Aquaman (click for source)
By Sam Hurcom
With 2014 still lingering on our minds, and bodies feeling like they’re suffering from a hangover from Thanos’ New Year’s Eve bash or a concussion from an unavoidable bout with Batsy, it seemed fitting to look back and reflect on some of the year’s top comic highlights. Befitting that great tradition of condensing thousands of man hours and creative talent into a brief review of an entire Earth years’ worth of work, this is my 2014 top 5 comic countdown!
AT NUMBER 5… a bit of a soggy one.
The New 52 Aquaman (Vol. 1 The Trench)
Good start, a comic that wasn’t released in 2014 at all! The first volume of the latest Aquaman run was actually released early 2013, but I only got my hands on a copy this past summer (my teachers always told me I was a little slow!). Even though it wasn’t one of the brand new releases I read this year, I feel it deserves a mention for one basic reason… it took me quite by surprise. With a character so riddled with strange origins, dodgy love connections (yes, those rumours about dolphin love are true) and shite superpowers, I found myself wondering what the hell all the hype and fuss surrounding this collection was about. Simple really – it’s a comic not afraid to have a laugh at its own expense and is happy to admit that Aquaman is (and always will be) one of the strangest, most uncool superhero characters going. In doing so, it sort of makes Arthur Curry, well… kind of cool. Bizarre, with some quite lovely artwork.
With 2014 still lingering on our minds, and bodies feeling like they’re suffering from a hangover from Thanos’ New Year’s Eve bash or a concussion from an unavoidable bout with Batsy, it seemed fitting to look back and reflect on some of the year’s top comic highlights. Befitting that great tradition of condensing thousands of man hours and creative talent into a brief review of an entire Earth years’ worth of work, this is my 2014 top 5 comic countdown!
AT NUMBER 5… a bit of a soggy one.
The New 52 Aquaman (Vol. 1 The Trench)
Good start, a comic that wasn’t released in 2014 at all! The first volume of the latest Aquaman run was actually released early 2013, but I only got my hands on a copy this past summer (my teachers always told me I was a little slow!). Even though it wasn’t one of the brand new releases I read this year, I feel it deserves a mention for one basic reason… it took me quite by surprise. With a character so riddled with strange origins, dodgy love connections (yes, those rumours about dolphin love are true) and shite superpowers, I found myself wondering what the hell all the hype and fuss surrounding this collection was about. Simple really – it’s a comic not afraid to have a laugh at its own expense and is happy to admit that Aquaman is (and always will be) one of the strangest, most uncool superhero characters going. In doing so, it sort of makes Arthur Curry, well… kind of cool. Bizarre, with some quite lovely artwork.
Squatters (click for source)
AT NUMBER 4… a bit of a creepy one.
Squatters (#1)
Bugs are not my forte. Only last week I had to phone a friend to call round my house and get rid of a small spider in the bath (no, I’m actually not joking). But contrary to this irrational phobia of all things small and wriggly, I fully enjoyed Eli Mamane’s independent comic Squatters. A dystopian setting, the bubbling undertones of a parasitic apocalypse and the promise of some factually based grotesqueness were merely the surface of what is truly a well-rounded and highly stylised opening issue to a potential future series. Watch this space and check out the full review here.
Squatters (#1)
Bugs are not my forte. Only last week I had to phone a friend to call round my house and get rid of a small spider in the bath (no, I’m actually not joking). But contrary to this irrational phobia of all things small and wriggly, I fully enjoyed Eli Mamane’s independent comic Squatters. A dystopian setting, the bubbling undertones of a parasitic apocalypse and the promise of some factually based grotesqueness were merely the surface of what is truly a well-rounded and highly stylised opening issue to a potential future series. Watch this space and check out the full review here.
Herobear and the Kid (click for source)
AT NUMBER 3 … a bit of a childish one.
Herobear and the Kid: The Inheritance
It’s strange to think but comics were once aimed at children. I mean children children, not man-childs or pubescent teens with expendable income. Amidst all the sex, debauchery and violence splashed across comic shop selves, it’s hard sometimes to find anything wholly universal that holds the excitement and originality of leading comic book runs. Enter Mike Kunkel and an Eisner Award winning large polar bear with a red cape. Herobear and his adventures with young Tyler (The Kid) have been around for quite some time, but finding single issue reprints on the shelves of a local retailer was probably one of the highlights of my year. Laced within the concept sketched style of Kunkel’s illustrations is a masterful story, full of whimsy, humour, a heart-warming friendship and plenty of mystery. With a brand new series (Saving Time) recently released, this is certainly a modern classic that will undoubtedly grow in popularity. Sod Winnie the Pooh, Herobear is the new kid in town for bedtime reading. Read the full review here.
Herobear and the Kid: The Inheritance
It’s strange to think but comics were once aimed at children. I mean children children, not man-childs or pubescent teens with expendable income. Amidst all the sex, debauchery and violence splashed across comic shop selves, it’s hard sometimes to find anything wholly universal that holds the excitement and originality of leading comic book runs. Enter Mike Kunkel and an Eisner Award winning large polar bear with a red cape. Herobear and his adventures with young Tyler (The Kid) have been around for quite some time, but finding single issue reprints on the shelves of a local retailer was probably one of the highlights of my year. Laced within the concept sketched style of Kunkel’s illustrations is a masterful story, full of whimsy, humour, a heart-warming friendship and plenty of mystery. With a brand new series (Saving Time) recently released, this is certainly a modern classic that will undoubtedly grow in popularity. Sod Winnie the Pooh, Herobear is the new kid in town for bedtime reading. Read the full review here.
Guardians 3000 (click for source)
A brief pause to build some suspense…
Marvel’s foray into the big screen world of cinema reached new heights last year with Guardians of the Galaxy. Nobody really knew what to expect from a film starring a green woman, a tree with a very limited vocabulary and a stark raving racoon. What they got was by far and away the most enjoyable movie of the entire franchise so far (although Captain America and the Winter Soldier was a very very close second). The success of Guardians on the big screen has been reflected in an array of totally superb comics, two of which round off this top five. In all honesty, these two are both utterly brilliant, representing perhaps the finest talent Marvel has to offer at this current time. But, as Sean Connery once said in a strange Egyptian twang, ‘there can be only one!’ So without further ado, the runner up prize for my personal top comics of 2014 goes to…
AT NUMBER 2… a bit of a timehoppy one.
Guardians 3000
Before Starlord, Drax and the rest of the crew, a different band of superheroes held the title of Guardians of the Galaxy, though they were a little ahead of their time. Like literally, a thousand years ahead to be precise, in the early 30th Century. Vance Astro, Charlie-27. Yondu Udanta, Martinex and Starhawk all battled the forces of Skrull, Kree, Badoon and other whack job alien races, in the defence of freedom and liberty for the galaxy. They represent the Guardians 3000 and this year enjoyed a rather awesome reboot courtesy of writer Dan Abnett and a posse of gifted artists. The Guardians battle against the destruction of time/space itself with a unique and talented human Geena Drake. It’s funny, it’s gritty, its got Captain America’s shield and the promise of lots of time travel. What more can Marvel fans ask for?! Check out the full review at:
Marvel’s foray into the big screen world of cinema reached new heights last year with Guardians of the Galaxy. Nobody really knew what to expect from a film starring a green woman, a tree with a very limited vocabulary and a stark raving racoon. What they got was by far and away the most enjoyable movie of the entire franchise so far (although Captain America and the Winter Soldier was a very very close second). The success of Guardians on the big screen has been reflected in an array of totally superb comics, two of which round off this top five. In all honesty, these two are both utterly brilliant, representing perhaps the finest talent Marvel has to offer at this current time. But, as Sean Connery once said in a strange Egyptian twang, ‘there can be only one!’ So without further ado, the runner up prize for my personal top comics of 2014 goes to…
AT NUMBER 2… a bit of a timehoppy one.
Guardians 3000
Before Starlord, Drax and the rest of the crew, a different band of superheroes held the title of Guardians of the Galaxy, though they were a little ahead of their time. Like literally, a thousand years ahead to be precise, in the early 30th Century. Vance Astro, Charlie-27. Yondu Udanta, Martinex and Starhawk all battled the forces of Skrull, Kree, Badoon and other whack job alien races, in the defence of freedom and liberty for the galaxy. They represent the Guardians 3000 and this year enjoyed a rather awesome reboot courtesy of writer Dan Abnett and a posse of gifted artists. The Guardians battle against the destruction of time/space itself with a unique and talented human Geena Drake. It’s funny, it’s gritty, its got Captain America’s shield and the promise of lots of time travel. What more can Marvel fans ask for?! Check out the full review at:
Rocket Raccoon (click for source)
DRUM ROLL PLEASE. IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS GEEKY AND TOTALLY SWEET, IT IS TIME TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF THE COVETED(ISH) PRIZE OF COMIC OF THE YEAR!!
AT NUMBER 1… a bit of a furry one.
Rocket Raccoon
Here are some superlatives: incredible, electrifying, hilarious, breathtaking, unput-downable, damn-near-perfect, exciting, witty, clever, beautiful, who needs Da Vinci when we have this kind of art, standing outside the shop to pick up my copy on new comics day, won’t lend to friends or family for fear of them stealing it, for God’s sake if you haven’t already read this what have you been doing with your life go get your head out the sand and order some back issues, the pictures are so pretty my face is melting like the end of Raiders of the Last Ark, can’t believe I have to wait an entire month to pick up my next copy, genius, genius, genius...
Genius. That’s all I really needed say. Skottie Young’s Rocket Raccoon is the best comic I read in 2014. Probably one of the best comics I’ve ever read to be honest. I mean, it’s up there at least with the likes of Saga, The Killing Joke and Civil War. Really. Like really. If you’ve read it I’m sure you’ll agree it’s superb. And if you haven’t read it I implore you, plead with you, to go pick up some of the first six or seven issues. I guarantee you will love it!
Well that’s 2014 over… it was a pretty good year on reflection. 2015 has a lot to do to top it, even if Ultron does own the Avengers on the big screen!
Surprised by Aquaman, in love with Rocket Raccoon? What's your top 5 for 2014? Let us know below!
AT NUMBER 1… a bit of a furry one.
Rocket Raccoon
Here are some superlatives: incredible, electrifying, hilarious, breathtaking, unput-downable, damn-near-perfect, exciting, witty, clever, beautiful, who needs Da Vinci when we have this kind of art, standing outside the shop to pick up my copy on new comics day, won’t lend to friends or family for fear of them stealing it, for God’s sake if you haven’t already read this what have you been doing with your life go get your head out the sand and order some back issues, the pictures are so pretty my face is melting like the end of Raiders of the Last Ark, can’t believe I have to wait an entire month to pick up my next copy, genius, genius, genius...
Genius. That’s all I really needed say. Skottie Young’s Rocket Raccoon is the best comic I read in 2014. Probably one of the best comics I’ve ever read to be honest. I mean, it’s up there at least with the likes of Saga, The Killing Joke and Civil War. Really. Like really. If you’ve read it I’m sure you’ll agree it’s superb. And if you haven’t read it I implore you, plead with you, to go pick up some of the first six or seven issues. I guarantee you will love it!
Well that’s 2014 over… it was a pretty good year on reflection. 2015 has a lot to do to top it, even if Ultron does own the Avengers on the big screen!
Surprised by Aquaman, in love with Rocket Raccoon? What's your top 5 for 2014? Let us know below!
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