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Here's what I think are the most noteworthy comics and graphic novels that came out this year (of what I read of course). On a whole it seemed like a weak year for comics, especially compared to the last few, but looking at individual titles, there were some good books out there. Click below to see the list.

1. New Frontier This DC mini-series written and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke captured not only the spirit of a bygone era but a spirit of super hero wonder that has been bogged down over the years with a need to be modern and realistic. Cooke tells a story that focuses on Hal Jordan becoming the Green Lantern but that takes place in the late 50s around the time when these characters were first published. His artwork invokes that era perfectly and he gives a new spin on some of these characters, most notably Wonder Woman who is depicted as a big boned, beer-swilling Amazon.

2. Eightball #23 It's a privilege when a new issue of Daniel Clowe's book comes out. In this story he handles a typical old fashioned comic book element like a ray gun and makes it disturbing as hell. He inventively plays with the way comic panels transition to new scenes in a way that's never been done before. The last page contains a brilliant set of talking head panels titled "Why Did Andy Destroy You?" Only Daniel Clowes could write a story where the main character gains super powers from smoking.

3. McSweeney's Quarterly Concern Issue 13 A comic anthology edited by Chris Ware and containing brilliant little stories by just about every working genius in the medium. Can't really go wrong here, even though of course in every anthology not every story is going to appeal to everyone.

4. We3 The third and final issue of this mini-series has yet to come out but so far this has been an amazing book with near revolutionary artwork by Frank Quitely. With a story about a dog, a cat and a rabbit that escape a top secret military lab and go on the run from the government you need strong art to tell the mostly dialogue-free story. This is defiintely the best work of Quitely's career. Everything is purposeful, even the covers, which are lost pet posters giving you a little back story into the lives of each animal before they were stolen by the government and turned into lethal weapons.

5. Ex Machina Is it a comic about a super hero or a comic about city politics? Can it be both? So far yes, and very sucessfully. It's the story of Mitchell Hundred, the world's only super hero, who gives up his costume and becomes mayor of New York City in 2001. It's a smart comic with a great ensemble cast of Mitchell's friends and staff members. The first issue got things rolling right away with an ending that had the most surprising post-9/11 image I've seen in a comic.

6. Optic Nerve #9 Another treat this year was getting a new issue from Adrian Tomine, one of the most talented artist and writer in the business. His latest story involves a self-hating Asian American and his fading relationship with his girlfriend. It's supposedly a two part story but this first part on it's own is perfect.

7. Fables Probably the best book being published by Vertigo for the last couple of years. It also consistently has the best covers of any comic out there each month thanks to James Jean. The cast of fairy tale characters are the most surprising and well developed in almost any comic out there and each story arc brings new and unpredictable developments to their lives. It's becoming a fairly political book now too as it deals with Prince Charming's run for mayor and Snow White's struggle to keep order in the Fabletown community.

8. Human Target An interesting book on many levels. The main character, Christopher Chance, makes a living as a hired duplicate, impersonating people who's lives may be in danger. Many times, Chance gets too caught up in the impersonation, living that person's life and forgetting who he actually is. The book also, with each arc, deals with an aspect of American identity. There have been stories dealing with immigration, 9/11, militias, evangelists, and baseball. Of course, the writer, Peter Milligan, is a Brit so who better to look in on American society from the outside. The artwork is tag-teamed by Javier Pulido and Cliff Chiang, together giving the book a consistent style.

9. Supreme Power If you want realistic, modern super heroes, this is the place to look. Written by TV writer J Michael Straczynski, it has the pacing and tone of a really good HBO series. A little over 12 issues in and it's been taking its time introducing the characters and establishing the premise. But even though it's low on action for a super hero comic, it's very high on drama.

10. Astonishing X-men Written by Buffy creator Joss Whedon and illustrated by John Cassady, this is the X-book for fans of Grant Morrison's recently ended run. Meaning it's fun but it isn't written for idiots. It pretty much continues where Morrison left off but with a more down to earth, traditional style. Very addictive.

Posted at December 22, 2004 12:13 AM