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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Favorite cross-over or mini-series: The Sinestro Corps War; Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps #21-25, #14-18
At the time of writing this prose, I have not yet read Green Lantern #25, the final chapter in The Sinestro Corps War, and due to end of the year deadlines at my day job, there is a very good chance I won’t read it next until weekend. I know, I know. My priorities aren’t where they should be. However, I’m confident this cross-over will remain my favorite of the year regardless of the last chapter. It’s like when you’re going into the final exam of a class in which you’ve aced every homework assignment, every quiz, and every mid-term, and therefore you’ve really got to bend over for that final not to get a good grade. Of course, one of my friends just happens to be the exception to that rule as he not only failed the final in our Differential Equations class, he low scored it by about 30 points, thus dropping his solid A to, well, quite a bit lower than that.
With that said, I’m not going to list all the reasons this mini-series rocked the hizzy. You can read about the art and the writing and the action and the plot twists and the mythology expansion in any review on any message board. Well, almost any review. It seams The Buy Pile over at Comic Book Resources felt this was “the end of another disappointing green-themed crossover,” and included Green Lantern #25 in the “No, just… no” portion of the column. Everyone is entitled to his opinion, I guess.
As for me, I very much share the positive opinions, so there’s really no need to repeat them in yet another corner of the internet. What I will add to the discussion, however, is this; I’m happy that SCW soared to such acclaim without promotional help from DC. Each of the Big Two routinely saturates the market with promos for its next event regardless of its scope. But I don’t remember there being much for SCW.
It really seemed to arrive on the scene without much fanfare. Perhaps DC had been left a tad gun-shy by the less than successfully received Amazons Attack, so it didn’t want to risk heavily promoting another “event” that might also flop. Whatever the reason, it allowed readers to form their own opinions of the cross-over, and its popularity skyrocketed via word of mouth – one of the purest gauges for measuring success.
I also give DC a lot of credit. After it realized it had something special in its hands, it esseintially told Geoff Johns and the rest of the creative team, “If you guys need more time to tell your story, take it. We’ll make the other books work around it.” In an age of seemingly tighter and tighter editorial controls, especially in DC, that decision is remarkable. I don’t think it could have worked out any better.
Runner up: Checkout; Outsiders #47-49, Checkmate #13-15
Favorite comic book (single issue): Catwoman #71
The first thing that struck me about this book was Will Pfeifer’s absolutely wonderful characterization of the Batman/Bruce-Catwoman/Selina relationship. In my opinion, it’s the best interpretation given since the relationship was elevated in the Hush storyline when Bruce revealed his secret identity. I’ll even go so far as to say that Pfeifer understands Batman better than most Batman writers when Selina says:
See, here’s the thing people don’t get about Bruce. They think he’s all about beating up badguys or striking terror into the hearts of the underworld. But that’s not it. That’s not it all. When you get right down to it, when you take away the cape and the cowl and the capital “T” in “The Batman”… He’s all about protecting the innocent.
If I wasn’t such a manly man, that might have brought tears to my eyes.
The second moment that struck me was in
But here the biggest reason I feel this is the book of the year: If I were to give a single book to a person who doesn’t read comics, in hopes that it would hook him/her into the genre, it would be Catwoman #71. I would recommend this book to anyone. I think it hits the right notes with both males and females. It stands on its own, and doesn’t require months and of backstory to enjoy, yet will still leave you wanting to read the backstories and future adventures. And even though there is no action, I don’t think the noobie would miss it.
It’s just a great book. Period.
Runner up: Nothing even comes close to Catwoman #71. That’s how much I enjoyed it. But if I have to pick a runner up, I would say the Sinestro Corps one-shot.
Favorite comic book (on-going series): Catwoman
My selection criterion for this category is fairly bulletproof. I simply ask myself, “When I get my stack of new comics home, which book is the last book I read?” You see, whereas I think a lot of people go for the instant gratification and read their favorite books first, I read my favorites last. I like to savor the anticipation and allow my excitement to build and my heart-rate to increase as I get closer and closer to reading the final book, my favorite book, of the week. And yes, I keep my pants on when I read comics… 98% of the time anyway.
There are two titles that consistently go to the bottom of the pile; Catwoman and Supergirl. I’m giving the nod to Catwoman, because I never once regretted leaving it until last, whereas I was utterly disappointed by the Supergirl fill-in arc by Bedard and Guedes. Yuck.
Catwoman just pushes all my right buttons. The art and writing perfectly compliment each other. David Lopez draws a beautiful, strong, sexy woman, but not in the stereotypical T&A fashion found in most comic books. Instead, he allows her face to display all those characteristics. For me, Selina’s eyes and lips are her most telling features, and even when she puts on the Catwoman goggles, those characteristics remain, and a mischievousness is introduced. Lopez has also done a great job OYL drawing Selina as a mother. Sure, she’s a MILF, but still a mother.
Will Pfeifer always writes a compelling story, and he does so without relying on universe altering events to give relevancy to Selina’s place in the DC mythos. Nor does he rely on blockbuster gueststars for bumps in ratings (for the record, I don’t include the occasional appearance of Batman in this “blockbuster gueststar” category, because they’re more like fun bonuses for us readers). Preifer’s dialogue is witty, quick, and sarcastic, but certainly does not lack emotion. Basically, Selina is my kind of woman. She’s devoted and compassionate, but not afraid to kick your ass if you tell one too many bad jokes or playful insults.
I will never understand why this title is not a top seller. More people need to pick it up.
Runner up: Supergirl
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