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9 Best Comics of 2009
Mania's Year End Comic Book Review By
Chad Derdowski
December 15, 2009
9 Best Comics of 2009
© Mania/Bob Trate
Another year has come and gone and with it a cornucopia of crossovers, events and all the obligatory tie-ins. We’ve spent the last 365 days in a haze of “Blackest Nights” and “Dark Reigns” but now that it’s all said and done, we can look back on it and smile. We know that with the price increases that 2009 brought, you certainly couldn’t afford to buy it all so we’ve compiled this list to let you know what you’ve missed: Mania’s Top Comic Books of 2009.
9. Image United #1
Yes, it’s fun to look back on the ‘90s with distain and act like we never bought a foil, lenticular or hologram cover. It’s great to rag on the “style over substance” era of comics and the Image guys are prime targets. They’re the ones who called their company Image! But despite all the bad feelings, it’s great to see the band back together. The idea of current Image golden boy Robert Kirkman writing a story drawn by founding members Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Mark Silvestri and Jim Valentino (with covers by Jim Lee) is just too cool to not include on this list.
Sure it’s a big gimmick. Yeah, there are multiple covers and no, it probably isn’t going to go down as story of the year. But it’s just a cool trip down memory lane. We’ve got all the time in the world to tear the Image founders and the comics of that era to shreds, but for one moment, let’s just sit back and revel in the nostalgic awesomeness of seven guys who proved that if you’ve got enough balls, you can take on Marvel and DC.
8. Dark Avengers #1
Marvel Comics’ big 2009 event didn’t follow the standard operating procedure. Rather than focus on one core title with a billion spinoffs and tie-ins, “Dark Reign” was all spinoffs and tie-ins. Nevertheless, “Dark Avengers” was sort of the flagship title and it kicked off the whole shebang.
Okay, technically speaking, “Dark Reign” started with the “Secret Invasion: Dark Reign” one-shot in December of ’08, but the “Dark Avengers” title is where we really got to see Norman Osborn’s plan start to gather some momentum. Using the Thunderbolt’s model of villains disguised as heroes, Norman found evil (or at least misguided) counterparts for the Avengers and set out on a path of destruction and domination. With Wolverine’s son, Venom, Bullseye-disguised-as-Hawkeye, that other Captain Marvel that nobody cared about, Ares and a stand-in for Ms. Marvel, Osborn got the public’s attention. Adding the easily influenced Sentry as his muscle and draping himself in a red, white and blue version of Tony Stark’s armor, Norman had his own team of Avengers and the world in his hand in 2009.
7. Amazing Spider-Man #583
This issue was released in January, but by the time February had rolled around it had broken records and gone into its fourth printing! A title that had been mired in controversy and stricken with embarrassingly low sales in previous months, “The Amazing Spider-Man” benefited by not only putting a certain newly elected President of the United States on the cover, but actually featuring him in the story as well.
Barack Obama got a record number of voters out to the polls and his presence in this book got a record number of readers into the comic shop. Now if only we could figure out a way to keep them coming back…
6. War of Kings #1
Spinning out of both “Secret Invasion” and the “X-Men: Kingbreaker” event, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning proved that there’s more to the Marvel Universe than the stuff taking place on planet earth. Utilizing the often forgotten cosmic characters of the Marvel U such as the Inhumans, Nova and the all-new Guardians of the Galaxy, the DnA team gave us a brilliant space opera and a war between the Shi’ar and the Kree, with everybody else caught in the middle.
For comic readers sick of the politics, “dark” imposters and general depression of the regular Marvel titles, “War of Kings” offered an event taking place in a galaxy far, far away from the one we know and managed to breathe new life into a bunch of old characters and ideas.
5. Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? – Batman #686 and Detective Comics #853
If the news of Batman’s impending demise put a sour taste in readers’ mouths then the actual “Batman R.I.P.” storyline was like gargling with razor blades. The fact that it hinged on events taking place in the much delayed “Final Crisis” made the whole thing too drawn-out and confusing for even die-hard Grant Morrison fans and required such an in-depth knowledge of history that no one could make any sense of it even if had been written well. Following up such an obscure and ill-received tale with a non-linear eulogy might’ve seemed like a bad idea, but when you put it in the ever capable hands of a master like Neil Gaiman, it was like being tucked into a warm and cozy bed after a long hard day at work.
The story was pure masterpiece, paying homage to every incarnation of Batman and showcasing the power and importance of this iconic and archetypal character. It wasn’t just a farewell to Bruce Wayne (whom we all know is coming back anyway) but more of a love letter to childhood and great storytelling: a tribute to the mythology of the superhero and we’ll be damned if it didn’t make a few of us shed a little tear.
4. Flash Rebirth #2
Why the second issue and not the first? Here’s why: when the first issue came out, fans were still confused as to why we even needed Barry Allen back in the first place. Wally West had been our Flash for over 20 years, what was the point in bringing back this old fuddy-duddy with the bow ties? Not to mention the fact that the first issue of “Flash Rebirth” gave us a morose, brooding hero who had seemingly returned from the dead so that he could complain about it. Barry Allan certainly wasn’t very cool and he wasn’t even very likable.
But with the second issue, things began to take shape. We got a bit more action and a bit more insight into Barry’s motivations and the reasons why he’s back. We also got a sweet cover that paid homage to Showcase #4 (and should’ve been the cover for the first issue) and a flashback that gave an explanation for the bow tie! Long story short, “Flash Rebirth” might not have hit the ground running, but the second issue is where it started picking up speed.
3. Spider-Woman #1 Digital Motion Comic
Opinion is split on motion comics: are they really comic books? Or are they just poorly animated cartoons? Regardless of your opinion of them, the fact is that digital comics are an inevitability. Sooner or later, we’re going to be reading comic books (as well as newspapers and novels) on a computer screen. Whether it’s the Kindle or whatever Apple has got up their sleeve, it’s bound to happen.
So the “Spider-Woman” digital motion comic, which actually debuted online before the actual issue hit the stands, makes the list. Not because it was the first or because it was the best, but it represents a shift in thinking from comic publishers. Are motion comics going to replace traditional comic books? Let’s hope not. But it’s pretty safe to say that with the rising costs of printing, digital comics will.
2. Captain America Reborn #1
We all knew it was going to happen and on July 1, Ed Brubaker’s magnum opus began its voyage to completion. The regular Captain America series was put on hiatus and the first issue of “Captain America Reborn” hit the stands. The story might’ve left a few scratching their heads but it didn’t matter; Steve Rogers is on his way back, bringing with him a return to the heroic age of Marvel. No more hero against hero, no more “Registration Act,” no more “Dark Reign.”
At least, we hope so.
1. Blackest Night #1
The third part of Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern trilogy, “Blackest Night” has been one of the most anticipated events in quite some time. It’s also been one of the best.
The prophecy of the “Blackest Night,” mentioned in the Sinestro Corps War, has come to fruition and the full emotional spectrum stands revealed. There are now seven Lantern Corps (eight if you count the Black Lanterns) and the War of Light has begun. Despite outward appearances, it’s not your average zombie story; in fact, these aren’t even zombies at all. The risen dead are more akin to your drunken Aunt Rita, who shows up at Christmas and blabs about highly personal (and terribly embarrassing) family secrets all day, cutting you right to the core and tearing your heart out. Of course, the Black Lanterns also physically tear your heart out.
With a story that spans the length and breadth of the entire DCU, Blackest Night feels like something of an apology for the abortion that was last year’s “Final Crisis.” Unlike most events, the tie-ins actually serve to enhance the story but aren’t required reading. In addition, “Blackest Night” has put a spotlight on some second and third-tier heroes and made Barry Allen look even more badass than he does in “Flash Rebirth.”
Those are our Top Nine for Oh-Nine. By no means is it a comprehensive list of everything great that came out this year but we think it covers the big ones. What say you, Maniacs? Was there an event we missed? A crossover worth covering? A shameless moneygrabber featuring Obama on the cover that we should’ve mentioned? All we know is that in 2009 we were feelin’ fine and in 2010 we’ll be back again… and again and again, every Wednesday at the comic shop, come rain or shine.
Know a Comic Book Lover and Need Gift Tips? Then Read: 10 Holiday Gifts for the Comic Lover
Love Comics & Movies? Then Try 5 Comics That Should Be Rated R Movies
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I'd take out Spidey 583 and put the Old Man Logan storyline in its place. The Logan storyline is going to be remembered long after a stunt comic like 583 retires to the dollar bin. Remember the spidey-Colbert issue? Yeah, neither does anyone else.