Columns 

Multiversity Comics Countdown: The Ten Best DC Books, Right Now

By | May 8th, 2013
Posted in Columns | 24 Comments

As part of a two part series of Countdowns today, myself and fellow MC writer David Harper are going to be responding to Paste Magazine’s Top Ten DCl and Marvel book lists with our own. Now, neither list is bad. In fact, the DC one is noted as being relatively accurate. But it inspired us to think what our lists would be, and because of that, here’s what I came up with for my ten favorite DC books.

A couple notes: no Vertigo titles, no digital first books, no already announced as cancelled books, nor any “must hit” unreleased books. And yes, I left off “Batwoman,” which has never been as great as her run in “Detective Comics.” There, I said it. Also, current creative teams noted, but many will be changing shortly.

10. Batman and Robin
Writter: Peter Tomasi
Artist: Patrick Gleason

Why It Made the List: This was a book that, initially, I was very sour on because I felt that its core concept was weaker than its pre-Flashpoint version. Bruce and Damian would never be as interesting as Dick and Damian. However, over time, Tomasi has shown a real knack for presenting a human Bruce, and never more so than in the wake of Damian’s death. Gleason’s work frequently gets overshadowed by flashier, yet not as well constructed, art, but this dude can draw. With Robin gone, the book has been featuring various members of the Bat-family, and has been better than ever.

9. Justice League Dark
Writters: Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes
Artist: Mikel Janin

Why It Made the List: A terrible name (even admitted by the characters in the book) for an odd collection of characters, this book didn’t really click until Jeff Lemire took the reigns from Peter Milligan. Since then, the stories have been something really rare in the New 52: fun. Mikel Janin’s art has been a revelation; it was what was keeping me buying the book before Lemire took over, and it continues to impress. Hopefully, the upcoming “Trinity War” will boost exposure for this book which, despite being the further from the “classic” Justice League lineup, is by far the most enjoyable and properly toned Justice League book on the market.

8. Green Lantern
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Doug Mahnke

Why It Made the List: This book is often forgotten when talking about DC’s best books for two reasons: 1) its incredibly consistent creative team and their run of success, and 2) its fall from grace as the critical darling in the wake of “Blackest Night” and “Brightest Day.” Yes, those mega-events were disappointing when compared to prior GL-based events. Yes, the book somewhat lost its way pre-Flashpoint. However, since being relaunched, the book has been more about Sinestro and Simon Baz than it has about Hal Jordan and, because of that, it has found its soul again. Doug Mahnke is one of the steadiest and most dependable artists working today, and his action is consistently strong. Geoff Johns, while no longer batting quite as high an average with his successes, still knows how to write Hal and co. better than almost anyone. His run ends this month, and it will be missed.

7. Green Arrow
Written by Jeff Lemire
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino

Why It Made the List: The short answer is that this book made the list because of the past three issues. Prior to Lemire and Sorrentino taking over, this book was one of DC’s worst comics month in, month out. However, due in no small part to Sorrentino’s absolutely dynamic pencils, this book has rebounded into something DC desperately needed: a hit to tie in with Arrow, its CW show. I’ve never seen a minute of Arrow, but between the costume tweaks and the overall atmosphere, it is no coincidence that DC wanted things to lean that way a bit. And as long as the book remains this strong, I’ve got no problem with that.

Continued below

6. Batman
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo

Why It Made the List: No book has been more of a roller coaster than “Batman.” When it is on, it feels as if it belongs in the pantheon of great Bat-works; when it is off, it feels gimmicky and easy. Luckily, the balance has been more towards the good end of the spectrum, and a great deal of that is the revelatory artwork of Greg Capullo. From Spawn hasbeen to architect of the New 52 Bat-look, Capullo’s work, both on covers and interiors, has been nothing short of incredible. Snyder is currently doing what Johns used to do so well; take a character and examine all that makes him great. While the 11-part “Year Zero” concept leaves me cold, I’ll check it out, because this team has proven its value time and time again.

5. Animal Man
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Steve Pugh

Why It Made the List: His third, and final, appearance on this list is the title Lemire has been on since the New 52 launched, “Animal Man.” Few other books of the New 52 hit their stride as early, or carried it along as well, as “Animal Man” did. Steve Pugh is doing solid work, but the spectacularly frightening work of Travel Foreman is missed on the book. Jae Lee’s covers give a sense of dread to the book that really makes it pop off the shelf, as well. The only misstep for the book was the overlong and underwhelming ‘Rotworld’ crossover with “Swamp Thing.” But even those issues were well illustrated, well written, slightly undercooked adventures. Animal Man went from fifth stringer to breakout hit in less than a year in these quite capable hands.

4. Supergirl
Writer: Mike Johnson
Artist: Mahmud Asrar

Why It Made the List: This is a rare beast in the New 52: a book that was a critical darling pre-Flashpoint that got re-tooled and came out if not better, at least as good as it was when it wrapped. Everything was stacked against this book, from its Smallville writing duo to its total reboot of the character. But between the fun and unique adventures given to the character (including limited interaction with others due to the fact she didn’t speak English) to the incredible art of Mahmud Asrar, the book has stood out as the best of the Super line by far. Whether or not Michael Alan Nelson can keep up this momentum will be decided in a few months time, but right now? You can’t go wrong with this book.

3. Wonder Woman
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artists: Cliff Chiang and Tony Akins

Why It Made the List: Ask a fan to name an iconic Batman or Superman story, and the answers come at you fast and furious. Ask about the Trinity partner Wonder Woman and you get almost none – until now. Azzarello, Chiang and Akins are crafting a singular, interesting, complex and wonderful Wonder Woman story, and are getting the proper accolades for doing so. Rarely has a book’s critical and commercial status been so appropriate and simpatico.

2. Batman Incorporated
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Chris Burnham

Why It Made the List: This is the culmination of a Batman story so large that it overwrote the universe being overwritten. It is a multitextured, bizarre, funny, sad, touching, past-looking, forward reaching journey into the Batman mythos. Not only is this one of the best DC books currently, but Grant Morrison’s Batman epic will be read, reread, misunderstood, and scrutinized for years and years to come.

1. Earth 2
Written by James Robinson
Artists: Nicola Scott and Yildiray Cinar

Why It Made the List: While “Batman Incorporated” is a great book, it is partly a great book because it stands on the shoulders of the rest of Morrison’s run. “Earth 2” is a great book because it presumes you know nothing at all. Sure, if you’re a longtime fan you can pluck out details that hint at Golden Age greatness or Bronze Age weirdness, but those details are only window dressing on what is a very approachable story: what if all the heroes on Earth died? Who would take their place? How would they get their powers?


//TAGS | Countdown

Brian Salvatore

Brian Salvatore is an editor, podcaster, reviewer, writer at large, and general task master at Multiversity. When not writing, he can be found playing music, hanging out with his kids, or playing music with his kids. He also has a dog named Lola, a rowboat, and once met Jimmy Carter. Feel free to email him about good beer, the New York Mets, or the best way to make Chicken Parmagiana (add a thin slice of prosciutto under the cheese).

EMAIL | ARTICLES



  • -->