Category: “Classic” comics like Shakespeare

I’ve been doing comic book reviews for over 10 years, culminating in over 1,000 reviews. What I enjoy most about reviewing comics is sharing what I’ve loved, and hopefully, you’ll pick up the book. I did not create lists for 2012, 2013, and 2014. All my recommendations are books that I read that year, not necessarily published that year.

While I won’t be giving you my ultimate list, here’s a rundown of my reviews that capture the time and the place, listing my #1 best pick from each:

2010

• Top 5 #1 Issues in 2010 — I, Zombie #1 by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred
• Top 5 Miniseries in 2010 — S.W.O.R.D. by Kieron Gillen, Steven Sanders, and Mike Del Mundo
• Top 20 Issues in 2010 — Detective Comics #860 by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III
• Top 5 Graphic Novels in 2010 — Batwoman: Elegy by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III

This format took me far too long to do, so after this year, I switched to the format I still use today. Continue reading “The Best Comic Books of the Decade: 2010-2019”

It’s the time of year for recommendations and best-of lists. These are my favorites and least favorites of the comic books I published reviews of in 2019. My rankings are averaged from my individual reviews.

In 2019, I reviewed 338 pieces of individual media. This year, I focused a lot of reading down my to-read pile and also reaching into my unread bookshelves.

For the most reviewed series, I reviewed 21 issues of The Wild Storm and Wonder Woman respectively, and 16 issues of Giant Days.

I read and review at my own pace. Sometimes I read more comics, and other times I read more prose books. For many comics, especially superhero ones, I find myself around one year behind. I’ve found myself more and more interested in indie comics and other stories.

Unfortunately, the big two superhero producers (DC and Marvel) seemed to have regressed, and they’re now telling more crossover stories to sell single issues, and when I look over Previews catalogs, the creator names seem more white and male than in previous years — which just aren’t points-of-view I’m interested in. And when these companies do bring in creators from marginalized groups, those books aren’t headliners and often don’t find enough support to create a lasting impact. I’m a bit tired of books getting canceled before they’ve been able to breathe.

A theme of the books I loved this last year has been incredible art, along with great stories. The more comic books I read, the picker I find myself about, not just the writing, but the accompanying art and what it does to bring life to the story.

The Best Series (reviewing 6+ issues)

28 different series were eligible in this category.

1. Blackbird by Sam Humphries, Jen Bartel, Paul Reinwand, Nayoung Wilson, Tríona Farrell, Jodi Wynne, and Dylan Todd
Average rating: 5/5 stars

A stunning series with the stand-out gorgeous art of Jen Bartel, who may be my favorite artist working in comics right now. The story follows Nina, an early 20s-something, who cannot seem to get her life together or work through her trauma. When her sister goes missing, Nina finds out what she’s been missing: a magical world which she believes is the key to everything wrong in her life. Continue reading “The Best and the Worst of 2019 Comic Books”

It’s the time of year for recommendations and best of lists. These are my favorites and least favorites of the comic books I published reviews of in 2018. The rankings are averaged from my individual reviews, and if there are ties, then I decide from there.

In 2018, I reviewed 93 pieces of individual media. Quite a bit less than last year, but I also did a book review challenge, which took a bit of my review time and reading focus. For the most reviewed series, I reviewed 15 issues of Lumberjanes, and 12 issues each of Bombshells: United, Giant Days, Ms. Marvel, The Wicked + the Divine, and Wonder Woman.

Going forward, I’m going to try to be reading more of my to-read shelves and spending time catching up again at the books I’m behind on.

The Best Series (reviewing 6+ issues)

23 different series eligible in this category.

1. Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles by Mark Russell, Mike Feehan, Sean Parsons, Paul Mounts, and Dave Sharpe
Average rating: 5/5 stars

Anyone who’s asked me about comic books in 2018 and what they must-read has heard me rave about Snagglepuss. My partner brought home this book for me, and it’s the book I never thought would be one of the most relevant stories for 2018. Set during the McCarthy Cold War era, Snagglepuss covers incredible personal and political territory for a story about a pink lion who walks on two legs, wears suit jackets, and writes plays. Continue reading “The Best and the Worst of 2018 Comic Books”

It’s that time, to ring in the New Year with comic book recommendations. These are my favorite (and least favorite) comic books that I reviewed in 2017.

For 2017, I reviewed 368 individual pieces of media. (That’s 103 more than last year!) I reviewed 18 issues of Wonder Woman and 15 issues of Black Panther.

Yes, there may have been one day where I just sat down, read, and reviewed most of Rucka’s most recent Wonder Woman run. Mostly because my friend Kevin was so excited about it (rightly so) and wanted to chat.

Looking forward to 2018, I really want to get caught up on all the single “current” issues I have. They are occupying one, overly full short box.

Fall of 2016, I started culling my pull list, and there will definitely be more of that in 2018. Likely less superhero comics and less overall volume of single issues. I also have shelves of older issues and graphic novels to occupy myself with, so it’s not like I won’t have anything to read and review.

The Best Series (reviewing 6+ issues)

28 different series eligible in this category.

1. Monstress  by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
Average rating: 5/5 stars

This book continues to be my favorite comic. It is my “if I could only read one comic, it would be this one.” Monstress is a fantasy about a young woman who goes on search for her dead mother’s secrets. It turns out there’s a lot of past. The world both Liu and Takeda create is fascinating. This story does not hold your hand through its characters’ traumas or hand you to the mystery in one neat box with a bow.

Reviews issues #7-9 and #10-12

2. Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson, Mirka Andolfo, Adrian Alphona, Takeshi Miyazawa, and Francesco Gaston
Average rating: 4.53/5 stars

Ms. Marvel continues to be a superhero book with a lot of heart. It’s charming. It’s real. It’s about the responsibility that comes with great power, the responsibility of being a citizen, the responsibility to your community, and the responsibility to your family. The book often ends up on my recommended lists because it’s that good and that relatable. So what are you waiting for?

Reviews issues #10-12, #13-15, and #16-18  Continue reading “The Best and the Worst of 2017 Comic Books”