Reading all these lists makes me realize I missed some great books. Here is a list of my favs in the 1980s. 

Loved Uncanny X-Men with Mr. Byrne and Claremont. 

I remember when the New Teen Titans became my favorite midway through 1981 -- issue 13. 

Miller's Daredevil was a close second -- my first issue was 181. 

I came late to the Michelinie/Layton/JR jr Iron Man with issue 145.

Mr. Byrne's FF -- couldn't wait for issue 232, but knew this run would be special when I read 236! 

Midway through 1982 I discovered the DeMatteis/Zeck Captain America.

Mid 1983 I found Simonson's THOR (337) and it moved to the front of my reading list. 

Mixed in there I was reading ASM, Avengers, and I never missed an issue of the Hulk.

JB's Superman brought me to DC for more than the Titans! 

I then sampled (and loved) the new Justice League (Giffen/DeMatteis/Maquire)

Captain Atom - Bates/Broderick

Read a few issues of Perez' Wonder Woman, but it did not grab me. 

Late in the 80s I found Messner-Loebs/LaRocque Flash. 

Miller's return to Daredevil!

Paul Smith's arrival on X-Men.

I read so many more comics in the 1980's these are the favorites that came to mind. 

I know it doesn’t seem very popular but I really enjoyed Denny O’Neil’s run

on IRON MAN with Luke McDonnell.

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I liked that run as well. It does have the misfortune of being sandwiched between the two Michelinie & Layton runs, though.

In a way, O'Neil did "Born Again" on a much larger scale well before Miller with this run. A villain causes the downfall of the hero, and we have to watch Tony Stark rebuild and repurpose himself. I know a lot of people don't like the alcoholic aspect to Tony, but I think, given his past struggles, O'Neil made it as realistic as he could for a comic and not an issue that was glossed over in 22 pages like Michelinie and Layton did

I enjoyed Rhodey as the new Iron Man. The only thing that let the run down was (and apart from Obadiah Stane) the villains used were not of a good calibre.

O'Neil use a lot of the same themes and ideas on an even bigger scale with Knightfall.

Really have to rectify that.

Well there are many people saying the same group of comics, of which I also enjoyed greatly, and one other person mentioned Cerebus: High Society (Jaka's Story is still my favorite but it came out in 1990) so there's no point in bringing them up again.

I would also add indy comics: William Messner-Loebs "The Adventures of Wolverine McCallister", Reed Waller's "Omaha The Cat Dancer" (Yes, it's erotic but it's a damn good story about local political corruption) and Jim Valentino's Normalman.  These are all favorites of mine.

And finally, since no one disincluded comics from other countries, let me also bring up Hayao Miyazaki's "Nausicaa of the Valley Of Wind".  As good as the movie was, it pales in comparison to this extensive manga.  IMO this may be the greatest graphic novel ever put together...

Your post also reminded me of the unfortunately never-to-be-finished Hepcats by Martin Wagner.  Just barely started in the 80's and what came out was mostly in the 90's, but another example of comics that included nudity and sexuality that served the story instead of being the main point of the comic.

Anything by John Byrne, Roger Stern, Walt Simonson, Frank Miller, George Perez, Art Adam, Alan Davis.

New Mutants, Avengers, Captain America, Ghost Rider.

HERCULES vol. 1 & 2 by Bob Layton

HAWKEYE by Mark Gruenwald

LONGSHOT by Ann Nocenti & Arthur Adams

SQUADRON SUPREME by Mark Gruenwald & Bob Hall (mostly)

WOLVERINE by Frank MIller

WEST COAST AVENGERS by Roger Stern & Bob Hall

And noteworthy, but not worth all the hype -

MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS by Jim Shooter & Mike Zeck (mostly)

MARVEL SUPER HERO CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS by Mark Gruenwald, Steven Grant, Bill Mantlo & John Romita Jr.

And most regretably, bringing up the rear -

SECRET WARS II by Jim Shooter & Al Milgrom

Miracleman by Moore and Totleben, followed by Gaiman and Buckingham

Elementals by Bill Willingham.  I wager there are a lot of comic readers today who have no idea he’s a really good artist, in addition to his writing.

Scout by Tim Truman

American Flagg by Howard Chaykin