As I started writing this, I kept realizing that every piece of news, and several of the issues, I wanted to mention either happened or came out in November or January. What happened to December?
It’s a blur. I blame the egg nog.
One thing that stood out in the last month of 2014 was the controversy surrounding “Batgirl” #37, which felt for a moment as though it might break the internet. “Just the Tips” from Fraction and Zdarsky hit shelves, just in time for Christmas. I hope your Grammy appreciated the copy you sent her.
As I am writing this, the comic-sphere is humming with the usual cacophony of grumbles of disagreement and squeals of approval that follows a motion picture announcement.
Well, it is official. Chambit is happening. Fox announced that Channing Tatum will be donning the signature trench coat belonging to the Ragin’ Cajun himself on the big screen on October 7, 2016. What he will be wearing underneath continues to be a topic for debate.
As we pause to consider the dread this question should inspire:
How do you say October 7, 2016 in Cajun?
— Channing Tatum (@channingtatum) January 6, 2015
Let’s not get bogged down in the negative. Here are a few things comics got very right in the month of December.
Best Issue: “Bitch Planet” #1
The debut issue of this ‘sci-fi exploitation’ series delivers a completely new experience. DeConnick and De Landro have created a book that mixes Atwood-style speculative fiction with the humor and heart of Orange Is the New Black. The art and writing come together to create an energetic whirlwind of action and intrigue. “Bitch Planet” also forces important questions and does important work defining feminism against a backdrop of apathy. The shocking, unapologetic nature of this title is daring and spirited. The team reminds us all that non-compliance can be a beautiful thing.
Best Artist: Ray Fawkes
Over the last six months, Ray Fawkes has become one of my favorite creators. I think there is a brutal beauty in his work that cannot be replicated. His unique, sincere, honest voice binds all of his work together into a volume of stories that only he could tell.
“Intersect” represents a truly fine understanding of the way the visual elements of a book can set a tone that instantly defines the emotional palette of a story. The sensitivity of his rendering brings out the delicate, maddening state of the world he is creating. Truly distinctive, crisp subjective colors against stark white give the series a signature look that makes it stand out against everything else on the shelves.
Best Writer: Scott Snyder
Sometimes you just have to recognize someone’s expertise. There is no denying Snyder’s prowess. We all know he’s good, but watching as he and the creative team (Jock and Matt Hollingsworth both shine here, too) behind “Wytches” roll out an entirely new mythology in a familiar world reminds us all how good he is at what he does. With an enviable grasp of character and setting he is building suspense through beautifully paced, meticulously plotted mystery.
Best Colorist: Maris Wicks
Because of the controversy surrounding “Batgirl” #37 some of the successes of the book were largely overlooked. I wanted to take a moment to recognize Wicks outstanding contribution to the series, and this last issue specifically. Her work is crisp and lively. She manages to balance vibrant, enthusiastic colors with masterful special effects and indelible clarity. At the end of the day, her personal style and pitch-perfect grasp of the book’s tone make her work truly sparkle.
