by Larry Clow
For comics fans, 2014 was a very good year. In fact, there are a lot of arguments to be made for declaring 2014 to be one of the all-time best years in comics. From superhero comics to monthly indie books to original graphic novels, comics creators far and wide were at the top of their game. It was also a year that saw the comics industry get a much-needed shot of diversity: writers like G. Willow Wilson and Kelly Sue DeConnick found mainstream success, while classic characters like Thor and Captain America handed over their heroic legacies to a woman and an African-American man, respectively. And thanks to a blockbuster movie, once-obscure characters like the Guardians of the Galaxy became household names.
There was a lot of change in the comics landscape this year, but there’s still time to catch up on some of 2014’s best comics. Here’s a short list of some of this year’s top comics.
Outcast: “The Walking Dead” creator Robert Kirkman’s latest is a master-class in supernatural horror. Kirkman and artist Paul Azaceta tell the story of Kyle Barnes, a man who’s been plagued by demons all his life — literally. Demons have an alarming habit of possessing Kyle’s loved ones, and that’s made him a recluse in his small West Virginia town. When a priest enlists Kyle’s aid in dealing with a demonic possession, Kyle finds himself caught in an otherworldly struggle he barely understands.
Southern Bastards: Earl Tubb returns home to Craw County, Ala., after his father’s death and finds the town in the grip of Coach Boss, the local high-school football coach and criminal kingpin. Jason Aaron and Jason Latour’s series is a brutal slice of Southern noir — sweaty, gritty, and compulsively readable.
Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland: A whimsical update of Winsor McKay’s classic newspaper strip, “Return to Slumberland” is one of the most fun comics to hit shelves this year. Writer Eric Shanower keeps the story playful and inventive, but the real treat is Gabriel Rodriguez’s art, both epic in scope and finely attuned to the details that make Slumberland seem real.
Big Trouble in Little China: Old Jack Burton returns in this spin-off of the cult classic film. Eric Powell (writer of “The Goon”) and “Big Trouble” director John Carpenter team up with artist Brian Churilla to bring readers the continuing adventures of Jack and his big rig, the Porkchop Express, as he takes on various demons, wizards, and ex-wives.
Rocket Raccoon: If you loved “The Guardians of the Galaxy” and want more Groot and Rocket, this is the book for you. Written and drawn by Skottie Young, the “Guardians” spin-off series follows Rocket through a galaxy full of duplicitous criminals, murderous ex-girlfriends, and insurmountable odds. It’s the best mix of hilarious action and a little bit of heart.
Ms. Marvel: Kamala Khan is your typical Muslim-American teenager living in Jersey City — that is, until she’s exposed to a mysterious fog that turns her into a shape-changing superhero. Writer G. Willow Wilson and artist Adrian Alphona have captured the spirit of 1960’s Marvel comics in “Ms. Marvel” — Kamala’s a fun, engaging character, a kick-ass hero, and completely relatable.
Swamp Thing: Writer Charles Soule’s take on DC Comics’ herbaceous hero has been one of 2014’s standouts. Alec Holland, a.k.a. Swamp Thing, struggles to maintain his humanity while fending off enemies on all sides.
Rat Queens: Described by writer Kurtis J. Wiebe as “‘Dungeons & Dragons’ meets ‘Bridesmaids,’” this epic fantasy series follows a band of women adventurers as they hack, slash, and swear their way through the city of Palisade. It may be the funniest, most foul-mouthed book you read this year.
Batman: After three years, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s take on the Dark Knight remains fresh as ever. Their “Batman” finds the Caped Crusader constantly off balance and under siege — which provides for plenty of incredible action sequences from Capullo and some great character-driven stories by Snyder.
Saga: Bryan K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ space-opera-love-story-wartime-epic-family-drama finished out its second year in 2014 and cemented its reputation as an all-time great series. Staples’ art is bright, pop bliss, and Vaughan keeps tearing out readers’ hearts with unexpected twists and
cruel cliffhangers.
Black Widow: Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow was one of the best parts of April’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” Wisely, Marvel gave the character her own series. Penned by Nathan Edmondson and illustrated by Phil Noto, “Black Widow” is one of the most interesting spy comics being published.
