
Sal
Buscema expertly illustrates the final battle between two friends turned
enemies, Peter Parker and Harry Osborn. After years of following his father
Norman’s path of dementia and evil, Harry has one last shot at redemption as the
Osborn legacy crumbles around him.

Superboy #200
(1974, DC)

Falling in the period when the Boy of Steel was sharing comic book quarters
with the Legion of Super-Heroes, this issue celebrated the wedding of Bouncing
Boy and Duo Damsel. Naturally the festivities were disturbed by some
super-villainy, in this case provided by Starfinger.

Superman
#200
(1967, DC)
They got it wrong it Action Comics but they
got it right here. To celebrate 200 issues of Superman, Wayne Boring
brings to life an “imaginary” tale of Krypton that rewrites the Superman origin
but shows readers that a hero always remains a hero, whether he lives in the US
or Canada. This was Boring’s last significant contribution to Superman
lore.

Uncanny X-Men #200
(1985, Marvel)
A Chris
Claremont/John Romita Jr. extravaganza that sees Magneto brought to trial by the
World Court for crimes against humanity. By the end, Charles Xavier lay
dying…again…and entrusts his school and X-Men to his old enemy. Sharp guy,
that Xavier – so will Cap turn the Avengers over to Kang next?

Wonder
Woman #200
(1972, DC)
In a showdown with Dr. Cyber, Diana faces death
by brain transplant as the nefarious doctor wishes to use Wonder Woman’s body to
house her own malevolent mind. With Dr. Moon as an accomplice, Cyber nearly
succeeds, but since WW isn’t running around today with Cyber’s brain in her
skull, we know how it winds up.

Wonder Woman #200
(2004,
DC)
Whoops, the Amazon princess did it again! Even in the Modern Age, a comic
book can still make it to #200. In her second bicentennial issue, writer Greg
Rucka wrapped up the “Down to Earth” story arc while other creators paid tribute
to Wonder Woman’s past with a plethora of back-up features.