10 Great Comics of 2014
I don’t know about you, but I stress out about writing ‘Best Of’ year-end lists. I mean, hundreds of comic books come out each year, how on earth can anyone legitimately say they’ve read and weighed all of them?
So instead, I present to you 10 comic books that I read this year that I thought were pretty great and 5 that I wish I had read (let’s rectify this for 2015!)
Webcomic Collections
1. Broodhollow: Curious Little Thing (Book 1)
- Artist/Writer: Kris Straub
- Publisher: chainsawsuit (self-published)
- Release Date: December 2013
- Buy online
If I hadn’t known better, there was no way I could have known from this book that it was a webcomic collection. A completely fluid storyline that flows seamlessly throughout, Broodhollow is a charming and frightening graphic novel. The 1930s animation styled art tells the story of a young, down-on-his luck, encyclopedia salesman with severe compulsive impulses who becomes the beneficiary of his late grand-uncle’s antique store in the mysterious town of Broodhollow. A cheerful, quirky small-town appears to have a widespread case of amnesia with murders, ghosts, and monstrous creatures appearing and disappearing as quickly as they happen.
And if you’re low on funds, the entire collection can also be read online for free!
2. Menage a 3: Volume 6
- Artist/Writer: Gisele Lagace
- Writer: Dave Zero
- Publisher: Pixie Trix (self-published)
- Release Date: November 2014
- Buy online
In its most basic terms, Menage a 3, or MA3 can be described as a grown-up, sexy, Canadian Archie. It should come as no surprise to anyone that artist Gisele Lagace has been tapped on occasion to contribute work to the new Archie series as well, as her curvy, adorable characters are a perfect match. MA3 is a long-running R-rated comedy webcomic that began by following the adventures of new roommates Zii, a promiscuous bisexual punk-rock singer, the naive and curvacious Quebecois DiDi, and the awkward man-child Gary. Through the series, not only has each character grown and evolved into characters with significant depth, but the cast has expanded greatly, with a variety of friends, relationships, and love affairs complicating each character’s life. At its core, the series remains a charming, well-written, funny and gorgeous piece of comic work that should be read and chuckled at. Like Broodhollow, feel free to read online first.
Anthologies
3. Smut Peddler 2014
- Artist/Writer: Various
- Publisher Iron Circus (self-published)
- Release Date: August 2014
- Buy online
Following on the heels of the first successful collection, editor Spike Trotman has pulled together the talents of many popular web and print comic artists and writers to build an exciting anthology of diverse sex stories (some in pseudonyms). The art and writing varies from story to story, and keep in mind these are not your traditional erotica! Aliens, risque partner-switching, high fantasy, this collection takes into consideration not only a wide array of genres but of sex, gender, and body variations. A must-read if you’re interested in diverse storytelling.
4. Through the Woods
- Artist/Writer: Emily Carroll
- Release Date:
- Publisher: Simon and Schuster
- Release Date: July 2014
- Buy Online
Emily Carroll first came into prominence with the short webcomics she released online that took into consideration different ways to play with the digital medium. Spooky, eerie, and gorgeous, this book features one story from her online collection and an assortment of new tales. Think of it as a more gorgeous and glossy version of “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”.
Graphic Novels
5. The People Inside
- Artist/Writer: Ray Fawkes
- Release Date: August 2014
- Publisher: Oni Press
- Buy Online
The People Inside is a clever, intimate look at the romantic and sexual relationships of 17 different people, some of whose paths connect, many who don’t. The stories start from the birth of each person and range from happiness in being alone, despair in breakups, abusive relationships, and quiet moments of happiness. Each panel tells the story of a different individual that progresses over time to the moment of their death. A very moving collection of stories that you’re bound to connect with.
6. Bitter Sweets
- Artist: Zack Sterling
- Writer: Kate Leth
- Release Date: November 2014
- Publisher: KaBOOM!
- Buy Online
As a fan of Adventure Time, I read this comic at Hal-con, and I was happy to find myself chuckling throughout. A great read that perfectly matches the tone of the show. Bitter Sweets follows Princess Bubblegum in her search for new energy sources, only to find out that not all the citizens of her kingdom are acting in the best interest of the realm. The scene stealer in this book though, is Peppermint Butler whose suppressed malevolence and glee in destruction bubbles up to the surface at the most inopportune times.
7. This One Summer
- Artist/Writer: Jillian Tamaki
- Writer: Mariko Tamaki
- Release Date: April 2014
- Publisher: House of Anansi
- Buy Online
The perfect book for the teenager in your life. A Judy Blume-esque story of two young girls who are starting to realize the world they live in isn’t exactly what it seems. The darker stories behind the townspeople in the small cottage area they visit each summer begins to emerge. As the girls deal with crushes, their own different personalities, and family complications, the world they live in is quietly unfolded. A lovely, sad read.
Trade Collections
8. Sheltered volume 1
- Artist: Johnnie Christmas
- Writer: Ed Brisson
- Release Date: December 2013 (IT’S CLOSE ENOUGH, GUYS)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Buy Online
Sheltered is the only story I have ever seen that takes place in a pre-apocalyptic world. Set in a town where the residents have been preparing for years to weather an Armageddon, Sheltered imagines what would happen if the children suddenly decided that the apocalypse was happening years too early. A brutal, fast-paced action story, Sheltered was a surprising joy for me to read. You quickly become invested in the cast and crew of the little town, and throughout are left with the disquieting feeling of actually wanting the apocalypse to happen – just so the sacrifices made won’t be in vain. A mix of Twilight Zone, Walking Dead, and Lord of the Flies, you should definitely check out Sheltered if you are into non-gore porn horror.
9. Pretty Deadly volume 1
- Artist: Emma Rios
- Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
- Release Date: May 2014
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Buy Online
Female-centric sci-fi western noir. Pretty Deadly is a gorgeous, lush story of redemption and revenge. Following the story of an extended family of supernaturals linked by marriage, children, and adoption, this volume changed my mind on the western genre.
10. The Wicked + The Divine: The Faust Act
- Artist: Jamie McKelvie
- Writer: Kieron Gillen
- Release Date: November 2014
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Buy Online
What if the gods returned – as pop stars? A simple premise, but the beautiful and glamorous gods are hiding secrets. And as the murder counts of their own kind begin to mount, it’s up to the ultimate god fan-girl to figure out what’s going on. This book creates a stable of gods taken from different cultures, updating them as callous, cold, and self-centered celebrities. It’s a lovely, compelling book.
5 Books I wish I Read in 2014
These 5 books were widely talked about and much loved by friends, and I hope to read them in 2015!
Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream – anthology by various
Hip Hop Family Tree vol. 2 by Ed Piskor
