2007: Crap in Review part two

Best Single Issues

World War Hulk #1: This event opened with a thunderous first chapter with the Hulk attacking Blackbolt on the moon (and basically handing him his mute butt) and ended with one of the best fight scenes of the year. Hulk and Iron Man beating each other senseless is one thing but this fight was so well choreographed it beat out nearly every epic battle seen in comics this year. If only the end of the series could have maintained this level of intensity.

Justice Society of America #7: I don’t have the issue in front of me right now so it’s a little hard for me to recall exactly why I loved this one as much as I did. I think Citizen Steel in one issue managed to become one of the most sympathetic and likable characters in comics. I may not remember much about the specific issue but I remember this was what made me love the character.

Green Lantern: Sinestro Corp. Special: By far, the best thing I read all year. Maybe the best single issue of a comic I’ve ever read. So many great moments, from the reciting of Sinestro’s Oath, to the reveal of Anti-Monitor and his posse. I would have put the final issue of the Sinestro Corp War arc on this list as well but I would have been forced to leave off a great issue of another title so I’ll just stick with this one and say that the final issue of the arc is nearly as good as the opening. Ethan Van Sciver drew the best looking comic of the year and Geoff Johns can’t get enough praise for his work here.

Ultimates 2 #13: Another great “fight” issue with a lot of just flat out cool moments. Thor handing Loki his butt, some cool Cap moments, the Hulk and Hawkeye both getting chances to shine. I have to admit I hated the first half of the second volume of Ultimates; however, the second chapter more than made up for it. I just can’t get enough of wall to wall fight sequences with trillions of characters squeezed onto every page.

52 #52: The finale to 52 was joyous, depressing, hopeful, sad, and awesome. It also was capable of giving me goose bumps with alarming frequency. My favorite page of the whole series was that one with Ralph and Sue finally together again and Sue’s line to Ralph was perfect. I love this series, I love these characters and I love the cap on the whole thing.


Biggest Disappointments

5: World War Hulk #5: So you’re telling me I just sat through four issues of senseless (if entertaining) violence, only to sit through a final issue that just repeats what came before? I really dug the first three issues of this series but man did it end with a whimper.

4: One Year Later: DC’s One Year Later jump was handled well by some (Geoff Johns, Pete Woods, Paul Dini) and not so well by others (Geoff Johns and Dick Donner, Alan Heinberg, Judd Winnick). This seemed to be due to either delays or just a lack of direction for where they wanted their particular titles to be headed. Mind you some brilliant books came out of the One Year Later leap (Detective, Batman, Justice League and Society), it’s just a shame the rest couldn’t match that level of quality.

3: Thor: He’s back! And no one except Iron Man seems to give a rip.

2: She Hulk: I once thought this was the most fun you could have with a comic book. Somewhere along the way it just kinda lost that sense of fun. By the time this title had hit the marriage of She Hulk story I just lot interest. From what I’ve heard the Dan Slott-to-Peter David hand off has not gone very well either.

1: Countdown to Final Crisis: Boring as watching an elementary school basketball game. Nothing for the first 20 some issues. I anxiously await Final Crisis but I dropped this title around week 23. What a sad way to follow up 52.





Best Collections/Graphic Novels

Planet Hulk: This hardcover made me fall in love with the Hulk for the first time. I’ve always liked him but until I read this story I just never really “got” him. Kudos to Greg Pak for writing an epic story with a fantastic character arc. The price tag on the hardcover is a little steep but it contains something like 13 or 14 issues plus the Planet Hulk guide so it’s more than worth it.

Captain America by Ed Brubaker Omnibus: I already owned all the issues individually of Brubaker’s run but something about having them all together in one attractive, over sized edition was just too much for me to pass up. Sure it’s got the “Death of...” issue but all the stuff leading up to that is what makes this such an awesome collection. There’s also a bunch of extras that make it even more of a steal at a measly 40 some bucks on Amazon. Plus it makes a great door stop. The thing’s huge.

Tellos Colossal: I think a lot of comic fans may have overlooked this one back in October but it’s well worth a look. For one thing you have the beautiful work of Mike Wieringo. That alone would more than make it worthy of a purchase but it’s also accompanied by a fun, original fantasy story. Sure it isn’t exactly Tolkien but it is entertaining and gorgeous to look at. It also contains some decent extras including looks at some of the unfinished penciled pages. Seeing Wieringo’s work without an inker is always a treat.

Best Characters

Bucky/Winter Soldier: What a difference a few decades can make for a character.

Red Tornado: Slow paced as the Tornado’s Path story arc in Justice League was, it also made you care about this guy.

Booster Gold: His starring turns in 52 and his own series have helped catapult a favorite of mine back into the spotlight. Which, let’s face it, is exactly where he would wanna be.

Citizen Steel: I already mentioned my love for this character when talking about Justice Society #7. I love his look and his back story and his powers. A great, slightly tragic character.

Hulk: From Fugitive to Dope to Slave to Gladiator to King to Worldbreaker. What a character arc that is. It was the year of the Hulk after all.


5 Favorite Writers

Ed Brubaker: There isn’t much more to say about Captain America or Daredevil that hasn’t already been said elsewhere and more eloquently. His writing improves every year and that’s saying something for someone who was writing fantastic books like Catwoman, Gotham Central and Detective Comics just a few years ago. His work with Matt Fraction on Immortal Iron Fist and his solo outing with the Uncanny X-Men prove he is capable of more than just noir tinged crime books masquerading in spandex.

Dwayne McDuffie: He’s on the list because, in my opinion, he returned Fantastic Four to where it was when Mark Waid left. Namely, in position as Marvel’s funnest, (no I don’t care if it’s not a real word) adventure-filled superhero book. His grip on the way the characters talk, act, and react is nearly flawless. McDuffie has also done a decent job in his stint on Justice League. Sure it is a little slight but at least we see the league doing something other than stand around a table talking for two issues at a time.

Robert Kirkman: I was torn on whether or not to have him on the list. He would have made it on here easily in recent years but anymore the only things I read by him are Invincible and the odd Ultimate X-Men trade I pick up at the library. The later comic is not exactly his best work. Not by a long shot. Still, Invincible remains the best, original creator owned superhero book out there. His ability to juggle an ever expanding cast of characters and subplots remains impressive. Also, the book is fast approaching its 50th issue and continues to see increasing sales and awareness. With a slew of trades, and collections out there, Invincible is one of the easiest books to jump into. Kudos to Kirkman for continuing to put out a great book. Now get it on a monthly schedule... please?

Grant Morrison: All-Star Superman, and Batman. That’s all he’s writing at DC right now (aside from the oncoming behemoth that is Final Crisis) and still he manages to astound me. Where on earth he gets the ideas he shoves at us issue by issue of both those titles I’ll never know (or want to know) but I’m awfully glad he has them. I believe the best way to describe this guy is by simply saying he is endlessly creative. By this time next year we’ll all be talking about the insanity that Final Crisis will bring with it and it’s all thanks to the mind of this wacky guy.


Geoff Johns: He wrote Sinestro Corps. War. I mean, yeah he also writes Justice Society, Action Comics, Booster Gold and earlier this year was still hard at work on 52 but c’mon. It’s Sinestro Corps. War. That was the best non-event event comic ever written. He’s been my favorite writer for three years and I don’t see any sign of that changing any time soon.

5 Favorite Artists

Bill Crabtree: His coloring and inking on Invincible help set the tone and lay the atmospheric groundwork for that book nearly as well as the pencils. I’ve never considered a colorist such an integral part of a titles success before but seriously, if Crabtree ever left the book I just don’t think it would be the same.

Ivan Reis (and Ethan Van Sciver): I realize it’s a bit of a cheat but I think it’s fair. Without Ivan Reis Green Lantern wouldn’t have made it’s shipping schedule as well as it did throughout the S.C.W. and it’s thanks to him that it achieved the kind of intense, epic look that it did. His work has been this solid for a long time, and he’s drawn another epic space war comic (Rann/Thanagar) and a handful of GL issues already but he outdid himself over the last 7 issues. Van Sciver handled the art chores on the spectacular Sinestro Corps. Special and lended a hand with the final issue to that arc. I wish he worked a little faster but the reward is always worth the wait.

George Perez: It’s so awesome to see Perez back to drawing a monthly title again. Brave and the Bold is a two man show (Waid/Perez) and without either one of them I’m just not sure the book would be as good. Perez has been around forever it seems like, and he draws epic, superhero books better than anyone. The multitude of heroes and villains he can cram into a single panel never fails to astound and B&tB gives him the perfect showcase for his abilities. He’s also a heck of a nice guy.

Dale Eaglesham: When I found out he would be handling the art on Justice Society I was ecstatic. Villains United was far and away the best looking of the Countdown to Infinite Crisis minis and his issues of 52 managed to cast a shadow over the lesser issues of that series. His work so far has been more than I could have hoped for. His rounded pencils make a perfect compliment for a book about golden age heroes shepherding in the next group of heroes. Also more than capable of balancing action with quieter character driven moments and exceptionally good at expressions Dale Eaglesham goes down as the best Justice Society artist of the modern era.

John Cassaday: I have him on this list for the only thing I’ve read that he’s drawn this year; Fallen Son #5. The funeral of Captain America was superbly captured from the rain swept skies to the sea of umbrellas to the faces of the men and women gathered to mourn. I’ve gotten to see his cover work on Astonishing X-Men as well but being the Marvel trade waiter I am, I’m waiting for the hardcover collection before I read the second volume. Cassaday’s attention to detail and ability to bring to life iconic characters is unmatched. I can think of about five pages in Fallen Son alone that would dwarf the entire output of 90% of the artists in the industry. I can’t wait for that hardcover collection of Astonishing, mostly because I know it’ll be a sight to behold.