Looking Back to 2010 from A-Z

A Year of Mish-Smash!

Worlds of Wonder
By KALEON RAHAN

TIME flies when you are having fun in the world of comic books. From hodge-podge Avengers to rainbow-coloured Lanterns, we enjoyed them all. It’s that time of the year again as we reflect on the year’s “What’s Hot” and “What’s Not” in alphabetical order. Happy New Year, people, and here’s to another exciting one ahead.

A – Avengers assemble!

With a star-studded cast assembled for a 2012’s movie debut, Marvel streamlined its Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ roll call. You get a wide range of offerings. Whatever your preference, be it just plain Avengers, New Avengers, Young Avengers, Secret Avengers, Pet Avengers or theAvengers Initiative, it’s certainly raining Avengers over at the Marvel Universe.

B – Blackest Night to Brightest Day

Still on building up to the movies, the same goes in the DC Universe as two-Green Lantern-esque limited series – Blackest Night and Brightest Day – dominated the headlines. The former uprooted a hushed prophecy, offering an emotional dimension to the Green Lantern mythos while the latter focused on the second chance granted to a dozen resurrected characters. Ryan Reynolds certainly has a lot of reading to do!

C – Captain America reborn (#1-6)

Steve Rogers’ return was never a doubt and he did it in time-travel fashion via this six-parter. While the script wasn’t exactly vintage Brubaker but it did help set the tempo for Siege, Secret Avengers andSuper Soldier.

D – Devil’s dare (Daredevil #508-512, Shadowland #1-5 and tie-ins)

After doing the unthinkable by joining the Hand as their new leader, Matt Murdock @ Daredevil fortified his presence over Hell’s Kitchen by killing Bullseye and building a monstrous fortress named Shadowland. Obviously to reinstate everything back to status quo, Murdock would have to do his usual “fall from grace” act, which he does and even gets a replacement “Man Without Fear” in the process.

E – Emo-Man of Steel (Superman #700 onwards)

It’s not only kryptonite that can bring the Man of Steel to his knees as an emotional encounter with a widow tugs into his conscience – prompting him to embark on a “walkathon” across the United States. However, the pace set by the Grounded story-arc seemed too tedious for even writer J. Michael Straczynski, who left midway by detouring to do other (DC) projects.

F- Fall of Asgard (Siege #3)

To think that the Rainbow Bridge’s destruction two decades ago (Thor #351) was the ultimate demolition act. But this year’s “Asgard plummets to Midgard scene” certainly tops ’em all. Courtesy of the Sentry (under the Osborn influence), expect a new Asgard before next year’s movie outing.

G – Grudge match (Batman Under The Red Hood Animated Movie)

While Jason Todd @ Robin 2’s returned to the land of the living nearly five years ago, nothing beats watching him torment Batman and the Joker in animated form. My pick for animated movie of the year!

H- Hickman (Fantastic Four #571-586)

Remember the name: Jonathan Hickman! It will soon be associated with the man who transformed the fantastic quartet into a threesome. With “a death in the family” plot scheduled in two months’ time, Hickman has delivered the most thought-provoking FF-stint since John Byrne migrated Attilan to the moon.

I – Iron Man

While I would have loved to allot this alphabet to Ip Man instead of the armoured Avenger, truth is, the creative team of Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca have performed brilliantly with Tony Stark’s character. From lobotomising his brain to establishing Stark Resilient, it’s too bad that the creative duo were not involved in the movie sequel.

J – Joe the Barbarian

Not related to a certain Cimmerian, meet Joe, a diabetic teenager, who can “teleport” into a fantasy world whenever he enters a state of hypoglycemia. It’s like Dave Lizewski-meets-Conan as Joe leads two different missions – topple King Death and fix his blood sugar. Grant Morrisson redeems himself after the damage he had done on Batman.

K – Kick Ass

Definitely the comic book movie of the year, even though it had Nic Cage in it! While comic fans already had first dips on the secret life of Dave Lizewski, not since 300 has there been a comic book movie so true-to-label (albeit the minor tweaks to the original plot). Of course ... Hit Girl! Nuff said!

L – Losers at the box office

Still on movies, DC-Vertigo’s Losers was worth watching (as long as you don’t benchmark it against The A-Team) but Jonah Hex should have an “L” branded on his forehead instead of a scarred face. When will they ever learn that Megan Fox’s presence alone doesn’t guarantee success?

M – Mark (Kick Ass, Nemesis, Superior and Old Man Logan) Millar

While Garth Ennis dominated the last two decades with his “no holds barred” storytelling approach, Millar has repackaged Ennis’ style in kick-a** fashion. He’s definitely the most sought-after writer for artists to strike it big! Need to tidy up on meeting the deadlines, though.

N – New duds (Batman Inc, Amazing Spider-Man #350 and Wonder Woman #600)

Probably an attempt to avoid rising cotton prices, the wardrobe changes by the “Big guns” (Batman, Spidey and Wonder Woman) drew contrasting reactions. Alteration to the Bat-suit was aligned to the movie, Wonder Woman’s new look drastically reduced the possibility of a wardrobe malfunction but Spidey’s “stealth suit” seemed more of an excuse for an action figure gimmick.

O – One million dollars! (Action Comics #1 and Detective Comics #27)

On Feb 22, Action Comics #1 became the most expensive comic when it fetched US$1mil at an auction. However, the record lasted a mere three days, as Detective Comics #27 (first appearance of Batman) garnered US$1.075mil. That too lasted a month as Action Comics #1 reclaimed pole position by fetching US$1.5mil! Time to start cleaning up the garage!

P – Punished to the MAX! (Punisher Max #1-9)

Just when you thought that Frank Castle has explored all possible punishment methods, Jason Aaron’s new Punisher title boldly ventures into territory where even Garth Ennis didn’t dare. From the explicit exposure of Kingpin’s past to Bullseye’s fetish for Castle, going through Aaron’s run was very punishing to the mind.

Q – Quixotic (Spidey’s One Moment In Time – #638-641)

It felt as if the Man of La Mancha orchestrated Pete and MJ’s separation as Marvel opted for a lame excuse but aptly named story “One Moment In Time @ OMIT” to explain the truth behind the Parkers’ splitsville. Mephisto must have inherited some poor quality souls from La Mancha.

R – Riverdale Revamp (Archie #602-616)

The cheeky solution towards the Archie-Betty-Veronica triangle dominated Riverdale’s headlines and to cap off a year of milestones, we have appearances by President Obama and Sarah Palin! What will they think of next?

S – Siege (#1-4)

Marvel’s main event title pleased on many fronts, namely “dethroning” Norman Osborn’s dark reign and reuniting Cap, Iron Man and Thor. Of course, these came with a price in the form of large casualties – a spectator-filled stadium, Asgard’s population, Ares and the Sentry. But Osborn’s downfall alone is worth it!

T – THE big show (Singapore Toys Games & Comics Convention)

This month’s Singapore Toys Games and Comics Convention (STGCC) has certainly set the benchmark for regional conventions, courtesy of its jaw-dropping list of top-notch creative talents such as David Lloyd, Salvador Larroca, Leinil Yu, Esad Ribic, Matt Fraction, Alex Maleev, etc.

U – Unwritten (The Unwritten)

DC-Vertigo’s response to Harry Potter offers a stranger than fiction take on Tom Taylor – the inspiration behind a successful children’s fantasy novel line. The blend of fantasy and comic book reality makes this series Vertigo’s flagship title – especially in the absence of Y The Last Man andEx Machina.

V – Value for money

All major publishers joined in the bandwagon by re-releasing their hits for a mere buck! Notable releases included Sin City, Green Lantern Rebirth #1, Batman #608, Liberty Meadows #1, Umbrella Academy #1 andWanted #1. Even better news came in the form of DC’s recent decision to lower the price of 80% of its titles – now, here’s an act I would love to see the House of Ideas top!

W – Wayne’s World! (Batman; Return of Bruce Wayne, Batman Inc)

After a two-year hiatus from present day continuity, Bruce Wayne makes his inevitable return and introduces a host of changes. The most drastic alteration is Wayne’s decision to globally franchise the Batman concept!

X –X-ci-THING! (Fantastic Four #584)

For once, I will deny the Children of the Atom this enigmatic alphabet asFantastic Four #584 gets my pick for “Best Single Issue of the Year.” The plot is so touching that the emotions alone are enough to slice through Ben Grimm @ The Thing’s rock-hide. Ben gets a chance to live a normal life for a week, with Johnny Storm offering him a guys’ week out. Deviating from the usual tasteless pranks, Johnny grows up ... and the Ben-Alicia Masters reunion is simply priceless! Jack Kirby would have loved this!

Y – Young & Dangerous (Morning Glories #1-5)

This Runaways-meets-Lost series brings a new dimension to “ragging” conducted at boarding schools as six unique teenagers fight for their lives in a prep school. Deviating from the usual sexy and cyber looks that Image Comics is accustomed to, this down-to-earth tale might just stand out as its long elusive flagship title.

Z –Zombies

While Marvel Zombies recorded its fifth series, the Walking Dead walked away with this year’s Eisner for “best continuing series” and a debut TV series that has received a much deserved second season