The Best of 2007
The DC-leaning editor's top picks of the year
By Owen K. Craig
Posted January 8th, 2007
Series of the year — Justice Society of America
This was a tough decision for me. There was lots to love this year and any number of titles would have felt right in this spot. When I really thought about it, though, one title always leaves me feeling more elated than the rest after it's read. Johns' Justice Society is exactly what I want in a comic. It's gutsy, it's intimate and the characters are fascinating. Dale Eaglesham's work has landed him a spot amongst my favourite artists. His characters are among the most real and the emotion he imbues in them is nothing short of extraordinary. If the artist is the "actor" of the book (a saying I'm fond of), then Eaglesham is the Edward Norton of DC Comics right now. Each character is different from the next in every facet. This book feels like it was written just for me. Intensive character development + a blend of comedy and drama + superheroes = one happy Owen.
Runners up: Green Lantern, Runaways, The Spirit
Writer of the year — Geoff Johns
Unlike above, this was not a tough decision for me. As much as I am an acknowledged BKV and Whedon fanboy this was Johns' year. It all became clear to me one say as I looked at a pile of my favourite books of the year and saw Justice Society of America, Green Lantern, Booster Gold and Action Comics ("Legion of Superheroes" arc) sitting side by side. This man has been kicking ass! Not only do I like all the books this man has been doing, but I am actually in an elated state after reading them. Oh yeah, he also was a part of a little thing called 52 this year. Let's only hope that he doesn't spread himself too thin and have a drop in quality in 2008.
Runners up: Dan Slott, Brian K. Vaughan, Joss Whedon
Artist of the year — Ivan Reis, Green Lantern
If any artist had a breakout year that skyrocketed them to the big leagues (at least in my eyes) it's Ivan Reis. Before this year I had never heard of him, but now he's an artist I'm keeping my eye on. His work in Green Lantern was breathtaking. Not only did the man design dozens of alien species as well as a whole new batch of costumes for the Sinestro Corps, but his his down-to-Earth characters were every bit as expressive as his aliens were awesome. Every page of Green Lantern #25 was awe-inspiring, there's no doubt about it. Whether it was a page of a spectacular space battle or Hal talking to his family, I was astonished by Reis' work.
Runners up: John Cassaday, Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone, Dale Eaglesham
Cover art of the year — Justice Society of America #7 (Dale Eaglesham variant)
I don't buy variant covers. The idea of paying 3-4 times as much money for the exact same comic except for a different cover drawn by a more famous (or in some cases less famous) artist annoys me. This time, though, I made an exception. I remember being at my local comic book store after a bad day and seeing this cover on the shelf. It made me laugh so hard I couldn't resist shelling out the money for it. So money covers focus on the badass moments in the stories: heroes mid-fight or flying through the air in dramatic poses, it's nice to see one focused on a more human moment.
Runners up: 52 #52, The Spirit #10
Hero of the year — Booster Gold (from Booster Gold, 52)
I love it when the goofball saves the world. When Xander saved everyone in Buffy I was all "Hell yeah!" So when my beloved Booster Gold saved not just the world, but the freaking Multiverse it was a rewarding moment for me. On top of that he turned down the Justice League for membership! How cool is that?
Runners up: Captain America (from Captain America, New Avengers), Green Lantern (from Green Lantern, Justice League of America), Iron Man (Iron Man, Mighty Avengers)
Villain of the year — Mister Carrion and Miss Julia (from The Spirit)
These guys pretty much sum up what I love about The Spirit. It's whimsical, fun and kinda creepy. Here we have a man who markets a gross meat product using The Spirit's face on its advertising who also happens to be in love with his pet vulture. Creepy? Yep. Hilarious? You bet.
Runners up: Altar (from Y: The Last Man), Iron Man (Civil War, New Avengers), Sinestro (from Green Lantern)
Comedy book of the year — Booster Gold
Finally I get a Booster Gold solo series. It's been over a decade since we had one, and as an added bonus it's amazing. It's filled with moments that are rather touching (Booster saying he wants his best friend back), moments that are kick-ass (the reveal of who the new Supernova is) and over all moments that are hilarious. Hung-over Booster, Skeets riding a horse, Booster in a drinking contest with Jonah Hex...it's all gold (there's a gold/Booster Gold pun in there I'm avoiding).
Runners up: JLA/Hitman, Irredemable Ant-Man
Click for super large image.
Best splash page — Green Lantern #25 (The many-coloured rings war)
Sometimes a splash page seems like it's a waste of a page: there's a whole-page reveal of a moderately impressive landscape or something. In this case the two pages seem like they aren't able to contain everything going on in the scene. This look to the future showed an upcoming war of the various corps that are to be created. You know what? I can't even begin to describe it. Just look for yourselves. Congrats to Ethan Van Scriver. This is a stunning splash page.
Runners up: Astonishing X-Men #23 ("To me my X-Men"), Y: The Last Man #56 (the reunion)
Best Brian K. Vaughan story — Y: The Last Man, "Whys and Wherefores"
Since Miles and I are such big BKV fans with thought that this category was appropriate. While his Buffy run was tempting there was no doubt that I would choose this Y storyline in the end. It was shocking, moving and put wheels in motion for closure on this epic story. Vaughan has always been great at making his readers curse his name even as they sing his praises and this story is quintessentially Vaughan.
Best book...when it actually comes out — Astonishing X-Men
Every time a new issue of Astonishing comes out I worry that it's been too long and that the momentum will be lost. Luckily, every time it's totally been worth my while and I thoroughly enjoy the issue. The last issue (#23) was especially great and was voted both my and Miles' book of the month. But man, I really want to find out how it ends. Issue #24, please don't be late!
Runners Up: Local, Runaways
Most pleasant surprise (AKA "I can't wait to see what he does next") — Meltdown
This book was a lot of fun. A quick rise and fall story that entertained me with its simplicity and wonderful art. The character was engaging and the book didn't overstay its welcome, lasting two (albeit oversized) issues. I hope to see more from this writer and his amusing, quirky style.
Saddest cancellation — Irredemable Ant-Man
This book was one of the most consistantly laugh-out-loud books out there. It's no surprise, though, that the book didn't catch on with readers. When your main character sleeps with his dead best friend's girlfriend ON HIS GRAVE it's easy to understand that this book wouldn't be for everyone. Still, though, I enjoyed the hell out of it. I'm relieved to see the main character show up on another title, and one of my favourites no less (Avengers: The Initiative).