Southern Bastards Vol 2: Gridiron Cover Columns 

2015 in Review: Best Writer

By | December 11th, 2015
Posted in Columns | % Comments

So this is it, we’ve made it to the first of our big three year-end lists! We had almost seventy nominees in this category, which guarantees a wide range of voices and stories. Our top ten had a healthy mix of faces both familiar and fresh, in terms of our annual lists. So check out who our staff held in highest regard, and let us know in the comments if you’ve got someone in mind you’d have liked to seen included!

9. (TIE) Noelle Stevenson

(Matt Garcia) For those of us following Noelle Stevenson from as far back as her “Broship of the Ring” days and through the first run of “Nimona” on her Web site, it was with a certain measure of satisfaction and respect that she broke into the comics scene so significantly in 2015. She may be crazy young, but she brings with her a fearlessness, a no-bullshit attitude, and total disregard for the status quo that feels fresh and exciting. Among her accomplishments this year included the revised and all the more mesmerizing graphic novel, “Nimona” (adapted from her original webcomic); the powerhouse “Lumberjanes,” which has become the flagship title for Boom! Box, if not for Boom! Studios itself; and a small but significant run on “Secret Wars: Runaways,” one of the few “Secret Wars” titles that managed to stand out amidst a mess of tie-in comics to a crazy crossover event.

Her books this year have been constantly funny and heartfelt, balancing adventure, melodrama, and a spirit of rebelliousness as her central characters (often teenagers) question authority and do their small part to take on the system. Even the last story she illustrated — a stellar issue of “Sensation Comic” actually scripted by James Tynion IV — showcased her rapidly evolving talents for pathos, humor, and a desire for the world to be a better, more inclusive place. Even if her scripts weren’t so strong and her storytelling voice wasn’t so assured, what she brings to the field is such a breath of new life and excited energy that her work could never be ignored.

9. (TIE) Jonathan Hickman

(James Johnston) 2015 has honestly felt like an off year for Jonathan Hickman. The run into “Secret Wars” tied itself up phenomenally before the seevent itself lost its footing halfway through. “The Manhattan Projects” came back but so far it’s followed just one story thread and feels pretty removed from what came before. So why are we calling Hickman the ninth best writer of 2015?

If you’re looking for a big story, and I mean a large, honest to god event, then Hickman is your man. Hickman understands the scale needed to make comics feel huge and writes gigantic personalities to coincide with that. Even “Secret Wars”, as much as I’ve grown to be fed up with it in my recap column, does a good job of feeling important. I might complain about the comic’s release schedule but at least Hickman respects the characters in “Secret Wars” enough to build them up to be as important as they should be. Even outside of books like “Secret Wars” and “The Manhattan Projects”, projects like “East of West” have still maintained a fine balance between high-stakes action (just check out the latest issue) and political intrigue.

I wouldn’t call 2015 a bad year for Hickman, but it felt like a transitional one as he moves away from Marvel and begins to focus on his creator owned work. By this time next year, I feel he’ll probably rank higher on this list. At the very least, I hope “Secret Wars” is done by next year.

9. (TIE) Grant Morrison

(Keith Dooley) Last year’s pick for number one writer didn’t let up in 2015. He, along with his stellar artistic partners, gave us the final two chapters of “The Multiversity”. This miniseries became an instant classic that is worthy to be named among the best of his works. The creativity and love of comics came through in every page. Morrison also wrapped up his and artist Frazer Irving’s miniseries “Annihilator”, which was a brilliant amalgamation of horror and the existential. These two miniseries, despite their heady themes, are accessible to all who enjoy the cerebral with their entertainment.

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2015 also brought us Morrison and artist Chris Burnham’s truly horrific tale of nihilism, darkness, and the occult that was also a visual wonder. That book was “Nameless”. Symbolism, allusions, and the dark expanse of mankind’s most despicable possibilities are just some of the elements that beg to be studied and dissected with the finest of detail. However, we also got the opening salvo of a miniseries that only Morrison could pull off: “Klaus”. This book has been described by Morrison as an origin story for Santa Claus. Ridiculous as it may sound, it is a fun and unique experience so far. With Morrison’s “Wonder Woman: Earth One” and his upcoming editorship at “Heavy Metal” magazine coming in 2016, I expect Morrison and his singular voice to once again be on many of our year end lists next year.

8. Cullen Bunn

(Mark Tweedale) I’ve been reading a lot of Cullen Bunn this year (though I confess, only his creator-owned work): “The Sixth Gun”, which had an epic penultimate arc; “The Brides of Helhiem”, the middle chapter of the “Helhiem” trilogy; “Hellbreak”, his new series with Brian Churilla; his new series, “Blood Feud” with Drew Moss; and his other other new series, “Harrow County” with Tyler Crook. “Harrow Country” is my favourite series for 2015, and the “Sixth Gun: Dust to Dust” miniseries had one of my favourite endings. Bunn has developed a talent for creating exciting and enticing fantasy worlds, but the real hook is the characters that populate them. I can’t help but get invested, and it’s the characters more than anything that keep me coming back.

I’m both excited for what’s ahead in 2016, and simultaneously mortified. “The Sixth Gun”, the series that introduced me to Cullen Bunn’s work, will end. I don’t think I’m ready to say goodbye to Drake and Becky just yet.

6. (TIE) Scott Snyder

(Kevin McConnell) Scott Snyder has long been a favorite writer for many people, but “Batman” has put him on the map. Snyder is not content with doing status quo stories, he has simply carved out his own slice of the Batman mythology. This year saw “Batman” not only face the Joker, but to change identity entirely. New threats have been created and even the deep and dark psychology of the Dark Knight has been explored. It was a calculated risk that has paid HUGE dividends for “Batman” fans.

Outside of that, the successful launch of “Wytches” and the ongoing horror of “American Vampire” have shown incredible versatility from Snyder. He looks to continue that trend in 2016, which should be another banner year for the writer.

6. (TIE) Rob Williams

( Mike Romeo) This has been quite the year for Rob Williams. He’s breathed new life my personal favorite Justice Leaguer with “Martian Manhunter,” his 2000 AD series “Ichabod Azrael” saw a re-release as a monthly, US-sized comic, and he continued his run on Titan’s “Dr. Who” series. His work on “Judge Dredd” has, in my opinion, secured his position as one of the character’s all-time greatest writers. On top of that, his new series “Unfollow” not only launched as a part of Vertigo’s much lauded reinvigoration, but was almost immediately picked up to be adapted as a television series for ABC.

I think what makes Williams such a strong writer is his handling of characterization. He seems to go into every project with a clear idea of who he wants his characters to be, and because of that, he’s able to subtly inject ideas into a story without having to write it out and burn up precious dialogue space. There’s a lot that Williams implies with his writing, almost all of which relies on the reader having a sense of who the characters are, and how they’d react to a situation. And, of course, it doesn’t help that he seems to only work with some of the absolute best artists in the industry. I mean, look at what Henry Flint did with the “Judge Dredd: Titan” trilogy, Michael Dowling’s work on “Ichabod Azrael” and “Unfollow,” or Eddy Barrow’s art on “Martian Manhunter.” Williams not only has an uncanny knack for working with the best, but he’s also able to inspire career-best work from them. I think that, for a comics writer, that’s a pretty handy skill to have in your back pocket.

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5. John Arcudi

(Brian Salvatore) No one populates a world better than John Arcudi – from the bizarre, Terry Gilliam-esque environs of “Rumble” to the ever-shrinking world of “B.P.R.D.,” Arcudi gives a setting a distinctive tone and a cast of characters that keeps on deepening. Due to his work on “B.P.R.D.,” Arcudi has developed such a specific tone that it (almost) doesn’t matter who is illustrating his work; it all still feels like Arcudi. With “Rumble,” however, we’ve gotten our first peak in some time at what Arcudi looks like when he has a regular, monthly collaborator – and, shocker, it is magnificent. Arcudi keeps populating his world with such interesting characters – both human and macabre – and gives them such interesting lives, that it is easy to take him for granted. With his work on “B.P.R.D.” wrapping up next year, here’s hoping that he finds new outlets to keep blowing our minds.

4. Greg Rucka 

(Drew Bradley) Greg Rucka has been around for a while, and he’s established a niche for himself – female protagonists, character driven plots, and usually some sort of political intrigue. “Lazarus” may be the epitome of that niche, but he was behind other books this year as well. “Black Magik” and “Stumptown” combine with “Lazarus” to hammer home one very powerful point: Greg Rucka may be the most consistent, reliable writer in the industry today. All the other writers on the list this year, I’d say they’ve had low points. Maybe not in 2015, but they’ve had some lows in their careers. Now, I haven’t read all of Rucka’s material, but I’ve read a lot. It’s always good, and I’d have no problem guaranteeing that if you like one comic he’s written, you’ll like the others as well. As far as I’m concerned, that’s one of the most defining traits of a great writer.

3. Tom King

(Zach Wilkerson) What does it take to make onto the both the “Best New Writer” and “Best Writer” lists in a given year? How about some of the finest, most well crafted mainstream comics of this decade? You might say, “wow, that sounds pretty hyperbolic and possibly a little biased,” and you might not be totally off base (I’ve been unabashed in my praise of King over the course of 2015). However, King’s work this year speaks for itself. Each story that King puts the pen to feels unique, well earned, and special. “Omega Men” is a revelation, one of the sharpest and underrated comics to come out of the DC You relaunch. It’s also the best Kyle Rayner book that I never knew I wanted. Likewise, his “Green Lantern” one-shot is the finest Hal Jordan story in recent memory, and one the year’s best single issue works. His work on Grayson continues to be a delight, so much so that DC seems to have taken note, giving him headliner status on the “Robin War” crossover.

Even his most recent works, “The Vision” an “Sheriff of Babylon,” are singularly impressive and memorable after only a single issue of each. King shows a confidence to sidestep convention, using super heroes in highly unexpected ways. As I mention in my write-up for “Best New Writer,” King’s work is all the more impressive considering his short amount of time in the business. One can only imagine what he is capable of as he continues to learn and grow as a comic creator.

2. Brian K. Vaughn

(Vince Ostrowski) Brian K. Vaughn is no stranger to these lists, by now. We’re talking about a guy who generates a comic news barrage with every move he makes. It’s not unearned though, because even though he’s one of the most veteran talents on this list, he still manages to surprise us more than any other writer. What more can be said about “Saga” at this point? It’s a sprawling sci-fi epic that leaves us hungry for more with what feels like a game-changing turn of events implanted in each issue. But the notorious social media skeptic also changed the way we talk about digital comics with “The Private Eye”, a layered story about the advantages and disadvantages of a well-connected world. “The Private Eye” came to an end in early 2015, but in yet another twist that we should have seen coming, he and Marcos Martin released “Barrier” #1 in the same DRM-free, “name your price” fashion just in time for the end of the year. Even something with as mixed a reception as the Canadian future war miniseries “We Stand On Guard” carried one of the most fascinating concepts in a comic series this year. But the icing on the cake were the first three issues of “Paper Girls”, which debuted near the end of the year. For a writer with this padded a 2015 resume, “Paper Girls” just might stand head and shoulders above the rest. Vaughn shows his intelligence as a writer by setting “Paper Girls” in the 1980’s, making it feel right (due in no small part to having Cliff Chiang on board for art), and stripping away any of the obvious references or cliches that often heavily pad these types of stories. Instead, “Paper Girls” contrasts the oversized technology of the ’80s with mysterious sci-fi trappings that are leaking in from the edges of the heroines’ neighborhood. It’s warm, comfy comicbooking unlike anything Vaughn has written before, but then again, we’ve always known he can flex every writing muscle there is.

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1. Jason Aaron

(Paul Lai) This award is unfair. Nestled in Aaron’s beard is actually a fellowship of wildly brilliant writers. Each tiny Jason Aaron has mastered a different genre but spun his own genius twist: “You’ll do a cop show with multiversal gods of thunder” (Thors). “You’ll do young George Lucas” (Star Wars). “You’ll do an offbeat mystical hipster Sorcerer Supreme” (Dr. Strange). “You’ll do gritty, outlandish Southern football gothic” (Southern Bastards). “You’ll do a profane Biblical epic” (The Goddamned). “You’ll do subversion of traditional super strength in the body of a true hero” (now Mighty Thor). “You’ll do… Weirdworld.” Yet they all cook in the same oil of understated tensions, wry smirks, Wagnerian flair, and crafty comics timing that combine such disparate flavors into a common savoriness. There must be a whole team of gourmands in that kitchen.

Because there’s no way one human is so versatile AND so prolific all at once. No way he can score so many triumphs at both Marvel and Image without ever descending into banal self-parody, except when the story calls for it. No way he can manage such limitless compelling characterization corralling such distinct voices, from Bastard’s Euless Boss to Star War’s Luke, without succumbing to stereotypes and oversimplifications. No way.

Yet “Jason Aaron” somehow (supposedly) wrote the best-selling comic book of the year, with Death Star-sized stakes for getting it right. And he (allegedly) hexed the most vexing Marvel hero into perhaps the most acclaimed reincarnation of a relaunchful season, cramming Dr. Strange’s giant ghosts and ego into a deceptively compact house of great ideas. And he (reportedly) penned the best independent work of regionally distinctive realism on the map in Southern Bastards. And he (apparently) fired off the strongest indictment of caped machismo in mainstream comics, not only withdrawing the hammer of Thor but granting it to the Truly Worthy. And he (we’re told) policed and populated Doom-God’s Secret Wars’ weird worlds, and capped off the year (purportedly) Goddamned in the muck and fire of pre-Noahic humanity.

Truthfully, I have no suspicions about Aaron, who is as open a book as we have in comics writer-dom, and as incandescent a talent. At Image Expo this year, I figured out the secret to the Jasons Aarons. No, not the secret that he’s actually a conglomeration of ten brilliant writers, each of whom could find his own spot on this list. But how. How Jason Aaron, in all seriousness, writes so Doomgodded well: There we were, assembled comics press, sitting before this giant of the art, and I got the clear sense that more than any of us were observing him, he was observing us, taking mental notes, piling up in that massive, multi-voiced mind the raw materials of many awesome worlds.

Editor’s Notes:

Mike Romeo – Jason Aaron trounced the competition this year. In terms of how the staff voted, there was an incredibly wide divide between him and Vaughn, who came in a strong second. Of all of the categories this year, this was the one that came closest to having us all in complete agreement.

Brian Salvatore – Jason Aaron is almost single-handedly representing all that is good in comics right now. He is equally adept in creator owned (“Southern Bastards”), company owned (“Doctor Strange,” “Thor”), and even licensed (“Star Wars”). The fact that he is able to not just thrive in each area, but bring some of the best parts of all three to his work is astounding. Every year, it seems that Aaron is taking on a new challenge, or trying something new – and damn it, it keeps working out. Next time I see him at a con, maybe he’ll let me rub his beard for luck or something.


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