Best Of 2008
Alright, gang, I believe I'm ready to weigh in on 2008.
Best New Comic Series: Secret Six
Most people will freely admit that the best of the Infinite Crisis countdown minis back in 2004 was Villains United. This series has it all: action, adventure, humour, Batman, horror, a pious Bane-- everything!
Best Ongoing Comic Series: Batman
I read the first couple of issues of Grant Morrison's Batman run, checked out the "Club of Heroes"/"Batmen of Many Nations" issues, and then jumped on board with RIP. You've probably heard me say that Batman's greatest enemy isn't Joker or Two-Face but rather unimaginative writers who've been aping Frank Miller for 20 years. That being said, Grant Morrison is Batman's greatest ally (right behind Alfred, of course.) This series has been full of brand new, fresh ideas for Batman, including somethings I'd thought I'd never see before.
Best Mini-Series: Speak of the Devil
Speak of the devil, and the devil appears! Gilbert "Beto" Hernandez wrote and drew this mini-series from Dark Horse that is similarly full of things I thought I'd never see. Really twisted stuff about what people will do. This is very much in the early 1960s "They did all for KICKS!" exploitation movies.
Best Single Issue: Incognito #1
As I'm sure you can gather, I'm on the look out for something new and interesting in comics, and Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips delivered with this. I was a big fan of their Sleeper work and to be honest with you, Criminal didn't really grab me. This, however, is fantastic. It makes Wanted feel like Wanted was ripping of Incognito. This book is going places, I tell ya!
Best Movie: Wall-E
Dark Knight was great and all, but Wall-E was a movie where there wasn't any English spoken for the first third, and the main character only said his name and "EEEEVE". Ben Burtt, sound designer from Star Wars, proves he's the master.
Best TV Show: How I Met Your Mother
I die laughing with every episode I see. This show is legen-- wait for it... and I hope you're not lactose intolerant because the next word is --dary.
Best Album: Jenny Lewis - "Acid Tongue"
The lead singer of Rilo Kiley (and the girl from "The Wizard", yes, that's right, THAT movie... that's twice in a lifetime she's made me feel all funny inside, to quote Garth from Wayne's World) put out her second solo album with a very stripped down, Neil Young "Harvest" style sound. Elvis Costello makes a guest appearance singing, as well as Zoey Daschenel and various attendees at Jenny's birthday party.
Best Album I Rediscovered: Bruce Springsteen - "Darkness on the Edge of Town"
Classic Bruce with killer songs. I've been partial to the Boss, but never really listened to this album. It sounds fresh and new as it did almost 30 years ago.
Best New Comic Series: Secret Six
Most people will freely admit that the best of the Infinite Crisis countdown minis back in 2004 was Villains United. This series has it all: action, adventure, humour, Batman, horror, a pious Bane-- everything!
Best Ongoing Comic Series: Batman
I read the first couple of issues of Grant Morrison's Batman run, checked out the "Club of Heroes"/"Batmen of Many Nations" issues, and then jumped on board with RIP. You've probably heard me say that Batman's greatest enemy isn't Joker or Two-Face but rather unimaginative writers who've been aping Frank Miller for 20 years. That being said, Grant Morrison is Batman's greatest ally (right behind Alfred, of course.) This series has been full of brand new, fresh ideas for Batman, including somethings I'd thought I'd never see before.
Best Mini-Series: Speak of the Devil
Speak of the devil, and the devil appears! Gilbert "Beto" Hernandez wrote and drew this mini-series from Dark Horse that is similarly full of things I thought I'd never see. Really twisted stuff about what people will do. This is very much in the early 1960s "They did all for KICKS!" exploitation movies.
Best Single Issue: Incognito #1
As I'm sure you can gather, I'm on the look out for something new and interesting in comics, and Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips delivered with this. I was a big fan of their Sleeper work and to be honest with you, Criminal didn't really grab me. This, however, is fantastic. It makes Wanted feel like Wanted was ripping of Incognito. This book is going places, I tell ya!
Best Movie: Wall-E
Dark Knight was great and all, but Wall-E was a movie where there wasn't any English spoken for the first third, and the main character only said his name and "EEEEVE". Ben Burtt, sound designer from Star Wars, proves he's the master.
Best TV Show: How I Met Your Mother
I die laughing with every episode I see. This show is legen-- wait for it... and I hope you're not lactose intolerant because the next word is --dary.
Best Album: Jenny Lewis - "Acid Tongue"
The lead singer of Rilo Kiley (and the girl from "The Wizard", yes, that's right, THAT movie... that's twice in a lifetime she's made me feel all funny inside, to quote Garth from Wayne's World) put out her second solo album with a very stripped down, Neil Young "Harvest" style sound. Elvis Costello makes a guest appearance singing, as well as Zoey Daschenel and various attendees at Jenny's birthday party.
Best Album I Rediscovered: Bruce Springsteen - "Darkness on the Edge of Town"
Classic Bruce with killer songs. I've been partial to the Boss, but never really listened to this album. It sounds fresh and new as it did almost 30 years ago.