Publisher: Image Comics
Issues released last year: #1 - #3
Why?: You'd be hard pressed to come across someone who isn't reading this title. Writer Scott Snyder generally makes his work accessible to a wide variety of audiences and Wytches is no different. Colourist Matt Hollingsworth is revolutionising the way we look at comic colourists as he adds a crazy amount of detail to each panel which was expertly crafted already by a gifted artist and detailed artist in Jock. Words can't describe how big 2015 can be for Wytches if it continues on it's current trajectory.
9. Hawkeye
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Issues released last year: #15 - #20
Why?: There's a reason people keep talking about Matt Fraction's run on Hawkeye, it wasn't that long ago that Hawkeye was the joke of the Marvel Universe, Fraction used that to his advantage and crafted an excitingly dark, yet humorous tale around Clint Barton and 2014 saw more of the same while focusing more on Kate Bishop, the other Hawkeye, journey to discover herself, something all 20-somethings can relate to.
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Issues released last year: #1 - #7
Why?: Hands down the biggest surprise for me in 2014 was how much I enjoyed reading about the exploits of Norrin Radd and his new... Ally? I'm not quite sure what to call Dawn Greenwood but I will call her a tremendous breath of fresh air when comparing her to other new characters the big 2 (Marvel and DC) have churned out recently. Dan Slott has shown he can do more than write a compelling Spider-Man story, Silver Surfer often feels upbeat but emotional at the same time which as a reader, keeps you hooked. Mike Allred was the perfect artist for this book as the visual style can only be described as "out there" and like all great books, Slott and Allred work together in perfect synchronicity crafting the perfect story.
Publisher: DC Comics
Issues released last year: #1 - #5 plus 1 annual and Future's End month title.
Why?: What can a hero do when his secret identity has been revealed and he's been presumed dead by most of the world? Well if you're Dick Grayson, under Batman's orders, you go undercover in a secret spy agency as an operative while still answering to Batman about the agency's darker secrets they'd like to keep hidden. Grayson has by far been the best new title in the New 52 since Superman Unchained debuted over 18 months ago. Writer Tim Seeley had an excellent idea for where to go with Grayson and Kyle Higgins, writer of Nightwing, graciously stepped aside despite being a fan favourite by many, myself included and Tim has hit the ground running and hasn't pulled up yet. The Future's End title was pretty much the best of the bunch as far as I'm concerned so that just added bonus points for Grayson.
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Issues released last year: #1 - #12
Why?: Magneto is not the man he once was, in his new weakened state he's forced to find creative ways to eliminate threats to mutantkind which more often than not leads to your jaw dropping. Cullen Bunn, as I've said many times before, is an excellent writer when it comes to villains and their motives so there was no better person to shepperd this title than him. This title has had a consistently strong year, which is surprising since it had to enter the dreaded "event tie-in" status for AXIS but Bunn navigated it perfectly allowing Magneto to become my favourite Marvel title from 2014.
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Issues released last year: #30 - #41 plus 1 annual.
Why?: Falling all the way from #2 on last years list, the TMNT find themselves at number 5. Not for lack of trying however, last year was just a circumstance of the title peaking with the City Fall storyline where 2014 was mostly a non-starter for the series. It began with the Turtles taking some much needed recovery time and then preparations for the much anticipated "Attack On Technodrome" storyline which kicked off in the final issue of the year. But don't worry Turtle fans, writer Tom Waltz has been navigating the Turtles since the start of the title and he's been doing fantastic things, even in a year where not a whole lot happens it still remains a treat to read.4. Sex Criminals
Publisher: Image Comics
Issues released last year: #4 - #9
Why?: TMNT might have fallen but Sex Criminals remained strong at #4 for the second year in a row. If you look up "consistently great comic" in your favourite search engine, I can guarantee you Sex Criminals comes up. Matt Fraction shows his greatness by having 2 titles on our top 10, artist Chip Zdarsky does fantastic art in the book, but even better work in the letters column... Seriously if you've been skipping over those you best be going back into your long box and getting those back issues out and reading them. The only thing that holds this title back is the fact that Fraction has such a busy schedule that over a 12 month period they were only able to push out 6 issues.
3. NailbiterPublisher: Image Comics
Issues released last year: #1 - #8
Why?: And the award for best new series goes to... Nailbiter is a thrilling horror book shrouded in mystery. An agent must get help from known serial killer Nailbiter to discover the secret behind Buckaroo, Oregon, the birthplace of 16 serial killers, Nailbiter included. The biggest mystery about this book however is the lack of notoriety it gets despite being one of the strongest titles on shelves. Even Scott Snyder agrees as he was quoted saying "If [writer Joshua Williamson] died I wish he'd leave Nailbiter to me in his will so I could say it was my idea."
2. Batman
Publisher: DC Comics
Issues released last year: #27 - #37, plus 1 annual and Future's End month title.
Why?: It's hard to pick against Scott Snyder's Batman, but I've done it. After holding the top spot last year on the strength of Zero Year, it gets knocked down to #2 this year mostly due to fact that Endgame hasn't been as good as advertised, perhaps an over hyping situation? Either way, although Zero Year finished strong the filler issues, specifically #29 and #34 left a bad taste in my mouth, especially breaking up Zero Year for #29. But in Snyder we trust so I'm sure Endgame will conclude amazingly and it'll have a realistic shot at the top spot this time next year but as of now the #1 spot belongs to...
Publisher: Archie Comics
Issues released last year: #3 - #7
Why?: It's sickening how good this book is... I've never really read Archie but this has just been so entertaining, It essentially sounded like a joke book that would die off fast (no pun intended) but the Archie/Zombie crossover has done wonders for Archie Comics and myself personally. Even the months break between issues had no effect whatsoever on the storyline, I was just happy to be reunited with the world of Afterlife With Archie. Thank you to Francesco Francavilla for coming up with the Afterlife idea and providing the perfect ghastly art to go along with Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa words that somehow managed to find humanity in inhumane situations.
No comments:
Post a Comment