We are in the glory days of good comic books. I could make a list of 10 different titles from each publisher that I like without much of a problem. But here are 10 of my favorite titles from 2014.
10. AMAZING SPIDERMAN (Marvel) – Peter Parker returned as Spiderman in 2014 and Dan Slott, the writer of Amazing Spiderman, has been hitting us with issue after issue of great Spiderman stories featuring an outstanding supporting cast. This has been a consistently fun book to read over the past year.
9. GRAYSON (DC) – Dick Grayson debuted a new title in 2014, leaving his Nightwing mantle to go undercover as an agent of the Spyral organization. With great multi layered spy stories is every issue and off the charts artwork by Michael Janin. A super cool, fun new book.
8. NAILBITER (Image) – Josh Williamson is writing a large stack of comics every month, many of which are very good, but my favorite of the bunch is Nailbiter. The story is set in Buckaroo Oregon, where there are a crazy amount of serial killers, and our lead characters are trying to get to the bottom of the mystery. The mystery of course is why do so many serial killers hail from this particular town? Every issue has been good and Williamson continues to build to a much larger story that has yet to be revealed.
7. LAZARUS (Image) – Greg Rucka’s groundbreaking world building story and Michael Lark’s unnaturally awesome art continue to make Lazarus one of the best books on the rack. A tremendous science fiction story with great characters and an unlimited future. Great book!
6. DAREDEVIL (Marvel) – Mark Waid and Chris Samnee are soon to be ending their long run on this title. It has consistently been a remarkable read. Classic superhero stories executed to the nth degree. Mark Waid is a master at his craft and this is one of the best runs ever on this title, which is saying a lot.
5. FANTASTIC FOUR (Marvel) – Very much like Mark Waid, James Robinson has been writing outstanding comic books for many years. This current run of his on the Fantastic Four has been such a surprisingly enjoyable read to me. I’m not traditionally a huge FF fan, but Robinson has crafted stories that hit all the right notes. It feels retro, yet current at the same time. It is good, solid, comic storytelling by a master. This title is also ending soon and I hope that Robinson is given another top level property with which to work his magic.
4. X-FILES (IDW) – Joe Harris has done a remarkable job in capturing the proper tone and feel of the classic X-Files. This comic is so overlooked yet wonderfully done that I can’t believe it. I hope it goes on for a long time. Mulder, Scully, and the entire gang are here, waist deep in conspiracies and the supernatural. The cover artwork each month by Francesco Franchevilla is totally amazing as well and fits the book perfectly.
3. WALKING DEAD (Image) – After all these years The Walking Dead continues to remain at a superior level of quality. Things happen in the story that make you think that Robert Kirkman has somehow cornered himself. You think that the story is going to fizzle out. You are wrong. This past year the story moved forward tremendously. Every time it looks like it is headed for a downturn it surprises once again with interesting twists and turns.
2. OUTCAST (Image) – A new Robert Kirkman scribed horror book? Count me in. Outcast is about demonic possession and is a true character study. This title started in 2014 and has been great. I think this is going to end up as a tv series and it would be a good one. I love this book, the story, and the art.
1. BATMAN ETERNAL (DC) - My favorite title from a very strong year in comics. This is a weekly title that began around March and has come out every week since. They are doing 52 issues and it will soon be over. This is a weekly comic done right. By putting out so many issues in a short amount of time the fear is that the quality would suffer. Not the case for this book. Scott Snyder has been overseeing this project with a rotating staff of creators and it has been so much fun. There is a lot of story that can be told when issues are rolling out at this pace. This is good stuff.
I could name a bunch of other books as honorable mention, but I think I will stick to three.
BATMAN (DC) – Scott Snyder’s regular monthly Bat book has been outstanding since day one, and continues to be.
INJUSTICE (DC) – The Tom Taylor written web series features great storytelling in an elseworlds style alternate reality DC universe. One of the best titles being produced.
C.O.W.L. (Image) – This book has not been setting the sales charts on fire but it is a very good new series. Kyle Higgins is producing a great concept book featuring an organized union of super powered beings that are contract workers for the city of Chicago in 1962. Great setting and a super story.
Captain Creepy can only keep his fingers crossed that 2015 will continue the trend of great books that have been produced for the past few years. Take care.
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