Year In Review - The Best of 2008

[random_havoc]

Some of my fav moments:

-Sentry taking a punch from Thing without even flinching

-Sentry ripping Doom's armor off with no effort.

Sentry is such an awesome character who gets downplayed so often that it's nice to see him used right occasionally.

 

[random_havoc]

Best artist- McNiven (wish he were back on Avengers oh so badly)

Worst major decision by a comic company- Wildstorm's idea to set all of their comics in an apocalyptic setting. What people want is for Wildstorm to be consistent instead of cancelling and re-starting all of their most popular series every 10 issues, not to change everything completely.

 

[cdk]

I though Moores Supreme was awesome a real satire on the superman archetype with lots of original ideas thrown in.

 

[random_havoc]

I though Moores Supreme was awesome a real satire on the superman archetype with lots of original ideas thrown in.

Moore took away Supreme's originality completely. Name one significant character trait between Moore's supreme and Superman. I'm glad you could enjoy his run, I saw no original ideas that made up for it being the most blatant Superman ripoff in history.

 

[AndrewGol]

As per my 7 year old

Favorite Publisher - Marvel.

Favorite Writer - Jeph Loeb. He writes his favorite book (Hulk) and another that he likes a lot (Ultimates). And he's a heck of a nice guy.

Favorite Artist - Chris Bachalo. He likes how he puts so much detail into his work and makes a unique looking Spider-Man

Favorite Ongoing Series - Hulk. A big green monster and a big red monster beating on each other and different heroes and villains every month. What could be better?

Favorite Mini/Maxi Series - Secret Invasion. He started reading it with issue 3 or 4 and went back and reread em all. Loved the art and the idea of heroes and villains teaming up to save the Earth from aliens.

Favorite One Shot -Flight Explorer from Vilard. He loved the anthology and how it had just the right mix of action and humor.

Favorite Hero - Deadpool. Loves his weapons and fighting and the humor in the book

Favorite Moment - His favorites were the 'knock knock' jokes in Deadpool, Batman going nuts and using a bat on criminals and Thor killing Wasp.

Favorite Comic Adaption to Film - He picked Spectacular Spider-Man the toon from WB. He loved Dark Knight, Hulk and Iron Man but thinks the toon is a lot more fun.

Favorite Series - Hulk

You can read his whole list of reviews for the Best of 08 here:

http://kidscomicbooks.blogspot.com/

 

[Congo Jack]

^^^ I have a wierd feeling I've read that page before. You don't post at the John Byrne forum do you?

 

[Blader5489]

Moore took away Supreme's originality completely. Name one significant character trait between Moore's supreme and Superman. I'm glad you could enjoy his run, I saw no original ideas that made up for it being the most blatant Superman ripoff in history.

Supreme was a ****ing horrible character to begin with (like all Liefield characters). Moore transformed an over-the-top piece of **** into a genius homage/satire of silver age Superman.

One of the best comics ever. I'm sorry you think Liefield's was better. I'll say a prayer for you.

 

[random_havoc]

Supreme was a ****ing horrible character to begin with (like all Liefield characters). Moore transformed an over-the-top piece of **** into a genius homage/satire of silver age Superman.

One of the best comics ever. I'm sorry you think Liefield's was better. I'll say a prayer for you.

I keep hearing "homage" and "satire" but I've read all the Moore issues and, I'm sorry, but and homage or a satire suggests something other than a blatant freaking ripoff. If you'd changed the names and a few tweaks to the look you'd have pretty much EXACT Superman comics. It wasn't anything more than barely legal character theft!

 

[CaptainCanada]

So...exactly like Liefeld's?

Moore's big Supreme story (the first arc; the latter trade he never got to finish, so it always feels incomplete) is a classic overview of the history of Superman and the whole superhero archetype, toying with all the classic aspects of his history in a light satirical way while remaking it in creative ways (the concept of the League of Infinity's time tower instead of mere time travel with the Legion of Superheroes, for example).

 

[Blader5489]

So...exactly like Liefeld's?

Moore's big Supreme story (the first arc; the latter trade he never got to finish, so it always feels incomplete) is a classic overview of the history of Superman and the whole superhero archetype, toying with all the classic aspects of his history in a light satirical way while remaking it in creative ways (the concept of the League of Infinity's time tower instead of mere time travel with the Legion of Superheroes, for example).

And that's such a damn shame, especially given what Moore's last two issues were going to be about.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Edit

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I think you got the wrong thread, Cap.

 

[CaptainCanada]

True enough; not sure how that happened.

Personally, Corp, I blame you.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I blame me, too.

But I could've just moved your post to the right thread, and for not asking me to do that, I blame you!

 

[Keyser Soze]

Favorite Publisher - DC
I know this was posted in the Marvel board, so this might be something of a faux pas... but am I really the first person to pick DC for this category? DC has done some great stuff this year. I find myself reading more comics now than I ever have in any year before, and the vast majority of them are DC comics. And I'm very excited for what they've got lined up in 2009.

Favorite Writer - Grant Morrison
All-Star Superman. Batman RIP. Final Crisis. Three of the best, boldest projects in mainstream comics this year, and all of them written by one man, Grant Morrison. Plus, he's a fellow Scotsman.

Favorite Up and Coming Writer - Peter J. Tomasi
From Green Lantern Corps to Nightwing, via Final Crisis: Requiem, Tomasi is quietly establishing himself as one of DC's most dependable, consistent writers. Evidently his move from longtime editor to writer was a wise one.

Favorite Artist - Lee Bermejo
Bermejo's been doing some great covers for, among other projects, The Stand, but he gets this award for his stunning work in the Joker hardcover story he worked on with writer Brian Azzarello.

Favorite Ongoing Series - Jonah Hex
Green Lantern remains strong, but has spent most of the year at a slower pace with the Secret Origins arc. As a result, this year I give this award to Jonah Hex. Month in, month out, Gray and Palmiotti deliver the goods with great, self-contained single issue stories, more often than not accompanied by beautiful artwork. And it always hits bang on schedule, first week of the month. Let's hope it doesn't get cancelled any time soon.

Favorite Mini/Maxi Series - Final Crisis: Rogues' Revenge
Here was a tie-in that I loved even more than the core event! This was heaven for fans of Johns' run on The Flash, as - reunited with longtime Flash collaborator Scott Kollins - Johns returned to The Rogues, characters he helped revolutionise a few years ago. And not only did he not miss a beat with them, he made them arguably better than they've ever been!

Favorite One Shot - Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns
Okay, did it work as a Final Crisis tie-in? Not really. But that's about the only flaw present in this ass-kicking, epic launch of the much-delayed Red Lantern story in Green Lantern. After months of flashback, it was nice seeing Hal and co being thrown right into the present-day action once more. Can't wait to see how the story continues!


Favorite Hero - Superman
I don't know how anybody could read All-Star Superman #10 and think anyone other than Superman could be crowned the year's greatest superhero. Morrison's run on Superman showed us that more than anyone else, Superman defines what a superhero is, everything that a superhero - that people in general - should be. And Geoff Johns continued the strong depiction of Superman this year with his great Brainiac story in Action Comics.

Favorite Villain - The Joker
Again, I find myself stunned to be the first person offering this nomination. This was truly the year of The Joker. First, and most obviously, there was Heath Ledger's astounding portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime in The Dark Knight. But then there was his appearance throughout Batman R.I.P., with Grant Morrison providing us with the most terrifying portryal of The Joker we've seen in the comics since....well, the last time Grant Morrison wrote him. Add onto that the brilliant Joker hardcover focusing on the character, and it really has been a landmark year for everyone's favourite killer clown. But special mention should also go to Junior, the gloriously evil scumbag currently terrorising the pages of Secret Six.

Favorite Moment - Superman's Farewell Message in ASS#11
"What a life! I've traveled across time and space. I've seen and done things beyond imagination. Blessed with friends like Pete and Lana and Jimmy. And Batman... what incredible adventures we've shared. What amazing people I've known. But Lois, dear Lois... I loved you most of all. And no matter how dark it seems. There's always a way."

Favorite Comic Adaption to Film - The Dark Knight
No contest. Iron Man was a good comic book movie, sure, but The Dark Knight was a great movie, by the standards of ANY genre. I already rank it as my #1 film, and I feel its status will only grow in the years to come.

Favorite Series from any year you just so happened to discover this year - Preacher
As a Christian, I really shouldn't be enjoying this. But while I might not agree with the blasphemy, I can't deny this is a brilliantly written comic bursting with creativity. I soared through the first volume, and eagerly await the chance to read volume 2. I just wish I'd started sooner!

 

[TheCorpulent1]

It's always weird to me when Christians enjoy Preacher. As an atheist who came from a Catholic upbringing and still had a chip on my shoulder about it when I read Preacher, the blasphemy was one of the things I enjoyed the most.

 

[Blader5489]

It's always weird to me when Christians enjoy Preacher. As an atheist who came from a Catholic upbringing and still had a chip on my shoulder about it when I read Preacher, the blasphemy was one of the things I enjoyed the most.

I'm a Christian and I also like Preacher (though I've haven't gotten very far in it). The fact that Ennis doesn't have the first clue about Christianity, or even God, makes the "blasphemy" easier to swallow.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I don't think there's much harm in enjoying it as a piece of fantasy

 

[random_havoc]

So...exactly like Liefeld's?

Not at ALL! Put Moore's supreme in Supes costume (which isn't much diff in the first place) and change his hair. Now, tell me ONE CHARACTER QUALITY that's different. Name a SINGLE unique twist, personality trait, ANYTHING. Name me ONE THING that sets him apart and makes you say, "okay, that's definitely not Superman".

The original Supreme? Easy, I don't see Superman going around ripping people in half out of irritation when they attack him. The original Supreme, while, yes, a knockoff in a number of ways, was still unique enough to be considered its own character. Not so with Moores. His was blatant character theft.

 

[CaptainCanada]

The trappings are all cleverly reinvented. But the the point was that it was clearly Superman, albeit more meta (which was a technique in its infancy then in comics); Moore was de/re-constructing the Superman mythos as it developed. So you see the character's history, tracked alongside the developments in the comics of the various eras (progressing from the style of the 40s, in the early comics, the end of the Golden Age and the rise of humour/horror comics, the Silver Age, the new style of the 70s, up to the trends of the 90s that Liefeld embodied which Moore takes shots at. It's his treatise on the Superman archetype in comics.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Wow. That sounds a lot more interesting than a dude who rips people in half. I may have to check out Moore's Supreme work.

 

[moraldeficiency]

Favorite Publisher - Marvel, they've done so much **** but haven't quite pissed me off the way DC has.

Favorite Writer - Fraction, he's really taken off and on so many diverse projects. I can only think of a few things I've actively disliked from him (Thor SI, I'm looking at you)

Favorite Up and Coming Writer - DnA

Favorite Artist - David Petersen

Favorite Up and Coming Artist - Marcos Martin

Favorite Ongoing Series - Incredible Herc

Favorite Mini/Maxi Series - Rogues Revenge, easily.

Favorite One Shot - Civil War the confession

Favorite Hero - Superman, strictly do to All Star Supes

Favorite Villain - Norman Osborn, this has just been his year

Favorite Moment - Mac Gargan's acceptance into the Thunderbolts in Civil War Choosing Sides, that was just all sorts of badassery

Favorite Comic Adaption to Film - Iron Man, it was probably the hardest concept to do and it was done so well.

Favorite Series from any year you just so happened to discover this year - All Star Supes

 

[CaptainCanada]

The gimmick of the first trade is that Supreme is in a new continuity, and so doesn't remember his history; he gradually rediscovers it, and each issue has a segment that mimics older comics styles (so he returns to "Smallville" and remembers his origin in the style of a 40s comic; my favourite is when he reaches out to his earliest superhero friends, and there's a take on the Golden Age JSA, and a story that meta-explains what caused them to break up circa 1950).

 

[TheCorpulent1]

That's a pretty neat storytelling device. When was Moore on Supreme?

 

[Blader5489]

That's a pretty neat storytelling device. When was Moore on Supreme?

Supreme #41-56 and Supreme: The Return #1-6

If you're interested in reading them, just download (you can get them for free, and legally, off wowio.com). The trades are really poor in terms of quality.