My favorite comics of 2008
There were a lot of comics I liked this year. Some of my favorites were classic reprints like Moomin from D&Q, or Popeye vol.3 from Fantagraphics, but of new material by a single writer/artist, here’s my top 6:
Slow Storm by Danica Novgorodoff from First Second Loosely drawn in black inks and watercolor, Danica weaves a slow burning story of frustration, fear and trust – - all against the backdrop of a threatening storm. Read a review on Comics Reading Room.
Hamlet (No Fear Shakespeare Graphic Novels) by Neil Babra from Spark Publishing
This is no Classics Illustrated; Babra has drawn Hamlet out as a real comic. Amazing. Some preview art on Neil’s site.
Echo by Terry Moore from Abstract Studios
A fascinating tale of fringe sci-fi with more surprises, trials, and heartache than any heroine should have to suffer; from the creator of Strangers in Paradise. Read a review at IGN.com.
Too Cool to be Forgotten by Alex Robinson from Top Shelf
A wish fulfillment story about a forty year old who gets hypnotized in order to quit smoking but finds himself back in his fifteen year old body reliving high school. Alex weaves in and out of the wonders and horrors of teenage existence without being maudlin and always being truthful. My favorite comic of the year. A review here on Comics Worth Reading.
Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi from Scholastic/Graphix
An imaginative all-ages tale that will grab you by the collar on page 4 and hold you to the very end. The art work is gorgeous. Suite 101 has a review.
The Barn Owl’s Wondrous Capers by Sarnath Banerjee from Penguin Global
Released in paperback in 2008, I discovered this book while in India recently. The story of a young man in search of his heritage, the author moves backward and forward in time, allowing echoes of his beloved city of Calcutta, from the 18th century to the present, lead his protagonist forward in a mystery inspired by the legend of The Wandering Jew. A review fom the Telegraph.
Hope you were able to get a chance to read some (or all) of these great comics over the past year. If not, what are you waiting for?
Hey Jeff, I have not read all of those, but Echo and Too Cool were are great. I will have to check out the others. I recently got a reprint of “Kill Your Boyfriend” that came out, and man, that I enjoyed greatly. Thanks and I am excited to see the next Rasl!
Comment by Will — December 15, 2008 @ 11:53 pm
Thanks for the shout out (as the kids say), Jeff!
Comment by Alex Robinson — December 16, 2008 @ 12:04 am
I saw The Amulet at the local book store at the mall. Very great tale indeed! Artwork is very original and gives me a bit of an inspiration as to how to draw in different styles.
Comment by Zavijah — December 16, 2008 @ 12:21 am
of the 6 you listed, have read the 2 and they are great. will try and check the other 4 you listed.
have a great holiday season!
can’t wait for you start on rasl issue 4.
Comment by ryan — December 16, 2008 @ 2:12 am
Amulet is indeed one of the best things i saw this year, i can’t wait for number two to hit the shelves.
You forgot to mention RASL though
Also really great things to hit the shelves last year: The Mice Templar (The Prophecy) -hardcover edition, FLIGHT 5 and the Jason anthology ‘Pocket Full of Rain’.
Goodies!
Comment by Steven — December 16, 2008 @ 5:14 am
[...] Best of 2008 Link: Jeff Smith, Wim [...]
Pingback by Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » Dec. 16, 2008: Not a number — December 16, 2008 @ 7:31 am
[...] B o n e v i l l e ยป My favorite comics of 2008 There were a lot of comics that I liked this year. Some of my favorites were classic reprints like Moomin from D&Q, or Popeye vol.3 from Fantagraphics, but of new material by a single writer/artist, here’s my top 6: . [...]
Pingback by Hot Picks of the Day: comics | The Style Log of Roddy Jones — December 16, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
Amulet was awesome.
I’m hoping the sequel comes out soon.
Comment by Marcus — December 16, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
[...] Smith’s Top Books For 2008 Jeff Smith has his top books for 2008 list posted here. It has two books I don’t think I’ve seen on anyone else’s lists. * Slow Storm, Danica Novgorodoff [...]
Pingback by ZEITGEIST / Jeff Smith’s Top Books For 2008 — December 16, 2008 @ 7:28 pm
Echo is one of my favorite comics right now, really amazing story, writing and artwork.
Madman has been pretty amazing this past year also.
Comment by Adam — December 16, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
Happy Christmas!!
Comment by xeno — December 19, 2008 @ 6:30 am
[...] Jeff Smith lists his favorites. [...]
Pingback by Reading Over Shoulders - Best of 2008 Edition — December 19, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
[...] Here’s Jeff (RASL) Smith’s Best Of 2008 list [...]
Pingback by The Water Cooler: Jeff Smith’s Best of 2008, First Image From The Surrogates Movie, and More | Indy Comics News - Independent Comic and Graphic Novel News — December 22, 2008 @ 12:37 am
I’m pretty sure I started reading Echo because it was previously mentioned on this blog? It’s great, definitely loving it so far. Amulet is fantastic, but waiting for book 2 has been torturous! Too Cool sounds cool, so I might have to check that one out!
Comment by Brandon Klassen — December 22, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Good job. Very happy celebrations and fantastic and a even more fuller of triumphs New Year. Merry Christmas
Comment by An — December 23, 2008 @ 11:53 am