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This Month In Comics: January 2015

By | February 2nd, 2015
Posted in Columns | 4 Comments

After an amazing 2014 for comic books, 2015 had a bang-up beginning. It wasn’t difficult to choose my favorite issues of the year or favorite artist, but the other categories were pretty difficult to narrow down to just one (even with runners up). It’s a great time to be a Batman fanatic, with the family of Bat-books continuing to impress. Take a look at my picks below and beware of one big SPOILER concerning the last page of “Batman” #38!

Best Issue: “Batman” #38 and “The Multiversity Guidebook” #1 (Tie)

Both of these books have one thing in common: a respect for history while not being beholden to it. Grant Morrison and a cadre of artists have created a love letter to DC Comics and its rich history and pantheon of characters while, at the same time, telling a story that feels new and revolutionary. “The Multiversity Guidebook”, as I mentioned in my review, opens up the possibility for new worlds to be explored within the DC Universe.

“Batman” #38 radically alters the origin of the Dark Knight’s arch-nemesis and includes new members of the Bat-family introduced by Snyder and Greg Capullo while celebrating what makes Batman, the Joker, and the Bat-world so unique and timeless. And though Batman may be timeless, Snyder, Capullo, and company prove that this classic character has remained relevant because he is able to evolve and change while staying true to his core attributes. Batman (and comic books in general, with regards to Morrison) begs radical change as long as it is done with imagination and love. “Batman” #38 and the monthly book’s team of creators, like Morrison and his “The Multiversity”, have an abundance of both those essential ingredients.

Best Writer: Grant Morrison

It was a toss-up between Morrison and Snyder, with Morrison coming out on top simply for the staggering achievement that every issue of “The Multiversity” has been so far. In “The Multiversity Guidebook”, Morrison doesn’t just give us a by-the-numbers guide of worlds. He makes it part of the story happening within the pages of the book and within our own world. Morrison’s boundless and unique imagination is evident on every page, with this issue in particular making for a dizzying experience that will make you love the medium we all love so much.

Runner Up: Scott Snyder

Best Artist and Colorist: Babs Tarr and Maris Wicks

The page above is just one example in “Batgirl” #38 that demonstrates the power of a great artist paired with a highly skilled colorist. Tarr and Wicks bring a combination of pop layout and pop colors mixed with social media to this gorgeous montage that exemplifies an artistic team that work extraordinarily well together. The rest of this issue features Tarr’s versatility as an artist and how she continues to surprise the reader with each successive issue.

Best Scene: Batman goes before the Court of Owls in “Batman” #38

I was honestly not expecting the Court to hold…court before Batman at the end of this issue’s main story. It’s a pretty powerful statement to have Batman go before a group that are some of his most formidable enemies and ask for their assistance against the Joker. It’s also a testament of Snyder and Capullo’s talent and ability to create villains that have become iconic in such a short amount of time. This scene would hold an equal amount of impact if it was the Riddler or the Penguin towering over Batman.

Best Cover: “Fairest” #33

Adam Hughes has created a work of art with every “Fairest” cover. The series’ final issue is no different and features Goldilocks, guns, and a very inquisitive bear. It’s sad to see Hughes leave the land of “Fables”.

Most Overlooked Series: “High Crimes” #9

It’s criminal that this digital comic by writer Christopher Sebela and artist Ibrahim Moustafa does not have many more readers. Thanks must be given to my sister for introducing me to this book. Mount Everest, murder, a mysterious diary, and fascinating characters make up a comic that has more packed into it in each installment than many mainstream comics being released today. Moustafa has become one of my favorite artists, with the care that he and Sebela put into this book proving that they make a perfect pair. I can’t wait to see what they do next together once this story comes to its conclusion.

Continued below

Best New Series: “The Dying and the Dead”

Jonathan Hickman and Ryan Bodenheim team up once again to create a first issue of a new ongoing series that asks questions and supplies very little answers. That’s just how I like my Hickman: he blends mystery with intelligence, excitement, and creativity. Ryan Bodenheim’s art and Michael Garland’s colors are cinematic, detailed, and contribute to the transformation of Hickman’s far-out story into something grounded and fabulously real.

Best Image Expo Announcement: “A.D.: After Death” by Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire

A graphic novel written by one of my favorite writers around with art by one of my favorite writer/artists around? Sounds like a recipe for an instant classic. Scott Snyder has never written a straight-up graphic novel before and Jeff Lemire has never supplied the art for a graphic novel that wasn’t written by him. It’s a first for them and a promise of also being a delightful first for us.

Runner Up: “Paper Girls” by Brian K. Vaughn and Cliff Chiang – Another monthly from writer BKV plus art by this age’s defining Wonder Woman artist equals a title that has a fun premise and the expectation of the inimitable artistic stylings of Cliff Chiang.

Biggest Surprise: “Star Wars” #1

I may be one of the few people on this site who is not a huge fan of “Star Wars.” Call me a blasphemer if you will. I liked (not loved) the original three films and had no expectations for this book. Jason Aaron and John Cassaday created a first issue that attracted me right away with its fun writing and excellent artwork. I may not have become a born again “Star Wars” acolyte, but I did love this first issue.


//TAGS | This Month In Comics

Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley lives in sunny Southern California and has Bachelors and Masters Degrees in English literature. He considers comic books the highest form of literature and has declared them the Great American Art Form. He has been reading comics since age eight and his passion for comic books and his obsession for Batman knows no bounds. If he isn’t reading or writing about comics, he’s usually at the gym or eating delectable food. He runs the website Comics Authority with his fiancé Don and can be found on Twitter and Facebook.

EMAIL | ARTICLES


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