Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2020

 

Hey all,

Going to start out 2021 right by doing what I didn't do right in 2020 (and prior years if I am being completely honest with myself) by writing a blog post I said I would. Over on YouTube, I had written a comment stating I was inspired to compose my own blog post detailing my top ten graphic novels of works published during 2020. As 2020 ended, I chickened out. Then, the Uncanny Omar of Near Mint Condition replied back he would like the link. Shucks, might as well compose my list then! 

For context, here's the video the Uncanny Omar of Near Mint Condition released:

An important caveat: these are graphic novels released during 2020. Not released AND read. These are ten graphic novels that owning them hold a special place in my heart. So, in no particular order, let's get started:

Asterix Omnibus Vol 3 Hardcover

More of an omnibus in the sense it collects three albums (volumes) of Asterix. I would call it a graphic novel myself. I've always wanted to read the European produced Asterix as he's such a long running character. Timing and budget was my obstacle. Recently, Papercutz acquired the license to produce English-language translations intended for an American audience. Think the Funimation adaptation of Dragonball Z. Cultural incompatibilities have been edited; however I am not a purist so it didn't bother me. The reason I selected volume three is because it represents my continual purchase of the series. Sometimes I will buy the beginning to a series and then stop earlier on. I am also switching more toward the Marvel/DC omnibus format. As such, this will be among the few graphic novels not in such an Omnibus format I will be purchasing in 2021.

Hard Time Complete Series TP

During 2020, DC went to three distributors. Then, it went down to two. As a consequence, my local comics shop never received my pre-order. Fortunately, my local comics shop was able to acquire a copy for me. DC's allocation process has been notoriously bad.

What made Hard Time Complete Series a must buy is two factors. One, I was on a Howard the Duck (another of Steve Gerber's creations) yahoo group around the time this title came out. Hard Time was among his final creations; and Gerber would comment on both Hard Time and his other projects before he passsed. Second, I never expected a trade paperback a decade - decade and a half after the second volume finished. Hard Time was a niche comic and was cancelled twice. A victim of a tight comics market. Now, I can read the entire story without tracking down all the issues. 

 

Tales of the Batman: Steve Englehart HC

If there's a book epitomizing DC's attitude toward the direct market (comic shops), it's this Tales of the Batman Steve Englehart HC. DC released it during the lockdown. When Diamond was closed. While many comics shops were closed. During the six months after lockdowns began, fear of missing out ran rampant. Online vendors sold out. I had two options, order from Amazon or try my local comics shop. My local comics shop was able to order a copy. 

There's another reason Tales of the Batman Steve Englehart HC is on my list. Years ago, I discovered one of THE top artists for Batman, Marshall Rogers. Marshall Rogers's Batman work is short but sweet. The hardcover Legends of the Dark Knight Marshall Rogers collect all of his Caped Crusader output. By the time my budget allowed, it was both out of stock and out of print. I was able to pick up a book collecting his work with Archie Goodwin; but his short, acclaimed work with Steve Englehart eluded me. Until now.

Power of Shazam: Book One: In the Beginning HC

In hindsight, the fact I pre-ordered this after DC's split from Diamond and picked it up from my local comics shop without incident is noteworthy in itself. 

I touched upon why Power of Shazam was a must buy during my 2020 Comics Hauls. Jerry Ordway's Shazam run was case of learning about a series too late during its run before 'everything is collected in graphic novel format' was a thing. Pretty much waited twenty plus years.

 

CONAN The Original Marvel Year Vol 3 Omnibus

My first omnibus during 2020. It's also the omnibus on this list I purchased as part of IST's Deal of the Week. Alas, DC's departure has pretty much put an end toward IST offering newly released omnibuses from Marvel and DC at half off.

Beyond that. It's Conan. The omnibus includes the feature that led me to love the Marvel Omnibus format, i.e. letter page reproduction. Not only are letter pages reproduced; but it's the closest reproduction of the early Marvel Conan's. Heck, it has colored REH stories in tbe Mighty Marvel Manner too!

JLA by Grant Morrison Omnibus

My last published during 2020 omnibus that arrived into my possesion. It was among the Black Friday/loyalty discount purchases from IST. Otherwise, the price is too much for my budget.

'Grant Morrison's JLA is over-hyped!'

A weird statement considering the JLA was DC's flagship title during the late 90's. Looking back, I didn't read his JLA run until mid-way and much of that was by fill-in writers. If you call Mark Millar, Mark Waid, and J.M. DeMatteis fill-in writers, but much of his run that I read wasn't written by him. It's like judging Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock stories by pastiche writers. 

Furthermore, I never read much of Morrison's earlier work on JLA. Nor did I read Classfied, Earth 2, or some of DC 1 Million tie-ins. Thus, I never read the full Grant Morrison JLA. Would I have liked some of the stories included as well? Yes, but then not all of Grant Morrison's complete JLA work would have been collected withkn a single volume. A Compleat Morrison, if you would.

Timely's Greatest - The Golden Age: Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett The Post-War Years Omnibus

I hadn't grasped the impact lockdowns had on the omnibus market until I watched the Direct Market cover (depicted within the photo) of Timely's Greatest GA Submariner by BE Post War Years sell out within a day. Shock. Absolute shock gripped me. I'm a huge fan of Golden Age Marvel especially for Golden Age Marvel never before restored. I owned the three previous volumes in the Timely series. All three sported the flag color-themed cover. The need for the covers to match was strong. Plus, it was heading into Fourth of July weekend. All was not lost though. Cheap Graphic Novels had a copy. So on the evening of Fourth of July (give or take a day), I placed my very first order from Cheap Graphic Novels.

Wolverine Omnibus Volume One New Printing

Years ago, I didn't buy Wolverine Omnibus Volume One because I owned the much smaller Best of Wolverine Volume One. Flash forward, while watching a video on Near Mint Condition with the Uncanny Omar, I decided to upgrade to the larger volume. Plus, Omar had mentioned if sales did well, Marvel might publish a volume 2. Another reason to buy.

Then the lockdowns hit. 

I watched as Amazon received copies. Decided to wait.

A good thing cause once lockdowns eased and the Direct Market finally received copies months later, the books had curved spines. Amazon's didn't.

Oh, by the way, a Wolverine Omnibus Volume Two is on the way.

Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus

The day IST made Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus available, I decided to wait a little before placing my purchase. An hour later it was sold out. Cheap Graphic Novels was sold out. Heard it was sold out everywhere. I noticed Half Price Books online would have copies available a couple weeks later. As if I was standing in line Black Friday shopping I waited until after midnight the very day it became available at HPB and ordered a copy. Thus, I ordered my first omnibus from HPB.

Huge Jim Starlin fan; and Infinity Gauntlet was a story I passed on years ago because as a kid I couldn't afford it, let alone all the tie-ins too. Once I acquire Infinity Crusade Omnibus, I will own all the Cosmic Starlin Omni's released so far.

Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 2

Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 1 is one of the reasons I buy omni's. Chris Claremont is among my favorite comic book writers. I love, love, love omni's that include letter pages. Volume 2 was among my wants list after perusing volume 1 years ago. Needless to say, I had to have Uncanny X-Men Volume 2.

Well, I hover on IST waiting for it to become available. One cover does. Fine. I add it to my cart. Then while checking and becoming confused as why another omnibus I wanted wasn't available, the standard cover for Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 2 was taken OUT OF MY CART. Neither cover was available. Twenty minutes later, I log in again and discover the Direct Market cover was available. I add it to my cart. The screen loads the purchase screen at agonizing pace. I complete transaction. Then, a couple hours later (it's normally a matter of minutes) and as I read horror stories of emails from IST about orders actually being out, I receive the confirmation email. A week later I relax once the order is picked and scanned.

 No other omnibus purchase has matched that experience. Uh, I hope it never is.

There you have it, my Top 10 Graphic Novel published and in my hands during 2020.

Happy Collecting!

Next time.

New Year's Comics Haul 2020

First, Happy New Year! 2020 is upon us!

Second, unlike prior years, there will be no in-depth year-in-review nor in-depth New Year's Resolution. Overall, I felt I did a decent job fulfilling my 2019 goals. However, I realized they caused more consternation in the long run than good. My approach toward my blog in 2020 is to be more fluid. Blogging whenever and on whatever inspiration strikes me.

Comics shops were open today with brand new comics. A comics haul on New Year's Day doesn't come very often so here it is:

Incoming #1 - The One-Shot that supposedly sets the stage for all the big things that await the Marvel Universe during 2020.

Superman Giant 100 Page Volume 2 #1 - I do love the 100 page format.

Comics Revue Presents December 2019 - only one day late?

Dreaming #17 and Doctor Doom #4 - A long time ago it dawned on me that I really should only buy ten to twelve comics a month. Furthermore, I begrudgingly admit after a certain issue number there's just no catching up. Come my January 2020 Previews Order one of these titles will be cut from my pull.

Marauders #5 - Talk about light coloring! Can barely make out the art on that cover from this angle! As I alluded to in prior blog entries, this is my final month for collecting Marauders.

X-Men #4 - This would be my final month for collecting X-Men  as well but Yu being Yu the book fell behind on shipping. Go figure.

Books of Magic #15 - I consider the Sandman Universe titles to be 'buy one, buy them all'. If I drop the Dreaming, I am dropping Books of Magic.

Hope everyone's 2020 began on the right note.

Next time.

Superman: Year One and Rest of the Comic Haul for 6/19/19

Another week. Another week of new comics. Another trip to the comics store.

Time for show off my latest comics haul!

Here's what I picked up among the comics available on 6/19/19.

Superman Year One #1 part of DC's Black Label imprint is the big purchase of the week. Frank Miller and John Romita Jr tell their rendition of Superman's Origin. Aquaman #49 is the other title pictured.

Uncle Scrooge #46, Uncanny X-Men #20 (penultimate issue of the most recent volume), and Star Wars #67 (Gillen's final issue).

Justice League #26, Lucifer #9, Savage Sword of Conan #6

I conclude this week's comics haul with next major of purchase of the week: the first issue of Usagi Yojimbo published by IDW! Not only is it a start of a new era for the rabbit ronin but it's in full color too! Captain America #11 and Guardians of the Galaxy #6 round out the haul.

Next time.

The DC 100-Page Giant Scavenger Hunt

My childhood is full of vivid memories of checking the magazine racks and toy sections in grocery stores, pharmacies, and general merchandise retailers for comic books. Never knew when a new comic would catch your eye. Heck, titles were assorted so there was little sense of where to go to buy which title.


The thrill of the hunt! Well, the thrill of searching for new comics on the stand anyway.


Then I discovered comic book shops. Didn't have to guess or check if a comic book title was there. Whether or not a given issue of specific title was available was another matter. For awhile, I could also check out the newsstand as well. Unfortunately, the comic book selection outside of comic book shops gradually diminished...


Again the thrill of securing a given issue and the agony of missing any.


So when my local comic shop began using a pull list, I eagerly adopted it. Sure, I have bucked away from pull lists from time to time but the majority of my comic books my FLCGS sets aside for me.


As such the thrill of finding an issue just isn't there. Granted, there's a different thrill but I wouldn't call that a positive...


On another tangential note, while I am old enough to have seen the original 80-page and 100-page Giants DC published years ago, I am not THAT old. However, due to the defunct Comics Buyers Guide, I've read quite a bit about them. Such that, I am nostalgic for them despite never reading any of them. As far as I can recall anyway.


What were the 100-Page Giants you ask? Well, here's 13 covers from the classic 100 page Super Spectaculars from the 70's. Just screams comics to me.


Anyway, DC and Wal-Mart have united to bring the old the tradition. There are four titles: Superman, Batman, Teen Titans, and Justice League of America. Twelve page original stories and the rest reprints all New 52/Rebirth friendly. Details are also available via a link on the covers link.


The rub is it's exclusive Wal-Mart. The display only holds five at a time. Hopefully, they get re-filled at some point.

Unfortunately, the local Wal-Mart was all out of the Teen Titans book. So hopefully I can track down a copy or they re-stock it at some point.

Regardless, it brought back memories of hunting down issues of comic books, while tickling my sense of nostalgia.

Next time.

Not Quite 12 Days of Blogging: The Batman (and Superman) Advent Calendar!

Originally, I wasn't going to do a "12ish Days of Blogging" this year as my intent was to blog almost daily. Yeah, that didn't happen. Then I saw author Paul Cornel resumed his annual 12 Days of Blogging. Well, Christmas is less than twelve days away so I really can't do a twelve days of blogging nor do I necessarily want to blog every day. Instead, I'll endeavor to blog every day until Christmas but I am not guaranteeing it. Ergo, the Not-Quite-12 Days of Blogging.


Last year, the column Comics Should be Good on Comic Book Resources did a daily advent calendar counting down Superman Christmas stories. This year, the advent calendar centers on Batman.


My intent was to include a link per each day but then I decided to link to the advent calendar as a whole. Guess what? If you scroll down, the Superman Advent Calendar from last year is available too!


So not only can countdown Batman Christmas stories, you can do Superman stories too! Just save the later days when the Batman Advent Calendar catches up.


Here is the CSBG Advent Calendar.


Hmm, I should read some Christmas comics....


Happy Reading!


Next time.

12ish Days of Blogging: Some Yuletide Links I Found of Interest

Since today marks day one of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas and the march toward year's end, I've decided to do a series of twelve-ish blog posts. Alright, I mean blog twelve days in a row but give or take a couple days. Originally, I planned on Christmas/Holiday content appearing before and including on Christmas itself but the holiday happened. So expect plenty of Christmas-oriented stuff during twelve days of blogging. On the other hand, there may be several entries that aren't Christmas-oriented at all. My review of the Halloween Disney comic and commentary on New Year's Resolutions are among what I want to squeeze in before we're well into 2017.


So to start the 12ish Days of Blogging, I begin light by sharing several seasonal links that I found of interest. Some additional Christmas/Holiday/Yule like content that you may find of interest.


Ostrander on the Doctor Who Christmas Specials - Comics writer John Ostrander, Suicide Squad creator, provides a pretty nice overview of the Doctor Who Christmas Specials on ComicMix. My mileage on his opinions on each of the specials varies although there's some I haven't seen. Didn't realize until Ostrander pointed it out but, yeah, the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant, began and ended his time as the Doctor on Christmas. Rather neat coincidence.


CBR Superman Advent Calender - Leading up to Christmas, as part of Advent, Comic Book Resources had a daily countdown of Superman Christmas Stories and stories that contained elements no matter how minor of Christmas-theme. The screenshots are quite readable so much of each individual story can be read. Well, the nuts and bolts anyway. Some excellent Superman Christmas material here. Heck, I'm only two-thirds through!


Six Christmas Graphic Novels - Want to read some Christmas graphic novels that you can be certain you order from your local comics shop? Well, Diamond Comics Distributors have you covered with this list of six. I'm pretty confident if Diamond is listing these titles they have them in their warehouse. One of the six, Klaus, I hope to include during my 12ish Days of Blogging.


A History of Jingle Bells, Batman Smells - Here's an excellent essay on the origins and evolution of classic children's folksong Jingle Bells, Batman Smells. Seems to date back to the classic Adam West Batman sixties television show. Did you know there once was a line referencing Commissioner Gordon? I certainly wasn't aware of just how many variants there were of the classic children's folksong. Very interesting read.


Till Next Time!

Happy 78th Cover Date Birthday Action Comics vol 1/Superman!

Earlier today, an establishment played the William's Superman movie musical score. Afterwards, a Happy Birthday wish was made to the Man of Steel, Superman. Now leap year is Supes's in-world birthday as I referenced way back in February. Don't recall Clark Kent's in-world b-day; but I am sure it wasn't June 30th. So was it the movie? His first appearance? An actor's birthday?


Well, I decided to reference my copy of The Golden Age of Superman Omnibus Volume One, a massive tome collecting Action vol 1 (rather surreal that such a designation is required) issues 1  - 31, Superman issues 1 - 7, and New York's World's Fair Comics 1 - 2. I'd go on but that's a review for another day.


Anyway, Action Comics Volume One #1, the first published appearance of Superman, is cover dated June 1938. Now, publishing wasn't the exact science that is nowadays. Today, I can reference a shipping date that'll be pretty precise within a week or two. Not so much then especially with something that was then considered trivial such as comic books. Compounding the issue is the haziness of cover dates. A comic dated April could very well have hit the stands in February. So who knows, exactly? So I suppose June is as good a month as any.  Perhaps one day, enough data or research will unearth a much more specific date. Till then, I perfectly fine with celebrating Superman and Action Comics anniversary based on its cover date. Furthermore, since we can't hammer down an actual date, June 30th works well as any other. Might as well be on the safe side.


What better way to celebrate than to read Superman's very first published story? Right?


Great Caesar's Ghost! Never realized that I have never read this story before! Kind of funny actually to realize a new milestone has been reached. I can now say I've read Superman's first appearance.


So brief review: For starters it's amazing how much is covered within 8-pages. There's an origin story followed Superman saving the life of an innocent person. Couple things of note. One, there's no mention of the Kents. From a modern perspective, it is amazing how Superman's ID could remain secretive what with his public displays. Also, seeing a countdown of Superman saving an innocent was a neat device. What's even more incredible is that he does so following normal channels except using extraordinary means. We're introduced to his guise as Clark Kent whose a reporter and his relationship with Lois. The iconic cover scene is even reproduced within the pages of the story! Contrast that with today's comics where one is lucky if the cover even reflects the contents inside. Superman even contends with two incidents that are quite topical today, domestic abuse and lobbyists. What's fascinating is that Superman isn't the boy scout that he's portrayed to be today. In many ways, he's a mix between the boy scout and the Superman depicted in the latest movies, ie Man of Steel and Dawn of Justice. I also was surprised in that what I thought was an era of done-in-one stories that the final segment ended in a serialized "cliffhanger" ending. Overall: a true classic - 5 out of 5 stars.


So here's to 78 years of Action Comics (v1) #1 and Superman!

Great Caesar's Ghost! Superman is a Leap Year Baby!

You can thank social media for this discovery but I never that Superman's declared birthday is February 29th. This article here includes background details of the event as well as sample pages from the Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons story, "For the Man Who has Everything" and John Byrne page from an uncredited story. A link for 40% discount on select Superman e-books for is also included. However, I have discovered that other e-book retailers are participating in the sale as well so one has options for where one can purchase the little over a handful of trades being offered for discount for today. Keep in mind, the sale is only for 2/29/2016 only.


Why does Superman declare his birthday is on a leap year? From a publication standpoint, I conjecture its because editors Mort Weisinger and Julius Schwartz did not have to contend with publishing content on an annual basis nor have to address thousands of annual correspondence from Superman's young fans on Superman's birthday. Superman probably uses February 29th as a birthday to both distract others from his secret identity as Clark Kent, who has a different birthday, and so that he would not have to bother with it every year. Furthermore, the post-Crisis and pre-New 52 Superman utilized a PO Box and would collect his mail once every year. Not celebrating a birthday every year probably cuts down on birthday cards.


As for the ebooks themselves, several attract my eye particular the trades collecting the Curt Swan and George Perez stories. The New Krypton and Grounded stories were stories that I decided to wait for the trade but never purchased. Well, I believe anyway. I already own Power Couple and, I believe, Escape from Bizarro World. Digital Comics are still hit and miss for me as I still prefer dead-tree copies. So I may range from buying a couple to all but a couple to none at all. Perhaps I'll reference the story as Superman Birthday Review when I finally review it?


In any case, Happy Birthday Superman! Until next time in 2020.