Writers, artists, heroes, villains…it’s all these things and more working in harmony that creates the symphony of comic books: that perfect single issue. It can be the culmination of a great storyline, a stand alone focus on a character that needed the fleshing out or just a particularly good issue in a really good series. We honor all those and more in today’s edition of Best of 2003.
As always, thanks to ComiX-Fan for use of the top ten format they originated.
#10: Fantastic Four #500 (by Mark Waid & Mike Wieringo)
I was so excited by the Unthinkable story arc that I was reading this issue to my girlfriend while we were driving home from the comic shop. All the hype and build-up ended up paying off terrifically as this was just an amazing comic. Along with a great guest appearance by Dr. Strange, we just got to see Doom at his ultimate evil and Reed Richards fighting to accept his own limitations. This all leads into a shocking ending that should have lasting ramifications for a long time.
By Mike Maillaro,411 reviewer
#9: Formerly Known As The Justice League #6 (by Keith Giffen J.M. DeMatteis & Kevin Maguire)
By the time Formerly Known As The Justice League was reaching its conclusion, there was little doubt in the mind of most comic book fans that Giffen & DeMatteis had crafted one of the wittiest, most entertaining works of the year. After solicitations for #6 were released, however, there was some doubt over whether or not the dynamic duo could handle the “real†JLA without making it a complete farce. After all, it was a guest shot everybody wanted to see, but these guys, even when they were the main Justice League writers, could only handle also rans like Booster Gold and Fire, right? Surely they’d flop with the big guns, yeah?
In three words: bwa ha ha.
By the time the collective comic world had put down the issue, they were practically begging for Giffen & DeMatteis on Batman. Almost twenty years is a long time and apparently a lot of folks forgot that these two can write a darkly witty Batman who still acts like the urban legend we all know and love, and a darn fine Martian Manhunter too; ditto Flash, Wonder Woman and Plastic Man. Giffen & DeMatteis didn’t make these characters jokes, they just made them enjoyable. They made you care about them
And that was, in the end, what FKAJL was all about. You care about Booster and Beetle. You care about Ralph and Sue. You care about Max. You even care about G’Nort. These are funny, charming characters, but they are also real. They are not icons, they’re those kids you knew in high school, but somehow they got super powers (or a pet robot).
Throw in the artistic stylings of Kevin Maguire, the man who never met an emotion he couldn’t draw, and you’ve got millions of fans screaming “we have to wait four months for the next one?!â€
By Ben Morse, writer of The Watchtower, co-Editor-In-Chief of 411Comics
#8: Batman #619 (by Jeph Loeb & Jim Lee)
“Hush†was one of the most popular storylines of all-time. Fan favorites Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee miraculously upped the creative ante month after month. Old villains made the Bat’s life miserable, a mysterious new villain plotted, not to mention that Catwoman and Batman finally solved some of their ages-old sexual tension. This monstrous storyline had to end, but the question on everyone’s mind was: Would it all be worth it?
While most people seemed to know who the mysterious Hush was a long time before the storyline drew to a close, more than a few were surprised by just who was pulling the strings all along. Loeb and Lee set the bar quite high for Batman and really all comics with this storyline. That and the fact that they enlivened a cool character that been “lame†for far too long. Batman #619 was the culmination of a fantastic year of storytelling, and it successfully pulled all the threads together for an exciting climax.
By Chris Dellacoino 411 reviewer
#7: The Flash #200 (by Geoff Johns & Scott Kolins)
It’s the showdown between Flash and Zoom. Wally battles a guy who’s even faster than he is. This guy also happens to be a former compatriot, and the guy responsible for Wally’s wife losing their twins. In the end Wally leans that “winning†isn’t everything. But a couple of guys named Barry and Hal stop buy to give him some advice and grant a wish, respectively. Johns and Kolins had been building to this issue for a while, and it was worth every second spent waiting.
By Mathan Erhardt, writer of Who’s Who In The DCU
#6: Negation #21 (by Tony Bedard & Paul Pelletier)
Just about every issue of Negation could be counted here, but #21 really stood out in my mind. Matua was never a major character in Negation, but his death had a huge impact, mostly because of how great this issue was. We are presented with his backstory, as the rest of the team is fighting for their lives against the Negation forces. I actually teared up at the end of this issue. Anyone who reads this issue would have no choice but to be a Negation fan.
By Mike Maillaro,411 reviewer
#5: Death: At Death’s Door Manga (by Jill Thompson)
Jill Thompson writes, pencils, inks, colors and letters a digest-sized b&w 200-page Death story.
The story takes place during my favorite Sandman storyline, ‘Season of Mists’. Lucifer resigns from his position as ruler of Hell and gives the keys of the underground to Morpheus. While the Sandman storyline focused on Morpheus and the feast he held for the Deities competing for the Underground land deeds, this Manga trade asks a simple question: What was Death, Morpheus’ friendly and loveable Goth sister, doing throughout this whole fracas? Why, she was holding a house party for all the dead guys who had flocked to her apartment after being evicted from Hell, of course! Death’s sisters, Delirium and Despair were also at hand to help out. During the course of the party, all three dress up as Sailor-Moon fighters to gather up lost souls, a certain deceased morbid poet develops a rush on Despair, and Delirium perfects her Green Mouse and Telephone Ice Cream flavor.
‘Death: Manga’, as it has been unofficially dubbed by fans and critics, is fun distilled into comics form. Jill Thompson has adapted to manga sensibilities flawlessly, meshing her rich detailed style with the amusing facial expressions and uninhibited storytelling techniques of Japanese comics. Although heavily based on an existing story, Jill covers enough of the established story inside here, so that readers unaware of the connection, won’t even notice that this is a spin-off.
There’s, finally, one more reason why this story stands out as one of the top 5 of this year. It marks the first time one of the major publishers ‘dared’ venture into the manga market. And it was such a soaring success that it has opened the eyes of more top publishers (waves at Joe Q) to pursue new format possibilities for their books.
By Manolis Vamvounis, writer of Leave Your Spandex at the Door
#4: Catwoman #16 (by Ed Brubaker & Cameron Stewart)
After re-reading the entire “Relentless” story arc, I’m still amazed at the power in it. Brubaker spent a year re-building Selina’s life, getting her to a point where she was becoming comfortable with her role both in and out of costume. Then, Brubaker has the Black Mask tear it all down. In this issue, she fights back in pure rage, fighting for her friends and family that the Black Mask tries to take from her. And, in the end, though she wins the fight, the consequences are so devastating for her and the entire supporting cast that they still struggle to get over it. This issue wraps up one of the best superhero storylines in recent memory, and continues the grand tradition of the excellence of Catwoman. Brubaker delivers an action story that is intelligent, compelling, and full of believable characters who you’re genuinely interested in and worried about. Cameron Stewart proves he is a jack-of-all-trades, as he sublimely handles every facial expression, every action scene, every conversation with a minimalist perfection and dynamic aplomb. This is truly superhero comics at their finest.
By Kevin Rapp,411 reviewer
#3: Fantastic Four #67 (by Mark Waid & Mike Wieringo)
A look inside the mind of Victor Von Doom unlike any other, this issue had everyone feeling sympathy for the bad Doctor as he searched for Valeria, the love of his life amongst the psychic carnie folk of a Southern small town. Upon finding her, Doom apologizes for his past mistreatment of her and admits to his mistake in leaving her to go to college and become a man of science. She says that she cannot stand what he has become and that she cannot bear to look at him. He tests this, removing his mask and standing before her to pledge his eternal love and promise that if she will take him back he will never use science again and that everything will be different.
This is true, for as she takes him back her body begins to melt and Doom explains that he made a deal with some demons that would give him the power to become Sorcerer Supreme in exchange for something precious that he could never replace; in short, her. At the end, clad in a leather armor made from her skin, Doom swears that he shall finally get his revenge upon Reed Richards. Inspiring sympathy and flowing horror, this book showed perfectly why Doctor Doom is both one of the most tragic figures in the comic world and also one of the most evil.
By Matt Morrison, writer of Looking To The Stars, 411 reviewer
#2: Superman/Batman #1 (by Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuiness)
The runner-up of 411’s “Best Writer of 2003” Jeph Loeb also holds the same spot on 411’s “Best Single Issue of 2003”. The second best single issue of 2003, according to our crack staff at 411Comics, is Superman/Batman #1. Putting continuity and other insider or fanboy concerns aside, and if we just use “fun” as the measure of a great comic book, this issue certainly deserves its top spot on our list.
It’s a cool concept that readers have waited some time to see again – a book anchored by the comics industry’s two top trailblazers: Superman and Batman. What makes this one the, um, World’s Finest for the new millennium is Loeb’s writing style and the frenetic energy of Ed McGuiness’ pencils.
Readers experience panel by panel comparisons of how the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight think about themselves and the circumstances they face. The issue opens with a retelling of their origins using this approach to the Supeman/Batman relationship.
Superman’s earliest memory is traveling to Earth from Kryton.
Batman’s earliest memory is the murder of his parents.
Superman at the core realizes that he’s a hero and inspiration to many. He’s lived a good life.
On the other end of the spectrum, Batman knows that he’s a frightening urban myth. Its a life he would wish on no one.
Using this refreshing storytelling approach, readers find Superman traveling to Gotham City on the trail of John Corben, the kryptonite-powered super-villain Metallo. As it turns out, later in this new series, in this post-Birthright realigned DC Universe, John Corben is revealed as the killer of Batman’s parents. So, Metallo now becomes a real player and a foil to both Superman and Batman.
This issue also has two great cliffhanger endings. The first has Superman shot with a Kryptonite bullet by Metallo, and falling into an open grave. Batman hovers over him and must conduct meatball surgery to save his friend. Batman is close to success, but is buried alive with Superman by Metallo. Wow. I couldn’t wait for the second issue to ship!
The second cliffhanger focused on President Luthor and a huge chunk of Kryptonite, the size of Brazil, heading towards Earth and devestating results. Its a plot device that allows Luthor to make Superman public enemy #1 in the first arc – why else would this hunk of Superman’s home planet be hurling towards Earth, Luthor mischievously postulates. This also leads directly lead into this series’ next arc pencilled by uber-hot artist Mike Turner.
Superman/Batman #1 is a fun and exciting read. Period. Great storytelling by writer and artist. It should be – this is a book about Superman and Batman! That’s just too cool!
By John Babos, writer & editor of Near Mint Memories, 411 reviewer
#1: The Flash #197 (by Geoff Johns & Scott Kolins)
Its not surprising that 411’s “Best Writer of 2003” Geoff Johns would have his work also take top spot in 411’s “Best Single Issue of 2003”. There have been many solid Johns’ outings in 2003, but its fitting that the character that first got readers to pay attention to his creativity is the one that’s in the spotlight in this category – the fastest man alive, Wally West, the Flash.
Speeding to its 200th issue, Johns’ kicked off the Flash anniversary march with Flash #197 in a story called Rogue Profile: Zoom. It was the first chapter in his Blitz arc that would see the status quo of the scarlet speedster dramatically change. What makes this issue special is Johns’ knack for taking creative risks that payoff. This was an issue solely focusing on the origin of Flash’s opposite number – Zoom – a new Rogue assuming the mantle of the Reverse-Flash.
Flash #197 tells the tale of crippled Flash supporting cast member and the Keystone City Police’s Rogues Profiler Hunter Zolomon. As is Johns’ way, readers are quickly filled in on what has happened prior to this issue – Zolomon was crippled by the genius gorilla Grodd, and had tried to use Flash’s time-bending Cosmic Treadmill, against Wally’s advice, to travel back in time to change his fate. His efforts lead to disastrous results – an explosion leaving a giant crater in the middle of the city. Zolomon survives, but how?
The issue jumps between Zolomon’s recovery in hospital and flashbacks to the most formative moments in his life. His father was a serial killer who murdered his mother and was killed by police. Zolomon would wonder what his father’s grisly motivations were, and would channel this zeal for understanding into his university studies and his subsequent F.B.I. metahuman criminal psychology training. One of his case studies focused on Eobard Thawne, the Reverse-Flash, Professor Zoom – his life and death at the hands of the previous Flash, Barry Allen. When he emerged as an F.B.I. agent he teamed with his wife and her father. They persued a metahuman villain who Zolomon profiled incorrectly, leading to the death of his father-in-law, a shattered knee, and a subsequent divorce. Misery heaped on tragedy.
Readers were brilliantly distracted by these flashbacks and didn’t realize that glass of water that Zolomon spilled early in the issue in his hospital bed was…. floating? Zolomon realizes that he can also move his legs and that time is frozen for everyone in the hospital except for himself. Time had stopped, literally. The Cosmic Treadmill explosion had somehow gifted Zolomon with time-based super-speed – as opposed the Flash’s speed force powers. Zolomon completes his descent into madness, assumes the mantle of Zoom, and begins a quest to make the Flash a better hero… with dire consquences at the end of the Blitz arc in the pages of Flash #200.
What makes this non-hero tale in Flash #197 engaging stems squarely from Johns’ knack for creating interesting characters and Scott Kolins’ brilliantly emotional and expressive pencils. Johns’ has an ability to make the motivations of his characters, whether hero, villain, or supporting cast, believeable and fallibly human. Kolins masterfully illustrates these conflicted souls.
Time has shown that the most successful titles in comics are the ones where the hero has a convincing foil. Those books are the ones where readers believe that the hero could lose. Its from this tension that the creators have us hooked and tuning in month after month. Blitz was such an arc, and Flash #197 was the defining tragic-villain piece that kicked it off.
By John Babos, writer & editor of Near Mint Memories, 411 reviewer
