2024.
Kong became a Green Lantern.
Batman got swole.
Miles got a new costume.
Buddy still hasn't told anyone what happened to Stinky.
It was a year chock full of exciting moments (and non-moments, we guess). Here are a few of our favorites.
STEPH
NIGHTS VOL 01 Monsters and humans living together as part of the norm. Friends, love, family (found and blood) Equal parts devastating and hilarious. Takes place in Florida. An absolute joy to read.
BIRDS OF PREY VOL 01 Laugh out loud hilarity plus super high stakes. Also Big Barda calls Cass ‘Small Bat’ and their friendship is everything.
HACK/SLASH: BACK TO SCHOOL A peek at Cassie and Vlad’s beginning. Also equal parts devastating and hilarious plus excellent art (I appear to have a type).
PAT
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
When the first Black Label Hellblazer revival was cancelled years ago, I was heartbroken. Si Spurrier and Aaron Campbell had crafted the best version of Constantine in a decade, restoring all the sharp angles and fascinating contradictions to the character that make him so compelling. And to end on a cliffhanger? Damn their eyes! This series is the long awaited capstone to that storyline, and is even more deftly crafted. We follow John and a band of truly memorable misfits on twisted road trip through the heart of America, celebrating and skewering the myths and harsh realities that make this country both great and damned. It’s also a stealth sequel to one of the most beloved Vertigo titles ever. Spurrier pits John against foes who have bested godlings and beyond. Campbell renders this struggle like a virtuoso, switching between gritty realism and masterful abstraction. Through it all we learn Constantine may actually have a heart, though it might not beat in the traditional sense. Can he save his loved ones and the tattered spirit of this nation itself before it is torn from his chest with terrible fury?
EDDIE
Destiny 2: The Final Shape This is a game that I've been playing for 10 years since the first beta (also the first day I started high school.) A decade later, on June 9th, 2024, this epic saga came to it's conclusion. There were a lot of up and downs, making it feel like a third job or a toxic relationship. But at the end of the day, it gave me many memories of fun gameplay, storytelling, and meeting new friends in person and online. It will always be an unforgettable, emotional week.
Moon Knight
One of my favorite comics this year was Vengeance of The Moon Knight. I may be biased since he is my favorite superhero, but it is worth the read. I appreciate how Jed Mackay shows the grieving process of all the important people in Marc’s life. Later on, Jed displays a wholesome reunion with those characters. Also Alessandro Cappuccio’s art style is so unique and captivating, it’s perfect for the guy that’s all about vengeance.
Brandon
Ultimate Spider-man
Hickman is absolutely killing it with this series, but sometimes recommending it is difficult.
"So that book is good?"
"Yeah - it rules!"
"What happens in this issue?"
"Oh, man - it's so great! In this one Peter and his family have breakfast together!"
"...and?"
"No, that's the whoie thing! It's so good!"
It is hands down my favorite Spider-man book in years. The story structure is somewhat unique and while there are exciting hero moments, the quiet times are some of the best.
This series finished out the year by causing me to audibly gasp after flipping a page and then to immediately reread the entire issue.
Helen of Wyndhorne
An orphaned drunken teenage reprobate has been brought to the estate of the grandfather she never knew to be taught to be a proper lady. Of course, she soon discovers that the dime store fantasy novel's her father wrote were based on fact more than imagination and that her future and past are stranger than fiction.
Bilquis Evely joins Vess, Zulli and Russell in the upper echelons of comic fantasy artists with her absolutely stunning work on this series.
PEEPEE POOPOO
When you go to art school to become a fine artist, you study the Masters. But Caroline Cash wanted to become an indie comic artist. So she's studying those Masters, instead. Crumb. Clowes. Burns. Abel.
Cash tells autobiographical slice of life stories while examining Comix past through the lens of the genre's luminaries.
Caroline attended art school in Chicago and could be found behind the counter at Quimby's for a time, so there's lots of local flavor to enjoy, as well. Current issues of the series include #420, Issue 69, BOOBS and, most recently, Issue #1.
MARK
Our number 1 Captain America fan has shocking favorites this year - all DC books!
DC'S ABSOLUTE LINE
When this line was announced, many people questioned why this was happening. Now we have the answer: to make awesome comics! All three initial titles have been surprising, entertaining and a ton of fun. Highly recommended!
DC's Elseworlds
Finally!
Elseworlds is back! One of DC's most fun concepts is finally back!
(Feel free to stop by Lincoln Square any time and say "Didio" or "Elseworlds" within earshot and treat yourself to a good old fashioned Mark rant.)
