Weekly Release Lists

 
 
Howdy y’all! 2014 was a great year for the comic/graphic novel industry as whole. Marked by new releases, some strong events, and even some new television series and announcements that surprised everyone, it’s never been a better time to be a fanboy! But of course, of all those titles and releases, there has to be a best, or at least “bests”, for every category, publisher, etc. That being said, while the process has not been without its holdups, we here at CTG have finally finished our debating, bickering, and fighting to deliver to you what we believe to be the “Best of 2014”. We meant to have this our sooner but you know, holidays and such. So without further ado, please read on to see what we picked for our CTG Best of 2014.
 
Sincerely,
 
The 2015 CTG Staff & Team
 
 
Best Ongoing Series: Batman (DC)
I think it's easy to say that Batman has been one of the hottest series since the New 52 relaunch. Led by writer Scott Snyder and penciller Greg Capullo, Batman continues to tell the absolute best stories that DC has to offer month after month. Bolstered by the excellent inking and coloring skills of Danny Miki and FCO Placensia, this is a book that seemingly never slows down. Just check out the current run, Endgame, and you'll see what we mean. 
 

Best Artist: Fiona Staples
Few artists in the business can show emotions and expressions like Fiona Staples. The slightest facial quirks come across on her characters and it makes all the difference during dialogue driven scenes that don't heavily rely on action. Not to mention that Saga is allowing Staples to thrive by keeping panel layouts to a minimum. This keeps her images cinematic and expressive without having to force too much onto a page. Look at a page with Hazel on it and tell us it doesn't make you smile. 


Best Writer: Scott Snyder
Even if Snyder was only writing his excellent Batman run every year he'd still be in the running. But take that and add on The Wake, American Vampire, Superman Unchained, & Wytches, and you've got one of the most prolific authors in the business. When he's not writing compelling leads who you'd follow to the ends of the earth, he's trying to get under your skin, to make you leave a light on as you read your comics at night. Very rarely do we get an author so versatile. 


Best Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Take a look at a recent book you've read and really enjoyed.  Chances are Jordie Bellaire is credited for colors.  One person handling a lot of work is usually a sign of too few people for a job, but this is not the case in the comic industry.  There are plenty of stand-outs, but all the work Jordie Bellaire performs is a purely a testament to her abilities.  She is multifaceted and handles books from all over the genre scale.  She's brought life to some of the best books out there, from Moon Knight to The Massive to Magneto.  In addition to the Comics - The Gathering award, she also took home an Eisner for her cover work on Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy's The Wake.
 

Best Independent Series: Saga (Image)
Chronicling the journey of Alana and Marko's ever-expanding family, Saga is by far the best Indie series out there. There are very few comics, you can just give to someone and say "Here. Read this." and get the same positive responses again and again. Saga is one of these books. 
 

Best Publisher: Image
Somewhere along the line, Image stepped from the murky, muddled depths of indie comics and established itself as a serious contender against what was once a one-on-one fight between big name publishers Marvel and DC. Now, Image has very much made a name for itself, leading the way in mainstream comics with inventive creator owned titles coming from out of nowhere almost every day. I exaggerate, but their current publications at least rival Marvel and DC in number, if they haven’t already surpassed the once and former kings.
       
Many used to only know Image through obscure works such as Savage Dragon, Witchblade, and The Maxx, but the publisher gained even more notoriety with titles that gained popular media adaptations, such as Spawn, The Darkness, and The Walking Dead. In addition to its numerous long running series (i.e.: Invincible, Chew), Image has become even more prolific with series that have captured even more public and critical attention and acclaim.

Whereas publishers like DC and Marvel have stayed relatively consistent in its publications, relying upon a heavily stocked collection of heroes, IPs, and the like, Image has branched out into bolder and stranger territories with titles such as Sex Criminals and Manhattan Projects. While this can be heavily attributed to Image’s promotion of creator owned works as well as creator ingenuity itself, Image’s willingness to publish works with controversial elements time and time again is what has truly set it apart from its peers.

Image publishes new serializations each year, but in the past several we’ve seen some of their strongest titles. 2012 saw releases including Revival and Saga, while 2013 welcomed new titles the likes of Sex Criminals and Rat Queens; to name a few. 2014 has been no exception, and among the numerous titles released this year, publications such as Southern Bastards, Trees, and Wytches have already made their marks in the world of comics and graphic novels as top tier series. The publisher has continued to innovate and show the world that they have no intents of yielding when it comes to wowing with new content, and looks to show no signs of slowing its momentum as we enter 2015 and beyond.


Best New Series: Southern Bastards
There’s something incredible about Jason Aaron and Jason Latour’s depiction of the south. Right from the first issue, the team sucked us into a world of dread and corruption without ever letting go of their tight hold. The emotional weight that carries this series forward has yet to falter, giving us a gut-wrenching moment each issue. I’ve always felt a little sick after reading an issue of Southern Bastards because of the flabbergasting and disgusting nature of the series.
 

Best Collected Edition: Seconds (Oni Press)
Bryan Lee O'Malley, whose name became synonymous with graphic novels thanks to his magnum opus "Scott Pilgrim" returned this year with a fresh, modern cautionary/fairy tale.  O'Malley's signature art style is beautiful as ever, but the story of Seconds is what earns it this award.  I haven't devoured a graphic novel this quickly in some time.  The story of Katie and her myriad of questionable decisions draw the reader in and they can't help but wonder what they would do in Katie's position.  The engagement of this title was amazing, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of O'Malley's post-"Scott Pilgrim" work.


Best Creative Team: Scott Snyder/Greg Capullo/Danny Miki/FCO Placensia
Our original listing for Best Creative Team only included Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, but it's unfair to not include Miki and Placensia along with them. Together these four create the most stirring and exciting comics that we consider to not only be the Best of DC, but also the Best Ongoing in General. Just pick up any of the books in their run and you'll see why they're so great. But if you want to be pointed in the right direction, check out Zero Year: a 12 issue epic that not only re-built the Batman mythos, but gave us sprawling city landscapes that were breathtaking to behold. Not to mention, that it also gave Placensia a chance to wow with some unexpected colors in a Batman comic. 
 

Best Limited-Run: Multiversity (DC)
We live in a society of dissection. We always need to know how things work and it’s not really our fault. A universe of knowledge is only a data plan away. But in the process we as a people have lost something. There used to be magic all around us. From the rising of the sun to the glimmer of the stars, our imaginations have been drained by the scientific. Don’t get me wrong, these advances are indisputably great, but there are something’s that are better left unexplained. We may not know this, but Grant Morrison certainly knows this. 

2014 saw the release of Grant Morrison’s long delayed, but often spoke of, Mulitversity. The series is a parallel earth spanning adventure that incorporates all of DC’s nooks and crannies. Each issue is a self-contained wonder, simultaneously horrific and awe inspiring. The linking factor issue to issue is the parallels Earth’s ability to send messages to each other through the pages of comic books.

While the series is still ongoing, many have already begun dissecting its true nature. No doubt the seemingly unrelated events will link up and form something far deeper than we could ever fathom, not unlike Morrison’s own Seven Soldiers saga. However one thing is for sure, whether inside the pages or outside, comic books are magic. Let’s hope we never forget that.


Best Premiere Issue: Wytches #1 (Image)
When Scott Snyder puts in work, the results are terrifying. His current run on Batman isn’t just characterized by high stakes and dynamic re-imaginings of classic characters; he has actually created a darker Gotham, and made his tales (especially those involving the Joker) terrifying. This is the beauty in Wytches – as his own work through Image, Snyder has free range to go ballistic with his story, and weaves a tale of darkness, sacrifice, and secrets. The artwork by Jock only abets the grim tone, and delivers a vibe so eerie it’s honestly as disturbing to look at as it is to read. Hands down, Wytches #1 was the strongest premiere issue for us here at CTG, and if you haven’t? Pick up a copy already! 

 
Best of Marvel: Hawkeye
2014 has been a PHENOMENAL year for Matt Fraction, seeing two Harvey Awards, two Eisner Awards, the start of trippy new series ODY-C, as well as talks to bring back beloved fan-favorite Casanova in 2015; all in addition to his numerous ongoing series. Of those series though, one has continued to stand out time and time again as one of Marvel’s best ongoing series: Hawkeye.

Arguably one of the least popular Avengers (I mean, I liked him), the 2012 release of Marvel’s The Avengers made for the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the world to many of it’s more famous heroes (sans Spider-Man); a chance the Marvel took made hesitation in acting upon. As opposed to more conventionally schemed reboots such as Iron Man and Indestructible Hulk, Marvel took a risk with its Hawkeye series and extended the opportunity to a team it knew could work magic: Matt Fraction and David Aja, who had previously helmed Marvel’s Immortal Iron Fist publication to much critical and public praise. Instead of going for leaps and bounds in telling the powerless Avenger’s tale, Fraction and Aja took a risk and presented the world of Clint Barton in a very down to Earth, and simplistic fashion. Now it’s 2014, and after 2 years in publication Hawkguy’s (mis) adventures have continued to wow and intrigue, and Marvel has clearly struck gold with a killer “indie” hero title.

The beauty of this series is in it’s simple yet character driven storytelling, as well as clean/minimalist graphics; Clint is not the Avenger you would put toe to toe against Thanos, nor do Fraction and Aja try to sell you on that point. He’s the guy you can count on to be at your block party, to mess up your satellite reception with a rampant arrow, or to abuse access to Tony Stark’s personal cell number to set up a television. But he’s an Avenger nonetheless, and that’s proven time and time again regardless of the scale of his battles.

Also interesting to point out is how the series handles not one, but two “Hawkeyes”, with much of the comic’s dynamism in quirk and narrative being contributed in equal parts by Clint as much as his protege Kate, in one of the most hilariously dysfunctional master-student relationships this side of Insufferable. Altogether, every little thing that this series has done right has lead to a pop-culture icon that will be talked about for years after the fact... if hiatuses ever cease.

2014 was a knockout year for Marvel with a slew of powerful new releases, reboots, and ongoing titles, but we can only select one to take the crown of Marvel’s Best. And after much debate and contemplation, there of course was only one answer: with an insanely pragmatic story built in a world where gods can literally walk up to your doorstep, as well as art that remains sensibly conventional while still evoking emotion and action, Hawkeye is in every sense our selection for Marvel’s Best of 2014. Here’s to another year of Clint, Kate, and Pizza Dog, as well as the inevitable end...
 
 
Best of Image: Saga
Image is putting out a butt-load of books right now, but the book that takes the cake and also won our Best Indie Series award is Saga. Never dropping in quality, and consistently engaging, Saga continues to pull it's readers along for the ride. Even when the book slows down it never let's the reader lose interest. This is due to the excellent talents on board. Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples are telling an epic here. One that will go down in history when it's all said and done. 
 

Best of DC: Batman
This one is a no-brainer. Since the New 52 began, DC has struggled to put out quality books that are successful; either the books aren't that great, or they're getting cancelled. Sure, there are exceptions. DC has a number of good reads available, but compared to Marvel (or Image), DC certainly lacks. This isn't the case with their star attraction. Batman continues to top the charts while providing some of the most compelling reads monthly. Whether it involves old favorites or brand new entries in the Rogues' Gallery, Batman is sure to be the best. This year alone provided a gutting and re-building of the Batman mythos that is simultaneously introspective as well as bombastic. This is a book that's hard to beat. 


Best Dressed: Mr. Knight (Moon Knight)
Fighting in an all white ensemble doesn't seem very practical. Come on, the dry cleaning bill itself must be ridiculous. But there's something truly bad ass about someone all decked out in white beating down baddies and anything else that gets in the way. The key for donning this kind of attire is a confident attitude and not being afraid to get real dirty. While best dressed contender Death's from East of West bolo tie and white suit is nothing to mess around with, it was Mr. Knight's all white collection that reigned superior.

We love how Mr. Knight looks damn good in the newer version of his three piece suit – resurrected from when Warren Ellis did Secret Avengers #19. This time, Ellis paid closer attention to the details and with the help of artist Declan Shalvey and colourist Jordie Bellaire, they transformed what could have been just a simple white suit into one that perfectly embodies Mr. Knight. Crescent moons are used as buttons on his vest and as cufflinks on both his dress shirt and suit jacket. They also cover the knuckles of his gloves and act as a clasp to keep said gloves on while he's busy dishing out major pain. Rather than being overpowering, these details are small enough that they are actually endearing. Then there's the holster of crescent shaped throwing knives attached to the back of his smart looking vest, concealed well beneath his suit jacket. Clever, practical and handy in case of emergency. Bad news for the unfortunate suckers involved in a hand-to-hand combat with Mr. Knight. In his three piece, he just emanates cool which is so skillfully illustrated thanks to the combined efforts of Shalvey and Bellaire. Mr. Knight could simply be straightening his suit jacket after inspecting a bloody corpse on the ground and he'd still look cooler than ice cold. But the three piece suit isn't the only thing he wears. It is also mentioned that he possesses such a wide variety of armour and raiment in his collection that even Mr. Knight himself doesn't remember buying them. A collection that includes a sleeker modern version of the Moon Knight super hero suit and an ancient Egypt inspired ghost-fighting suit. The latter is built with bones for armour and is paired with a giant beaked mask - very much resembling Khonshu, the moon god often portrayed with a falcon's head. Once again, all white.

But Mr. Knight, aren't you afraid that they'll see you with all that white? No, because he's crazy and because Mr. Knight WANTS you to see him coming. He WANTS you to run terrified at the sight of him, gliding towards you and contrasting brightly against the dark night sky. He WANTS you to know that he's running up the dimly lit stairwell with crescent blades readied. He loves it and we love it too. Despite being an extremely psychologically conflicted character, Mr. Knight's wardrobe reveals that it has numerous aspects too but has no trouble speaking very sharply and distinctly making him our top choice for 2014's best dressed.


Best Single Issue: Multiversity: Pax Americana #1
When Frank Quietly and Grant Morrison come together the world is often better for it. The time has finally come for Multiversity to finally hit the shelves and readers had no idea what to expect. As the first 3 issues came and went readers became aware that something special was happening. Then Pax Americana #1 dropped and the world remembered why they had picked up comics in the first place. Morrion’s backward tale of symmetry and presidential homicide is the crown jewel in his genre-bending circlet.

Channeling Alan Moore, Morrison and Quietly even manage to out Watchmen, Watchmen. With themes of never ending regret and broken promises looping to and fro like a figure 8, Pax Americana showcases the power of working within constraints. Morrison, Quietly and colourist Nathan Fairbairn set their ambitions high and like true professionals, their vision never falters.


Best Event: Spider-Verse (Marvel)
It may not be over, or even half over for that matter, but Spider-Verse has the staff of Comics the Gathering gushing.  Spidey mastermind Dan Slott is in the midst of what may be his signature Spider-Man story, one that we'll look back on fondly years down the road.  Spider-Verse gets this honor not only for being impeccably thought out and planned, but also for being downright fun.  The high stakes and drama are all present, but the magic that is Spider-Man is what takes the spotlight.  Spider-Verse is pure, unrepentant enjoyment, which is sadly missing from some of the flagship events this year.
 

Most Shocking Moment (SPOILERS): Marko & Alana are splitting up (Saga)
Saga has a penchant for taking the reader's emotions and wiping the floor with them. So when Hazel hinted that her parent's relationship was about to the come to an abrupt halt a lot of us around here had our worries. Some (myself included) we're expecting a lot worse then the group being physically split up. There's still a chance for Marko & Alana to find each other again, but knowing BKV, we can expect some pain along the way. 
 

Most Exciting Comic of 2015: Tokyo Ghost (Image)
With a killer team featuring Rick Remender (writer), Sean Murphy (art), and Matt Hollingsworth (colors), even without the faintest hint of a plot I’m SOLD. But here’s the premise anyways:

New Los Angeles, 2189: Humanity has become nothing more than a sea of consumers, ravenous and starving wolves, sick from toxic contamination, who have to borrow, beg, and steal for the funds to buy, buy, buy their next digital fix. Getting a thrill, a distraction from reality, is the only thing left to live for. Entertainment is the biggest industry, the drug everyone needs, and gangsters run it all. And who do these gangsters turn to when they need the "law" enforced? Led Dent and Debbie Decay, constables of the law, which is a nice way to say “brutal killing machines." The duo are about to be presented with an assignment that will force them out of the decay of LA and into the mysterious lost nation of Tokyo.

Boasting a hyperviolent/post-apocalyptic/Sci-Fi setting with a twist of postmodernism, Tokyo Ghost is shaping up to be a dark joy ride through a dystopian vision of mankind’s future not unlike works such as Mad Max, The Last Book in the Universe, 2000 AD, and the like. The creative team itself is also no laughing matter, with Remender (Captain America, Fear Agent), Murphy (The Wake, Punk Rock Jesus), and Hollingsworth (Hawkeye, Preacher) all having each contributed to multiple notable works and series, even within the past year. Tokyo Ghost isn’t slated to release until summer, but it already has the potential to be one of 2015’s strongest titles.
 

Best Story Arc: Time Runs Out (Marvel)
Times Runs Out is the third and final act of Jonathan Hickman’s grandiose Avengers saga paving the way for the climactic Secret Wars. This is arguably the best Avengers run of all time and the third act is the excellent pay-off you would expect from Jonathan Hickman. Every page and every panel is extremely deliberate in a very Hickman-esque fashion. All the seeds were planted and this is their blossoming. It’s a multiverse-spanning epic that doesn’t forget to give us top-notch characterizations and emotion. And, best of all, Hickman has given us a deep exploration of what he believes heroes are and how they cope with the idea that they must become monsters to save everything. New Avengers and Avengers were always great book, but with Time Runs Out, Hickman has showed us why he was the perfect choice to take over the Avengers franchise.
 

Best Superhero Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy (Marvel)
Marvel Studios had already made a name for themselves by the time they announced Guardians of the Galaxy was going to be in the Phase Two of the company's movie releases. Most fans (including myself) were almost shocked that they'd even consider Guardians a worthwhile franchise to pursue. Then of course there was the casting, which at times seemed a bit odd (Bradley Cooper as a talking Raccoon?!). But alas, our biggest fears were put to rest once the movie was released and we saw the final product. What fans got was a mixture of both new & old lore from the comic book history of Guardians. Now that the Marvel Now version of Guardians is picking up steam with inclusions of the Avengers and many other characters that have already been seen in all Phases of the movies, we're in for many more sequels and cameos for years to come. Personally, I would call the movie one of, if not the best Marvel movie to date. It captured everything it needed to and encompassed a flurry of emotions throughout.
 

Best Comic Book TV Show: The Flash
There was something about the Flash that had always felt right. The casting of Grant Gustin, his first appearance on Arrow and all the production news made it seem as though we would be in for a treat in the fall of 2014. And what a treat this show is. Right from the pilot, The Flash demonstrated an enticing confidence with a familiar narrative that didn’t forget that adaptations call for change. It’s a faithful adaption while having its own compelling voice. The writers are digging into this characters mythos without hesitation, almost so quickly that you feel they’re are trying to say, put your worries aside, we’ve got this. The fantastic main cast, intriguing mysteries and incredibly enjoyable tone come into perfect unison to give us the best comic book T.V. show of the year or maybe even of all time.