Best Comics & Graphic Novels of 2010
Here're my picks for the 15 very best comics & graphic novels of 2010. In no particular order.
The Amazing Screw-On Head and Other Curious Objects by Mike Mignola - I said in no particular order at the top, but it's fair to say this is my favourite of the year.
Lose #2 by Michael DeForge - Michael DeForge is making the best comic books anywhere right now. And he's much younger than me, which gives me a bit of a complex.
Crickets #3 by Sammy Harkham - It takes forever for Sammy to come out with these, but it's always worth it when he does. Brilliant stuff.
Wilson by Daniel Clowes - Hilarious and depressing. Just the way I like it.
X'ed Out by Charles Burns - Trippy. A little unfortunate that it's just part 1, but it is really cool. Marrying the dark strangeness of Black Hole with the silly surreality of his earlier works.
Bigfoot by Pascal Girard - A real surprise treat. Just a fun, and identifiable read.
Market Day by James Sturm - A rumination on the life of an artist and the line of concession between art and commercialism.
Werewolves of Montpellier by Jason - Everything Jason has ever done and will ever do is amazing and fun, and sad. This is no different.
Hair Shirt by Patrick McEown - Despite the english title, this book is French. It's a dark, surreal relationship drama with some of the best comic art I have seen in years.
Acme Novelty Library #20 by Chris Ware - Incredible and incredibly depressing in equal measure. A brilliant character study. Just like I always expect from the genius Chris Ware.
Palookaville #20 by Seth - The new book format for Seth's comic is amazing. He really uses it to the fullest advantage, and it's one of the best books this year to just sit and stare at and flip through again and again.
Bodyworld by Dash Shaw - The sideways way of reading it is a real detriment unfortunately, because the story is one of the most original narratives I've ever read. Still worth it, it's just awkwardly formatted.
Georges Frog, tome 4: American Dream by Phicil & Drac - The conclusion to Georges Frog, one of my all-time favourite French comic stories. The finale is perfect, and this series deserves heaps of acclaim. I'm not sure how it's received in it's native France, but I hope it's lauded.
Scott Pilgrim vol.6: Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour by Bryan Lee O'Malley - The conclusion to Scott Pilgrim! So, it goes without saying that it's awesome. Although, I will admit, that I preferred the finale in the film, oddly enough.
Journal D'Italie, tome 1: Trieste Bologne by David B. - A great Carnet by another of my favourite artists. He makes even the mundane interesting and I never tire of his original style.
The Amazing Screw-On Head and Other Curious Objects by Mike Mignola - I said in no particular order at the top, but it's fair to say this is my favourite of the year.
Lose #2 by Michael DeForge - Michael DeForge is making the best comic books anywhere right now. And he's much younger than me, which gives me a bit of a complex.
Crickets #3 by Sammy Harkham - It takes forever for Sammy to come out with these, but it's always worth it when he does. Brilliant stuff.
Wilson by Daniel Clowes - Hilarious and depressing. Just the way I like it.
X'ed Out by Charles Burns - Trippy. A little unfortunate that it's just part 1, but it is really cool. Marrying the dark strangeness of Black Hole with the silly surreality of his earlier works.
Bigfoot by Pascal Girard - A real surprise treat. Just a fun, and identifiable read.
Market Day by James Sturm - A rumination on the life of an artist and the line of concession between art and commercialism.
Werewolves of Montpellier by Jason - Everything Jason has ever done and will ever do is amazing and fun, and sad. This is no different.
Hair Shirt by Patrick McEown - Despite the english title, this book is French. It's a dark, surreal relationship drama with some of the best comic art I have seen in years.
Acme Novelty Library #20 by Chris Ware - Incredible and incredibly depressing in equal measure. A brilliant character study. Just like I always expect from the genius Chris Ware.
Palookaville #20 by Seth - The new book format for Seth's comic is amazing. He really uses it to the fullest advantage, and it's one of the best books this year to just sit and stare at and flip through again and again.
Bodyworld by Dash Shaw - The sideways way of reading it is a real detriment unfortunately, because the story is one of the most original narratives I've ever read. Still worth it, it's just awkwardly formatted.
Georges Frog, tome 4: American Dream by Phicil & Drac - The conclusion to Georges Frog, one of my all-time favourite French comic stories. The finale is perfect, and this series deserves heaps of acclaim. I'm not sure how it's received in it's native France, but I hope it's lauded.
Scott Pilgrim vol.6: Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour by Bryan Lee O'Malley - The conclusion to Scott Pilgrim! So, it goes without saying that it's awesome. Although, I will admit, that I preferred the finale in the film, oddly enough.
Journal D'Italie, tome 1: Trieste Bologne by David B. - A great Carnet by another of my favourite artists. He makes even the mundane interesting and I never tire of his original style.