I made a reading goal this year to read 52 books. That’s one book a week. A-hem, allow me to clarify. I wanted to read 52 graphic novels this year. As of this blog I’m short…by 9! I still have 9 graphic novels to read before the end of the year. I’m remaining hopeful but, let’s be honest, I probably won’t make it. I’m okay with that though, because it’s been a good year in comics.
Today, I thought I’d share some of my favorites from the year. Now, please know I’m no book blogger. It’s not like I’ve read all the great comics from the year and can tell you what you’ll want to pick up. Nope, I’ve just read what I thought would be good. And from those I’ll suggest the ones I think are worth picking up. For a definitive and much more thorough book list, I’d suggest the New York Times. They always compile a good end-of-year list, even when it comes to comics and graphic novels. But for today, here’s my year in comics.
It’s going to be hard to put these in order from good to great. If I like a book, I like a book. It’s hard for me to compare them side by side. So here’s just a favorites list from the year.
Catwoman Lonely City, by Cliff Chiang. Published by DC Comics under their Black Label line. I think this was the latest book I finished and it’s definitely a fave. There’s a lot to love in this comic. Set in a Gotham City post Batman (he died in a horrible Joker scheme gone wrong), it follows Selena Kyle, Catwoman, fresh out of a 10 year stint in prison. She returns to a Gotham city that looks different, but deep down is very much the same. Read my full review here.
Clementine Book One, by Tillie Walden. Published by Image. Set in the Walking Dead universe, Clementine is a spinoff character from the Walking Dead video game. Here, she’s on her own. This book gets me excited about making comics. The art style, the slower pace, the story telling, I love it all here. Good news is, this is only book one, I think there are three more that will follow. I wrote a more thorough review for the Fanboys blog. Read that here.
Street Angel Deadliest Girl Alive, by Jim Rugg. Published by Image. Jim Rugg of Cartoonist Kayfabe and many other accolades really surprised me with this book. It’s a series of short comics all about Jessie Sanchez-a homeless skateboarding ninja. A lot of the stories are both violent and hilarious. What I took away from this book is just how fun comics can be. It’s been out for a while now, but it was new to me this year.
Something is Killing the Children, by James Tynion IV. Published by Boom! Studios. I put off reading this book because of all the hype surrounding it. The allure of the hardcover collected edition of the first story arc drew me in. So I bought it. Super glad I did. Now I’m a full blown Tynion fan and pretty much read everything he puts out now. Anyway, this book is not for the faint of heart, it pulls no punches and is really freaky, but it’s well done. It’s the classic monster in the woods story, but the mystery of hits hero-and the society that backs her-holds this story up.
Serial, by Terry Moore. Published by Abstract Studios. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Terry Moore. His books have been a staple throughout the year. This book centers on Zoe, a breakout character from one of Moore’s other graphic novels Rachel Rising. Once possessed by a demon (or maybe it was the Devil himself) Zoe’s a reformed serial killer. But now, someone’s killed her friend and Zoe’s hellbent on finding out who it was. Who better to hunt a serial killer than a reformed one?
So that’s my year in comics, a top five list. Looking back over these it looks like I definitely have a type. Talk about a selection of rejected, outcast, badass women, huh? But, I still have-what?-three weeks to go before I finish off the year. I might be able to squeeze in a another few books. In fact, December will bring the final chapter on a couple I’m reading right now. So, before I go, here a couple more honorable mentions:
Night of the Ghoul by Scott Snyder and Francesco Frankavilla. Published by Comixology and in print with Dark Horse Comics. I just picked up the final issue of this yesterday. It’s been a really good and creepy horror story. Very well paced and a fun read. I’ll add this to my reading list by the end of the week!
The Nice House on the Lake, by James Tynion IV. Been reading this one all year, it’s final issue also comes out this month. Excited to see how it all wraps up. Another very good-and creepy-read.
So that about sums up my year in comics. Maybe you read some of these too? If not, be sure to pick them up, they come highly recommended.