5 Must-Read Comics in 2014

The fantastic thing about comics is if you’re bored or irritated at the current slate of stories-just wait a month and it will change. Nothing is permanent, everything changes, and there is always new talent and new comics to look forward to. I expect that 2014 will bring new favourite titles that will come completely out of left field, and I eagerly anticipate the fresh talent that will be showcased over the next 12 months. In the meantime, these are a few of the comics that I am looking forward to grab opening day. Share your own picks in the comments!

Ms. Marvel
Anticipated Release Date: February 5, 2014
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Art: Adrian Alphona
Story: G. Willow Wilson

With art by local Toronto artist Adrian Alphona, this new series appears to be a refreshing new take on an iconic superheroine. The series focuses on Jersey City teenager and Captain Marvel fangirl Kamala Khan, who discovers one day that she has shape-changing powers. In addition to being a teenager and a superheroine, Kamala also has to contend with her conservative Muslim family.

I’m loving the look of the artwork that’s been shared so far, and the editors seem to have a real passion for showcasing this character and exploring her identity. I adore classic superhero comics where the day-to-day life of the hero is as much the focus as fighting baddies, so I’m really looking forward to this one.

Miracleman Reprint
Anticipated Release Date: January 15, 2014
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Art: Gary Leach
Story: Alan Moore

Have you ever read that comic that just has you on the edge of your seat the entire way through? Miracleman was that comic for me, a dark epic before either of those words became synonyms for dull, exposition-heavy clunkers. Miracleman was created in 1982 as ‘Marvelman’ by Alan Moore, a reboot of a generic 1950s UK Captain Marvel knock-off. This was later taken over and reinvented by Neil Gaiman. The storylines were intensely absorbing and based on the simple premise of superhuman beings using their powers to the fullest, and showcasing the impact, terrible and fantastic, to the world as a result. And then, just after the ultimate cliffhanger issue, Miracleman was confined to limbo as a result of the publisher’s bankruptcy.

Since 1994 the comic books rights have been disputed and fought over by multiple publishers, but at last in 2013 Marvel Comics announced that they acquired the rights and would be reprinting the original 1980s series. Sadly, we still won’t get to read Gaiman’s final conclusion to that cliffhanger until likely 2016, but at least we can relive the original series.

Silver Surfer
Anticipated Release Date: March 2014
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Art: Mike Allred
Story: Dan Slott

I confess, this is a strange pick for me. Out of all the Marvel comic book lines, I’ve always been the least fond of the interstellar stories. Silver Surfer has always intrigued me, but in a ‘I wonder if anyone can make me like this guy’ way. I could never understand how a cosmic powered being who rides a surfboard could be so stuffy and melancholy.

Well, all that is about to change. With Dan Slott at the helm, previously best known as the man who reinvented Spider-man by killing Peter Parker and placing Doctor Octopus in his body, anything is possible. And with art by Allred, who I adored from the first time I picked up his X-Statix series in the early ’00s, I think this series has the potential to actually do the impossible – make the Silver Surfer fun. In this incarnation, the Silver Surfer finds a young Earth woman to travel with, who reignites his love for the universe by seeing it through fresh eyes. Hmm…I wonder if the Surfer will start wearing a bowtie?

Justice League of Canada
Anticipated Release Date: April 2014
Publisher: DC Comics
Art: Mike McKone
Story: Jeff Lemire

Jeff Lemire. Superstar DC comic book artist and writer. Indie comic golden boy. Recently named one of Toronto’s Top to Watch. All around good guy.

Following on the heels of Jeff’s successful run on titles including Animal Man and Superboy, Jeff decided to take the safe route next: uproot DC’s roster of A-name superheroes and move them up north near a small Ontario reserve. In the process, he will be creating a new character based on Cree activist Shannen Koostachin.

With such an insultingly low volume of complex, non-stereotyped aboriginal characters in mainstream media, I am incredibly proud of Jeff for taking a risky move like this, and I am truly hoping that this comic will sell well and lead to positive changes across more publishers.

Captain Canuck
Anticipated Release Date: 2014
Publisher: Comely Comix
Art: Kalman Andrasofszky
Story: Kalman Andrasofszky

Richard Comely’s Captain Canuck will receive a brand new interpretation next year, under the helm of Toronto artist Kalman Andrasofszky, who previously designed the new look for the Captain Canuck webseries. This new comic series will follow the adventures of Captain Canuck as he fights to protect Canada from forces that seek to destroy it. Kalman recently teased some art, showing the new Captain on board a military helicopter, which makes me hope that the new Captain will be expanding his reach past our borders, exploring our relationship with international territories.

I always love when local talent produces comic books, and even more so when the comic is such an important part of our comic book history like the Captain.

2014 is shaping up to be an amazing year for comic books. I am particularly proud of the volume of Canadian talent in local and mainstream comics that will be showcased in high-profile comics next year, and I hope that you’ll join me in supporting the artists and creators that make this such a wonderful medium.