My Top 10 Comics for September 2016

Of the first issues I read: The Young Animal line made its debut with the hit and miss Doom Patrol. Image had the rock solid sci-fi noir, Hadrian’s Wall and Archie launches the all new Josie and the Pussycats.

I didn’t spread the wealth as much in Sept as Image dominated my Top 10, despite a few gems taking the month off. Marvel chipped in 3, while DC was shut out (though they are represented in the honorable mentions)

10. The Wicked + The Divine 1831 AD (Image)

Written by Kieron Gillen

Art and Colors by Stephanie Hans

Gillen riffs on the romantics as Mary Shelly and other literary analogues share stories and raise the dead. Oh, and a shout out to letterer Clayton Cowles who added much to the look and mood of the piece.

9. Invisible Republic #11 (Image)

Written by Gabriel Hardman & Corinna Bechko

Art by Gabriel Hardman * Colors by Jordan Boyd

So the biography nobody wanted published is published, and Babb is on a book tour. Later he (and we) learn some terrible news. While I still can’t make sense of certain plot points and character motivations (even after 11 issues) it’s such a richly told tale that I gladly go with it.

8. Seven to Eternity #1 (Image)

Written by Rick Remender

Art by Jerome Opeña * Colors by Matt Hollingsworth

This supernatural fantasy stuff isn’t really my bag, but by God that art, that freaking, mind-blowing art… I was completely lost in this world: the details, the exquisite line work and lighting technique, which is accentuated by some gorgeous coloring. Even Opeña’s sketches in the backmatter are breathtaking - hell this could have been a picture book, sans dialogue, and it would have made the top 10.

7. Revival #42 (Image)

Written by Tim Seeley

Art by Mike Norton * Colors by Mark Englert

Man, things have turned grim, as this small rural town has become hell on Earth. More slivers of truth are revealed, and Cale makes a desperate play to save her family as the series inches towards it finale.

6. House of Penance #6 (Dark Horse)

Written by Peter J. Tomasi

Art by Ian Burtram * Colors by Dave Stewart

Wraps everything up nice and, well, not so neat. The finale was bittersweet, haunting - and while Sarah’s prediction proved not to be true, she at least made her corner of the world, the people she touched, a little better.

5. Spider-Gwen #12 (Marvel)

Written by Jason Latour

Art by Robbi Rodriguez * Colors by Rico Renzi

Flat out superb writing on this series of late - it succeeds as both a character study and morality play. While Frank Castle has become pathetic and loathsome (a classic monomaniacal figure) honor takes center stage when a father stands up to protect his daughter. And Gwen, well she makes a deal with the devil. Bad move (even if she has a secret plan, so far her plans have all ended in failure). They say it’s always darkest before the dawn. I only hope Gwen’s ethics live to see that dawn.

4. Karnak #5 (Marvel)

Written by Warren Ellis

Art by Roland Boschi * Colors by Dan Brown

With this ish we get a psychological and philosophical standoff that cuts Karnak to the core of his being.

3. Kill or be Killed #2 (Image) 

Written by Ed Brubaker

Art by Sean Phillips  * Colors by Elizabeth Breitwesier.

The internal dialogue is beautifully scripted, I like the way Brubaker is developing character and story. Art is perfection.

2. The Vision #11 (Marvel) 

Written by Tom King

Art by Gabriel Hernandez Walta * Colors by Jordie Bellaire

Another piece of the psychological, existential puzzle: we learn that what Vision wants is to be like everyone else. It’s everything he’s strived for since his birth. The scenes with Virginia are frightening and terrible, and we discover that she’s suffering from a split personality.

1. Black Monday Murders #2 (Image)

Written by Jonathan Hickman

Art by Tomm Coker * Colors by Michael Garland

You gotta love a comic that gives a credit to Satan on the cover. Top drawer detective story that thematically rests on the axiom that “money is the root of all evil.” I don’t know what else to add, other than, “Wow, that was good.” And, “Ouch, my brain hurts from overwork!” What a fascinating, perspicacious puzzler. 

Honorable Mention:  Harrow County #16, New Super-Man #3, Hellblazer #2, Spider-Woman #11, All-New Wolverine #12, Kingsway West #2

Writer of the Month: 

Jonathan Hickman (Black Monday Murders)

Artists of the Month: 

Jerome Opeña & Matt Hollingsworth (Seven to Eternity)

With a nod to Albuquerque on Batgirl and Walta on the Vision

To Oct 2016

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