Best One-Shot of 2015

DC Comics

Guidebook to the Multiverse

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: Various

The MULTIVERSITY GUIDEBOOK contains everything you ever wanted to know (and more) about the parallel worlds of the DC Universe superheroes inhabitants. The 80-page mountain of MULTIVERSITY madness serves as a detailed concordance featuring each of the 52 worlds in the Multiverse, a complete history of DC Comics’ universe-shattering “Crisis” events, a map of all known existence. If that wasn’t enough there is an action-packed adventure starring Kamandi of Earth-51 alongside the post-apocalyptic Atomic Knight Batman of Earth-17 and chibi Batman of Earth-42.

This comic has everything, a story, Kamandi, everything you ever wanted to know about DC’s parallel worlds and their super-heroic inhabitants and did I mention Kamandi? Things I found interesting about the Multiverse map was that previous storylines and universes are still if DC stays with what Morrison has mapped. Stan Lee’s JUST IMAGINE universe is still around on Earth-6, along with the many Elseworlds and the Tangent Universe that existed in the 90s, Batman and Justice League Beyond are Earth-12. The book also had the right amount of crazy yet not totally off the wall Grant Morrison writing.

The Multiversity Guidebook will hopefully serve as the post-Convergence direction that DC Comics uses for the future of the Multiverse.

However you slice it, this book was informational, entertaining and a must-have book for anyone who is a fan of the DC Multiverse.

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Darkseid War – Shazam (one-shot)

Writer: Steve Orlando

Artist: Scott Kolins

When Geoff Johns and Gary Frank reintroduced Shazam in the pages of Justice League I wasn’t that keen on the character revamp. However after reading the Multiversity one-shot Thunder World and this Darkseid War tie-in, I am finding myself becoming interested in the character of Shazam. Spinning out of the events in the Darkseid War in Justice League, Shazam like some of the other members of the League are imbued with the power of New Gods. Shazam’s transformation doesn’t affect Billy himself, but the sources of his power. The Wizard had to scramble to find new power sources leading to new alien gods from throughout the universe; which are similar in nature but also different than the Earth-based gods.

Overall the story is about Billy coming to terms with his altered state and proving himself against seemingly overwhelming odds. Steve Orlando provides the feel that I know of the classic Captain Marvel characters and takes and adds a more contemporary feeling and doesn’t take the safe approach like most of the other one-shots did.

I would love to have a Shazam series written by and based on the concepts that Orlando presents in this one-shot.

Marvel Comics

Hank Johnson: Agent of Hydra #1

Writer:David Mandel

Artist: Michael Walsh

Cover by Amanda Conner

Who is Hank Johnson? Just your average guy with a wife and three kids who goes to work every day… for Hydra. This one-shot shows what the average Storm Troopers of the Marvel Universe deals with on their hours off work.

n just this single issue, the reader gets a full sense of downtrodden Hank’s ambition or lack thereof, MODOK performing “Amazing Grace,” and how one deals with Madam Hydra’s sexual harassment advancements.

To spoil this comic would be a disservice and there isn’t a single negative thing to say about the story, characters, jokes, or conclusion.

It would be awesome if Marvel decided to further explore this side of their universe.

Archaia/Boom!

Cursed Pirate Girl Annual #1

Writer: Jeremy Bastian

Artist: Jeremy Bastian

Cursed Pirate Girl is the story of a girl looking for her lost father, him being the captain of a pirate ship her only clue. The fiery Cursed Pirate Girl and the young Apollonia continue their search for the pirate girl’s father, one of the pirate captains of the dreaded Omerta Seas.

The Annual is the 4th part of the story which Bastian originally published under his own label and more recently Archaia/BOOM! put out a nice hard bound copy collection.

I am sure I have mentioned how much I enjoyed reading the hardcover and even had a chance to interview Jeremy back in 2014 at the Baltimore Con.

This is a dense book and at first glance may turn many readers off due to the fact that this is the continuation of a story already in progress, but one should not worry as it probably been at least 2 years since I read the hardcover before this one was released.

Bastian does a great job of bringing both old and new readers back up to speed with a brief but informative summary before delving back into the world of the Cursed Pirate Girl.

The cover price may be a bit scary at $9.99 but the book makes sure you get your money’s worth not only in story but in art. I have read this book three times and I know that it is going to require a few more reads just to take in the detail of the artwork, the creative page layouts, and story details. Bastian is able to fill up the page and yet still make it work and pleasing to just flip through and look at the art.

I can’t wait for the next installment of this story…

Best Original Graphic Novel of 2015

Image Comics

Virgil

Writer: Steve Orlando

Artist: JD Faith

Colorist: Chris Beckett

Cover Artist: Artyom Trakhanov

Ever since I interviewed Steve back in 2014 about this book I was anticipating the time when I would be able to read it, and Steve did not disappoint.

Set in Kingston, Jamaica the story follows Virgil, a cop who is gay living in secret dur to the homophobic Jamaican society, who must rescue his lover and committed partner, Ervan, once their secret lifestyle is accidentally revealed and the homophobic cops kill his friends and kidnap his lover.

Orlando does a great job of introducing Virgil, his partner, and their friends along his cop coworkers, so that the stage for his rescue mission and vengeance all the more real. The story is fast paced like all good action movies as Virgil searches for Ervan, kicking some ass and leaving dead bodies in his wake.

The art by Faith and Colors by Beckett only add to the overall experience of the story and mood.

Definitely a OGN to check out if you enjoy the awesome job that Orlando is currently doing on his Midnighter run for DC Comics.

The Comic Book Story of Beer

Writer(s): Jonathan Hennessey and Mike Smith

Artist: Aaron McConnell

I first learned of this book while preparing to attend the New York Comic Con Special Edition back in June. At the convention I spoke with the illustrator Aaron McConnell who was there promoting the book. Then at NY Comic Con at the end of the year and met the rest of the creative team and got to talk with them briefly about this book they crafted (pun intended).

Part History, part science, and all comic book goodness this book gives an exciting tour of human history from the perspective of and influences from the world’s oldest and tastiest drink.

The story of beer begins with ancient civilizations, empires, religions, wars and wars all the way through the corporate growth of today’s beer industry.

Along with the History lesson, the authors also breakdown the science on the beer making process through though some fun illustrations. The authors also provide a style guide for the different beer types and some of the history behind them.

This is the perfect book for me as a fan of the comics medium and as a lover and homebrewer of beer.

So pick up the Comic Book Story of Beer, a case of your favorite brew (unfortunately beer is not included with the book), and kick back and drink them both in.

I know I will open this book again and again and continue to enjoy the awesome history of beer!