NOTE: I originally wrote these awards as a single column, but my plans changed when I noticed the word count quickly approaching 2000 when I was just over 50% finished. Therefore, rather than blowing the proverbial wad all at once, I decided to break-up the column into two parts, and post them over several days. Thus giving the appearance of more regular updates to Quoted For Truth for not much more work. That’s either efficient or lazy. I’ll let you be the judge.
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As the final weeks of 2007 come and go, year end “best of” and “worst of” lists are popping up all across the internet. I see no reason why Quoted For Truth should be any different. Not only would a list of my favorite items in various comic book categories be a great way for my new readers (all three of you) to discover what I enjoy reading, but it would be a very easy second column to write.
Just please keep in mind that Quoted For Truth was only conceived a few weeks ago, and therefore I’m basing all of my picks on my memory without any research. If I successfully fight-off my adult ADD and am still writing this column next year, I will make sure to take adequate and detailed notes on each book I read throughout the year, such that my picks will be more accurate. Further, it’s important to note that I’m picking only from books I’ve actually read, so I’m sure many widely popular books will be left out.
Thus, without further ado, I present the 2007 QFT awards for my favorite “whatevers” in comic books.
Favorite new series (shipped at least three issues in 2007): Booster Gold
This was a very close decision. Booster Gold and Buffy Season 8 were neck and neck all the way to the wire with Booster Gold #5 and Buffy #9 shipping in December. Now, I am a total Buffy mark. It’s a possible all-time top five television for me. But the science nerd in me loves a well constructed time travel story (you should see all the books on theoretical physics that deal with the topic in my bookcase). Add that to that Booster Gold has a quirky and off-the-cuff sense of humor, and the scale is tipped in its favor. Sorry, Buffy.
Booster Gold also gets a big, gold star for being a mystery with enough details for people like me to obsess over. It’s a major reason why I’m still a Lost fan despite many viewers jumping ship. If the dozens and dozens of incredibly creative theories on Lost message boards are any indication, you can spend a lot of time researching the meaning of, say, a statue of a foot with only four toes in real world mythology and science and then try to apply it to the show. In the case of Booster Gold, you can spend a lot of time researching the meaning of “The vigilante knows the traitor – the league does not!” in the mythology and science of the DC Universe and then try to apply it to the book.
Basically what I’m saying is Booster Gold is the perfect book for both obsessive nerds with a quirky sense of humor and non-obsessive nerds who just appreciate a well thought out and orchestrated story.
Runner up: Buffy Season 8
Favorite scene: Batman pwning the Legion of Superheroes in Brave & the Bold #4
Brave & the Bold has just been a fun series. It’s so refreshing to read a story that seemingly has many layers of complexity yet to explored, but each issue can be taken at face value and still be completely entertaining. Mark Waid has successfully made Brave & the Bold what it should be; a collection of fantastical tales that wouldn’t really work in a more “grounded” book.
There have been a number of great scenes in this book from Batman mentoring Blue Beetle to Hal
However, the scene that made me smile the widest and shout “hellz yeah” the loudest was Batman pwning the Legion of Superheroes. I very much enjoyed the way he outsmarted them like the kids they are. But what tickled me the most was Batman stealing Brainiac’s flight ring, thus inadvertently forcing him to reveal to the rest of the Legion that he had designed his flight ring with slightly superior capabilities. All the while, Brainac looks down his nose at Batman and his caveman-like intellect, yet we all know damned well if the JLA wore flight rings, Batman would have included the exact same capabilities in his ring, if not more. So tactically, Brainiac is just using Batman’s old tricks.
Runner up: Batman pwning the Sinestro Corp ring.
Favorite penciller: Jim Lee; All Star Batman & Robin
When DC announced yet another shipping date for ASB&R #6, I started a long-winded rant in my store about how everybody complains about late books, yet no one ever voices his dissatisfaction by NOT buying the book. Personally, I vowed not to buy anything beyond issue five, and I’ve stuck to that vow, even going so far as to sell my run of #1-4.
Before the issue ever found its way onto the shelf, DC rescheduled its shipping date two more times. In the middle of the rescheduling, Jim Lee showed fans his completed artwork at an early season convention, photos of which found their way onto numerous message boards. I remember very clearly clicking on those links, viewing that art, and immediately muttering to myself, “F’ing Jim Lee. You’re gonna make me start collecting this book again.”
Thankfully my cheapness overcame the fanboy in me, and I didn’t start collecting the series again – unless you count the one or two copies that remained on the shelf. I mean, if a customer doesn’t buy them, I suppose I technically bought them. Regardless, the point is I was floored by what I saw, and a very small part of my brain actually tried to convince me that art this incredible was worth the delays.
So even though it really pains me to do so, because of the delays and because only three issues shipped in 2007, I think my gut reaction to the art speaks for itself, and I have to give the award to Jim Lee. What can I say… he draws a bitchin’ Batman, both of the regular and goddam varieties.
Runner up: David Lopez; Catwoman
Favorite writer: Geoff Johns; Booster Gold, 52, Green Lantern
In my original outline for this column, my notes indicated that this award was a toss-up between Paul Dini and Will Pfeifer. However, as I detailed my reasoning for the other awards, I found myself gushing over Booster Gold and the Sinestro Corps War, because of the superb writing in each case. When it dawned on me that Geoff Johns is responsible for both books, as well as sharing co-responsibility for 52 (remember, half of 52 was shipped in 2007), it became very obvious that he should receive my award for favorite writer.
He has a real knack for evolving a story, and even a character’s mythology, without shoehorning or forcing all the new developments. The new elements fit so naturally within the old cannon, that I rarely find myself thinking, “Oh please. That makes no sense whatsoever.” For example, the symmetry of the newly created color spectrum in the Green Lantern mythos is found all around us, including the basic building blocks of the universe. It’s so strangely logical that it might as well have been part of The Blackest Night prophecy from the very beginning. That’s the mark of a good writer.
Speaking of the The Blackest Night prophecy… during translation, that phrase could easily have been recorded incorrectly. Maybe it’s actually The Darkest Night prophecy. And I think we all know a certain pointy-eared, knightly character who would obviously play a big role in an event called the Darkest Night… I’m just saying.
I’m kidding, of course.
Runner up: Will Pfeifer; Catwoman
(to be continued...)
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