TYRANT RAVE'S FAVORITE COMICS THAT I'VE READ IN 2016
Hellboy in Hell - I've talked a lot about this series since getting into it last year, and for a good reason! While I'm not going to repeat myself yet again, I'll just say that it's a fantastic comic with a lovable protagonist. In Hell serves as the finale to the series and it's beautiful, really. It's a really fitting ending that serves as a perfect conclusion to the character for now. Mike's art is beyond gorgeous here and you can really see how much he loves art just from the last few issues of this alone. Can't wait to see more of his paintings during his break from the series.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth - The best team comic you probably aren't reading. While the overall story is pretty dark for this mega arc, there's still plenty of optimism and humor mixed in to make you care for the cast. Who would've guessed the spin-off of Hellboy would end up being just as good? On top of the great writing by Mignola and Arcudi, the series also features a wealth of fantastic artists. You've got Cameron Stewart drawing the wonderful Ashley Strode arcs along with the very talented James Harren killing it on action scenes not long after. If you enjoy team books in any capacity, you owe it to yourself to read this comic.
Face - One of the most horrific comics I've read, and it's only a single issue! Face shows how strong of a writer Milligan is (or, was), and it's pretty damn amazing. I don't think I've ever read any comic this suspenseful and I was just completely blown away. It's a fucking shame that you can't buy it anywhere except eBay auctions. Classic comic.
X-Force / X-Statix - My new favorite X-Comic. Milligan turns the famous X-Force series into a full-blown parody of superhero comics and it's perfect. It's the kind of comic where you're sad to finish it because of how good it is. This is a perfect example of creators at the top of their game and a great example of what superhero comics should strive to be creatively. Don't wait as long as I did to read this, I feel pretty stupid for not reading it until this year.
Daredevil by Frank Miller - Probably the best run to be published by Marvel straight up. Miller completely reinvented the character and is still probably the best rendition of the character yet. It's insane how much of his history has stemmed from this, and it's also not surprising after finally reading this. Daredevil #181 is one of the best single issues I've read. And Elektra Assassin and Lives Again are equally amazing comics with stunning artwork.
Doom Patrol by Gerard Way - This is how you revive a series successfully. In just three issues Way has successfully turned Casey into one of my favorite new characters with one of the best origin stories I've read. It feels like a fantastic homage to the history of the team while still doing something new and fresh. This is the most exciting comic out right now and something I look forward to each month.
The Flintstones - Biggest surprise of 2016 hands down, and one of my favorite ongoings right now. It manages to be incredibly relevant in today's world and hilarious at the same time. Don't sleep on this comic.
Megg and Mogg In Amsterdam - The followup to the also fantastic Megahex came out this year, and it's just as good as the last book. Megg and Mogg continues to be a hilarious, yet depressingly relatable series of short stories. Not for the faint of heart due to how crude and offensive it can be, but if you can deal with it you'll find something special here. It provides great insight towards mental illness and what it's like to live with it and it's infinitely rereadable.
Catwoman by Brubaker - I was honestly always neutral towards the character, but this book made me fall in love with Selina's character. She's cunning, funny, strong, and caring. This series is a great street-level cape book with some great writing and art. Plus it opens up with some art by the great, late Darwyn Cooke. And in classic Brubaker fashion, you'll get some "dammit..."s thrown in for good measure.
Shade, the Changing Man - The biggest crime that DC has committed is not collecting this series entirely in print. The relationships here are fantastic and this comic is really progressive for one published during the 90s. The various scenarios Shade and Kathy get into are insane in all the right ways. Hopefully the new Young Animal book gets just as crazy.
Other favorites that I couldn't fit into a top ten:
Starfire
Zenith by Grant Morrison
The Authority by Warren Ellis
Hitman by Garth Ennis - Secret best DC comic??
Enigma by Peter Milligan
5000KM Per Second
Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka (original run including the Hikiteia)
Squirrel Girl and her OGN - Best Marvel ongoing and a great OGN
Love & Rockets
Deadly Class
Black Widow
Midnighter
Snotgirl
Read a lot of cool stuff this year and I bought too much... again.
