Jim's "Best of" 08

2008 has been a good year for the comics world, and of course there's been some stinkies out there as well.
Here's a brief rundown of my favorite/best things in comics for 2008:

First and foremost, it was a great year for comics to movies.

Iron Man was a great popcorn movie with a twist of social message about the dangers of producing military weapons and how the US tends to arm the same regimes it seeks to topple. Also Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark was an excellent casting decision, but I was waiting to see the whole "Demon in a Bottle" scenario as I'm sure Downey knows what alcohol abuse is like and would bring a very realistic element to Marvels favorite alcoholic superhero.



Then of course, there's "the Dark Knight" which in my humble opinion is the best comic to film movie ever so far. The sociopathic / masochistic self torture of Bruce Wayne / Batman and the constant strain of his moral code was spot on to the character we all know from the comics. And Heath Ledgers Joker was just absolutely amazing.

We all know the Joker is a total psychotic in the comics who in the past was portrayed as merely a clownish comedy based criminal who didn't live up to his true roots as a total ghoul until Neal Adams came along. The Dark Knight version of the Joker was everything I've ever thought the Joker should be; the embodiment of anarchy, a murderous psychopath, and genuinely funny...in a dark sort of way...
I seriously doubt that if a sequel is made of the Dark Knight that they'll be able to top this last act.



Comics:

My favorite moment in comics for the year would have to be Joss Whedon's conclusion to his run on "Astonishing X-Men"
I actually felt for Kitty Pryde because Whedon finally made her a very likable character for once, and then she's shot off into space on a perpetual velocity bullet unable to phase out in an act of heroism that had to tug at your heartstrings especially considering Colossus's reaction.

I was also surprised and pleased by Warren Ellis picking up where Whedon left off on Astonishing.

I was really enjoying the mega-super event Secret Invasion which had a lot of potential for a shocking conclusion, but I felt that in the end it was a little anti-climactic. The story had so much momentum and then suddenly, "Oh we beat those pesky Skrulls, stay tuned for Dark Reign!" Bit of a cop out, but still enjoyable nonetheless.

Age of Senty: I recently blogged about this title, but I enjoy it so much that I had to include it in my list of fav's for 08.

Graphic Novel series I've finally read or discovered this year:

"Planetary" was one of those series I always said I would read eventually, and finally having done so can't believe I waited so long. "Superspy" minimalist artistic style, richly complex storytelling is an absolute masterpiece by Matt Kindt. "DC's New Frontier" I absolutely love Darwyn Cook's retro style artwork and this particular take of the Silver age DC universe set in the Cold War paranoia days.

Things I'm looking forward to in 09:
"Green Lantern- Rage of the Red Lanterns" Geoff Johns has made Hal Jordan cool and developed the most intriguing take on Green Lantern since his inception in the early days of the Silver Age. I love the idea of a Lantern Corp for every color on the ROYGBIV spectrum the "Watchmen" movie.

Seriously folks, it looks like it's going to be amazing.