And the Winner Is...
Well, 2013 was memorable to say the least. There was a Death of a Family, the Lights went Out, everyone got Forever Evil and a
little pumpkin headed boy died. We also started this Blog. Yes, in July of 2013 two guys who refuse to grow up decided to stop just talking about comics at work and put pen to paper (well actually hand to keyboard) and share our views of DC comics with everyone. It's been so much fun...and more work than I ever imagined. Now that we are ready to share our picks of 2013, this list illustrates the one downfall of writing the blog. Personally, with the review workload (and regular life...ugh!) I no longer get to read all the books I used to. Yes, that means I had to read Katana and Stormwatch instead of Earth 2 and Batman/Superman. First World Problems indeed. What that means for this list, though, is that we will each give our individual picks. Between the two of us, we have every book covered and will do our best to represent. Thanks to everyone reading the blog for a great 2013 and I hope you enjoy the list...Jim
Best Writer
Eric's Choice:
Charles Soule - When Jim and I were trying to come up with our choices for 2013 it wasn't a shock that we both came up with the same name for Best Writer. Charles Soule has taken on three DC titles, and completely knocked them out of the park. The book that did it for me was Red Lanterns. When this title wasn't doing tie-ins with every other Lantern title, it seemed to be really struggling to maintain it's readers. But not anymore. I was about to drop this title, but after only reading a couple issues of Soule's work, I'm hooked, and it's become one of the titles I look forward to the most. Charles Soule, you keep turning them out, and I'll keep reading.
Charles Soule - When Jim and I were trying to come up with our choices for 2013 it wasn't a shock that we both came up with the same name for Best Writer. Charles Soule has taken on three DC titles, and completely knocked them out of the park. The book that did it for me was Red Lanterns. When this title wasn't doing tie-ins with every other Lantern title, it seemed to be really struggling to maintain it's readers. But not anymore. I was about to drop this title, but after only reading a couple issues of Soule's work, I'm hooked, and it's become one of the titles I look forward to the most. Charles Soule, you keep turning them out, and I'll keep reading.
Jim's Choice:
Charles Soule-The guy is on a roll. Swamp Thing, Superman/Wonder Woman and Red Lanterns. Personally, my pick is based on the first two. He took over Swamp Thing in April with the difficult task of jumping on one of the best New 52 books written by Scott Snyder. Not only was he up to task, he made it better in my opinion. However, I was really impressed with Superman/Wonder Woman. It may only be three issues young, but it is so good. I was worried it was going to be a throw away romance in the vein of Young Romance, but it is so much more. Soule managed to make the book an extension of Superman and Wonder Woman's New 52 books and did it with ease. On a side note, I don't think there is anyone in comics who can make every issue he writes "new reader friendly" yet continue the plot the way he does.
Charles Soule-The guy is on a roll. Swamp Thing, Superman/Wonder Woman and Red Lanterns. Personally, my pick is based on the first two. He took over Swamp Thing in April with the difficult task of jumping on one of the best New 52 books written by Scott Snyder. Not only was he up to task, he made it better in my opinion. However, I was really impressed with Superman/Wonder Woman. It may only be three issues young, but it is so good. I was worried it was going to be a throw away romance in the vein of Young Romance, but it is so much more. Soule managed to make the book an extension of Superman and Wonder Woman's New 52 books and did it with ease. On a side note, I don't think there is anyone in comics who can make every issue he writes "new reader friendly" yet continue the plot the way he does.
Best Artist
Eric's Choice:
Nicola Scott - What can I say about Nicola Scott that I haven't been saying in everyone of my reviews? See I grew up reading comics, and like a lot of people I periodically stopped reading and got rid of my collection only to come back to comics later in life. This time around the reason I came back was for Earth 2. When I heard that the New 52 was going to be putting out Earth 2, I knew it was time to dive back into comics. When I first opened the pages I was hooked. Now the writing was phenomenal, but the artwork is what put this title on the pedestal I've had it on ever since jumping back into comics. It's very selfish of me, but Nicola Scott should clone herself, or create a temporal field slowing down time around her in order to be the penciler for at least three more books. So in conclusion, I have a giant crush on Nicola Scott, and this category was the easiest by far to choose.
Nicola Scott - What can I say about Nicola Scott that I haven't been saying in everyone of my reviews? See I grew up reading comics, and like a lot of people I periodically stopped reading and got rid of my collection only to come back to comics later in life. This time around the reason I came back was for Earth 2. When I heard that the New 52 was going to be putting out Earth 2, I knew it was time to dive back into comics. When I first opened the pages I was hooked. Now the writing was phenomenal, but the artwork is what put this title on the pedestal I've had it on ever since jumping back into comics. It's very selfish of me, but Nicola Scott should clone herself, or create a temporal field slowing down time around her in order to be the penciler for at least three more books. So in conclusion, I have a giant crush on Nicola Scott, and this category was the easiest by far to choose.
Jim's Choice:
Francis Manapul- The guy writes, inks, colors, runs a one minute mile and can eat forty hot dogs in under two minutes. OK, so the last two are made up, but something tells me if he put his mind to it... Seriously though, Manapul's work on The Flash in 2013 was excellent. His art made the book feel "fast" and just a pleasure just to look at. While in my book he wins the award for that alone, his imaginative panel presentation is what did it for me. Every month The Flash was sure to have a splash page featuring drop dead art in an awesome panel setup. To make things unfair to everyone else in the business, they were never confusing and so easy to follow. Unfortunately, his work on The Flash is done, but I can't wait to see what he does on Detective Comics in 2014.
Eric's Choice:
Francis Manapul- The guy writes, inks, colors, runs a one minute mile and can eat forty hot dogs in under two minutes. OK, so the last two are made up, but something tells me if he put his mind to it... Seriously though, Manapul's work on The Flash in 2013 was excellent. His art made the book feel "fast" and just a pleasure just to look at. While in my book he wins the award for that alone, his imaginative panel presentation is what did it for me. Every month The Flash was sure to have a splash page featuring drop dead art in an awesome panel setup. To make things unfair to everyone else in the business, they were never confusing and so easy to follow. Unfortunately, his work on The Flash is done, but I can't wait to see what he does on Detective Comics in 2014.
Best Title
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| Submit To Earth 2! Do It! |
Earth 2 - I just love Golden Age superheroes, it's a weakness. That being said Earth 2 is the best title that
the New 52 has to offer. Not only do I get the golden age goodness I crave, but I also get great writing, and the best artwork coming out of DC. A few months ago James Robinson left the title as writer, and Tom Taylor took over the reins. At first I was a little worried, but thanks to Jim who had been reading Injustice, he put my mind at ease. Robinson might have started the story, and flushed out the major players, but Taylor has a gift for writing multiple characters, especially ones who aren't part of normal continuity. My favorite title by far, and if you're not reading it, I really feel bad for you. You're missing out.
Jim's Choice:
Injustice: Gods Among Us-It's a digital tile. Strike one. It's a video game tie-in. Strike two. With an 0-2 count, writer Tom Taylor nailed a walk off grand slam home run. Seriously, this book had no right being so good. The alternate story of what happens when Superman has had enough had me hooked and waiting for every Tuesday to read the next instalment. What made it so good for me wasn't just the story though, it was Taylor's characterizations of the ensemble cast. Green Arrow in particular. Quinn-Queen-Canary...those in the know should be smiling now. On a personal note, I didn't play the game (though I watched it a bit while my son, Raef, played it) so my love was purely from the comic side. DC must agree with me somewhat since they put Taylor on Earth 2 which to me is perfect.
the New 52 has to offer. Not only do I get the golden age goodness I crave, but I also get great writing, and the best artwork coming out of DC. A few months ago James Robinson left the title as writer, and Tom Taylor took over the reins. At first I was a little worried, but thanks to Jim who had been reading Injustice, he put my mind at ease. Robinson might have started the story, and flushed out the major players, but Taylor has a gift for writing multiple characters, especially ones who aren't part of normal continuity. My favorite title by far, and if you're not reading it, I really feel bad for you. You're missing out.
Jim's Choice:
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| The Quiver does sound good |
Injustice: Gods Among Us-It's a digital tile. Strike one. It's a video game tie-in. Strike two. With an 0-2 count, writer Tom Taylor nailed a walk off grand slam home run. Seriously, this book had no right being so good. The alternate story of what happens when Superman has had enough had me hooked and waiting for every Tuesday to read the next instalment. What made it so good for me wasn't just the story though, it was Taylor's characterizations of the ensemble cast. Green Arrow in particular. Quinn-Queen-Canary...those in the know should be smiling now. On a personal note, I didn't play the game (though I watched it a bit while my son, Raef, played it) so my love was purely from the comic side. DC must agree with me somewhat since they put Taylor on Earth 2 which to me is perfect.
Best Single Issue
Eric's Choice:
Batman and Robin #18 - As much as I love Earth 2, the thing I didn't stop talking about all of last year was the Death of Damian Wayne. That little pumpkin headed boy who took my heart, and ran. So even after surviving the Death Of The Family arc, one month later he was taken out by his abomination of a clone. There was a big remembrance throughout the Bat titles, but the one issue that paid respect to Damian the best was Peter J. Tomasi's Batman and Robin #18, the silent issue. Without words this issue expressed more than any other title with the Requiem tag thrown on it, and it still makes me sad today. Damn what a issue. Bravo Tomasi, Bravo.
Jim's Choice:
The Flash #23- There were so many great issues in 2013. I loved Animal Man Annual #2, Arcane #1 Villain's Month Issue and Batman and Robin #18 Eric mentioned above. However, the one issue that really hit why I love reading comics was The Flash #23. Brian Buccelatto and Francis Manapul gave us everything they had been building up to for months. We learn the Reverse Flash's identity and it doesn't get more personal, Iris West gets her speed force powers and a sexy super suit, The Flash fights two major villains at once, and everything looks stunning. I was a fan of the book before, but this issue made me love it. Though I suspect this will be my most controversial pick on this list, I just loved it too much not to chose it.
The Flash #23- There were so many great issues in 2013. I loved Animal Man Annual #2, Arcane #1 Villain's Month Issue and Batman and Robin #18 Eric mentioned above. However, the one issue that really hit why I love reading comics was The Flash #23. Brian Buccelatto and Francis Manapul gave us everything they had been building up to for months. We learn the Reverse Flash's identity and it doesn't get more personal, Iris West gets her speed force powers and a sexy super suit, The Flash fights two major villains at once, and everything looks stunning. I was a fan of the book before, but this issue made me love it. Though I suspect this will be my most controversial pick on this list, I just loved it too much not to chose it.Biggest Moment
Eric's Choice:
The Death of Damian Wayne - Here we go again. Even though Jim and I have separate books to review, which that takes us away from reading everything we'd like to, we have another pick for this category that's the same. I know what you're thinking "What a cop out, unoriginal bastards", well that's what I'm thinking, but come on, this was a huge moment in the DCU. Robin is one of my favorite superheroes, and all of the characters that have dawned the green, and red hold a special place in my heart. But Damian was just a little boy, and maybe that's why it hit so hard. Back in the 80's it wasn't all that big of a deal when Jason Todd died, because it was the majority of the fans that killed him. Well maybe it was a bigger deal than I'm making it, but I'm not writing in the 80's so I'm gonna just disregard it. We miss you Damian, and at least for another month I can read about you all growed up in Damian: Son of Batman. You've left a emptiness in our hearts, and a Batman title that seems ridiculous without you.
The Death of Damian Wayne - Here we go again. Even though Jim and I have separate books to review, which that takes us away from reading everything we'd like to, we have another pick for this category that's the same. I know what you're thinking "What a cop out, unoriginal bastards", well that's what I'm thinking, but come on, this was a huge moment in the DCU. Robin is one of my favorite superheroes, and all of the characters that have dawned the green, and red hold a special place in my heart. But Damian was just a little boy, and maybe that's why it hit so hard. Back in the 80's it wasn't all that big of a deal when Jason Todd died, because it was the majority of the fans that killed him. Well maybe it was a bigger deal than I'm making it, but I'm not writing in the 80's so I'm gonna just disregard it. We miss you Damian, and at least for another month I can read about you all growed up in Damian: Son of Batman. You've left a emptiness in our hearts, and a Batman title that seems ridiculous without you.
Jim's Choice:
The Death of Damian Wayne- Yep, we both agreed on this one. What can I say? I didn't know Damian much before the New 52, but I fell in love with the little brat right away. It wasn't just Damian himself, but what he meant for Batman and the Batman and Robin title. Batman had to figure out how to be a good Father while Damian had to learn to be a good Robin. And to me, he was the best. When the rumours started circulating that Grant Morrison was going to kill him off, I couldn't believe it. Then Batman Incorporated #8 hit the stands. Yes he died, but he died a hero. Afterwards, I went through the stages of grief along with Batman, but the Batman and Robin book hasn't recovered yet.. Me and Eric still talk about him at least once a week, that little pumpkin head. I miss him.
Well, that's it for our first ever end of year awards. I hope we didn't piss too many people off and please let us know what your winners would be. Thanks again for reading our little blog!
The Death of Damian Wayne- Yep, we both agreed on this one. What can I say? I didn't know Damian much before the New 52, but I fell in love with the little brat right away. It wasn't just Damian himself, but what he meant for Batman and the Batman and Robin title. Batman had to figure out how to be a good Father while Damian had to learn to be a good Robin. And to me, he was the best. When the rumours started circulating that Grant Morrison was going to kill him off, I couldn't believe it. Then Batman Incorporated #8 hit the stands. Yes he died, but he died a hero. Afterwards, I went through the stages of grief along with Batman, but the Batman and Robin book hasn't recovered yet.. Me and Eric still talk about him at least once a week, that little pumpkin head. I miss him.Well, that's it for our first ever end of year awards. I hope we didn't piss too many people off and please let us know what your winners would be. Thanks again for reading our little blog!
Isn't that Injustice book insane? It's so tough to recommend to people already soured on DC because you have to begin with, "Okay, so Lois is pregnant with Superman's baby, but then Joker kills her and levels Metropolis as a prank. But then the book is so much FUN!" I've been trying to get the word out for a while, but people are pretty skeptical. Nice list, besides!
ReplyDeleteYea, I love Injustice so much. Year two starts up in a couple of weeks and I can't wait. Thanks for reading the list and joining the site!
DeleteI like to think of Injustice as the last act in the DC continuity before the new 52, a sort of time when everything that has been built up implode on itself. Every person who's not a big comic book fan seems to love to it and I think its accessibility that has really resonated with everybody. I was also huge fan of Earth 2, (love that Aussie's artwork), so when I heard Tom Taylor took over I got really excited and haven't been disappointed since.
ReplyDeleteEarth 2 = Double Aussie Power
I agree that Injustice is very user friendly. Hopefully it gets more people to look into the New 52. It's funny, it was only after we wrote this that Eric and I realized that Earth 2 was fully Aussie. Tom Taylor is doing great on Earth 2 so far and Injustice Year Two #1 was also very good. Thanks for reading and commenting, by the way.
Delete