2011 Rear End Review

2011-line-up
As i sit here, belt undone, wondering if this is the pudding that will finally tip me over the edge into diabetes, I'm inclined to reflect on 2011, if only for a wee while. This may be the year I gradually descended into middle age, but also the year I started looking forward, grinning inanely like a Soviet propaganda poster.

Many people do end of year lists. I guess it's a way to fill some space while you go off merry-making at the most wonderful time of the year. I hesitate to compile such things, because they are all so dependent on mood, memory and whim. You're also comparing apples to oranges, Batman to Donald Duck. But the hungry blog needs feeding, so open wide...

So here's a short list of my top comics of the year. These are the ones that A) i remember, and B) have actually read. I have a stack of beautiful books at home I've still not finished reading, so there's no point in pretending i have for the purposes of a list nobody asked for. For example, i was delighted to pick up Hector Umbra in English after all these years, but i've not read all of it yet, so i didn't think it fair to include it (Magnificent stuff so far, though!) So if I've not mentioned something you think worthy, don't have a cow, man. Even a slovenly nerd like me only has so much time on his hands.

Xombi by John Rozum and Frazer Irving
This neglected title provided a fully-realised, fascinating fictional ecosystem over the course of six issues. Super powered nuns, schoolgirls, golems, nanobots and floating skull-shaped castles combined into a psychedelic adventure-scape which I fear we will not see again.

Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang
Tha amazing amazon was reinvented yet again, and against all odds became an exciting, stylish and sometimes funny super-shero yarn. After numerous, ponderous, cringeworthy do-overs, this is the little revamp that could. Thank Hera, and enjoy it while you can- it won't last forever!

Hilda and the Midnight Giant by Luke Pearson
Charming with a capital 'C' and truly all-ages, this handsome book is full of endearing, funny characters and inventive, entertaining ideas. Luke's second Hilda outing is a delight, and I look forward to reading many more of her beautifully drawn adventures.

Hellboy/B.P.R.D. by Mike Mignola, Duncan Fegredo, John Arcudi, Guy Davis, Tyler Kirkham, Dave Stewart and others
It's hard for me to choose between these two threads of Mike Mignola's rich monsteriffic tapestry. The Hellboy umbrella of titles have provided the most consistently satisfying 'action pamphlet' experience over the past decade or so, unencumbered by editorial edicts, crossovers or reboots. Answerable only to the creative urges of Mignola and his hand-picked trusty collaborators, both titles often offer real change to their status quo, and are never shy of having the grim reaper pay a visit. This has resulted in some nail-biting, jaw-dropping stories this year, and I can't wait to find out what happens next to Hellboy, Abe and all their spooky pals.

The Love Bunglers Part Two, Love and Rockets New Stories Volume Four by Jaimie Hernandez
I can't adequately even begin to tell you how much the work of Xaimie Hernandez has meant to me over the years. It's been a presence in my life since my teens and I've grown up with his stories and characters. I realise this makes it almost impossible to be objective, so all i have left is my honest, tearful reaction to his latest volume of Love and Rockets. If ever there really can be 'A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius', then this is it. For me- the best comic, ever. The best cartoonist, ever. Jamie proved it this year, and sealed it with a kiss. X

On a personal note, this was a breakthrough year for me. Thanks to everyone who gave love, support, encouragement, retweets, comments, page views and/or cuddles. If 2011 has taught me anything, it's that love and art can save the day. Once again, thanks-a-zillion, and i look forward to spending 2012 with you. It's going to be the best apocalypse EVER!