The Best Comics and Graphic Novels of 2006

Boy oh boy, 2006 is already over and its time to recap the year all VH1 style, because we can never get to much nostalgia now can we? So what happened this year in the world of comics?

Well, over at DC they had a huge universe-size crossover with the Infinite Crisis. The Crisis then leads into 52, a series depicting a missing year in the DC universe. The series has been put out once a week for 52 weeks regardless of how it affects the releases of their other main titles. However, I really have to give it up to DC, they have not missed one week of releasing it on time and showed their merit as the leading comic publisher.

Oppositely, Marvel had a bit of a problem in 2006 with delays, especially affecting their critically acclaimed Civil War series. I actually should say it was more of a huge problem, being that their summer/fall series is still finishing up in the winter of 2007. Regardless of the tedious delays, Civil War has been an intriguing and innovative series that is perhaps the best written series that came out in mainstream comics in the ‘06.

Big name writer Alan Moore released his titillating Lost Girls collection for mature audiences only, and renowned artist Jim Lee returned to his own creation with the re-launch of his Wildcats team, released through WildStorm comics.

Within the world of underground comics, St. Louis native Kevin Huizenga made a name for himself with the adventures of Glenn Ganges in the beautiful new graphic novel Curses. Also, writer Sid Jacobson and artist Ernie Colon dared to retell the events of 9/11 with their graphic novel The 9/11 Report, showing how emotionally compelling graphic literature can be.

The manga series Deathnote illustrated that regardless of the uncountable number of menial Mangas that got released from Japan last year, if you search for the right one, you can find a very impressive series.

Finally, let us not forget about all those great reissues, with highlights like the illustrious Absolute Sandman and Dark Knight to all those cool old Marvel Essential collections.

Plus, Star Clipper had some great events in 2006. Two of my personal favorites were the panel signing that included director Terry Zwigoff of Ghost World fame, and, a few weeks later, meeting up-and-comer Chris Grine as he signed copies of his children’s book Chickenhare.

It would be impossible to recap everything that happened with comics in 2006, but why don't you let us know some of your favorite comic series, books, or Star Clipper events of 2006 and what you are looking forward to in 2007.

Here's hoping for another great year of comics!

-Jon