The 10 Best Comics of 2016

Here are my top 10 favourite comics of the year that were also published in 2016:

10. All Star Section Eight by Garth Ennis and John McCrea (DC)

Raucous, rude and really funny entertainment from Garth Ennis as the filthiest, least capable superheroes in the world attempt to do something, somewhere, somehow! 

9. Doctor Strange, Volume 1: The Way of the Weird by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo (Marvel)

Marvel’s best writer, Jason Aaron, gives Doctor Strange the shot in the arm the character’s needed for years with a fun and inventive ongoing, just in time for the new movie! 

8. Scarlet, Book 2 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev (Icon/Marvel)

After years of delays between issues, Bendis and Maleev finally complete the second Scarlet arc, and it was worth the wait. The story of a socio-political revolutionary who becomes head of an impromptu movement has a very relevant contemporary flavour to it and it’s a thrilling read to boot. 

7. Criminal, Volume 7: Wrong Time, Wrong Place by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Image)

Collecting the two Criminal specials Savage Sword of Criminal and Kung-Fu Werewolf, Brubaker and Phillips return to their signature series with a fantastic new addition, checking back in on the Lawless family. 

6. I Hate Fairyland, Volume 1: Madly Ever After by Skottie Young (Image)

A fluffin’ psychotic lil’ girl out to tear down a muffin-hugging cutesy wonderland she can’t escape from, Skottie Young’s anarchic, chaotic, unrelenting assault on all things kiddie is so imaginative, enjoyable and delightfully insane! 

5. The Violent, Volume 1: Blood Like Tar by Ed Brisson and Adam Gorham (Image)

Two working class parents struggle with their addictions and new parental responsibilities as economic desperation pushes them deeper into the abyss – gripping reading. 

4. Groot by Jeff Loveness and Brian Kesinger (Marvel) 

Groot is unexpectedly the best of the multiple Guardians of the Galaxy spinoffs. An inventive, sweet adventure with heart, Groot is a hidden gem. 

3. Southern Bastards, Volume 3: Homecoming by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour (Image)

Aaron and Latour explore the wider world of Craw County through its various denizens. Bleak but enthralling with a strong sense of place, Southern Bastards is a series that keeps getting better. 

2. The Arab of the Future, Volume 2: A Childhood in the Middle East, 1984-1985 by Riad Sattouf (Metropolitan Books)

I discovered Riad Sattouf’s memoirs of growing up in the Middle East this year and was blown away. Informative, entertaining, funny, tragic, shocking, and thoroughly engrossing, these are comics anyone can get wrapped up in – what a cartoonist! 

1. Giant Days, Volumes 2 and 3 by John Allison and Max Sarin (Boom) 

Like Riad Sattouf’s comics, I came late to the party on this one and discovered John Allison’s Giant Days this year. Wow. Wow. Believe the hype, these are such good comics! Who knew the adventures of three uni students would produce such rich material? John Allison, that’s who! Full of wonderfully witty writing from Allison, lovely expressive art from Max Sarin, you’ll fall in love with this charming cast of characters and become addicted to their stories. First class all the way, this series also has the remarkable distinction of being three volumes deep at this point without a drop in quality. Recommended to everybody, everywhere, anytime, all the time! 

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Honourable Mentions

Marvel

Old Man Logan, Volume 1: Berzerker
Nova, Volume 1: Burn Out
Invincible Iron Man, Volume 1: Reboot 
Ms Marvel, Volume 5: Super Famous
Where Monsters Dwell
Star Wars: Vader Down

DC 

Batman: Dark Night 
Batman: Europa
Wonder Woman Earth One
Martian Manhunter, Volume 1: The Epiphany
Bizarro
Prez, Volume 1: Hotdog-in-Chief 
Unfollow, Volume 1
Jacked

Image

We Stand on Guard
The Fix, Volume 1
Glitterbomb, Volume 1: Red Carpet
Southern Cross, Volume 1
Trees, Volume 2 
The Legacy of Luther Strode
Black Magick, Volume 1
The Walking Dead, Volume 25: No Turning Back
The Walking Dead: The Alien
Velvet, Volume 3: The Man Who Sold the World
The Fade Out, Volume 3

Various indie presses

Klaus 
Klaus and the Witch of Winter
Black Dahlia
How to Talk to Girls at Parties
Adulthood is a Myth
Letter 44, Volume 3
Ohio is for Sale