Most of the stuff that's been characterized as "classic" from the last 20 years has been stuff like Kingdom Come, New Frontier, All-Star Superman, Planetary... which totally fit the mold of Watchmen and Dark Knight. Alternate tales using alternate versions of heroes or future/historical timelines. 

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It could also be that the best in-continuity stories have already been told during the 60's, 70's, and 80's. My best friend (who's not a comic reader) loves New Frontier and sees it as a cool Justice League story.

Kirk readership can be debated, and I don't think I agree with the recognition part either. Can you elaborate on what you mean by recognition please?

How can readership be debated?

All Star Superman sold well by today's standards but not nearly as well as Watchmen or The Dark Knight Returns did back in the 80's and still do today in trade paperback form.

As far as recognition goes, do you think casual fans and non-die hards are more familiar with the likes of Watchmen or DRK, or All Star Superman?  Does All Star Superman even get recognized like those stories do?

I do believe All-Star Superman and other books, especially things like The Long Halloween and Kingdom Come are very much revered. If it's not as much than the older classics, it's still very close. I'm not saying I agree, it's just what I see when people's list of favorites pop up.

Kirk readership can easily be debated. Those numbers reflect who bought the books not who reads them. Add to that all of the people who download the books illegally and it makes it very difficult to know just how many readers a book has.

So is your argument that comic book readership isn't down - just sales?

I do believe All-Star Superman and other books, especially things like The Long Halloween and Kingdom Come are very much revered. If it's not as much than the older classics, it's still very close. I'm not saying I agree, it's just what I see when people's list of favorites pop up.

I actually cited Kingdom Come - which was FIFTEEN years ago, as was The Long Halloween.

And as I said, 90% of most fans' top-10 list would be stories written 20-some years ago.  So that 10% remaining would include a story like All Star Superman. 

*I'd also like to point out that the 90% business I'm citing isn't anything factual - just a personal observation I made.

So in other words it's hyperbole with no real basis in reality, other than
to sound official?

So in other words it's hyperbole with no real basis in reality, other than to sound official?

No need to be snarky.  I said it was my personal obvervation and not a factual poll or statistic.  There's no need to "clarify" it the way you did.

You're right. I'm sorry for being snarky. The heat must've shortened my fuse a little. That was uncalled for I'm sorry.

No worries.  I should have made it clear from the beginning it was just my observation, which is why I wanted to make sure I pointed it out.

Sometimes I forget that, on the Internet, people can take things very literally.