This was a week where picking my Top 10 books was quite easy. Once I got done reading I was pretty sure the exact books that would make the list. Where I struggled was determining the exact order. In all honesty numbers, 10 through 2 are extremely close with very little separating them. If I were to do this same exact list again in a few weeks there is a good chance the order would be very different after allowing more time for each issue to sink in. With that said reminder that this list is based solely on my opinion so may differ from other reviews on the site. Now let“s get to the countdown.
Writer: J. M. DeMatteis
Artist: Corin Howell
Publisher: Berger Books
Description: Kathy realizes that the life she remembers might not be her own-while Hugh’s gruesome companion is urging him on to murder again . . . with Kathy and another innocent soul as his primary targets.
Why it Made the List: Sometimes it is good to be patient. I found the first issue of The Girl in the Bay to be a bit of a letdown that did not quite come together by the end. It very much improved in the second issue, and now in issue three, this series is beginning to find itself. This concept is proving to elicit a lot of intriguing drama. There is time travel of a different sort where Kathy is continuing to deal with the fallout of being forced into the future where she missed much of her own life take place, yet still has many of the same memories and emotion. It is a complex situation that is mind-bending in an emotional sense rather than a narrative one. It is the type of story that gives you plenty to think about and it is getting better issue by issue.
Writer: Jeff Lemire, Ray Fawkes
Artist: Matt Kindt
Publisher: Dark Horse
Description: From the World of Black Hammer comes a truly gripping tale of war and intrigue! With their orders to save a family of scientists from the clutches of the Nazi regime, the Black Hammer Squadron are on the move. As they encounter fantastical foes, the elite air-men also find themselves with the aid from a hero Black Hammer readers will find familiar!
Why it Made the List: I feel like this book was made for me. That is obviously a very conceded thing to think however it has so much of what I personally love. Starting with the Black Hammer universe, add in some of my favorite creators, the World War II subject matter, and the added bonus of focusing on aviation. This issue had less focus on the present day storyline which allowed it to breathe a little more. It amazes me how much the Black Hammer universe finds ways to keep expanding. Plus dog fights with gigantic godlike creatures is not a bad way to get me into your book.Â
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Russell Dauterman
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Description: THE WORLD AT WAR! Asgard. Alfheim. Heven. Jotunheim. Muspelheim. Niffleheim. Nidavellir. Svartalfheim. Vanaheim. All of the Ten Realms have fallen to Malekith and his army except one: Midgard. Home to Thor“s beloved humans. Home to heroes and gods alike. Now, at last, it burns. And Thor won“t even be there to see it. All hell breaks loose in New York City as Malekith and his allies begin their invasion ”” and the greatest heroes of the Marvel Universe watch as the Earth falls!
Why it Made the List: I know ”˜event“ can be a dirty word when it comes to comics. We have had many years of events storylines that were forced and tended to disappoint. Even with that, I was excited for War of the Realms as it was an event that was earned. One that has been building for years and deserves the massive event treatment. The first issue did not disappoint and I could not help but tell how much this felt like a Marvel movie. How humor was utilized throughout and the sheer energy and action that persisted throughout. Also helps with you have Russell Dauterman art. I have been enjoying the recent Thor run well enough but when he is working with Jason Aaron the story is typically at another level.
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Cliff Chiang
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: PART TWO OF THE FINAL ARC! Will KJ ever see her new love Mac again?
Why it Made the List: There is a lot to praise when it comes to Paper Girls. Although the one person who may be the most important part of making this entire comic work as well as it has is Matt Wilson and his colors. I do not think a book is more defined by its specific color palette in comics today than Paper Girls. Looking at this issue specifically we are getting closer and closer to the girls finding their way back to one another. What stood out there was a moment of true hope within all the chaos that has been occurring over these twenty-seven issues. It is crazy the amount of time that has passed and it did not truly click in until we got some reflection over how far the story has come since its early start. I want to see this story finish but I do not want it to end. It has been one hell of a ride.
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Mirko Colak, Bob Q
Publisher: Dynamite
Description: TREMBLE BEFORE THE VICTORIOUS QUEEN SONJA OF HYRKANIA! ”¦for now. Yea, she outwitted Dragan The Magnificent, but it is a fleeting triumph. Spies and vipers surround, awaiting the perfect time to strike. A tale of tact, trust and trepidation
Why it Made the List: “They were never your men”“ Three keywords that defined this issue. How loyalty cannot be bought and the importance of crafting an army, not through fear or greed but loyalty. Mark Russell gets a lot of praise for his comedic work and it is well deserved, however, what can be lost in that is how great of a storyteller he is as well. For a guy who has not been writing comics for that many years, he has the structure down to an impressive degree. Also as someone who really enjoyed his recent Lone Ranger run it was great to see him team up with artist Bob Q once again for a portion of this issue. Not taking anything away from Mirko Colak’s art as it was great as well. Dynamite is quietly putting out some of the best looking books today.Â
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Publisher: DC Comics
Description: “The Sixth Dimension”“ part three! The Justice League pulls back the curtain on their futures and learns that not everything is what they“ve seen. The team goes to confront the Justice League of Tomorrow for the truth, but can they handle it? Meanwhile, with his powers waning, Superman struggles to remain hopeful on a world with no sunlight.
Why it Made the List: (Full Review) When reading Scott Snyder“s Justice League the joy he has putting together these massive stories is infectious. Even when things get unnecessarily complex the underlying wonderment of what is happening can make the journey well worth it. Justice League #21 may be most notable for the major reveal that occurs, but what makes it work as an issue are the smaller character moments that put a personal dilemma inside this otherworldly conflict.
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Joe Bennett
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Description: Â Once upon a time, Rick Jones was the Hulk’s best friend. Now Rick Jones is dead…and gone. To learn why, Bruce Banner will have to face roaming gamma experiments, an assassin out for his blood…and the one thing that can cage the IMMORTAL HULK.
Why it Made the List: ( Review) I am running out of ways to praise Immortal Hulk. Count me as one as one of the many that believes this is one of the best comics going today. It is proving to be a love letter to the legacy of The Incredible Hulk and all his different forms, shapes, and mediums. From references to the television series to bringing in former versions of the character, this is building something new and groundbreaking over the literal bones of the old.
Writer: John Allison
Artist: Max Sarin
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Description: It’s time for Esther to finish her final dissertation on ‘The Liminal Spaces Of The Great American Novel 1959-1980’ but when inspiration dries up, she heads home to Tackleford for Easter. It’s not America, and it’s not 1959, but her now deserted small town is beginning to feel distinctly liminal.
Why it Made the List: When you read so many comics about superheroes, the supernatural, and otherworldly beings a book about ordinary life can become extraordinary. especially when they are as good as Giant Days #49. A series that just continues to be one of the best comics going year after year. Loved how this issue captured the awkward time in life when you are no longer the person you were in college but not quite the person you will be. How the attempt to find your own identity leads to this type of frustration that you do not know what to do with.
Writer: Jordie Bellaire
Artist: Vanesa R. Del Rey
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: Casper discovers that sometimes redemption has no reward, and the witches return to Redlands, minus one.
Why it Made the List: When reading this issue I had to check to make sure I was not reading the last issue of Redlands. It felt like a grand finale that summed up this series in an effective and emotionally satisfying way while leaving the possibility for more story in the future. Luckily this series is not ending but this is the closing of one chapter as the series set to take a break. Looking at what made this issue so strong and a lot of credit has to go to artist Vanesa R. Del Rey. This may be the best work I have ever seen her do on a story standpoint. There was sparse dialog and narration to tell this redemption story, but that was all that was needed to make it work.Â
Writer: Nick Spencer
Artist: Ken Lashley
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Description: Â Spider-Man’s most dangerous villain, THE GIBBON, is back and – He’s not Spidey’s most feared foe? Then why are we? You want me to read the script? Oh man. That’s insane.
Why it Made the List: I love when a single issue of a comic can take a character that up to this point has been pretty pointless and give him a story that makes you care. That is exactly what happened with this issue. If you were to poll the world of comic book fans I would estimate at least seventy percent of the comic world would have no idea who The Gibbon was. Here amongst this ”˜Hunted“ storyline, this HU issue takes time to tell his story. A personal tale of tragedy and misfortune. Structure wise it was near perfect as it balances the present day with The Gibbon“s origin. When I heard about the HU issues I thought it was a bad idea, yet I have found them actually more captivating to the main story. It helps that it plays to Nick Spencer“s strength as a writer. He has a knack for writing villains especially those existing in the Spider-Man world. This took me from knowing nothing about a character to being on the verge of actual tears. Not only would I call this the best book of the week it is one of the best issues of the year as well.
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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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