Top Comic Series of 2012

After having read a series of weak lists for the best comics of the past year, I decided I would do a top 10 list for 2012. This list excludes a few graphic novels I haven't finished yet, included some evidently excellent work in Underwater Welder and Building Stories, both of which are frequently mentioned as top books. I'm also behind by a book on both Sweet Tooth and Scalped, which are excellent books. You should read them. That said, this represents my top ten list. I read around 150 comics a month, so it spans most of the top books that are being produced. A few things slip through the cracks from time to time, but I don't miss much.

10. Punisher -- Replacing Garth Ennis on this book was never going to be easy. No one has written more Punisher than Ennis and he has defined a particular aesthetic for this book that most people both like and now expect. Rucka seamlessly grabbed this book, ran with it, and refreshed it all in one move. It was a singularly impressive work. Marco Chechetto's art is masterful and expressive. The mood is edgy and powerful. Rucka is one of the most under-respected creators in comics, constantly having excellent books cancelled on him. Punisher is no exception.

 9. Fantastic Four -- If someone had told me 10 years ago that FF would be at the top of my list of books, I'd have laughed in their face, but after the Millar and Hickman runs on the first family of Marvel, it's hard to argue that FF isn't one of the most exciting books on the shelves. Jonathon Hickman is the innovator. He's the future of comics, period. What he does with Avengers in the coming years will define the industry for an entire era. What he has done for the FF in the last 2 years is comparable to the epic lifting that Bendis did on Avengers in the mid-2000's. The conclusion to Hickman's run on FF was as big a payoff for a series as any book ever written. Ending 2011 with the return of Johny Storm was bound to be a tough act to follow; Hickman raised the bar again.

8. Batman -- The best superhero book coming from the other company. Scott Snyder is an ok writer. Greg Capullo is an amazing artist. If this book was drawn by anyone else, it would not be on this list, period. Court of Owls was, imo, a weak plot with excellent execution and art direction. Other than this book, the x-over was belabored. Here, Snyder shows some understanding of the psychological thriller that drives the Bat and introduces a new Bat-villain that the world didn't particularly need. Obviously, I'm pretty torn about this book. I think that the overall gushing reviews for it are nonsensically gushing. I do think it's a good Batman story from a struggling publisher.

7. Batwoman -- The future of DC comics. JH Williams III is DC comics today. A Vertigo creator on a Vertigo book forced into the mainstream DCU to make up for the lack of quality creators on their other titles. Still, Williams III handles his task with artisan quality expertise, delivering moving stories, jaw-dropping moments, incredible visuals and paneling, and generally top notch work. The arc is a bit long, as have been most New 52 arcs, but that's not his fault; it's an editorial problem. I'm impressed with the book, the creator, and the character even 5 years after it's creation. Kane is still surprising me.

6. Fury: My War Gone By -- Ennis + Fury = homerun. The early 2000's series was amazing. I was visibly thrilled when I heard about this series and pleasantly surprised about the content. Placing Fury all of the way back into his earliest days as a spy and examining U.S. history through the lens of Fury's chiseled visage is classic Ennis. If you enjoyed the Ennis War Stories, you'll enjoy this. If you enjoy the Fury character, you'll enjoy this. If you're a history buff, you'll enjoy this. Goran Parlov is a fantastic illustrator, drawing on Sergio to create accurate, moving depictions of humanity caught in the depths of scandal, massacre, and depravity. It's a tour d'force.

5. Saga -- I don't want to say to much here for those of you that haven't read it, but suffice it to say it's one of the most original sci-fi series of any time. It's smart, beautifully illustrated, and exciting. I can not wait for each new issue, the inevitable movies, and literally everything about this book. There are some "whaaaa" moments, a little shock value, and a few odd plots here and there, but all of it just makes the book interesting and remarkable. Enjoy it. Brian Vaughn may not write many more comics.

4. Mind Mgmt -- Matt Kindt is my favorite new comic book writer of the last year. I read Super Spy in one setting. I bought everything else he's done immediately. When I found out about Mind Mgmt, I treated it like I had Miracle Man: saved it all for one glorious reading. It was exactly that. His art won't be for everyone, but if you can't appreciate what he is doing, then you don't know or care much for comics. The story is a mindfuck, masterfully delivered. The little easter-egg bookends are wonderful little treats. I love this book. I hope we get to follow it for a very long time.

3. Archer & Armstrong -- Let's be clear: Old Valiant didn't appeal to me. The books rolled out too slowly. The plots were tangled. The art was mediocre. Shooter was a hack. I was not clamoring for new Valiant titles. I am now. All of the new Valiant titles are excellent, fresh, beautifully illustrated and excellently scripted. Archer & Amstrong is the best of them. I have seen people gush about X-O (personally my least favorite of the new books), but I can't imagine how they think it holds a candle to Patrick Zircher's work here. This book is awesome. Big Illuminati-esque conspiracies, big action, big buddy story, big family intrigue, big tie-in's to old Valiant favorites -- what more do people want. A++.

2. Daredevil -- Only in this year would Daredevil be #2 to anything. Mark Waid wrote a simple book that was masterfully drawn by Paolo Rivera and Marcos Martin, frankly, the two best artists drawing comics today. Paolo Rivera is the best most original artist in comics since Steranko. His panel work is epic. Marcos Martin is the classic story-teller, like Jack Kirby. His pencils are simple and solid, but convey action and emotion as well as anyone. Mark Waid is back to his old basics from the days of writing Flash: don't overdo the characters, don't unnecessarily complicate the plots, and tell clean stories. This book is banging.

1. Uncanny X-Force -- Simply the best writing on an X-Men book in years. I can't even pretend to be interested in practically any character in this book, but Remender demands your attention. Fantomex is gripping. Angel is the best Angel since he got his Apocalypse wings. The evil Nightcrawler is amazing. The new Brotherhood reminds you of why you cared about them in Mutant Massacre 25 years ago. And Apocalypse Kid -- what's there to say. This is a state of nature debate taking place between the ears of the murderous X-Men black ops team. Rick Remender was one of Marvel's greatest pick-ups, not because every book he writes will be as good as Fear Agent, but because some books he writes will be this good. I'm running out of space here but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Jerome Opena, Billy Tan, and even the great Phil Noto have done interiors on this book. If you don't know Opena, you're about to get to know him, since he is doing the art for Avengers with Hickman. Read every issue of this book. You're welcome.