Intriguing characters boost year's best comics
By Matthew Price
Published: January 5, 2007
Event comics "Civil War” from Marvel and "Infinite Crisis” from DC drove fans to specialty comic-book shops in 2006. While they were there, fans could sample a wide variety of series. From an American super-soldier to a British "phonomancer” to sword-wielding mice, 2006's best comic books revealed intriguing characters in unusual circumstances. Here are the 10 best comic-book series of 2006.
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Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli's "DMZ” is the best comic-book series of 2006.
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1.
"DMZ”
Writer
Brian Wood and artist
Riccardo Burchielli create this series about a war journalist embedded in the near-future war zone of
New York.
In
Manhattan, intern
Matty Roth becomes stranded when the rest of his crew is killed. The
Free Armies, which control
New Jersey and much of the country's interior, battle against the
United States, making a stand at the coasts. Manhattan is a no man's land, left in ruins. In this year's issues, Matty's star power rises, and he lands an interview with the leaders of the Free Armies. Realistic art by Burchielli complements Wood's storytelling, which ably captures the chaos of war.
2. "Phonogram”
Mixing supernatural forces with musical history, "Phonogram” is a bold new comic by relative newcomers
Kieron Gillen and
Jamie McKelvie.
David Kohl is a "phonomancer,” able to work magic via music. When forces begin tampering with Brittania, the literal "spirit” of 1990s Britpop, Kohl finds his memories beginning to change. He investigates the mystery, but doing so could put himself at further risk.
3.
"Criminal”
Writer Ed Brubaker and artist
Sean Phillips collaborated on the criminally underrated "Sleeper” for DC's WildStorm imprint. They're back together for "Criminal,” a bleak noir from Marvel's creator-owned Icon imprint. Leo likes to play it safe; he only wants to pull jobs that are a sure thing. But when he's approached by a friend and a crooked cop with a plan that could make millions, he's forced to make a tough choice.
Brubaker twists noir archetypes in creative ways, with morally ambiguous characters.
4.
"Captain America”
Writer Brubaker and artist
Steve Epting put Cap through his paces this year, as he found himself feuding with old friends in Marvel's "Civil War,” and faced off against his former teammate, the Winter Soldier.
5.
"Wasteland”
Oni Press's "Wasteland” features a world 100 years after a disaster known as the Big Wet. The Earth is a barren wasteland. Michael is a ruin runner who came to the town of Providence after being attacked. He is helped by Abi, who, like Michael, has unexplained abilities. The Sand Eaters follow Michael to Providence, and destroy the city. The few survivors leave with Michael, seeking the legendary city of A-Ree-Yass-I, which may hold the answers Michael seeks. The apocalyptic Western is written by
Antony Johnston with art by
Christopher Mitten.
6.
"Seven Soldiers”
Grant Morrison's "Seven Soldiers” is an epic involving multiple interlaced storylines and characters. The ancient race called the Sheeda attempts mankind's destruction throughout history, always seeking to find and destroy the prophesied Seven Soldiers.
Each of the group that will become the Seven Soldiers face the Sheeda separately, then join together at the story's climax. Artists J.H. Williams III ("Promethea”) and
Ryan Sook ("The Spectre”) are among the many artists who brought "Seven Soldiers” to life.
7.
"Action Comics”
Writers Geoff Johns and
Richard Donner team with artist
Adam Kubert on the continuing adventures of the Man of Steel. When a Kryptonian boy crash-lands on Earth, Superman takes the child under his wing. But Superman's not the only one with plans for the child.
Donner (director of "Superman: The Movie”) and his former assistant
Johns, now one of the comic industry's top writers, are creating a moving and meaningful Superman saga.
8.
"Local”
While delays meant only a few issues of Brian Wood and
Ryan Kelly's "Local” hit the stands in 2006, it's still one of the strongest series going.
Each stand-alone issue focuses on a different U.S. town, as regular people are put into extraordinary situations. "Local” looks at how where you're from influences who you become.
9. "Casanova”
A retro superspy thriller by writer
Matt Fraction and artist
Gabriel Ba.
Casanova Quinn is thrown into the life of a double agent following his twin sister's death. "Casanova” is a Steranko-esque, 1960s-style, over-the-top adventure.
10.
"Mouse Guard”
David Petersen's "Mouse Guard” tells of a coming war in the Mouse Nation. An anthropomorphized adventure that will appeal to fans of "Bone” and "The Secret of
NIMH,” "Mouse Guard” is a visually dazzling book set in the realm of fantasy.
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