In issue #71 of the Major Spoilers Podcast, we ran down our Goats and Gods of 2008. In one of my gods categories, I listed five comics that I enjoyed very much in 2008. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of my faves.
5. RASL
We’ve only seen three issues of this new series from Bone creator Jeff Smith. Why’d it earn a coveted spot on my list? Of all the comics I read this year, RASL stands out as a fresh take on the multiverse, wrapped in a mystery, with characters readers can get behind, even if they don’t know what is going on. The biggest drawback is it is released once a quarter.
4. Salt Water Taffy
In an age when comics feature more adult oriented material, it is great to see Salt Water Taffy arrive as a genuinely fun title for the younger crowd. Two graphic novels were released this year, each telling the adventures of two young brothers in the summer coastal town.
3. Booster Gold
There’s something about time travel that really gets me going. Following the continuing adventures of the hero from future kicked into high gear as we saw the brief return of Blue Beetle, found out who Rip Hunter’s father really is, and got to see Booster rip Gorilla Grodd’s face completely off.
2. Tales of She-Buccaneer
Busty pirate babe on the high-seas looking to recover jeweled eyes to save the damned soul of her lover – enough said.
1. Atomic Robo
I don’t need to say anything about this series, except Atomic Robo fighting Nazis.
8 Comments
Mine are as follows:
5. Thor – Consistently great. JMS’ take is the most interesting take on an established character in the last 10 years, easy. Coipel’s art is magnificently epic.
4. The Umbrella Academy – Proof that you can’t judge a book by its celebrity, musician writer. It reads like nothing else on the stands.
3. Casanova – Utterly brilliant. The ideas and execution of said ideas is near perfect. I cannot wait until the next volume.
2. Scalped – The best ongoing series on the market. Yep.
1. I Kill Giants – Quite simply, the best written comic book of 2008. The character of Barbara felt more real than probably any character I’ve ever read in comics. Oh, and J. M. Kim Niimura ain’t no slouch on the art, either.
RASL is great, i also hate the release frequency
@josh:
you gonna have to explain to me what is so good about casanova, i absolutely hate the series. i didn’t even read the 1rst trade all the way through
Scalped is great, i read it in trades, and i’m gonna buy the second trade really soon.
Thor, well, i think JMS is a God, so i love it.
@hermit
The only thing I can say is that taste is subjective. I could rattle off a list of reasons why I think Casanova is an excellent comic book, but those reasons would not apply to you, as they’re obviously not what you’re looking for in a story. Different strokes and all that.
Still, it’s nice to see people enjoying Thor, Scalped and Rasl (which I didn’t include in my Top 5, but is still a really good book).
@hermit
RASL= More Jeff Smith Gold
my top five? Booster, Booster, Booster, Booster and… um…. Booster. :)
Totally agree on Booster Gold, and I like Rasl. I was hoping to see Locke & Key on there. I bought it on y’all’s recommendation and love it! :D The ending was nicely creepy.
I also am digging Dynamo 5, and it’s y’all’s fault again. Thank you! :D
Shame Legion of 3 Worlds isn’t a regular monthly title…
they juste released a trade for RASL. no bonus whatsoever, not even covers, but it’s cool to have all 3 issues in one volume. 12$ i think.
deadpool.
the walking dead.
the boys.
nuff said’!