By Owen K. Craig
Series of the Year: Fables
Fables had a stellar year. First they wrapped up an arc about Flycatcher that developed him in unexpected ways while staying true to the original character, and then we got an awesome spy story about Cinderella. All of this was leading into the big epic battle that we’ve been waiting for since issue 1, and when it got here it wasn’t what we expected (I mean that in the best possible way). Now that it’s over the series continues to subvert our expectations, not only by continuing (most series would end here) but also by throwing one jaw-dropping twist after another at us. I can’t wait to see what Fables brings us in 2009.
Runners up: Ex Machina, Justice Society of America, Scalped
Writer of the Year: Geoff Johns
I’ve got to give it to Geoff Johns again this year. Sure, my favourite superhero comic (Justice Society) was stalled by a ridiculously long, consistently delayed storyline all year (it reads much better now that it’s out), but even that book aside, Johns continues to do great DC comics. He and Gary Frank made me want to read Superman for the first time in Action Comics, Green Lantern remains one of the books I can’t wait for every month, and his Final Crisis tie-ins (Legion of 3 Worlds and Rogue’s Revenge) have been top-notch. Those are five books I’ve been both buying and loving all by one writer this year. Johns has earned the spot as my writer of the year.
Click for larger image.
Runners up: Matt Fraction, Dan Slott, Brian K. Vaughan
Artist of the Year: Marcos Martin
I love Marcos Martin’s art. He may have only done a couple of storylines of Amazing Spider-Man this year, but they were by far my favourite. His art was completely in tune with Dan Slott’s scripts, and those two stories really shone. His characters are expressive, and the style is delightful. I hope to see much more of Martin’s art in the future.
Runners up: Amanda Conner, Tony Harris, George Perez
Villain of the Year: Marvel for their $3.99 price hike on regular-sized issues
Um…what happened to 25 cent increases? What the Hell is wrong with you?
Runners up: Nothing is as evil as this.
Hero of the year: Mitchell Hundred
I’ve been a silly, silly man. I let myself fall WAY behind on Ex Machina in the last couple of years. I promised myself I would start buying the trades and kept forgetting to. ME! BKV fanboy #1! In the last month I have fixed this. I am now caught up and loving it. Mayor Mitchell Hundred is an amazing character. He’s brash, he has conviction, and he makes mistakes sometimes. He may not always make the smartest moves, but his integrity is something to be proud of. There’s nothing I love reading more than a plot with a hero who seems so distinctly human. Hundred may have some wacky circuitry in his head that lets him talk to machines, but he’s one of the most human superheroes out there. And that’s something I want to read. Oh, Ex Machina, let’s never split up again.
Runners up: Batman, Iron Man, Prince Charming
Panel of the Year: Herc’s “thumbs up” face
I’m trading in the “Splash Page of the Year” category for a “Panel of the Year” category to make room for Hercules’ thumbs up face. Nothing in comics all year made me laugh like this. Welcome to my list, Incredible Hercules. You’ve more than earned this spot.
Runners up: DMZ #23 (“Mine”), Justice Society of America #14 (crowded meeting table), Thor #2 (new Asgard)
Saddest Cancellation: The Exterminators
The Exterminators was weird, horrifying, and confusing, and I loved every issue of it. It took me a little time to understand what it was about (you know, besides exterminators), but once I got into the swing of it I had a blast. It’s too bad more people didn’t try out this series because it was great. Do yourselves a favour and pick up the trades, it’s a lot of fun.
Runners up: The All-New Atom, Blue Beetle, Crossing Midnight
Most Pleasant Surprise: Deadpool
Daniel Way wrote something good. Now, I don`t want to be nasty about this (too late?), but I have tried out Way’s Wolverine Origins and his Ghost Rider and they weren’t just bad, they were atrocious. But maybe the problem wasn’t that Daniel Way is a bad writer, maybe he was just writing the wrong title. All that aside, his Deadpool is absolutely hilarious, awesome, and sick in the best possible way.
Runners up: Secret Six, Sterling Gates’ Supergirl, Terra
Best Reprint: Starman Omnibus: Volume 1
I can’t say enough good things about this omnibus. It is a gorgeous package that is well worth the price tag for any fan of good comics. From its lush presentation to its fascinating behind-the-scenes features, this book is wall-to-wall awesome.
Runners up: Angel: After The Fall: Volumes 1-2, Garfield Minus Garfield, Justice League International: Volumes 1-3
Special Mention: Y: The Last Man
Only one issue came out this year, but it was the best issue of any comic this year. I didn’t feel justified putting it up there as “Best Title of the Year,” so I’m giving it its own category. One of my favourite comics of all time now has one of the best endings to a comic of all time. Well done, Vaughan and Guerra. Well done.
Dude, Blue Beetle’s getting cancelled??
Also, All New Atom was cancelled this year?
Two very excellent contenders I hadn’t though of… of course with Blue Beetle that was just ignorance. Maybe willful ignorance.
BAH! I hate you, Starman omnibus!! But only because your existence means that the regular Starman trades are discontinued, meaning I can’t find trades 3 or 4 anywhere, meaning I have to buy the omnibus which I don’t want to do because I already have volumes 1 and 2.
Sons of bitches.
Fables was really good; I just read the most recent trade. What a great series that is.