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Top 100 Comics of 2021

Before you say it let me. This list is wrong. Let’s be honest all lists are wrong because the process is one of the most subjective things you do no matter how hard you try to remain objective. So I am sure there will be comics that I am missing, ones you think are too high, too low, or ones you believe do not belong. If you are inclined you can check out past year’s list here:

2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

With this list, I attempt to be as objective as possible but ultimately there is no denying this list is bias as it is based on my opinion. Feel free to disagree. I should note that although I read a lot of books I do not read everything. This year especially was a challenge to get a number of books I was hoping to read before doing this list.

To qualify for this list an ongoing series just needs to have one issue released in 2021 or for original graphic novels they must be released this year in the US as well.

My hope with this list is to encapsulate the year that was in comics and hope those that read it may find a book or two to catch up with they would have otherwise missed.  I know many if not all with disagree with this list in some way. Sometimes is too high, too low, missing, or should never have been on here. All I can say is I am trying to be as honest as possible and represent the medium I love in the best way possible.

So feel free to comment below if something you believe deserved to be on the list did not make it.

 

Scout's Honor TP100. Scout’s Honor 

Writer: David Pepose

Artist: Luca Casalanguida

Publisher: Aftershock 

Description: Years after a nuclear apocalypse, a new society has risen from the ashes…and their bible is an old Ranger Scout manual.

A young Ranger Scout named Kit has endured the harsh survivalist upbringing needed to con-quer the irradiated Colorado Badlands. But after discovering a terrible secret once lost to histo-ry, Kit must risk everything on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth behind the Ranger Scouts’ doctrine.

Why it Made the List: The world of comics is currently filled with an endless amount of dystopian futures. Scout’s Honor separates itself by balancing both character and concept. Having one inform the next. The real conflict here is regarding a person who needs to hide their true self to survive in an unforgiving world. Along with that you this deconstruction of belief systems and what happens when those beliefs are challenged.


Crisis Zone TP99. Crisis Zone

Writer/Artist: Simon Hanselmann

Publisher: Fantagraphics 

Description: As the Covid-19 pandemic continued to escalate far beyond any reasonable expectations, Crisis Zone escalated right alongside, in real time, with daily posts on Instagram. Crisis Zone’s battle mission was to amuse the masses: no matter how horrible and bleak everything seemed, at least Werewolf Jones wasn’t in your house! Over the course of 2020, Crisis Zone has amassed unprecedented amounts of new fans to the Megg and Mogg universe and is presented here, unabridged and uncensored, with a slew of added pages and scenes deleted from the webcomic, as well as an extensive “Director’s Commentary” from Hanselmann himself.

Why it Made the List: Typically I am not the biggest fan of when satire attempts to target something immediate. When you are so close to a major event it is nearly impossible to have any type of perspective. Crisis Zone overcomes that issue by just being flat-out insane. Anyone who tends to enjoy that outlandish humor of prime Adult Swim would really enjoy this because it has zero barriers. Simon Hanselmann is a mad man in the best ways possible. 


Amazon.com: Far Sector (2019-) #1 eBook : Jemisin, N.K., Campbell, Jamal, Campbell, Jamal, Campbell, Jamal, Campbell, Jamal: Kindle Store98. Far Sector

Writer: N.K. Jemisin

Artist: Jamal Campbell

Publisher: DC’s Young Animal 

Description: For the past six months, newly chosen Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein has been protecting the City Enduring, a massive metropolis of 20 billion people. The city has maintained peace for over 500 years by stripping its citizens of their ability to feel. As a result, violent crime is virtually unheard of, and murder is nonexistent.

Why it Made the List: Far Sector is going to be one of those books that only gains in popularity as the years go on, because it does tend to read much better in one complete package. N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell took the mythos of the world of Green Lantern into an entire new direction. One that does not overly rely on what came before and forms a new path. Jamal Campbell’s art is remarkable and feels like the next level in superhero storytelling. From his use of cinematic angles and wonderful cartooning design, all of it breaks new ground. This is another great book to pickup if you are looking to jump into the world of DC for the first time. 


Black Cotton #197. Black Cotton

Writer: Patrick Foreman

Artist: Marco Perugini

Publisher: Scout Comics 

Description: Set in an alternate reality where the social order of “white” and “black” is reversed, an elitist family, the Cottons, are rocked by a tragic shooting that begins to unravel long standing family secrets that could not only destroy the family but also divide the fragile social climate of the world.

Why it Made the List: Patrick Foreman and Marco Perugini look at the current state of the world and construct a comic that was designed to say something. Imaging a world where the social norms have been reversed to prove a point of systemic racism and the way the world functions. Beyond that there is a compelling family story akin to a modernized Dallas where money and power are at everyone’s fingertips.  


96. Red Room

Writer/Artist: Ed Piskor 

Publisher: Fantagraphics 

Description: From the creator of Hip Hop Family Tree and X-Men: Grand Design comes this ALL-NEW monthly comic book series, with a specially priced, self-contained, double-sized debut issue! Red Room is a cyberpunk, outlaw, splatterpunk masterpiece. Aided by the anonymous dark web and nearly untraceable crypto-currency, there has emerged a subculture of criminals who live-stream and patronize webcam murders for entertainment. Who are the murderers? Who are the victims? How do we stop it? As seen on Piskor’s YouTube channel sensation, Cartoonist Kayfabe!

Why it Made the List: One element that is often overlooked in constructing a good comic is confidence. It may be a bit abstract but it does not take too long to recognize a comic that is confident in its own design, especially when that comic lives on the fringes of genre storytelling. Case and point, Ed Piskor’s latest comic Red Room. A book that almost dares you to like it with its graphic depictions of violence and abundance of objectionable characters. Red Room is classic horror schlock in its purest form and clearly proud of that. 


Muhammad Ali, Kinshasa 1974 (Hardcover)95. Muhammad Ali, Kinshasa 1974

Writer: Jean-David Morvan

Artist: Abbas, Rafael Ortiz

Publisher: Titan

Description: Award-winning writer JD Morvan and renowned photographer Abbas’ stunning graphic novel masterpiece which uses iconic photos to uniquely illustrate the historical ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Now, the photojournalist Abbas immortalises this legendary meeting, having kept his photos in his personal archives for 36 years before unveiling them to the world. In a cross between a documentary, photo report and graphic novel, this book reveals the context of the most powerful photographs taken by one of the greatest photographers of the Magnum Photos agency. Enriched by the testimony of Abbas himself, Jean-David Morvan’s script is rigorously brought to life by artist Rafael Ortiz.

Why it Made the List: I am skeptical about any book, movie, or comic that focuses on Muhammad Ali, because I wonder if anything new can be provided. Muhammad Ali, Kinshasa 1974 does something new by combining mediums in a way I honestly do not think I have seen before. Utilizing both photography and comics to tell the story of one of the most famous boxing matches of all time. It worked as a way to establish credibility into this take while giving the freedom to tell the tale in a way that was not confined to what we have seen in classic footage. 


Not All Robots #194. Not All Robots 

Writer: Mark Russell

Artist: Mike Deodato

Publisher: ARTISTS WRITERS & ARTISANS INC

Description: In the year 2056, robots have replaced human beings in the workforce. An uneasy co-existence develops between the newly intelligent robots and the ten billion humans living on Earth. Every human family is assigned a robot upon whom they are completely reliant. What could possibly go wrong? Meet the Walters, a human family whose robot, Razorball, ominously spends his free time in the garage working on machines which they’re pretty sure are designed to kill them in this sci-fi satire from Mark Russell (The Flintstones, Second Coming) and Mike Deodato Jr. (The Amazing Spider-Man,The Resistance).

Why it Made the List: As technology continues to advance the idea of robots taking over seems more and more likely, and honestly as we look at the state of the world it probably wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen. Not All Robots is much more than a take on the dangers of Artificial Intelligence as it is more critical of the failures of humanity. It’s funny and insightful while navigating a unique concept. 


Amazon.com: Buñuel: In the Labyrinth of the Turtles (Graphic Biography - SelfMadeHero) eBook : Solis, Fermin, Solis, Fermin: Kindle Store93. Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles

Writer/Artist: Fermín Solís

Translated By: Lawrence Schimel 

Publisher: Self Made Hero

Description: Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles depicts a decisive moment in the life of the great Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel: the moment when he doubted surrealism and contemplated embracing a more social type of cinema. At this crucial turning point in his career, he wanted to change the world by showing the hidden heart of reality. Buñuel was deeply affected by the harshness of Las Hurdes and the extreme misery of the people who lived in this remote region, so with his friend, the movie producer Ramón Acín, he began work on the pseudo-documentary Land Without Bread. But in the mind of the great surrealist, reality inevitably clashed with dreams and childhood memories, threatening both the film and his friendship with Acín. It was at this moment that the Buñuel of the future was born.

Why it Made the List: I do not know why or how this book exists but I am glad it does. You cannot get more niche than a graphic novel focused on depicting the making of Luis Buñuel’s Land Without Bread. As a fan of cinema and graphic novels I was elated to see these worlds collide and the final product does not disappoint. If you are a person who has never heard the name Luis Buñuel do not worry as ultimately it has a fascinating look at the creative process, and the trials and tribulations one goes through creating true art.   


White #192. White

Writer: Kwanza Osajyefo

Artist: Jamal Igle

Publisher: Black Mask Studios 

Description: The team that asked, “What if only Black people had superpowers?” is back with the sequel to the critically acclaimed series, BLACK. It’s been three years since the world learned only Black people have superhuman abilities, and the United States has responded by electing Theodore Mann to the presidency. The only person standing in the way of his policies to control empowered Blacks are Kareem Jenkins and his allies.

Why it Made the List: I love when you have comic creators who know they are going to make a comic that will anger a certain group of people and make no qualms about it. People who will sum up this book before reading it and not give it a chance and that is sad because those people would benefit the most from reading this. There is so much said within this book from the start and that continued with this new installment. This time it got even more political is true to life politicians get involved in the narrative. Plus it is a really good superhero story on top of all that.


91. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

Writer: Tom King 

Artist: Bilquis Evely

Publisher: DC Comics 

Description: Kara Zor-El has seen some epic adventures over the years, but finds her life without meaning or purpose. Here she is, a young woman who saw her planet destroyed and was sent to Earth to protect a baby cousin who ended up not needing her. What was it all for? Wherever she goes, people only see her through the lens of Superman’s fame. Just when Supergirl thinks she’s had enough, everything changes. An alien girl seeks her out for a vicious mission. Her world has been destroyed, and the bad guys responsible are still out there. She wants revenge, and if Supergirl doesn’t help her, she’ll do it herself, whatever the cost. Now a Kryptonian, a dog, and an angry, heartbroken child head out into space on a journey that will shake them to their very core.

Why it Made the List: One of the favorite Westerns is True Grit. (Yes the Coen brothers remake sorry to the purest) So it was not long into reading Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow that it became clear we were seeing the story being told in the world of DC comics. Not what I expected but I was happy to get it. To make it more fun Supergirl was playing the role of Rooster Cogburn, and not surprisingly it worked. Bilquis Evely is a phenomenal talent and she was tasked with a lot during this run, and showed she was up to task of creating this superhero science fiction western epic. 


Infinitum: An Afrofuturist Tale: Fielder, Tim: 9780062964083: Amazon.com: Books90. Infinitum: An Afrofuturist Tale

Writer/Artist: Tim Fielder

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Description: In INFINITUM, King AjA Oba and Queen Lewa are revered across the African continent for their impressive political and military skills. Yet the future of their kingdom is in jeopardy, for the royal couple do not have an heir of their own. When the King kidnaps his son born to a concubine, Obinrin, she curses AjA with the “gift” of immortality. After enjoying long, wonderful lives both, Queen Lewa and the crown prince die naturally, leaving the ageless bereaved King AjA heartbroken and alone. Taking advantage of AjA’s vulnerability, enemy nations  rise to power and kill the king – or so they think.  King AjA Oba survives the fatal attack, finally realizing the bitter fruit of Obinrin’s curse.

Why it Made the List: When you look up the word epic it is describing a story like this one. A tale that spans hundreds and hundreds of years. The comic prose style may not be for everyone but it fit this story as we see time progress bit by bit. The art style looks like finely tuned animation cells with the amount of life and detail. In addition, this story helps show how sins of the past will forever linger throughout generations while admiring those who persevere through the turmoil. 


Barbaric #189. Barbaric

Writer: Michael Moreci

Artist: Nathan Gooden

Publisher: Vault 

Description: Owen the Barbarian has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. His bloodthirsty weapon, Axe, has become his moral compass with a drinking problem. Together they wander the realm, foredoomed to help any who seek assistance. But there is one thing Owen hates more than a life with rules: Witches.

Welcome to the skull-cracking, blood-splattering, mayhem-loving comic brave enough to ask: How can a man sworn to do good do so much violence? Hah! F***ing with you. It’s just BARBARIC.

Why it Made the List: If your a person who enjoys sand and sandals type of stories Barbaric needs to be on your reading list. It starts with the foundation that started with Conan and twists and turns it into something new and exciting. I never thought a talking drunk ax would be one of my favorite comic book characters but where we are. The action is crips and clean and the general dilemma of always having to do what is morally right has proven to be quite dynamic. 


88. Brindille

Writer: Frédéric Brrémaud

Artist:  Federico Bertolucci

Publisher: Magnetic Press

Description: A frail young girl flees a roaring forest fire in the middle of the night desperately taking refuge in a cave where she quickly loses consciousness. She wakes up in a strange, tiny village populated by fairy-like creatures. Her hosts seem intrigued by the sparkles of light that seem to surround her. The village chieftain explains that one of their hunters found her passed out in the forest and brought her back here for treatment. He asks who she is, but she remembers nothing except for a wall and flames. The chief is baffled by her tale as there has not been any fire in the forest lately, and yet the young woman does indeed show signs of burns. Somewhat recovered and dressed in woodland clothes made by the villagers, the young lady asks to meet the hunter who found her in the forest. She asks her savior to take her to where he found her, hoping that seeing the place will restore her memory. But Meliss refuses — the rules of the village say that only hunters can enter the forest, and all of the sparkles surrounding the girl would catch the eyes of predators living in these woods…

Why it Made the List: When I think back to this story the first thing I remember is how beautiful each and every page of this comic was. Such a lushish world that  you can lost into quite quickly. The general story is your classic fairytale as a character find themselves in a world they do not know, and simply need to survive. When the answer to the central mystery comes it is not the most surprising but by that point I was so on point with everything that came before an underwhelming answer did little to diminish my enjoyment. 


That Texas Blood Vol. 2 TP87. That Texas Blood

Writer: Chris Condon

Artist: Jacob Phillips

Publisher: Image Comics 

Description: A recent string of violent events leads Sheriff Joe Bob Coates down the long and winding road of memory to a dark night in September 1981 that saw a boy killed, a girl missing, and a dangerous cult on the loose in Ambrose County, Texas.

Why it Made the List: I was a major an of the first arc of That Texas Blood so I was impressed with how better it continued to get with each passing issue. There are a number of reasons for that. One of the biggest is how well this world has been established. When it comes to crime stories the best are those that can establish atmosphere and That Texas Blood is oozing with it. This second arc dove into the town’s past to showcase those dark secrets that will not stay buried. Being set in a small Texas town helps separate itself from other stories within the genre as well. Jacob Phillips has also show so much growth in these issues. His page compositions in particular are becoming more and more elaborate. 


What Unites Us: The Graphic Novel (World Citizen Comics) - Kindle edition by Rather, Dan, Kirschner, Elliot, Foley, Tim. Politics & Social Sciences Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.86. What Unites Us: The Graphic Novel

Writer: Dan Rather, Elliot Kirschner

Artist: Tim Foley

Publisher: First Second 

Description: Brought to life in stunning color by artist Tim Foley, What Unites Us: The Graphic Novel takes apart the building blocks of this country, from the freedoms that define us, to the values that have transformed us, to the institutions that sustain us. Rather’s vast experience and his unique perspective as one of America’s most renowned newscasters shed light on who we were and who we are today, allowing us to see a possible future, where we are one country; united.

Why it Made the List: Dan Rather may not be the first person that comes to mind as someone you would like to see write a comic but considering the world we find ourselves in it is probably one of the least surprising things to happen this year. That’s also the point of this book in a way. To reflect on this world and determine how exactly we got to the place we are. Reading this you realize the type of life Dan Rather has lived and the amount of people he is connected to that helped shape America in the 20th century. Not that he or this creative team takes a stance of superiority of person or nation. ‘Reflections on Patriotism’ is an apt tagine for this because like reflections, you can see what is clearly staring you right in the face and other times there is a distortion hiding the truth. The key is to determine which one you are looking at and this does that by cutting through the romanticism to examine America warts and all. Not a celebration, nor damnization, rather a realization. Perhaps the red, white, and blue color palette was a bit on the nose but otherwise I found the insight here effective.


Canto II: The Hollow Men TP85.  Canto II: The Hollow Men / Lionhearted

Writer: David M. Booher

Artist: Drew Zucke, 

Publisher: IDW

Description: The fan-favorite all-ages comic fantasy continues with book two! Once, a little tin slave with a clock for a heart broke all the rules-he found love, took a name, and escaped his masters to go on an epic journey to save his beloved. Along the way, he met strange allies and terrifying enemies and, ultimately, though his adventure didn’t turn out as planned, he returned to his people and led them to freedom.

Why it Made the List: Canto is easily one of my favorite new characters created in the last few years. Everything from his design to the world around has been a joy to witness. This year we got two new storylines and each brought something new and fascinating to this newly created mythos. Any fan of fantasy should be reading Canto to experience one of the purest adventures in fiction right now. This world has expanded so much within these first full volumes. Sometimes I can get lost in fantasy stories when lore overtakes plot but that has yet to happen. Character has remained the focus from the start and that remains. 


Taarna: The Last Taarakian #184. Taarna: The Last Taarakian 

Writer: Stephanie Phillips

Artist: Patrick Zircher, Christian Rosado, Al Barrionuevo

Publisher: Heavy Metal 

Description: From the death of the last Taarakian and a collapsed universe, Taarna was born. Heavy Metal’s flagship character from the animated film returns in a new series of cosmic mystery and battles throughout the multiverse in her war against Kako, the embodiment of chaos. This is the story of a millenia-old battle between godlike beings, with all sentient life caught in their path. A new life for Taarna begins from writer Stephanie Phillips (Artemis and the Assassin), artist Patrick Zircher (Savage Avengers), with covers by Christian Ward (Invisible Kingdom).

Why it Made the List: Before reading this series I had little idea of who Taarna was as a character. I picked it up simply because I am a major fan of Stephanie Phillips’s work. I cannot say what new she brought to the character but I can say it only took a short while to feel like I knew who exactly Taarna was as a character. Now she isn’t the most super complex character but it does not make her any less compelling. Similar with Barbaric that was earlier on this list this is classic sword and sandals adventure but with an added fantasy and space element. Larger than life heroes taking on larger than life villains. I am extracted to see this type of throwback storytelling return. 


Billionaires: The Lives of the Rich and Powerful: Cunningham, Darryl: 9781770464483: Amazon.com: Books83. Billionaires: The Lives of the Rich and Powerful

Writer/Artist: Darryl Cunningham

Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly

Description: The super-rich are often portrayed as self-made, but is this true? In his latest graphic book, celebrated cartoonist Darryl Cunningham examines the evidence, featuring graphic biographies of media baron Rupert Murdoch, oil and gas tycoons Charles and David Koch, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Despite the growing inequality in the world, are such wealthy individuals necessary to finance progress? Would we be porter without them? Is this the world we want?

Why it Made the List: Anytime Darryl Cunningham makes a comic there is a good chance it will be making this Top 100. He has a way to approach a very complex topic and condense down in a way that is easy to understand and argues his points quite well. Considering the topic at hand I am sure many would take issue with the comic before they ever open it, but if you review it simply based on craft and the ability to argue a point there is not much negative to say. Points are well made and researched. One of the better books on this topic I have read no matter the format.


King in Black: Thunderbolts TP82. King in Black: Thunderbolts 

Writer: Matthew Rosenberg

Artist:  Juan Ferreyra 

Publisher: Marvel Comics 

Description: Knull’s army of space dragons has arrived to attack Earth — starting with New York City! But Mayor Wilson Fisk has a plan: Bring back the Thunderbolts! To take on the unkillable, Fisk assembles a group of killers and mercenaries — including Taskmaster, Rhino, Star, Mister Fear and Batroc the Leaper! They have just one job: save the city or die trying. But the secret to doing so means that some of the worst people in the Marvel Universe must head inside the nightmarish Ravencroft Institute! What could go wrong? Plus: The Red Queen Kate Pryde and her crew of mutant Marauders set sail against the forces of Knull! Captain Kate has pledged to fight for the needy, and a global disaster like Knull’s invasion will mean plenty of folks in need!

Why it Made the List: King in Black was Marvel’s big event this year and I generally enjoyed it. Considering how lackluster a lot of event stories can be, it showed how to do that type of story right. Still, my favorite part of that entire event was this mini series. It starts with the work of one of the favorite current artists Juan Ferreyra who is sublime at making page layouts you want to stare at for hours. Matthew Rosenberg has a  knack for character work and when you give him unique characters like Taskmaster and Mister Fear he works wonders. It was like the Dirty Dozen inside a massive Marvel event full of humor and good old fashion comic book fun. 


Fire Power by Kirkman & Samnee Vol. 4: Serpent's Omen TP81. Fire Power

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artist: Chris Samnee

Publisher: Skybound 

Description: The one who wields the fire power is destined to save the world, but Owen Johnson has turned his back on that life. But after the Dragon’s Claw’s attack, Owen and his family are reeling from the loss–and more danger lurks on the horizon!

Why it Made the List: Fire Power is a story full of ninjas, mystical powers, and fantastic fight scenes but what it is really about is family. (Insert Fast and the Furious joke here) In all seriousness it is the family dynamic that grounds the story into being more than a carbon copy of other material arts adventures. Robert Kirkman and Chris Samnee put as much time and effort into those smaller moments as they do the grand ones so when those massive action set pieces do come you have something to care about. There are also few people on the planet right now that can construct a better action scene than Chris Samnee. So happy we get to see his art on the regular like this. 


Norse Mythology #680. Norse Mythology

Writer: Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell

Artist: Matt Horak, Mark Buckingham

Publisher: Dark Horse 

Description: #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman and Eisner Award-winning comics legend P. Craig Russell breathe new life into the ancient Norse stories by taking readers through the creation of the Nine Worlds to the epic origin and adventures of Thor, Odin, and Loki all the way to the end of life–Ragnarok.

Explore the origins of poetry–good and bad–in this tale of malicious dwarfs, suspicious giants, and the wise god Kvasir, whose eventual fate leads to the creation of a powerful mead that many will fight and die for.

Why it Made the List: Sometimes when you put enough talented people on a book it is simply destined to do great things. That has been the case for the Norse Mythology series. Here you literally start with some of the greatest legends of all time and add in some amazing modern talent. For those who maybe do not enjoy the way Marvel treats Norse mythology this book will most likely be more akin to your taste, or even if you love Marvel’s Thor and want more this is a great option. 


The Comic Book History of Animation #179. The Comic Book History of Animation

Writer: Fred Van Lente

Artist: Ryan Dunlavey

Publisher: IDW

Description: The team behind IDW’S Comic Book History of Comic Books returns with a brand-new series! From Aardman to Zoetrope, Disney to Miyasaki, Hanna-Barbera to Pixar, and everything in between! The perfect companion piece to CBHoC, the Comic Book History of Animation focuses on the filmmakers and beloved characters of the past century and a half, and is essential for fans of the medium and ‘toon newbies a

Why it Made the List: I am so happy this book exists! There are a ton of Non-Fiction comics but rarely are they released in the monthly issue format. It made for some an amazing experience reading this each month. As a fan of comics, movies, and animation this felt like a comic book made for me. If you like any of those three this comic is worth your time. 


Clear #178. Clear

Writer: Scott Snyder

Artist: Francis Manapul

Publisher: COMIXOLOGY

Description: A sci-fi mystery thrill-ride into a strange dystopian future, where a neurological internet connection is transforming reality. Batman writer SCOTT SNYDER and Detective Comics artist FRANCIS MANAPUL unite to take readers on this hard-boiled sci-fi journey.

Why it Made the List: Comixology really stepped up their game this year with their original comics. Getting great talented writers like Jeff Lemire and Scott Sndyer an artists like Francis Manapul. Clear felt like a departure for Sndyer with its futuristic noir design, and that is a big reason it worked so well for me. Sndyer had quite the year himself and this was just one example. Odd to say for a person who has been around as much as him but feels like he really stepped up his game this year. If you are looking for the crime genre to go into new directions this is a read you would want to check out. 


Chainsaw Man Vol. 5 TP77. Chainsaw Man

Writer/Artist: Tatsuki Fujimoto

Publisher: VLZ Media 

Description: Denji’s a poor young man who’ll do anything for money, even hunting down devils with his pet devil-dog Pochita. He’s a simple man with simple dreams, drowning under a mountain of debt. But his sad life gets turned upside down one day when he’s betrayed by someone he trusts. Now with the power of a devil inside him, Denji’s become a whole new man—Chainsaw Man!

Why it Made the List: If you look at this list over the years you will see more and more Manga making the cut. It was a major blindspot for me but I have been working to correct that. One of the series I have been able to get into in a major way is Chainsaw Man. I adore the sheer audacity of this series and how it has zero barriers. It is the type of story that is very much in your face with its violence and morally compromised characters. Tatsuki Fujimoto creates comics that are brash and will turn some heads. Sometimes the work is a bit too much for me but Chainsaw Man is a title I have a lot of fun with. Even if I feel bad about myself after I read it sometimes. 


ENIAC #176. Eniac 

Writer: Matt Kindt

Artist: David Lapham, Doug Braithwaite

Publisher: Bad Idea

Description: At the height of World War II, the world’s most ingenious minds began a race to create a super-weapon capable of ending the war with the push of a button. One of those projects gave us the atom bomb…and another produced the world’s first supercomputer: ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) — an immeasurably complex mathematical model that targeted the Axis war machine by calculating missile trajectories and troop deployments. Everybody knows that. It’s real-life American history. Or so we were told. On August 6th, 1945, the United States dropped the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki… Only President Truman wasn’t the one who gave order. It was ENIAC.

Why it Made the List: I was hesitant to include any Bad Idea comics on this list. For one the company does a lot things that cause me to scratch my head like pretending they were shutting down as a publisher. The other piece is how they are hard books to find as only certain local comic book stores have them. In theory I like the idea of making LCS’s matter, but they do like to make things difficult. At the end of the day it is about how good the comics are and to their credit they have published a lot of quality stuff. Eniac was their first and I would argue best comic that rewrites human history. I love the idea and it was executed quite well. Also the overall production value of everything is pretty incredible. Is this the future of comics? I have no idea, but good comics are good comics. 

 

75 – 51

100 – 76 | 75 – 51 | 50 – 26 | 25 – 1

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Dan Clark

A fan of all things comics, movies, books, and whatever else I can find that pass the time. Twitter: @DXO_Dan Instagram: Comic_concierge

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