The 2007 Time Best Comics List

[Joe Rice]

Not a bad list (http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1686244_1692208,00.html) . . .Zombies has no place there, obviously, but they make a decent case for it. Pretty heavy on the mainstream/"big two" work but hard to fault most of their choices. Interesting that webcomics are really making their presence known. Apparently, there are two that aren't completely awful. I'll have to check it out.

Thoughts?

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Not a bad list (http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1686244_1692208,00.html) . . .Zombies has no place there, obviously, but they make a decent case for it. Pretty heavy on the mainstream/"big two" work but hard to fault most of their choices. Interesting that webcomics are really making their presence known. Apparently, there are two that aren't completely awful. I'll have to check it out.

Thoughts?

If I ever hit the lotto jackpot I am so gonna buy those Complete Peanuts that Fantographics is doing.

[thehod]

I'm not sure what their criteria is, but a collected Peanuts is a great collection, but can it classify for a "Best of 2007" seeing as its over 40 years old?

Are they judging the work, or the collection?

[Michael P]

How do I see past number 10?

Edit: Never mind, I see. Boy, that's counterintuitive.

[Valmore]

I'm not sure what their criteria is, but a collected Peanuts is a great collection, but can it classify for a "Best of 2007" seeing as its over 40 years old?

Are they judging the work, or the collection?

I believe they're going by what was released in the year 2007. Since there were a couple collected editions of Peanuts released in 2007, I guess that makes them eligible.

[Michael P]

My immediate thoughts:

It's very hard to take this guy seriously when he makes the common error of using "graphic novel" as a blanket term for all comics. I mean, I loves me some Complete Peanuts and All-Star Superman, but novels they ain't.

Erfworld is actually a rather lame webcomic compared to the site's other offering, Order of the Stick.

Achewood as number one? Really? I mean, it's funny, but hardly the best read I've had all year.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

My immediate thoughts:

It's very hard to take this guy seriously when he makes the common error of using "graphic novel" as a blanket term for all comics. I mean, I loves me some Complete Peanuts and All-Star Superman, but novels they ain't.

Erfworld is actually a rather lame webcomic compared to the site's other offering, Order of the Stick.

Achewood as number one? Really? I mean, it's funny, but hardly the best read I've had all year.

Don't forget... he has Marvel Zombies on the list. As much as I got a good decent laugh from it...I can't see that as one of the Top 10 GN's this year.

[Kid Omega]

It looks like a list very heavy with either a) links he was senst, or b) review copies he was sent.

This is not a guy with deep perusal time in the comic shop.

[Loren]

How do I see past number 10?

Edit: Never mind, I see. Boy, that's counterintuitive.

That's because the link was to the #10 entry. Try any of the other Top 10 lists on the site, and they start you off on the #1.

My immediate thoughts:

It's very hard to take this guy seriously when he makes the common error of using "graphic novel" as a blanket term for all comics. I mean, I loves me some Complete Peanuts and All-Star Superman, but novels they ain't.

And hasn't Marvel Zombies 2 only had two issues thus far?

[Agent Helix]

Achewood?

Seriously?

Jesus wept.

[Ed Cunard]

What happened to that other guy, the one everyone would complain about because they only had heard about one book on his list?

I liked that guy.

[Kid Omega]

What happened to that other guy, the one everyone would complain about because they only had heard about one book on his list?

I liked that guy.

Most of the "best of" lists I've seen so far haven't been all that great.

Everyone's listing "Exit Wounds", which I found incredibly underwhelming... go figure.

[Kid Omega]

Quick, off the top of my head, best of list... (no reprints included)

ALL STAR SUPERMAN VOL. I
SENTENCES: THE LIFE OF MF GRIMM
ROBOT DREAMS
SARDINE IN OUTER SPACE VOL. IV
I KILLED ADOLPH HITLER
THE AVIARY
SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. IV
SHORTCOMINGS
SHAZAM: THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL
THE SPIRIT VOL. I
HELLBOY VOL. VII: THE TROLL WITCH AND OTHER STORIES
LAIKA
RE-GIFTERS

Off the top of my head...

[thehod]

I'd add STRONTIUM DOG AGENCY FILES 1 to that list too.

[Ed Cunard]

SENTENCES: THE LIFE OF MF GRIMM


I've been dying to pick that up. If I don't order it online, I'll get it the next time I'm out your way, if you still have copies.

[Kid Omega]

I'd add STRONTIUM DOG AGENCY FILES 1 to that list too.

I am not counting reprints... If I did, they would be over half the list.

[Dreadstar]

I'm not sure I understand the use of the word "reprint" considering that some are collected previously printed single comics...

[Joe Rice]

I was just happy to see Sentences, All Star, and the Dossier. And I don't think the guy chose "Graphic Novels." That was just Time's designation.

[Kid Omega]

I was just happy to see Sentences, All Star, and the Dossier.

I'm not sure I would add BLACK DOSSIER to my list.

It was interesting as hell and smart and brilliant, but I'm not sure it adds up to a cohesive whole. It was kind of a mess in many ways.

[Kid Omega]

And I don't think the guy chose "Graphic Novels." That was just Time's designation.

I don't care what people call them. We know what they're referring to.

[Joe Rice]

I don't care what people call them. We know what they're referring to.

Exactly.

I can see your point about reviewer copies . . .it's very DC-heavy (even if I agree with a lot of their inclusions).

[Joe Rice]

I'm not sure I understand the use of the word "reprint" considering that some are collected previously printed single comics...

But they are the first printing of that collected edition.

[Merey]

The best of theatre list is atrocious!

They went with The Farnsworth Invention at #8, a play that was pretty universally panned, and neglected to even mentioned Stoppard's Rock 'n Roll, Company or even The Seafarers - a show I didn't especially love, but received a far better reception than Farnsworth.

As for the graphic novel list. There are a couple of titles I'm not familiar with, but the majority of them seem worth checking-out. Of everything on the list, I'd like to read Exit Wounds first.

[Tadhg]

But they are the first printing of that collected edition.

That doesn't really clear up the confusion though, the Strontium Dogs collection is a first printing of that collected edition but that's what KO expressly referred to when he said he wasn't counting reprints.

All in all, I don't really like the list. Not so much that I don't care for the choices, but that the choices don't even really foster much discussion outside of a "Really?"

[Kid Omega]

That doesn't really clear up the confusion though, the Strontium Dogs collection is a first printing of that collected edition but that's what KO expressly referred to when he said he wasn't counting reprints.


Yes, but those collected comics are thirty years old. And I'm pretty sure that they've been collected before.

[Ray R.]

It looks like a list very heavy with either a) links he was senst, or b) review copies he was sent.

This is not a guy with deep perusal time in the comic shop.

I got the same gist.

And weren't the Marvel Zombies and ASS published in 2006, let alone the Peanuts volume, which is just one in a series of multiple volumes.

I appreciate the mainstream attention given to comics and webcomics, but you appear to be right, Alex -- this looks like someone took an afternoon to page through links and review copies.

I'd be interested in hearing your (and Joe's and Michael's and other people's) top ten for 2007 instead. I'd like to focus my shopping and/or library picks.

EDIT: I see you have already provided a list. Thanks.

[Jade_GL]

I thought Super Spy was great. That I would feel pretty good about adding to any best of list for 2007.

I still have a lot of things to read though. I only just got my copy of Black Dossier so I obviously can't say that it's got my vote yet.

Just wanted to mention one that I think is pretty worthy of a nod in 2007. :D

[mrc1214]

Id like to see a CBR version of the best of 2007. I bet it would be one of the better lists out there.

[Sir Tim Drake]

What happened to that other guy, the one everyone would complain about because they only had heard about one book on his list?

I liked that guy.

Andrew Arnold is no longer writing that column, because he got bought out. He talks about it here (http://www.time.com/time/columnist/arnold/article/0,9565,1600432,00.html).

[Lance]

I KILLED ADOLPH HITLER

I Killed Adolf Hitler was fantastic. Not what I expected, but that's not a bad thing.

I thought Super Spy was great. That I would feel pretty good about adding to any best of list for 2007.

I still have a lot of things to read though. I only just got my copy of Black Dossier so I obviously can't say that it's got my vote yet.

Just wanted to mention one that I think is pretty worthy of a nod in 2007. :D

Good one. I loved that book.

The Goon: Chinatown and The Mystery of Mr. Wicker was well worth the wait.

[Ray R.]

The Goon: Chinatown and The Mystery of Mr. Wicker was well worth the wait.

Yes. Great call.

[Ed Cunard]

Andrew Arnold is no longer writing that column, because he got bought out. He talks about it here (http://www.time.com/time/columnist/arnold/article/0,9565,1600432,00.html).

That's the one. I kept wanting to call him Matthew Arnold, but knew that wasn't right.

[Sir Tim Drake]

That's the one. I kept wanting to call him Matthew Arnold, but knew that wasn't right.

Matthew Arnold (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Arnold#Literary_criticism) probably wouldn't have liked comics very much.

[Ed Cunard]

Matthew Arnold (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Arnold#Literary_criticism) probably wouldn't have liked comics very much.

Yeah. I knew you'd recognize the name.

[Davideaux]

Matthew Arnold (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Arnold#Literary_criticism) probably wouldn't have liked comics very much.

I don't know... this passage here sounds like the plot to Secret Wars.

And we are here as on a darkling plain
Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night

[Kid Omega]

I don't know... this passage here sounds like the plot to Secret Wars.

Or at least CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS.

[Ryan K]

Yeah, this list made me weep a couple days ago. Time usually has pretty decent Top Comics lists over the years. In addition to Kid Omega's excellent list I'll add

The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Alice in Sunderland by Bryan Talbot
The Living and the Dead by Jason
Mome
Madman #3
Chance in Hell by Gilbert Hernandez
My Dead Girlfriend by Eric Wight
Yotsuba& by Kiyohiko Azuma

And that doesn't include the fabulous reprints like

I Shall Destroy All the Civilized Planets by Fletcher Hanks
IDW's Terry and the Pirates
Fantagraphics Krazy Kat: The Kat Who Walked in Beauty
Walt & Skeezix V.3
Misery Loves Comedy by Ivan Brunetti
The wonderful new Love and Rockets collections
Popeye V. 2 (which I haven't read yet but I assume will be awesome)

[Paul McEnery]

Laika is lovely, yes.

And any list that doesn't include Alice in Sunderland has a stupid person writing it who should be forcefed potted shrimp until they see the error of their ways.

[Kid Omega]

Yeah, this list made me weep a couple days ago. Time usually has pretty decent Top Comics lists over the years. In addition to Kid Omega's excellent list I'll add

The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Alice in Sunderland by Bryan Talbot
The Living and the Dead by Jason
Mome
Madman #3
Chance in Hell by Gilbert Hernandez
My Dead Girlfriend by Eric Wight
Yotsuba& by Kiyohiko Azuma



Yes, maybe not for me, I thought that was 2006 but if not then yes, depends on the volume but yes, I loved it but maybe not a BEST OF contender, Oh my yes, cute but maybe not for me, and again cute but not for me.



And that doesn't include the fabulous reprints like

I Shall Destroy All the Civilized Planets by Fletcher Hanks
IDW's Terry and the Pirates
Fantagraphics Krazy Kat: The Kat Who Walked in Beauty
Walt & Skeezix V.3
Misery Loves Comedy by Ivan Brunetti
The wonderful new Love and Rockets collections
Popeye V. 2 (which I haven't read yet but I assume will be awesome)

All terrific, and all on my list of Best Reprints. Don't forget the WALT AND SKEEZIX COLOR SUNDAYS book, DRIFTING CLASSROOM, MOOMIN vol II, and the new DOGS AND WATER hardcover.

[Paul McEnery]

Wow. I just gave The Uncertainty Principle the once over in the shop.

And her agent must really give great head.

[Michael P]

I'd be interested in hearing your (and Joe's and Michael's and other people's) top ten for 2007 instead.

I'm not in any way qualified to give a Ten Best Comics list for this year. Or any year. I could tell you the ten best comics I read this year (and I may do that on the blog over the holiday), but there'd be a big ol' chunk of stuff left out.

[Ryan K]

Yes, maybe not for me, I thought that was 2006 but if not then yes, depends on the volume but yes, I loved it but maybe not a BEST OF contender, Oh my yes, cute but maybe not for me, and again cute but not for me.

Amazon shows The Living and the Dead was released in March of 2007. The inside of the book says December 2006. I know I got my copy around April.

Madman #3 and My Dead Girlfriend, I should probably classify those as personal favorites rather than Best Of material. But I thought they were both top notch books and there's a lot of new books I haven't read yet. They wouldn't make my Top 10 if I included reprints, but of new stuff I've read this year, they'd just miss my list. I thought My Dead Girlfriend was beautifully illustrated, and while a bit simple, slowly paced, and cliched, I thought it was great fun. There's not much I can say about Madman #3 that hasn't already been said, I'll just say it was easily one of the best single issue, mainstream comics I read this year. Neither are probably worthy of being on a objective Best of 2007 list, but I thought they were worthy of a mention as top notch stuff from they year.

Yotsuba& is brilliant in my opinion. I sample almost every new piece of manga that comes through our bookstore (not all by any means - plus we mostly just get Viz, Tokyopop, etc.), and its probably the best new translated manga I've seen in quite awhile (the publishers are really scrapping the barrel with 99% of the new stuff they put out now). By new I mean I'm not counting the Osamu Tezuka stuff - which by the way Apollo's Song and (though I've not yet read my copy) MW also probably deserve mention in this thread. Yotsuba& is just excellent cartooning. I strongly urge everyone to check it out (as well as Kiyohiko Azuma's also excellent Azumanga Daioh Omnibus, which while not as strong as Yotsuba& in my opinion, is an excellent value at $25). And while we're on the subject of manga, Death Note is another new translated manga from this year that is quite good. I've yet to read the volumes that were released this year, but if they were anywhere near as good as the first 6, they would deserve mention here.

All terrific, and all on my list of Best Reprints. Don't forget the WALT AND SKEEZIX COLOR SUNDAYS book, DRIFTING CLASSROOM, MOOMIN vol II, and the new DOGS AND WATER hardcover.

I haven't checked any of those out yet. Moomin 2 and Dogs and Water are on my short list of things to buy, the Gasoline Alley Sundays book is just too far out of my price range (though I enthusiastically look forward to the rumored chronological Sunday reprints). Drifting Classroom skipped over my radar, I'll have to look it up.

[Paul McEnery]

The Moomin book is great, btw.

But WHAT A GREAT FESTERING RIPOFF.

[Kid Omega]

Death Note is another new translated manga from this year that is quite good.

DEATH NOTE is frikkin' spectacular, and possibly the best translated modern manga of the past ten years.

DRIFTING CLASSROOM is my personal favorite though. It doesn't get much better for bizarro J-horror.

[Gary_B]

Quick, off the top of my head, best of list... (no reprints included)

ALL STAR SUPERMAN VOL. I
SENTENCES: THE LIFE OF MF GRIMM
ROBOT DREAMS
SARDINE IN OUTER SPACE VOL. IV
I KILLED ADOLPH HITLER
THE AVIARY
SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. IV
SHORTCOMINGS
SHAZAM: THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL
THE SPIRIT VOL. I
HELLBOY VOL. VII: THE TROLL WITCH AND OTHER STORIES
LAIKA
RE-GIFTERS

Off the top of my head...

I like this list more than the TIME list even though I haven't read most of the books on both lists. For the most part Marvel and DC don't print anything that interests me. Scott Pilgrim Vol. IV, Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil and Hellboy Vol. VII: The Troll Witch and Other Stories are on my list. I would add BPRD: The Universal Machine and Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 but I don't get out much.