There was a plethora of excellent books in October, with first issues making a huge impact. Brian K. Vaughn and Greg Rucka struck gold again. “The Multiversity” is now in a gorgeous hardcover and ready to be signed by the master writer himself. My excitement for “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Dark Knight III: The Master Race” became more intense in October because of teases galore. The books discussed here, as well as many not mentioned, are proof of the vitality within our favorite artistic medium.
Best Issue: “Paper Girls” #1
Brian K. Vaughn may have fired the opening salvo of a series that has the possibility to match the brilliance of his “Saga” with “Paper Girls” #1. Although vastly different than that series, “Paper Girls” has a fun premise that involves girls who deliver newspapers in their 1980s Cleveland neighborhood. Cliff Chiang, who has been missed since finishing his instant-classic run on “Wonder Woman” with Brian Azzarello, brings his inimitably gorgeous style to this issue. His characterization, along with Matt Wilson’s colors, bring an epic and emotional aura to an intimate story that hints at wild twists and turns ahead.
Best Writer: Tom King
Although “Paper Girls” could have swept most of this column, I decided to give room to other deserving books and creators. One such deserving writer is Tom King. King is a consummate storyteller and proves it in this month’s issues of “Grayson” and “Omega Men”. His versatility is astounding and his immense talent matches his enthusiasm, whether his stories take place in a world of spies or a world of aliens. After “Omega Men” was cancelled, the small yet vocal fans of this book rose up and demanded it get its promised twelve issues. Let’s hope the publicity about the short-lived cancellation raises its sales numbers. Too many instances can be cited as examples that quality books sell less than mediocre or just plain bad books (and we all know those books). Joining the “Omega Men” bandwagon will send a message that quality can sell and should be rewarded.
Best Artist: Nicola Scott
Nicola Scott has expressed incredible enthusiasm for her and writer Greg Rucka’s “Black Magick” #1 through social media. Judging by the first issue, that enthusiasm translated magically to the page. With the artistic as well as color choices she makes in the debut issue, there is a complexity and surreal beauty lurking throughout every nook and cranny of every page and panel. Scott has impressed with her work in the past for DC (such as “Earth 2”) but her art is almost unrecognizable here. She’s a versatile artist who is just as comfortable in a world of heroes as she is in a world of magic, horror, and crime.
Best Colorist: FCO Plascencia
FCO Plascencia brings a day-glo palette to “Batman” #45 that is haunting, unsettling, and fun all in one sitting. Like any great colorist, he adds to the storytelling in ways that the writer, artist, or inker cannot express through their individual contributions.
Best Cover: “Doctor Fate” #5
Sonny Liew’s cover for “Doctor Fate” #5 brings a smile to my face with its layout, division of time and action, and classic comic book feel. Every issue of this series so far, inside and out, has boasted beautiful art that is complicated in its simplicity and enthusiastic fun.
Best Collected Edition: “The Multiversity Deluxe Edition”
This masterpiece by writer Grant Morrison and friends deserves praise in the most hyperbolic of terms. It is sure to be considered one of the greatest comic book epics ever. The experimentation, love of the comics medium and the DC Universe in particualr, and the massive scope of this series is awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping. If you already have the issues, it’s still nice to have in a hardcover over-sized edition on your bookcase.
Best New Vertigo Series: “The Twilight Children” #1
If the forthcoming Vertigo books are as good as the ones we’ve gotten this month, then we might be getting an injection of extra life in the DC imprint. The debut of this miniseries by Gilbert Hernandez, Darwyn Cooke, and Dave Stewart is bursting with magical realism, the usual quality of Cooke art, and colors that exude mystery.
Best Fill-In Artist: Francis Manapul
If anyone had to fill in for two issues of “Justice League”, then Francis Manapul is definitely the person you would call without question. “Justice League” #45 is astoundingly epic, intricate in its detail, and colored in surprising ways by Manapul and Brian Buccellato. Manapul returns for another chapter in the “Darkseid War” saga next month as well. Although regular artist Jason Fabok is missed, it’s fun to mix it up a little.
Best Comeback: Cassandra Cain
In “Batman and Robin Eternal” #1, we’re re-introduced to the extremely quiet, physically strong, and mysterious Cassandra Cain. With a connection to all the Robins that has still yet to be explained, Cass is sure to regain prominence in the DC Universe. From the tease of Azrael’s return in another issue of this so-far intriguing and fast-paced weekly title, I can only hope that the Jean-Paul Valley Easter egg means more beloved characters are going to make appearances. Even Harold deserves a comeback.
Best Wink and a Nudge to Long-time Readers (Besides the Azrael tease): Reference to a classic issue in “Batman and Robin Eternal” #4
Writer Steve Orlando must have read the same comics I did as a kid. When I saw the address for the Drake house, I knew that number looked familiar. “Batman” #436 is where Tim Drake made his first appearance. It also happens to be one of my first and favorite comic books. It’s exciting to read comics by creators who are not only talented, but also have a reverence and passion for your favorite characters and their pasts.
Most Bittersweet Announcement From NYCC: Greg Capullo and Scott Snyder announced that Capullo is taking a break from the Bat-world after “Batman” #50. Although that is sad news indeed, Snyder is staying on the book. With what is sure to be stellar artistic collaborators in the interim, we should all express a sigh of relief that the book will remain in good hands. With the artistic talent that Snyder has worked with in the past, there’s a deep well of artists he can choose from to bring his vision to life.
Best “Dark Knight III: The Master Race” #1 Variant Cover
The variants for the first issue of “DK3” feature some amazing art by some of the best artists. It was difficult to whittle down to just one, but this cover by Sean Murphy (who has been doing excellent work lately) is an epic reinterpretation of an iconic battle. Batman and Superman appear as if they’re going to burst from the page because of their massive size. These covers just keep my excitement high for November 25th!
Most Anticipated Book of November: “Dark Knight III: The Master Race” #1
Speaking of November 25th…With all the news in October about the third part of the “Dark Knight” trilogy, I couldn’t help but be excited. “The Dark Knight Returns” is my favorite book of all time and it seems like I’m one of only a handful of people who actually liked “The Dark Knight Strikes Again”. The interior pages featuring Andy Kubert’s art and Klaus Janson’s inks look promising and the fact that Brian Azzarello is co-writing “The Master Race” could make the story that much better. The hate coming from some people toward Frank Miller’s art for the variant covers of issues one and two are definitely undeserved and made this Miller fan very happy. For this unabashed Bat-fanatic, November 25th can’t come soon enough.
