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.

Comics Haul 8/26/20

 

Another Wednesday has come and soon to be gone. Thus, a New Comics Day has also come and gone. Here's my haul for this week:

Fantastic Four Anithesis #1 and Batman: Three Jokers #1

Sometimes I sour on mini-series and give them a hard pass. Then, I swear the only titles I collect are mini-series. I really couldn't say not to Neal Adams drawing the Fantastic Four. Plus, I love the FF; and after dropping the FF title had to satisfy my Fantastic Four itch. Regarding Batman Three Jokers, like Dreaming Waking Hours, I changed my mind after the hiatus ended. I just HAD to read the story about why there's three Jokers. Although I should have waited for the trade.

X-Men God Loves, Man Kills Extended Cut #2 and Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics #5

Usagi came out last month. I am just happy that despite going to backorder with Diamond a copy arrived for me. I own a copy of God Loves, Man Kills. However, I buy "new" Claremont comics in the hope Marvel will actually do more than pay him to write the occasional eight page story.

The Question #4

Last God #8 (?) and John Constantine Hellblazer #9

This'll be my last Comics Haul for at least a couple weeks since I won't be buying any comics on Wednesday in the near future.

Next time.

Comics Haul from July 10th, 2019

On the waning hours of Tuesday, I blogged my Comics Haul from the July 3rd release comics. Only the URL will state July 2nd. Fixed it; but my gaffe is there. Sigh... Was in such a Tuesday mindset, I had finished playing D&D, that I counted back seven days from Tuesday.  Didn't want to make that mistake again so I was sure to make the trip to the comics shop to buy my haul from those comics released on the 10th of July, 2019.

Thus, why there's a Comics Haul a mere day or two after the previous.

Besides, doesn't feel odd posting my collection the day after New Comics Day versus posting the day before New Comics Day. What can I say? There are weeks when I want to go to the comics shop once a week and then there are weeks where twice a week pilgrimage is appealing.

My haul was very, very light for me this week. No trades. End of the month might be a killer though...

Star Wars #68 (Had considered dropping the title with the change in writer; but Star Wars is now the single longest running title I have been collecting from beginning to present.) and Detective Comics #1007 (My final new issue of Detective Comics for awhile. Only hung around for the Spectre story. Love, absolutely love, the Batman TAS homage on the cover!)

Batman and the Outsiders #3 (Black Lightning calling out Batman? Oh yeah!) and Young Justice #7

Savage Sword of Conan #7 (didn't I buy issue 6 on Tuesday? Should probably check if I bought a duplicate...), Hawkman #14 (Sienkiewicz Cardstock Variant - It's because of the variant I didn't drop Hawkman with this issue.), and House of Whispers #11 (Another title I may or not drop within the near future.)

And dat dat dat's all folks!

Rather surreal to blog my comics haul the very same week those comics hit the stands!

Next time.

Comics Haul: The Week of 6/12/19

Welcome to this week's edition of my comics haul of those comic books and trade paperbacks (well book format comics...) released to the public on 6/12/19. If you're puzzled because you've never seen a blog post of my comics haul before, don't fret. I haven't blogged my weekly haul since... maybe 2009?

I stopped for a number of reasons. One, listing them felt tedious. I simply didn't possess the technology to snap a photo. Ergo, I needed to list them. Second, my trips to the comics shop become less weekly for a spell. Third, longtime readers can attest I can't really keep up on my purchases. Which led to my fourth and final reason why I ceased blogging my latest haul, listing the comics haul for the sake of listing them.

What's changed since then?

Technology. I have the technology. With my smartphone I can snap a picture and then upload said photo to my blog.

Social media. Social media has encouraged me to show off my latest purchases. Okay, maybe encourage is the wrong word... share... share is the word.

Lack of comics blogging. Comics is the literally the first word after my name on this blog's title. Blog about wrestling more than I do comics. At the very least, my haul from my latest trip to comics shop will remedy that.

More incentive to review comics: More of a longshot, but I may become more motivated to blog about the actual comics and trades that I've shared pictures of on my blog. Sigh... or demonstrate I'm reducing what I buy...

A couple ground rules:

1) I am only showing comics and trades (maybe Big Finish Audio CDs) that I purchase at my FLCGS the week they arrive. If Diamond doesn't list the product on that day, I am not including it. If my I don't buy from my local comics shop, I don't consider it part of my comics haul.

2) This weekly and only the week thereof. If I make a trip to comics shop once during a month, there won't be any Comics Haul blog entries. Not listing all those comics! If I miss a week and go the next, same thing. Once I resume a regular rotation, then the Comics Haul blog category resumes.


So here's my haul for the week of 6/12/2019

A smattering of Disney, Vertigo, and superhero action.

The comic in the middle is Hawkman #13.

Think this is the final issue of Amazing Spider-Man that I am collecting from the current run. Not reading 24 issues is more than enough reason to call it quits. Likewise with Detective Comics. Much more than 24 issues await my To Read pile; however I wanted to finish collecting the story began in Detective Comics #1000/

The Star Trek crew is the animated series crew.

A fairly light week...

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.

Never Thought I Would Intentionally Buy a Gimmick Cover Again

Back during the 90's speculator boom I remember being in awe of the gimmick covers that would grace various comic books on the stands. Either the gimmick cover would sell out or I lacked the money to buy it. Since comic books were then seen as a hot-ticket investment, the general consensus was that surely the gimmick covers would be valuable collector's items like vintage comics!


Flash forward today in a post-speculator market, I could probably collect most gimmick covers for little more than what a modern comic books sells for. Heck, some are probably less!


So I am not particularly fond of gimmick covers as a result. I don't order them or cruise comic book shops looking for them.


Not saying I don't buy them of course. When DC released gimmick variants for its Villains Month during the midway point of the New 52, I bought the gimmick variant when it was pulled for me as well as any purchased copies of any I saw off the rack. Difference between 90's me and the New 52 me was that I bought the cover because I thought it looked pretty. Okay, 90's me thought gimmick covers were pretty too. Just financial instrument pretty. Selling the New 52 Villain gimmick variants never entered my mind. Which is why I didn't mind buying the normal covers too.


With that in mind, I am surprised that I am intentionally ordering, or at the very least buy, the lenticular covers for upcoming "The Button" story arc playing out in both Batman and Flash's 21st and 22nd Rebirth issue.


Okay, to be fair, I love the cover art shown. Seeing both Batman and Flash holding the Comedian's (yes, the character from The Watchmen) bloody smiley face button is simply awesome. My inner geek is excited. Gotta have it. Suppose it also helps that I have no clue what the normal cover looks like nor any of the variants. The one variant I did see struck me as ho-hum. Plus, if I am going to get the pamphlet in lieu of the trade I might as well as purchase the one with the shiny cover.


If there's any consolation to my gimmick cover-hatred, it's that I am not considering the lenticular covers as collectibles. Just something to satisfy my geekdom. Besides, if any cover will be a hot collectible, the international cover will probably be it as I don't imagine too many U.S. shops ordering it. Then again 90's me was awfully certain too...


Anyway,
Happy Reading

My Thoughts on Comic Book and Misc News of January 2017 Part One

My look at how quickly time flies. Was the beginning of the month since I last blogged. Plus I never did write my final installment of my 12ish Days of Blogging! As usual, life and burnout happens. After a couple days past the sixth, I decided my official final chapter just wasn't to be. Fret not the promised review is still forthcoming. In the meantime, I decided to get back in the swing of things with commentary on various news tidbits in the world of comic books and maybe some genre and RPG stuff too.


Sworn into office holding Captain America's shield - An elected official sworn into office holding Captain America's shield! Very, very cool. Politics can be quite heavy so some levity is always nice one in awhile.


Actual X-Men in upcoming X-Men Show - If there was one disappointing strike against Marvel's Agents of SHIELD show was that appearances from the characters that appeared in the movies turned out be much, much rarer than many expected. So kudos to those behind the upcoming X-men television series from FOX announcing actual X-Men will appear in the show. They're just coy about whom. Okay, fine. As long as the show doesn't wait until Episode 6 for Maggot to appear...


Avengers Project - Upcoming Marvel games courtesy of Square Ennix? Cool. I'd comment more but I, er, couldn't get the video to load...


Did Princess Leia's mission change? - Must confess I was too busy fan-boying at Leia's appearance in Rogue One to be bothered by the inconsistency in her mission. Here's the reason for the change or if you want to take the long path the novelization explains as well.


Uh, oh Game of Thrones cast getting into trouble - While filming for seventh season of Game of Thrones, the cast and crew got into trouble for not having any off-road permits for filming in Iceland. Who says there isn't bureaucracy north of the Wall?


MET: Werewolf Errata - By Night Studios released a shiny version of Werewolf for Live-Action Role-play. As is the case in the gaming industry nowadays, here's the errata. Did pick up a copy of the ebook recently so I'll comment more on that and the recent errata once I get around to writing a review...


Starlin has earned more in royalties for KGBeast?! - Recently, comics creator Jim Starlin, creator of Thanos, Drax, and Gamora, announced he's earned more on royalties from KGBeast than his Marvel creations. Say what?! KGBeast was in Batman vs Superman?! Guess, it was a minor appearance in his civilian identity. Don't recall it being a big part so that says much about how much in royalties Marvel pays creators from its films. Maybe they'll cut Starlin a bigger check seeing how several upcoming movies (GotG 2 and the two Avengers Infinity War films) owe a huge debt to him...


More GoT cast pics - More Game of Thrones cast pics along with cast sightings while filming in Iceland. Awesome.




Well, eight links/news stories is enough for one installment. Since January isn't over yet, there'll be a Part Two. January 2017 Part Two will include my commentary on DC's pricing changes for Rebirth. That may or may not be lengthy and veer and the ranting side. Time and my mood will tell.


Till 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!