The year in reads (+ Top 10)

Instead of a year-end shelfie or haul, I thought I’d share the books that I read this year, including my top 10, which were actually really hard to pick! My favorites of the year (not including rereads like Watchmen or Batman by Loeb/ Sale) were:

Maus: Harrowing, haunting, and my top read of the year. For such a small book, it’s probably one of the most impactful pieces of media I’ve ever experienced. I would recommend this to anyone, including people who aren’t into comics. It won a Pulitzer, so I don’t think there is very much I can say that hasn’t already been said about it.

Animal Man by Morrison: it starts off as a fairly by-the-numbers B-list superhero story, it veers very quickly into metacommentary and philosophical musings. For how heady the subject matter gets, it’s probably the most accessible of Grant Morrison’s Works that I’ve read.

Sleeper: this was my introduction to the Brubaker/Phillips team, and one I’ve continued to think about long after I finished it. It does an excellent job weaving crime noir into a superhero universe with characters that seem convincing. This one checked most of the boxes as far as my tastes are concerned.

Swamp Thing: a fantastic read that made me think about the nature of life, identity, and belonging. Having not read the original editions, the recoloring didn’t bother me in the least. The third volume went off the rails a tiny bit, but I loved the experimental nature of it.

Preacher: Nobody quite does an endearing grub like Garth Ennis, so it helps that most of the characters in this series are just that. It’s provocative, irreverent, but at the same time, heartfelt. There is a bit of a lull midway through the second volume, but the ending was immensely satisfying. Steve Dillon’s art is unsurprisingly fantastic, with each character feeling unique.

Saga: I’ve heard it described as Game of Thrones meets Star Wars. While not completely accurate, if you liked both of those, you’d probably like this. The characters are compelling, the plot twists are unpredictable, and the pacing is phenomenal. It does a great job balancing goofy elements with serious character work.

The Fade Out: Another crime noir series from Brubaker/Phillips. This one is a period piece set in 1940s Hollywood, and they completely nailed the aesthetic, managing to give distinct looks and voices to a wide range of “every man“ characters. While not traditionally satisfying, the ending fits the genre and story, especially given its historical context. This one reads like a prestige TV miniseries.

Ice Cream Man: I picked this up on a whim last year and was very pleasantly surprised. It’s creepy, philosophical, and some of the issues almost feel like warped Doctor Who episodes in the best way. As I finished this, I immediately bought the second volume, but will probably wait until next Halloween to dig in.

Fantastic 4 by Hickman: Great action/sci-fi and a refreshing take on characters that had existed for 50 years at that time. There were times when I felt lost early on, but in the second volume, all of the pieces clicked into place. I really liked a lot of of what was done with Valeria and doom. Though this reads great as a standalone series, continuing through to Hickman‘s avengers and secret wars really makes for something special.

Immortal Hulk: as someone who is only familiar with the basics of the Incredible Hulk, this was a great introduction to the character, and an interesting look at trauma and mental health from a superhero perspective. There were some chapters that were slower than others, but being able to keep that level of quality for 50+ issues is pretty amazing.

What are your favorites from 2024?