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| Disclaimer from Fear Agent #32 |
This was a top notch month for comics in my estimation, with two books released that are making my Best of 2011 list and a range of others that were high quality in their own right. But what was the best of the best? Find out after the jump, and as you can tell from above, there may be spoilers. Beware!!!
Best Comic of the Month: Fear Agent #32
In a month that featured a 96 page issue of Fantastic Four with a laundry list of top notch creators that screamed “TOP BOOK! TOP BOOK!,” my November champion is none other than the finale to Rick Remender’s Fear Agent. With a pitch perfect wrap up to the saga of one Heath Huston, incredible art from Tony Moore and Mike Hawthorne, and a couple bitchin’ Samuel Clemens quotes, Fear Agent wrapped in a way that is up there with the best conclusions to any comic series in recent memory. Well done Team Fear Agent.
Runner up: Fantastic Four #600, Wolverine and the X-Men #2, Scalped #54, Uncanny X-Force #17
Worst Comic of the Month: Astonishing X-Men #44
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t have significant expectations for this even though it has a top notch creative team. That said, this came in well below those expectations because what was given to us was kind of a mess, both from a written and artistic standpoint. Which is a shame because I really enjoy Greg Pak’s writing and Mike McKone’s art. Oh well, this manages to be the first Regenesis misfire, which is still a really good ratio.
Runner up: X-Factor #227 (not because it’s bad, but because of the ending!), Hawk and Dove #3
Best Scene of the Month: Heath Huston gets his happy ending
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS!
Our Heath Huston, the one we followed from issue one of Fear Agent on, had as much crap thrown at him as anyone ever. The guy was maimed, shot, beaten and a whole lot more to the worst degree one can be, and that pales in comparison to the awful emotional destruction he went through. But in the end, Heath could rest easy with a stogie, confident in knowing that he was the unknown savior of reality and that at least one version of his family would stay together and happy post that one fateful day when the Tetaldians and the Jellybrains changed everything for him. I don’t think I’ve ever been more happy for a character in comics than I was for good ol’ Heath.
Runner up: Johnny Storm questions Peter Parker’s costume, Bobby Drake kisses Kitty Pryde
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| And it gets worse… |
Worst Scene of the Month: Jamie Madrox is killed…kind of
I can’t be the only one who read X-Factor #227, got to the end and thought “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!” Sure, we know Peter David will make it work (I’m not going to say “make it make sense” because we are talking comics), but for an ending to a narrative of that sort, it was a cruel and confusing way to leave us. Which is too bad because the rest of the issue was X-Factor’s typical top notch self.
Runner up: All of Hawk and Dove #3
Best Character of the Month: Heath Huston
So basically Fear Agent #32 is Return of the King and these are the Oscars. Clean sweep people! Clean sweep! Heath Huston is a mega badass with a heart of gold!
Continued belowRunner up: Bobby Drake, Fantomex, Johnny Storm
Best Writer of the Month: Rick Remender
I’ve already went on and on about how fantastic Fear Agent’s finale was, but hey, he’s also writing one of my other favorite titles in Uncanny X-Force which had an incredible issue in its own right as the Dark Angel Saga nears its close. Throw in the well-received Venom (which I don’t read) and you’ve got a writer who is producing a lot all at an extremely high level. Well done to Remender this month (and every month, really).
Runner up: Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman
Best Artist of the Month: Steve Epting
Epting is a bit of a manimal. He’s always been great, with a lot of huge books (namely Brubaker’s initial Cap work) being carried visually by his incredible work. That said, Fantastic Four #600 was career defining greatness from him, as he brought 35 pages of massive moments to life in the best possible way. I loved the work of all of the artists on the book, but man, Epting was the champ.
Runner up: Farel Dalrymple, Tony Moore, R.M. Guera, Mike Hawthorne, Chris Samnee
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| What is wrong with you Dragon Man?! |
Worst Artist of the Month: Juan Bobillo
I have to admit, I’ve never really liked Bobilo’s art. It’s true, and it may be a personal taste thing. But whatever the deal is, I could not stand his work on this week’s FF #12. Painful, underdeveloped awkwardness throughout, and that’s a shame especially considering we’ve come to expect awesome art from Hickman books. Not this time my friends.
Best New Book of the Month: Mudman #1
Hell yeah Mudman! Paul Grist rolled out his new Image series this month, and what came out was a throwback to Spider-Man like storytelling of yesteryear. The character comes first, and as we get to know the character behind the mask first, it makes the experience of meeting Mudman all the better. Plus, this book is fun as all hell with top notch art from Grist. Can’t wait for issue two, and I highly recommend checking this book out.
Runner up: Uncanny X-Men #1
Most Underrated Book of the Month: Fear Agent #32
It’s quickly become apparent to me that not that many people actually read Fear Agent. I have a few reasons why, but it appears that is true. Well here’s the situation people: this is a great comic. This is sci-fi and fun and awesomeness at its best with tons and tons of great artists working on it. All of the issues are out now. Five of the trades are out. Now is a great time to get on it. GET ON IT. Buy this comic for yourself and then for friends and family and anyone who will take them from you.
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| SWAN!!! |
Best Bad Book of the Month: Hawk and Dove #3
Okay, I want to make one thing clear. I don’t really like this book. It’s pretty awful all around. Nothing about it is traditionally “good.” But I read it because we talk about it on the video podcast I cohost for Multiversity, and good god, I enjoy the hell out of talking about it. It’s like Manos Hands of Fate or Sleepaway Camp – it’s so bad it’s great. It’s great to share with others. If you’re just looking to read and enjoy a book by yourself, skip this book. But if you enjoy sharing your comic reading experience, especially when it comes to the ridiculousness of the burgeoning bird squadron of the DCnU, then good god, get some Hawk and Dove on people. SWAN!
