Personally I think Tom’s Batman has been a stinkburger. And it’s hard to believe that’s the same writer who scripted visionary works like Babylon, Omega Men and the Vision. Perhaps the Bat is simply a bad fit, because King is royalty when he's delving into religion, geopolitics, sociopolitics and existentialism. Probing into these faulty, messy, violent worlds and these faulty, messy, violent lives is what elevates his best pieces. That’s where his genius bubbles to the fore. So to mangle Meatloaf, “3 out of 4 ain’t bad” especially when the 3 were among the finest comics of the year, with Vision my favorite.
Nominees: Ellis, Azzarello, Rucka, Hickman, Lapham, Castellucci, Hopeless
Walta might not be a sexy pick, but he’s a rock, and brought so much humanity to his synthetic cast of characters. The book would not have had the same soul, the quietly unsettling moments, or level of power and pathos without him.
Nominees: Michael Lark (Lazarus), Sana Takeda (Monstress) , Marley Zarcone (Shade the Changing Girl), Jerome Opeña (Seven to Eternity), Mitch Gerads (Sheriff of Babylon)
There is little to no shading on her faces and figures, perhaps because there’s such an explosion of color everywhere else. Kelly’s work on Shade is a kaleidoscope of trippy, rainbow gradations and 60s style ben day dots. She's the perfect partner to Zarcone’s Ditkoesque drawing style.
Nominees: Tamra Bonvillain (Doom Patrol, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Wayward), Jordie Bellaire (Injection, Pretty Deadly, Vision), Matt Hollingsworth (Seven to Eternity)
De Liz overwrites, over explains every detail, but her art was gorgeous, simply beautiful (with kudos to Ray Dillon’s coloring). Her figures looked strong and determined… and that applied to personality as well. The character work was a plus: Etta was a throwback to Marston but updated to modern sensibilities, and Diana was a hero you could look up to and respect.
Nominees: David Lapham (Stray Bullets), Mia Goodwin (Tomboy), Daniel Clowes (Patience)
An epic madcap throw down where an outmatched Gwen used tactic, taunting and a secret weapon to defeat a superior foe. M.O.D.O.K. discovered that payback can be a bitch, especially when it’s dressed in pink!
Biggest Laugh(s): The Unbelievable Gwenpool by Christopher Hastings and Gurihiru
Pick a panel, any panel, because the damn book was a riot in both word and picture.
Best Dialogue: Warren Ellis, the guy is a philosophical wordsmith
Helen also works for Disney Animation Studios and that influence is easily seen in her dynamic covers. I love the poses, the design sense and figure work. The style is cartoony, but why has that become a dirty word of late? Great art is great art… period. Here are 3 of my favorite Silk covers...
Best set and costume design: Sana Takeda (Monstress)
Nominees: Opeña (Seven to Eternity), Dragotta (East of West)
Best Look - Hero: Gwenpool
“Isn’t she pretty in pink” – Psychedelic Furs. It’s a low rent Deadpool knock-off (ghost ninja style) that is pure Gwen- as it’s fun and bright and cute. I like how Gurihiru draws it, his version ramps up the youth and humor.
Best Look - Villain: Jackal
Links
Part 2: 2016 Best Writing, Art, Designs
Part 3: 2016 Best Stories, Arcs, Events, Misc
Head Writer, wide awake nightmare... bids you salutations citizens of Earth!
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