Most Disappointing and Honorable Mention: 52 and Countdown
These two comics qualify for both because of the high expectations and their realistic accomplishments. When the idea of a weekly series was first put forth by DC Comics a couple years back I was excited. The thought of following the events of a “year without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman” was eagerly anticipated and then the series came out. Designed to fill in a missing year in the lives of our heroes, 52 was also intended to introduce readers to the latest revamp of DC history. The story was promised to play out in real time but this became more of a gimmick than a storytelling tool. The introduction to the new DC universe was quickly abandoned as C list characters came to the forefront without little info or background for new readers. In the end though 52 was mostly an enjoyable experience and DC deserves a lot of credit. However they spoiled that goodwill by trying it again with Countdown. Like 52, Countdown is another weekly series leading up to the “Final Crisis” miniseries that is set to redefine the DC Universe yet again. This time around the story is even more all over the place. The C list characters have changed to B list characters but they are acting out of character. The timeline between events in Countdown and other books is more confusing than Leonid Hurwicz’s Nobel Prize winning economic theory. Again though like 52, I can’t help but overlook some of these shortcomings because the weekly concept doesn’t give you much of a chance to catch your breath. So 52 and Countdown you are both Honorable Mention winners for your addictive and sometimes successful concept but you’re Most Disappointing for using that same concept as a crutch and excuse for poor storytelling and art.
5. All Star Superman
Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely got me back into comics a few years back when they stripped down the X-Men to their core and made them an interesting read both visually and mentally. Since then I’ve been a loyal follower of the two and they have not disappointed with their run redefining the Man of Steel. I’m a Superman hater on the whole but by taking advantage of the All Star line’s stand alone continuity, Morrison has been able to craft tales that feel familiar to long time readers but are not weighed down by the mountains of backstory, unanswered questions, and logic problems the regular Supes series are. Quietly’s art remains one of the best around with its contrast of beautiful and grotesque images.
4. Justice
Like the All Star line of books published by DC, Justice was blessed with existing out of mainstream DC continuity. Alex Ross and Jim Krueger crafted a quintessential tale of the Justice League of America and their arch villains. Sure the bi-monthly status of the book was annoying at times but the beautiful paints and inks of Ross never looked better. In a year when the mainstream Justice League book struggled to find its footing, Justice reminded us all of what a JLA book should and can be.
3. The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born
Bringing Stephen King’s seminal work to the comic world was a daunting task. Even with a dream team made up of award winning writer Peter David, artist Jae Lee, and King himself this seemed like an idea better to be dreamt about than executed. King and company however far exceeded expectations. By retelling portions of Wizard and Glass, the creative team added depth to a tale that already spanned hundreds and thousands of pages which is no small task. The art is dreamy and captures the environment of Roland much like my mind’s eye has. The violence is depicted in a brutal and vibrant manner which pays tribute to the Gunslinger’s world. A second series begins in 2008 which promises to fill in more of Roland’s past.
2. The X-Men family of books
This year brought a renaissance for my favorite characters of all time. I grew up on the X Men, I became a comic addict on the X Men, and as I mentioned earlier, the X Men brought me back to comics in the last few years. With writers like Ed Brubaker, Mike Carey, and Joss “Jeebus” Whedon helming the main three books the X-Men are back with a vengeance. Brubaker took his team to space, made some real changes to the status quo and returned characters to their roots. Carey created a series of frenetic story arcs that stood alone yet had a constant undertone that somehow they were all connected and in the end they were. Whedon took his team of fan favorites and but them through the emotional ringer time and again. As the year came to a close Marvel launched the first true X-over in years with the Messiah Complex. It reminds old fans like me of the glory days as all your favorite heroes and villains jump from title to title in a huge story arc that promises radical changes the X-universe. That’s a big promise but with this current group of talented creators I wouldn’t bet against it.
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer- Season 8
What more can I say about my number one book of the year that I haven’t already said a million times on this blog? Joss Whedon’s first arc was the perfect reintroduction to our favorites and eased us into the new “season” while still packing plenty of action and a few surprising old faces. Brian K Vaughn’s second act focused on Faith and led to the kind of game changing moment for Giles and Faith that not only felt appropriate but inevitable for those two characters. The big bad is still a bit of a mystery but as with all of Whedon’s evil doers, its got cool and diabolical plans to spare. The art has improved from issue one, but come on people this is season 8 of Buffy it could be stick figures and it would still be an amazing read.
Looking Ahead to 2008: Angel: After the Fall
I already reviewed issue one a couple weeks back and given the quality of that issue I’m guessing season 6 of Angel is going to follow big sis Buffy to the top spot next year.
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