The scene in Amazing Spider-Man #31-33 that Krokodil talked about.
Barry showing off for the Central City orphans—and ending up in Keystone city. AND a few months later (a year, maybe) the JLA summoning the JSA.
Superman reveals Supergirl’s ID to the world
The first Galactus story—hell the run of FF from about #35-61 or so may be the single best run of a comic ever in terms of most lasting concepts/classic ideas in the shortest amount of time.
The first Mordru story in Adventure, especially the “Duo Damsel crawls through the tunnel” bit. (Superboy, Mon El, Duo Damsel and Shadow Lass are hiding out in 20th century Smallville–Mordru has conquered the 30th century–Duo Damsel (who has a crush on Superboy) says that she’s not comfortable walking home alone. Superboy (ever oblivious) lets her use his secret tunnel. : sob : )
“Even An Android Can Cry”–the introduction of The Vision
That “Clown” story from an early issue of Man-Thing
“You can’t kill a plant by shooting it in the head” --The Anatomy Lesson, Swamp-Thing 21
“The Long Walk Home”-L’il Archie #20 (or #21, maybe?)
Back to the Yukon (or whatever the title was) Uncle $crooge–(the one that introduced Glittering Goldie)
Star Wars comics generally leave much to be desired, but Star Wars Tales #6 contained the story “Thank the Maker”, which is set during Empire Strikes Back and tells what the movie didn’t show; i.e. Vader finding a blasted-to-bits C-3PO (who, we all know now, he created). The panel where he touches the droid’s head to his (touching “foreheads”) brought tears to my eyes.
In one of J Michael Strazinsky’s Spiderman stories, Spidey’s climbing up the side of a skyscraper. He comes to an uncurtained window, and a man is looking at him. The man is fat, middle-aged, and dressed in women’s undies. They stare at each other for a second, and the man says “Tell you what. I won’t tell if you won’t tell.” Spiderman replies “Deal.” and moves on.
Swamp Thing, My Blue World. After being blown off Earth, Swampie makes his way across the universe and lands on a blue planet. He finds he’s able to manipulate the plant life into human simulacra to recreate his past life. He makes a replica of Huoma, Louisiana, populated by his friends, and meets up with Abby. He takes her to the local diner, and none other than John Constantine is sitting at a booth, making his typical smartassed remark: “I didn’t know they served vegetables in here.”
Later that same issue, Swampie realizes even though he gave these plant beings life, he didn’t give them soul. The faux Abby reassures him that she can be anything he wants her to be, but Swampie crushes her face.
I’ll readily admit a bit of bias on this one, since The Maxx holds a special place in my heart far beyond the size of its impact on the grand scheme of comics.
But there are some truly heartwrenching and emotional moments throughout the series.
[ul]
[li] Julie’s mother “Taking care of” the dying rabbit in the garage, when no one else is strong enough to.[/li][li] The revelation of Mr. Gone’s origin, one of the most disturbing stories I’ve ever read, and his daughter’s wise observation that just because it explains his actions, it doesn’t excuse them.[/li][li] The final issue. The universe is being destroyed and another one is starting. Not in the huge cosmic sense of the Crisis, but in a more personal and intimate way, as the characters fade away quietly one by one. They know they will be reincarnated in the next universe, but they don’t know how. The Maxx asks Julie, “What if you don’t remember?” she says “I will.” And when she looks back, he’s already gone.[/li][/ul]