April was looking like it was going to be a lackluster month after a first two weeks that were less than stellar, but apparently, everyone was waiting to release their best books this week as this may be the best week of the year thus far. This week“s list is full of books that could compete for the #1 spot on most weeks. So with that, there were plenty of great books that did not fit into the top ten. After much debating (with myself) I finally came up with my list of ten. My list may differ from other reviews on the site as it is based solely on my opinion. What that said onto the countdown…
Writer: Mark Waid, Al Ewing, Jim Zub
Artist: Sean Izaakse
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Description: The extra-sized finale! Can anything stop Nyx from remaking the cosmos in her image? And will an Avenger die in the attempt?
Why it Made the List: I thought No Surrender last year was one of the best examples of how to do a weekly event. One that felt like a classic Avengers story you would read in the “80s that embraced Marvel“s larger than life characters. It“s follow up No Road Home has had its moments, but overall did not quite bring with it the same level of execution. Still, it ended on a high note with an issue that celebrates all things Marvel from the past to the present to what the future will hold. In a scene, very reminiscent of the end of the Skrull-Kree War Vision utilizes the power of imagination, creativity, and heroism to fight the ultimate evil. Sure it was on the nose and a different direction from what came before, but that is part of why it works. Tapping into that unexpected nature of comics and their ability to put anything on the page.
Writer/Artist: Rob Guillory
Colorist: Taylor Wells
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: Andrea Jenkins struggles with her father“s erratic behavior, as Jedidiah clings to what“s left of his crumbling legacy. Meanwhile, an unexpected visitor points to a frightening future for the residents of Freetown.
Why it Made the List: After an emotional opening scene, I knew this issue of Farmhand was going to find its way onto the countdown somewhere. I have enjoyed Farmhand since the beginning, but with its second arc, it has hit its stride as its concept and characters have fully established themselves. There is a deeply woven family dynamic that has yet to be fully tapped into, yet we see the lingering effects. Jedidiah, in particular, is holding many secrets and showing a lot of layers as a character. Rob Guillory is proving to be just as talented of a writer as he is an artist.
Writer: Zac Thompson
Artist: Ryan Bodenheim
Publisher: Aftershock
Description: In the future, the galaxy is united under the Galactic Relay. The towering monument is meant to inspire conformity of ideas, technology and progress, but many have begun to resent the foreign structure. And now, Jad Carter, a Relay employee, has found the Relay’s mythological creator. In the deep reaches of space, the truth behind the Monolith is revealed! The electrifying finale to the first arc is here…but who will survive and will the universe ever be the same?
Why it Made the List: Â Relay is a series that has been far too overlooked. Part of that may be due to the delay with the final two issues and part of it may be due to its more complex approach to Science Fiction. Within this issue, the concept of freedom is approached in a way I have not seen before within the pages of a comic. How technology can be utilized to produce a society of conformity and the need to break away from that. Those that enjoy the writings of Phillip K Dick or the original Star Trek will find much to enjoy with this series. It too uses futurist technology as a vehicle to comment on the social norms of today to remind us that Science Fiction can be as thematically deep as any genre.Â
Writer: Skottie Young
Artist: Jorge Corona
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: A messenger arrives with news of the storm brewing in Abel and Fox“s wake. Maggie“s carnival has changed its schedule to stay ahead of the tempest as Abel“s debt is paid and he“s offered the chance to choose his future.
Why it Made the List: In this issue of Middlewest Jorge Corona showed something special as Abel confronted the feelings and memories he had been suppressing. Corona filled the page with imagery that was inventive and full of imagination. Most importantly it was emotionally effective. Even before those moments, this was a great story about finding a family with those around you even if they are not blood-related. Fantasy stories are typically at their best when they can touch upon something real. You cannot get more real than potential child abuse and this series approaches that issue with a strong emotional sense that is mindful to never get overly melodramatic. As a writer, Skottie Young showing a more vulnerable side as we watch Abel come to understand who his father is and how exactly he got that way.Â
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: “STATIONS OF THE CROSS,”“ Part One The hottest series of 2018 returns from the creative team that BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS said “will go down as one of the greatest comic teams of all time!”“ After the mind-blowing events of the second arc, our story heads right through the looking glass back to Gideon Falls, 1886! Once there, a Father Burke must help catch a vicious killer named”¦ Norton Sinclair? And when the killer can travel through time (and space), readers are in for a wild ride.
Why it Made the List: (Full Review) Gideon Falls#12 shifts the focus of the book to a new time and place in more ways than one. This may seem like a restart at first but clearly, the approach here is much bolder and well executed as anyone in this series would expect. As you turn each page the atmosphere builds to that expected boiling point only to go further and father than one would expect. Based on this issue Gideon Falls has no intention of slowing down.
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, David F. Walker
Artist: Jamal Campbell
Publisher: Wonder Comics
Description: The newest sensation in the DC Universe discovers the secret behind her birth, her adoption and her connection to the great Multiverse. Hop on board a look at the DC Multiverse you never knew existed and the new mysteries and threats it brings to our world. From the creators behind Jessica Jones and Bitter Root comes a brand-new look at the world of superheroes through the eyes of a most unlikely hero!
Why it Made the List: Considering how decompressed this series has been up to this point it was surprising how much was actually revealed in this issue. Yes, this was an issue that promised ”˜Secrets to be revealed!”“ and also followed through with that promise. Revealing secrets does not make an issue great but within those secrets was a fascinating story about coming to terms with who you are despite the repercussions. I also cannot understate the work Jamal Campbell has done with this series as this is one of the best-looking books out today. His creative layouts and pristine character designs make for a fantastic aesthetic.
Writer: Darcy Van Poelgeest
Artist: Ian Bertram
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: Little Bird is reunited with her mother in a dreamscape where she begins to uncover the twisted roots of her family tree. Free after 30 years of imprisonment, The Axe once again takes the mantle as leader of the resistance and prepares to wage war against Bishop and his Northern Guard.
Why it Made the List: Little Bird has demonstrated how to utilize visual storytelling to build the world of your comic. Instead of forcing in a lot of exposition to slow the pace of the story writer Darcy Van Poelgeest allows Ian Bertram’s visuals tell convey many of the finer universe details. By giving that freedom there is more left for interpretation which could lead to some confusion, but if you sit back and examine what is on the page there is a great story being told. With the oversized format, each issue has felt like a near complete trade paperback. This is a case where quantity and quality are one and the same.Â
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: (Full Review) “RISK”“ Things draw to a close on the Earthly plane. Hollywood News: Amazon Studios has put in development as an hourlong genre drama series from Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta. They are teaming with Robert Kirkman who will executive produce via Skybound Entertainment“s first-look deal. The show will be created and executive produced by Hickman and Nick Dragotta and written by Hickman.
Why it Made the List: (Review: East of West #42) East of West has been one of the best series of this decade. Now that it is nearing its end a lot of pieces are beginning to fall. Even with that, it was a surprise to see an issue that was mostly one massive action set piece. If any series has earned an issue like this it is East of West, and when you have the art of Nick Dragotta to work with why not indulge in a pivotal moment like this. Considering the slower pace of this narrative you can forget just how good he is as rendering massive chaos.
Writer: Bryan Hill
Artist: Leandro Fernandez
Publisher: Vertigo
Description: Richard is trapped. What began as a routine undercover mission for his next paycheck has devolved into a nightmare of mortal consequences. Having disrupted Wynn’s inner network and catapulted well past the point of no return, Richard fears he must sever himself from Sheila’s original assignment in order to survive-but before he can implement their final plan, a revelation from Jennifer forces him to accept his ultimate function within Wynn’s white nationalist empire.
Why it Made the List: There is a lot to love about American Carnage but one aspect that is a key to this series success so far is the art of Leandro Fernandez especially his use of shadow. With a story so centered on race removing that aspect as a feature from much of the book has a nice bit of irony. I also love how it has taken away nearly every cliche you tend to see in an undercover story. Secrets that may last for an entire narrative are answered right away, which leaves so much open for what can come next. This has easily been one of the best books of the year thus far.
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Caspar Wijngaard
Publisher: Dynamite
Description: The only superhero in a world without superheroes, can Peter Cannon find anything in this mundane dimension to defend it against the endless powers of a god???
Why it Made the List: Kieron Gillen and team are breaking all the rules with this series. We have had plenty of books that utilize a meta-concept but not many that would approach it to this degree. Going as far to completely change the genre, art style, and color scheme from one issue to the next. Even going as far as to use handwritten letters to complete the throwback appearance. The attention to detail is uncanny. One of the best-crafted issue of the year on every level. This started as a commentary and tribute to the original Watchmen but has grown to be a tool to empathize the versatility of comic book storytelling. Who would have imagined a book based on the character of Peter Cannon would yield such a groundbreaking series?
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- A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.
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