Wow, I've already received a request for my opinion on comics!
I was asked what the top five books are that you should be reading from the Big Two. I honestly can't answer that question because A) I'm fickle; I add and drop a lot of books; B) my tastes only share a moderate amount of overlap with the books that are critically lauded, and C) I lean toward DC and particularly to female-driven books.
That all having been said, I will present my personal favorite five books of what I'm reading right now from the Big Two. That also comes with the caveat that TMNT from IDW pretty much trumps anything from DC or Marvel. Honestly. It is, without hyperbole, an instant classic run unfolding before our eyes, in my opinion.
5. Legend of Wonder Woman
This is a web comic that has just started coming out in floppies. Wonder Woman's origin has always been a mess for many reasons. It's more complicated and mythological than that of Batman or Superman, and it's had many iterations. The New 52 revised origin was extremely polarizing among WW fans for good reason. Legend of Wonder Woman attempts to cut through all that with a long-form retelling of the origin aimed at readers unfamiliar with Wonder Woman. The first issue begins with the history of the Amazons and ends with Diana still as a child, feeling the early appeals to becoming a warrior. Clearly this series will take its time developing Diana and it's off to a great start.
4. Midnighter
I heard a rumor that this is going to be canceled soon, which is a shame. Midnighter surprised me greatly. He's not just a gay Batman/Punisher knock-off. He's a pretty nuanced character who is introspective, sensitive and caring in one scene and then covered in the blood of bad guys the next. He's just written well, and I enjoyed the art of the first story arc.
3. Batman
Snyder's run is coming to an end, and what a run it's been. I hope Mr. Bloom ends up in Batman's permanent rogue's gallery. Snyder understands that we all know that comic book changes are never permanent, and he uses that to shake things up even more. Commissioner Gordon as Batman in a robot suit!? Amnesiac Bruce Wayne?
2. Ms. Marvel
Even if you don't care about the groundbreaking status of Ms. Marvel as Marvel's first Muslim superhero, the book is just fun. It has a sense of youth about it without being obnoxious or "trying too hard." Takeshi Miyazawa, who has drawn for a zillion Marvel youth-centered books including Runaways, Power Pack and Mary Jane, is perfectly suited to Ms. Marvel's tone.
1. Starfire
How many good things is it possible to say about this book? Starfire has done a total 180 since she debuted in the New 52 as a generally despised, sexist caricature. In this book, Conner and Palmiotti do what should have been done in the first place-- which is basically to make Starfire an aged version of the one from the Teen Titans TV show. She has a naivety about the human world that's treated playfully, from her casually upbeat behavior down to the hilarious thought balloons we see as she tries to interpret English idioms. The coastal setting is a nice change from the usual city-based superheroes, and there have been some good guest appearances by Grayson and Terra.
And the art of Emanuela Lupaccino? Can't say enough good things about it. She is a superstar artist as far as I'm concerned, or deserves to be. She rivals Amanda Conner herself with expressive characters, dynamic panel layouts and beautiful girls. She did a couple of arcs at the end of the most recent Supergirl book, so I was already a fan. I will shed a tear when she leaves the book because her work is so perfect for the tone and character of Starfire.
Well, that's it for my current Top Five!
I was asked what the top five books are that you should be reading from the Big Two. I honestly can't answer that question because A) I'm fickle; I add and drop a lot of books; B) my tastes only share a moderate amount of overlap with the books that are critically lauded, and C) I lean toward DC and particularly to female-driven books.
That all having been said, I will present my personal favorite five books of what I'm reading right now from the Big Two. That also comes with the caveat that TMNT from IDW pretty much trumps anything from DC or Marvel. Honestly. It is, without hyperbole, an instant classic run unfolding before our eyes, in my opinion.
5. Legend of Wonder Woman
This is a web comic that has just started coming out in floppies. Wonder Woman's origin has always been a mess for many reasons. It's more complicated and mythological than that of Batman or Superman, and it's had many iterations. The New 52 revised origin was extremely polarizing among WW fans for good reason. Legend of Wonder Woman attempts to cut through all that with a long-form retelling of the origin aimed at readers unfamiliar with Wonder Woman. The first issue begins with the history of the Amazons and ends with Diana still as a child, feeling the early appeals to becoming a warrior. Clearly this series will take its time developing Diana and it's off to a great start.
4. Midnighter
I heard a rumor that this is going to be canceled soon, which is a shame. Midnighter surprised me greatly. He's not just a gay Batman/Punisher knock-off. He's a pretty nuanced character who is introspective, sensitive and caring in one scene and then covered in the blood of bad guys the next. He's just written well, and I enjoyed the art of the first story arc.
3. Batman
Snyder's run is coming to an end, and what a run it's been. I hope Mr. Bloom ends up in Batman's permanent rogue's gallery. Snyder understands that we all know that comic book changes are never permanent, and he uses that to shake things up even more. Commissioner Gordon as Batman in a robot suit!? Amnesiac Bruce Wayne?
2. Ms. Marvel
Even if you don't care about the groundbreaking status of Ms. Marvel as Marvel's first Muslim superhero, the book is just fun. It has a sense of youth about it without being obnoxious or "trying too hard." Takeshi Miyazawa, who has drawn for a zillion Marvel youth-centered books including Runaways, Power Pack and Mary Jane, is perfectly suited to Ms. Marvel's tone.
1. Starfire
How many good things is it possible to say about this book? Starfire has done a total 180 since she debuted in the New 52 as a generally despised, sexist caricature. In this book, Conner and Palmiotti do what should have been done in the first place-- which is basically to make Starfire an aged version of the one from the Teen Titans TV show. She has a naivety about the human world that's treated playfully, from her casually upbeat behavior down to the hilarious thought balloons we see as she tries to interpret English idioms. The coastal setting is a nice change from the usual city-based superheroes, and there have been some good guest appearances by Grayson and Terra.
And the art of Emanuela Lupaccino? Can't say enough good things about it. She is a superstar artist as far as I'm concerned, or deserves to be. She rivals Amanda Conner herself with expressive characters, dynamic panel layouts and beautiful girls. She did a couple of arcs at the end of the most recent Supergirl book, so I was already a fan. I will shed a tear when she leaves the book because her work is so perfect for the tone and character of Starfire.
Well, that's it for my current Top Five!
Thanks for your thoughts! Midnigther sounds interesting, so hopefully the comic doesn't get cancelled.
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