Hopefully, this will become an annual feature (if I last long enough).
2010 is nearly over, and I'm sure you've seen many "best blanks of the year" lists on various websites, so why not here too?
It should be noted that this list reflects the opinions of me and me alone, and is open to highly questionable debate and scrutiny. I also feel the need to further distance myself from reprisals by mentioning that I am just one man and sadly cannot read everything that comes out in one year. I'm bound to read a 2010 trade next year and think "Damn, I wish I had included that in the list."
Furthermore, this list counts trades that were released in 2010, regardless of when the collected material came out. And, lastly but sadly, there were some trades that will be released after I post this list that don't even get a look-in. But it just didn't seem right to do this in 2011.
Enough talk! On with my top ten favourite trades of 2010...
10) CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artists: Bryan Hitch and Butch Guice (Prologue by Luke Ross)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Collects: Captain America Reborn #1-6
A hard-hitting actioner that still found time for heartfelt character moments and some great art too. A triumphant return for Cap that includes maybe the best air-punch-provoking scene of the year.
9) THE FLASH: REBIRTH
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Ethan Van Sciver
Publisher: DC Comics
Collects: The Flash: Rebirth #1-6
Another well-deserved return for another legendary character, and a welcome return to form for the series. Barry Allen finally gets a modern upgrade and Geoff Johns made me fall in love with The Flash all over again.
8) SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Gary Frank
Publisher: DC Comics
Collects: Superman: Secret Origin #1-6
Geoff Johns' philosophy of "he's not broken; he doesn't need fixed" regarding Superman is examplified brilliantly in this warming, new-yet-old origin story, and Gary Frank's sharp art portrays this character very memorably.
7) BATMAN: LONG SHADOWS
Writer: Judd Winick
Artists: Ed Benes and Mark Bagley
Publisher: DC Comics
Collects: Batman #687-691
Of all the titles that came out as part of the "Batman Reborn" arc this year, this was the only one that had a very dramatic and emotional reaction to Bruce Wayne's apparent death. In a year obssessed with resurrections, this was the only story that really dealt with loss in a way that felt true.
6) SERENITY: THE SHEPHERD'S TALE
Writers: Joss Whedon and Zack Whedon
Artist: Chris Samnee
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Collects: Original graphic novel (?)
Firefly fans having been waiting years for this story: The tale of Shepherd Book. And this does not disappoint, evoking the feel of the TV seres perfectly, and delving deep into the Shepherd's background in a captivating and very clever manner.
5) SUPERBOY: THE BOY OF STEEL
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Publisher: DC Comics
Collects: Adventure Comics #0-3, 5-6; Superman: Secret Files 2009
This year's biggest surprise was about a character that almost nobody gave a damn about beforehand. This coming-of-age story, with art that should be on a wall in a gallery somewhere, changed all of that and still managed to fit in the greatest Lex Luthor character-defining moment in comics history.
4) SIEGE
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artists: Olivier Coipel (main story), Michael Lark, Lucio Parrillo and Jim Cheung
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Collects: Siege #1-4; Siege: The Cabal; Avengers: The Way Things Are
This was the action story of 2010: Fast-paced plot, snappy dialogue, jaw-dropping art, and more awesome moments than you can shake Mjolnir at. The Marvel Universe is finally back on form, and isn't too ashamed to show it.
3) POWER GIRL: A NEW BEGINNING
Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Artist: Amanda Conner
Publisher: DC Comics
Collects: Power Girl #1-6
This was the most fun book of 2010, and should serve as an example to future superhero writers. No continuity worries, no gloom, no brooding, just good clean action-packed fun with some genuinely entertaining side-stories about PG's civilian life. Amanda Conner might just be the artist of the year, with her absolutely beautiful art that almost tells the whole story by itself.
2) BLACKEST NIGHT
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Ivan Reis
Publisher: DC Comics
Collects: Blackest Night #0-8; Blackest Night Director's Cut #1
This truly was Geoff Johns' year, and all of his amazing talents are on show in this incredible event story. Although thrilling excitement and chilling terror are in the mix, the heart of this story is... well, the heart of this story. And Ivan Reis should be given some kind of card that entitles him to never take shit from anyone ever again for the painstakingly great artwork he did in here.
1) PLANETARY: SPACETIME ARCHAEOLOGY
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: John Cassaday
Publisher: WildStorm/DC Comics
Collects: Planetary #19-27
A spectacular end to a spectacular series. This was my favourite read of the year, with exciting twists and intelligent ideas, put together with very unique art, this is a story about the love of stories. I was genuinely sad when it ended and will remember it forever.
Well, that's that for 2010. Of course, there are also on-going series such as Jonah Hex, Irredeemable and The Walking Dead which are brilliant every time they come out, but it felt unfair to include them as they are consistently good. These were the stand-out stories of 2010, at least in my eyes, and I hope yours as well. Here's to next year!
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