That time of the year again: The top ten comic books of 2018!
By Alex Widen
Image by Marvel Comics
Dud Of The Year: Marvel Rising Alpha/Omega/Squirrel Girl/Ms. Marvel No. 1
It was either this or Mark Waid’s run on Captain America No. 697-704. Ultimately while Waid’s second go around on Cap was underwhelming, it wasn’t entirely a waste. This, however, was over-promoted, over priced and ultimately a waste for all but the most hardcore of fans. It was intended to vaguely tie into a new cartoon series and saw the opening 10-page chapter be given freely as part of Free Comic Book Day 2018. It was written by three writers and featured at least as many artists. Each issue was sold as a number one issue, like an editor from 1995 produced them.
Yet ultimately, it took what was at best a generic superhero team-up story and drug it out to roughly 170 pages in length, sold collectively for just under $24. The fun of Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl teaming up (and then fighting alongside Miss America and a knockoff Human Torch) is quickly lost with an overly long redemption story amid some stunningly outdated ideas about video games. Even the young kids this is aimed for will think this tale is repetitive early on. The fact that the main villain of the story couldn’t even be bothered to appear in person says it all.
Moment Of The Year: Peter & MJ Kiss – Amazing Spider-Man No. 1
Image by Marvel Comics
After ten years of reading various writers, editors, and senior editors (and one editor-in-chief) chastise and lambaste Spider-Man’s 20-year marriage to Mary Jane as being the death-blow to the franchise, this was very sweet. After a decade of Dan Slott as either co-writer or solo writer, Nick Spencer and Ryan Ottley began the road back to sanity in their first issue of a relaunch. Things are not perfect, but the very idea of a healthy and mature relationship between these two beloved characters not being something left only to alternate dimensions made for a great moment.
Next. See Which Comics Topped the Heap in 2017!. dark
So, that was 2018! Happy New Year and keep reading great comic books wherever they are sold!