Continuing our Best of 2017 - Next up....Best Ongoing Comic, Best Writer and Best Artist!
Moving onto the next part of our 2017 wrap up, we have the categories of Best Ongoing Comic, Best Writer and Best Artist. Now these were very tough categories to judge as the sheer wealth of quality titles, writing and artwork this year was exceptional. But for our money, these were the best...
Best Ongoing Comic
DC
Batman
(w) Tom King (a) David Finch, Mikel Janin, Mitch Gerads, Lee Weeks
Confession time.
When Rebirth first kicked off, I was generally disappointed with Batman. I had become so accustomed to top tier storytelling from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo in the New 52 era that Tom King's first run was, by comparison, alright. But then came his issue with Swamp Thing, called The Brave and the Mold, and the two issues called 'Rooftops' with Catwoman, and the Proposal, and then War of Jokes and Riddles and well, you see where I'm going.
Batman is now DC's premier title once more. And if the latest lighter issues in the 'Superfriends' story arc are anything to go by, then we are in very safe hands.
Marvel
Captain America
(w) Mark Waid (a) Chris Samnee
When Marvel Legacy was first announced, this was the standout title for me.
Having massively enjoyed Waid and Samnee's Daredevil run, as well as their Black Widow series, hopes were very high that they could do for Cap what they had done for ol' Hornhead. And although it is only 3 issues in at this point, the quality is just as high. Reintroducing Captain America was always going to be difficult after Secret Empire but they have done it with grace, joy, exuberance and good old fashioned simple storytelling.
Each issue so far has worked as a one shot story, but also as part of a larger narrative. A wonderful title for old hands and first timers alike.
Indie
Saga
(w) Brian K. Vaughan (a) Fiona Staples
Saga has been a favourite of ours ever since it launched in 2012. We recommend it at every opportunity for new readers and seasoned pros alike. The team of Vaughan and Staples have crafted a galaxy spanning tale for the ages.
It's the classic Romeo & Juliet set up as 'star-crossed' lovers flee their war torn planets after they give birth to a baby girl. They are then chased throughout the galaxy by every Government Agency, Space Royalty, Bounty Hunter and Jealous Ex-Lover they left behind!
I always pitch it as Star Wars, for adults. And to demonstrate that point, just look closer at the small baby on the cover and what she is up to....
Best Writer
DC
Tom King
This is probably the first year that I haven't earmarked Scott Snyder for this particular category, and given he has given us the awesome Dark Nights: Metal, that shows just how prolific and consistently brilliant Tom King has been this year.
Let's reel off the hits....
Batman
Batman: Elmer Fudd
Batman Annual #2
Mister Miracle
These are amongst the very best that DC has ever produced. King has managed to blend great storytelling with heart and humour, and best of all, just plain fun. And that's why we all read comics isn't it?
Marvel
Charles Soule
In a similar vein to how Tom King started at Marvel but is now exclusive to DC, Charles Soule was writing Swamp Thing and Superman/Wonder Woman a couple of years ago but is now exclusive to Marvel. And what a writer they have.
Easily one of the most prolific writers around, he is adept at keeping the quality high across all titles. His standouts this year were Astonishing X-Men (a wonderful new series focusing on some of the 'lower' members of the mutant family) and Daredevil. With Daredevil his work is especially great as he followed the stellar run by Mark Said and Chris Samnee, and it feels like ol' Hornhead has nary missed a beat.
Any Marvel title with Soule's name on it has my attention, so I'm looking forward to what's to come in 2018...
Indie
Rick Remender
Remender was, for years, a stalwart of Marvel Comics, writing the likes of Venom, Uncanny X-Force and X-Men. However, these days he is a poster child for Independent Comics. It is at Image Comics he has found his home, where he has been pumping out AAA titles for a few years now.
You guys already know about my unnatural love for Deadly Class, but in addition to that he has created the likes of Black Science, Low, Tokyo Ghost and Seven to Eternity. This year these titles were ridiculously consistent, as cool as they come and wonderful examples of world building.
The sign of any great writer is that you will always try any new title they release, and that is a very true sentiment for the work of Remender. As long as he keeps writing Deadly Class of course.....
Best Artist
DC
Greg Capullo
Rather than show you pictures of each artists head (though I will show what they all look like on the Youtube channel!), I thought it would be better to show off examples of their work. And for DC, seriously, just look at that image. And this is just a cover image for the final issue of Dark Nights Metal!
All of Capullo's efforts this year have gone into Metal (as well as an excellent Image series with Mark Millar called Reborn), and you can see the care and attention that is lavished upon the title in every single page. It's not easy to draw the entire DC universe, as well as create new characters (the evil Batmen and Crow Robins are especially wicked), but Capullo just pulls it off issue after issue.
But given his track record with Batman (New 52 era), we probably shouldn't be too surprised....
Marvel
Chris Samnee
Similar to Capullo, Chris Samnee has not had the most prolific of years. He's done a few variant covers here and there, but a majority of his best work essentially bookended the year with two of Marvel's best titles, both with Mark Waid on writing duties.
He began the year on Black Widow, as these guys made the character more vital and relevant than ever. Black Widow was never a character I cared that much about before, but this 12 issue miniseries was as good as anything I've read in years.
And then with Marvel Legacy launching, Waid and Samnee set their sights on Captain America. Even though it is only 3 issues deep, it is easily the standout from Legacy, and again, Captain America was never a character I had previously cared that much for. Samnee manages to have an artwork style that sets him apart from his contemporaries, evoking the retro goodness of someone like the late, great Darwyn Cooke, but also imbuing it with a modern look, all movement and ferocity. It's an artwork style that easily makes him the best in Marvel's ranks.
Indie
Wes Craig
I know, massive shock right? The artist of Deadly Class being our favourite of the Year? Totally deserved. Just look at that artwork. It's ferocious, it's cool, it's skilled, it's unique, it's a look that could not be achieved in any other medium other than sequential storytelling.
It's a great example of how amazing a comic can be. It is of course backed up by a wonderfully written story, but Deadly Class is a perfect example of how beautiful artwork can enrich that story, and ensure that the art is just as important as the words.
As an aside, make sure to check out The Gravedigger's Union, a recently launched Image title, proving that Wes Craig can be just as skilled a writer, as he can be an artist.
Best Ongoing Comic
DC
(w) Tom King (a) David Finch, Mikel Janin, Mitch Gerads, Lee Weeks
Confession time.
When Rebirth first kicked off, I was generally disappointed with Batman. I had become so accustomed to top tier storytelling from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo in the New 52 era that Tom King's first run was, by comparison, alright. But then came his issue with Swamp Thing, called The Brave and the Mold, and the two issues called 'Rooftops' with Catwoman, and the Proposal, and then War of Jokes and Riddles and well, you see where I'm going.
Batman is now DC's premier title once more. And if the latest lighter issues in the 'Superfriends' story arc are anything to go by, then we are in very safe hands.
Marvel
(w) Mark Waid (a) Chris Samnee
When Marvel Legacy was first announced, this was the standout title for me.
Having massively enjoyed Waid and Samnee's Daredevil run, as well as their Black Widow series, hopes were very high that they could do for Cap what they had done for ol' Hornhead. And although it is only 3 issues in at this point, the quality is just as high. Reintroducing Captain America was always going to be difficult after Secret Empire but they have done it with grace, joy, exuberance and good old fashioned simple storytelling.
Each issue so far has worked as a one shot story, but also as part of a larger narrative. A wonderful title for old hands and first timers alike.
Indie
(w) Brian K. Vaughan (a) Fiona Staples
Saga has been a favourite of ours ever since it launched in 2012. We recommend it at every opportunity for new readers and seasoned pros alike. The team of Vaughan and Staples have crafted a galaxy spanning tale for the ages.
It's the classic Romeo & Juliet set up as 'star-crossed' lovers flee their war torn planets after they give birth to a baby girl. They are then chased throughout the galaxy by every Government Agency, Space Royalty, Bounty Hunter and Jealous Ex-Lover they left behind!
I always pitch it as Star Wars, for adults. And to demonstrate that point, just look closer at the small baby on the cover and what she is up to....
Best Writer
Tom King
This is probably the first year that I haven't earmarked Scott Snyder for this particular category, and given he has given us the awesome Dark Nights: Metal, that shows just how prolific and consistently brilliant Tom King has been this year.
Let's reel off the hits....
Batman
Batman: Elmer Fudd
Batman Annual #2
Mister Miracle
These are amongst the very best that DC has ever produced. King has managed to blend great storytelling with heart and humour, and best of all, just plain fun. And that's why we all read comics isn't it?
Charles Soule
In a similar vein to how Tom King started at Marvel but is now exclusive to DC, Charles Soule was writing Swamp Thing and Superman/Wonder Woman a couple of years ago but is now exclusive to Marvel. And what a writer they have.
Easily one of the most prolific writers around, he is adept at keeping the quality high across all titles. His standouts this year were Astonishing X-Men (a wonderful new series focusing on some of the 'lower' members of the mutant family) and Daredevil. With Daredevil his work is especially great as he followed the stellar run by Mark Said and Chris Samnee, and it feels like ol' Hornhead has nary missed a beat.
Any Marvel title with Soule's name on it has my attention, so I'm looking forward to what's to come in 2018...
Rick Remender
Remender was, for years, a stalwart of Marvel Comics, writing the likes of Venom, Uncanny X-Force and X-Men. However, these days he is a poster child for Independent Comics. It is at Image Comics he has found his home, where he has been pumping out AAA titles for a few years now.
You guys already know about my unnatural love for Deadly Class, but in addition to that he has created the likes of Black Science, Low, Tokyo Ghost and Seven to Eternity. This year these titles were ridiculously consistent, as cool as they come and wonderful examples of world building.
The sign of any great writer is that you will always try any new title they release, and that is a very true sentiment for the work of Remender. As long as he keeps writing Deadly Class of course.....
Best Artist
Greg Capullo
Rather than show you pictures of each artists head (though I will show what they all look like on the Youtube channel!), I thought it would be better to show off examples of their work. And for DC, seriously, just look at that image. And this is just a cover image for the final issue of Dark Nights Metal!
All of Capullo's efforts this year have gone into Metal (as well as an excellent Image series with Mark Millar called Reborn), and you can see the care and attention that is lavished upon the title in every single page. It's not easy to draw the entire DC universe, as well as create new characters (the evil Batmen and Crow Robins are especially wicked), but Capullo just pulls it off issue after issue.
But given his track record with Batman (New 52 era), we probably shouldn't be too surprised....
Chris Samnee
Similar to Capullo, Chris Samnee has not had the most prolific of years. He's done a few variant covers here and there, but a majority of his best work essentially bookended the year with two of Marvel's best titles, both with Mark Waid on writing duties.
He began the year on Black Widow, as these guys made the character more vital and relevant than ever. Black Widow was never a character I cared that much about before, but this 12 issue miniseries was as good as anything I've read in years.
And then with Marvel Legacy launching, Waid and Samnee set their sights on Captain America. Even though it is only 3 issues deep, it is easily the standout from Legacy, and again, Captain America was never a character I had previously cared that much for. Samnee manages to have an artwork style that sets him apart from his contemporaries, evoking the retro goodness of someone like the late, great Darwyn Cooke, but also imbuing it with a modern look, all movement and ferocity. It's an artwork style that easily makes him the best in Marvel's ranks.
Wes Craig
I know, massive shock right? The artist of Deadly Class being our favourite of the Year? Totally deserved. Just look at that artwork. It's ferocious, it's cool, it's skilled, it's unique, it's a look that could not be achieved in any other medium other than sequential storytelling.
It's a great example of how amazing a comic can be. It is of course backed up by a wonderfully written story, but Deadly Class is a perfect example of how beautiful artwork can enrich that story, and ensure that the art is just as important as the words.
As an aside, make sure to check out The Gravedigger's Union, a recently launched Image title, proving that Wes Craig can be just as skilled a writer, as he can be an artist.
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