Last week I was eager to see CBR's conclusion of their Top 100 Comic Books of 2011, and like most things in 2011 it was a major let down. Their Top 10 list had me baffeled, and the Top 25 was not that great either. Sure there were a titles I thought deserved their spot, but Action Comics should be no where near the top. I've been mostly indifferent to DC's New 52, but what they did to Superman is what Marvel did to Spider-Man in Brand New Day. They erased 20 years of history just try and draw in few new fans, and as a fan who as been reading Superman for almost 20 years they completely turned me away. He's now the emo-version of what Superman should be, like Superman: Earth One, or "the Twilight Superman" as I call it. I think DC's best titles where the ones they either tweaked a little or left completely alone; however I am enjoying Johns and Lee's Justice League, but I don't see myself collecting it long-term.
Over at Marvel they've wrapped up Fear Itself and X-Men: Schism and are preparing for this summer's X-Men vs. Avengers mini-series. I think it's safe to say everyone is looking forward to the summer blockbuster, which just happens to kick-off right when Joss Whedon's Avengers will come to theaters. While I admit that I mainly follow the titles in these two publishing companies I make sure to check out what Wildstorm, Dark Horse, IDW, and all the other comic book publishers are up too. So here are my top picks for 2011.
12) Green Lantern
Back in 2004 Geoff Johns took over has writer for Green Lantern and his first decision was to bring back the man without fear, Hal Jodan. Ever since Green Lantern has been one of DC's best selling titles and one of the hottest comics books in the industry. Even though Johns has moved up as DC's Chief Creative Officer he's still writing the ring slinger and still making it kick-ass. 2011 brought us the end of Brightest Day and brought on the War of the Green Lanterns where the four human Lanterns had to each don a different colored ring in order to stop Kronas, a former Guardian. And how was Hal Jordan rewarded for his bravery? He was cast out of the GL Corps while the Corps most hated enemy, Sinestro, was chosen to wear a green ring of willpower once again. Sinestro now seeks Hal Jordan's help in freeing his homeworld from the Yellow Lantern Corps he created.
Johns is never at his best when he writing Hal Jordan and Sinestro in the same scene. The two characters are oppositie sides of the same coin and bounce dialogue off each other like a perfect game of ping pong. Johns promises more surprises and twist to the Green Lantern mythology in 2012 and I for one can't wait to see the emerald sparks fly!
11) Uncanny X-Force
At the end of Second Coming Cyclops disbanded the secret killing squad known as X-Force, but Wolverine was never one to follow Scott’s orders. Together with Angel’s help Wolverine and his crew continued in secret the work that X-Men shouldn’t. They started off hunting the heir of Apocalypse, a mere child, and Fantomex put a bullet in that child’s head. This started a reaction inside Angel that triggered him to be the next heir of Apocalypse, so X-Force then ventured to the Age of Apocalypse to find the life seed to stop Warren’s transformation.
It’s been a wild ride this year for X-Force. Logan had to deal with seeing the AoA versions of not only Jean Grey and Nightcrawler, but also he had to see himself as AoA’s ultimate villain. After Fantomex shot the child Apocolaypse he cloned another and raised it in a simulated ‘Clark Kent” lifestyle hoping to make some good of the boy. At the same time he was trying to steal Psylocke away from Warren, the very friend they were trying to save. Wolverine doesn’t like putting kids in harm’s way like Cyclops does, but he has no problem putting the veterans threw the ringer.
10) Wolverine and the X-Men
Following the event of Schism Wolverine is looking to put Xavier’s dream back on track with Jean Grey’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Boy, that must piss-off Cyclops, Jean’s widower, really bad. In the first storyline of the year we’ve seen Logan joined by Kitty, Beast, Iceman, and Rachel Summers in their first true test when the school is attacked by the new Hellfire Club during the school’s evaluation. Through the help of the students, and a new side of Iceman we’ve never seen, Wolverine and the bunch took down their enemies by only destroying half the school; and classes haven’t even started yet.
I hope writer Jason Aaron keeps showing us the quirks of a school that is full of rebellious, super-powered, kids. With Chris Bachalo’s pencil leading the way I feel something special when I read this comic, like new territory is being explored when some comics are too afraid to shake the status quo. But Logan and the faculty have no idea what they’re getting into.
9) Aquaman
When Geoff Johns brought Arthur Curry back from the dead at the end of Blackest Night we didn’t know that he was actually bringing the character back to life on a much grander scale. In Brightest Day Aquaman was reborn as a bad-ass after being the joke of DC Universe for years. The Aqua-Family is back in the water and is picking up more momentum than a tsunami. In only a few issues Johns has had Aquaman and his wife, Mera, battle sea demons from the darkest reaches of the oceans while re-introducing Arthur’s orgins to people who are not that familiar with the character.
Johns has brought back Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, and now Arthur Curry and made them all successes. I always thought Aquaman got a bum rap due to the 1970’s cartoon, Superfriends, and I love that comic book readers everywhere are eating their words and are excited to talk about the King of Atlantis. 2012 is going to be Aquaman’s year!
8) Superior
Sometimes I can hardly believe the stuff that comes out of Mark Millar’s mind, Superior is the story about Simon, a boy with multiple sclerosis, who makes a wish to become a super hero, but it comes at the price of his soul. The same demon offers his bully the same deal, and he accepts. Now Simon must decide if his soul is worth the price of saving the world.
Millar has brought us such twisted hits like Nemesis and Kick-Ass and continues to shock the comic community like no other. Superior is just another step Millar’s ability to turn a good story. He taps into the comic geek in all of us and just lets us have our greatest dreams. Well done Mr. Millar, well done.
7) Venom
Flash Thompson spent is high school life picking on Peter Parker while idolizing Spider-Man, ironic eh? Inspired by his hero, Flash joined the army and lost his legs in the process, and now has agreed to part of a top secret government project where he joins with the same alien symbiote that turned Spider-Man dark and created some of his greatest villains like the original Venom and Carnage.
This title is about a good man trying to the right thing with the wrong tools. Flash is a great leading character with lots of tragedy, but still lots of heart. Flash must balance his secret life with his love life, and fight the darkness the symbiote is trying to bring out in him.
6) Transformers: Chaos
Optimus Prime and the Autobots are not only blowing up the big screen these days, but also comic book stores everywhere. IDW has been publishing Transformer comics for a while now and it all has lead to their big storyline; Chaos. This comic leads to the Autobots being seriously outnumbered by the Decepticons. Galvitron is out to kill the Autobots once and for all, Megatron stands trial for millions of years of crime, and the fate of Rodimus, the Matrix, and Optimus Prime is all revealed in this massive story that is more than meets the eye.
5) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Cowabunga kids! The heroes in a half shell are back, but not like you know them. The TMNT creator, Kevin Eastman, is returning the turtles to their roots. They’ve got more attitude than their cartoon counter parts and fight a little more dirty, just like when they first premiered in comics. And just like the original title they all have red bandanas, for a while at least. Eastman has brought the flair back to what made the turtles popular to begin with. For fans who grew up on TMNT this more adult version is right up our alley. Plus the true origins of the turtles all revealed. Turtle Power!
4) X-Men: Schism
Ever since House of M the mutant species has been dwindling, and Cyclops has stepped up as leader of his race with Wolverine has his general to enforce the law. But in Schism we saw the two men finally break their truce as Wolverine no longer liked how Scott was running the show. Cyclops believes mutants of all ages should learn to defend themselves and fight the people who are trying to kill them. Wolverine believes that kids should be kids, not killers; and wanted to restart the school in order to teach them and give them a choice when they’re older. Of course all of this was done after a slugfest between the two mutants.
House of M, Endangered Species, Messiah Complex, Second Coming, and now Schism. The X-Men have had quite the decade of trouble, and it only is going to get deep in their upcoming battle with the Avengers. Sides have been chosen and lines have been drawn, but when the World’s Greatest Heroes face the mutants who are sworn to protect a world that fears and hates them I only have one question; whose side is Wolverine and his team going to be on?
3) Batman and Robin
I’ve never been a big fan of Grant Morrison, but when this title first started I don’t think it could have been more entertaining. A rebellious Robin in the form of Damian Wayne was just the pain-in-the-ass Dick Grayson needed to keep him in line as the new Batman. Now Bruce has returned to reclaim his cowl and he has to find out how to be a father.
Peter Tomasi has taken the father/son relationship to the next level as Bruce and Damian try to find common ground. With Alfred trying to guide Bruce in the ways of raising a troubled youth the dynamic is just off the page. Greek tragedies even aren’t this good.
2) Brilliant
From the team that brought you Ultimate Spider-Man comes the first creator-owned book by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. Brilliant is the story of a handful of college-age geniuses who challenge each other to solve the mystery of superpowers. Can the best and brightest change science fiction into science fact? And if so, how will the world at large react? Brilliant is a story of how true power can either destroy or protect the strongest of friendships. It is the story of how the world will react when our true potential is finally unlocked. The series is full of fast-talking, whip-smart, dialogue and is a fanboys delight. And it’s only just begun!
1) Marvel’s Fear Itself
Sibling rivalries are tough on a family, especially when they’re gods. The Red Skull’s daughter finds a magical hammer in Antarctica that grants her the powers of Skadi and releases the true ruler of Asgard, the god of fear; Serpent. Formerly known as Odin’s brother and Thor’s uncle. The Serpant helps more hammers fall and chaos ensues on our heroes. Skadi kills Bucky Barnes which forces Steve to reclaim his role as the one true Captain America, and in the end Thor sacrifices his life to save Asgard and Earth.
One thing I love about Thor comics is their epic scale. The Marvel writing team, lead by Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker, create a tale that can barely be imagined it’s so grand. Of course a personal treat was seeing Tony Stark kick-ass with some Asgardian armor. Too bad he had to give it back though.
