This came up when talking with a friend recently - is there a story out there that is generally accepted as a classic, but that leaves you cold? Something everyone else seems to love, but you just hate it? Interested in what some of you think.

I know some love it , but for me it's THE KILLING JOKE. I hated it in 1988 and the few times I've re-read it since have done nothing to change my mind. Barbara is only a victim in this story, not a hero. The treatment of Jim Gordon is sadistic. But what solidified my feelings for me was the story ends with Batman and the Joker sharing a laugh. Really? After what happened in this story they're chuckling over a joke? (I've read the theories that what actually happens is Batman kills the Joker at the end. Yeah ... sorry, I think you're seeing something that ain't there).

I wouldn't say I 'loathe' The Dark Knight Returns by Miller & Janson, but I remember being mystified by the popularity of it. It became accepted as a kind of instant classic, a masterpiece, and I didn't see why. It wasn't terrible at all, but I didn't perceive the 'greatness' of it that so many others did. To me, it was a decent read but I didn't understand why it was so revered by so many. I still don't understand this reverence for it.

I didn't loathe it, but I didn't feel like I saw the 'greatness' so many people seemed to be seeing in it.

Secret Wars---a whole lotta nothin'.

I'm not crazy for "Watchmen".

Interesting premise from another message board --

... but that IS what happens.

Pretty much all of the classics I've seen by Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, and Frank Miller. Although I am prepared to recognize the first two as being highly talented. I've always considered Frank Miller the original unclothed emperor.

I think Frank is actually the most talented of the three since he both writes and draws his stories, while the other two rely on artists to transfer their vision into the comicbook medium.

I've read fantastic stuff by all 3, and I've put down terrible stuff by all 3 without finishing it. I have to say Miller has far more of the latter than the other two, most of it his more recent stuff. I would definitely say they are all 3 highly talented though, regardless of whether I enjoyed all their work.