DC Comics has maintained their status as comic book retailer and critic’s favorite son throughout 2018. Now approximately two years since the launch of DC Universe: Rebirth #1, the publisher has been hitting a *majority* of the right notes (though far from all given the damn countless number of comics credits that still bear the dark mark of Eddie Berganza). Likewise, the publisher’s major 2018 event, DC Metal, was one of the best superhero crossovers of the decade, setting the stage for a compelling Justice League lineup through the end of the year.
Recent moves suggest this PR glory boat may come to a fiery end by the time 2018 turns one. DC made the strange decision to raise prices nearly linewide to $3.99, while simultaneously removing digital codes from nearly all comics (“What we lack in talent, we make up for in ineptitude.”) Likewise, both DC’s “New Age of Heroes” and “Doomsday Clock” haven’t struck much of the desired cultural chord, and the publisher has absolutely *none* of the built-in movie hype that Marvel Comics *should* in theory reap the benefits of.
Still, there’s a lot to find exciting about DC’s back half, including their “Black Label” lineup that will include the likes of Frank Miller and John Romita Jr producing “Superman: Year One.” Mix in writer Tom King’s promised 100 issues on Batman, Brian Michael Bendis’ rebirth on Superman, and the promise of a Lex Luthor/Porky Pig one-shot, and it’s easy to get wildly excited.
Batman
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Published bi-weekly, Batman is defined by inconsistency. Late 2017 saw the title seemingly ascending to perfection with a run of “Batman Annual #2” and the “Superfriends” double date story arc in Batman #36 to #37. 2018 has seen writer Tom King and a rotating cast of fantastic artists including Joelle Jones, Clay Mann, and Tony Daniel, come back to earth – meaning this is simply *one* of the best DC Comics of the year, not the *absolute* best.
DC Metal
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On “Best Comics Ever,” Comic Book Herald’s all-new podcast, I made DC Metal my first deep dive topic, and concluded it’s the second best superhero event of the decade (just behind Marvel’s 2015 Secret Wars). Events and crossovers are *rarely* this engaging, and almost never this cohesive, yet New 52 Batman team Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo (with plenty of help from their friends) deliver a cosmic Justice League epic worthy of the “Crisis” adjacent status.
Deathstroke
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Quickly escalated from “interesting” to “must-read” status in year one, and shows no signs of slowing during the collective comics Christopher Priest appreciation resurgence.
Christopher Priest on Justice League
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The biggest downside to Christopher Priest’s time writing Justice League is that it only lasted 10 issues before the big linewide shakeup.
Superman
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There’s been so much hype about longtime Marvel writer Brian Michael Bendis’ move to DC’s Superman, that it’s easy to overlook what has been one of DC’s best comics since Rebirth began. Helmed primarily by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason (with plenty of additional creators), Superman taps into the family dynamics of Lois, Clark, and their son Jon better than just about any comic has this decade.
Super Sons
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Looking back, it makes perfect sense that Tomasi and Gleason, fresh off excellent work writing Damian Wayne for the New 52’s Batman and Robin, and actively telling new stories about Superson Jon Kent, would be able to create a delightful early adolescent team-up. Much their fathers, the sons of Batman and Superman play off each other’s persona’s for a great balance.
Detective Comics
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There are higher profile Bat-books, and there are Bat-books with bigger stakes, but few pack the emotional, intimate punch of James Tynion IV’s time writing Detective Comics.
Batman: White Knight
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Despite all the trappings of an overexplored trope trussed up with clever design (what if the Joker was, like, good?), Batman: White Knight delivers a compelling limited series.
Mister Miracle
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Every issue of Mister Miracle, a twelve issue limited series by Tom King and Mitch Gerads, is a reminder that 1) It’s the best comic book being published and 2) The New Gods are flipping exploding with boundless potential. Truly, from innovative layouts, to structural mystery, to grin-inducing family humor, Mister Miracle isn’t just the best DC Comic, it’s just the best comic.
TBH, I can count the number of DC superhero comic arcs I’ve enjoyed on three fingers. (All Star Superman, Blackest Night, Morrison’s Animal Man). It’s just never been my thing.
Mister Miracle sounds like it might become the fourth.
Mister Miracle definitely falls into that category of superhero comics that transcend the genre. I do wonder how much a familiarity with the New Gods matters. It definitely adds a lot to my experience, but maybe that’s less essential than my gut tells me.
B4 I get to my comment I’d like to say thank you for this website and keep up the great work brotha. I absolutely agree with all the praise you’ve given Kings Mister Miracle series these last couple of years. Other than Darkseid I had absolutely no familiarity with any of the New Gods whatsoever until I started reading Mister Miracle. Now its one of my all time favorites and I’ve read every Fourth World comic I can find and I cant wait for the New Gods movie to come out. Its THAT good.
I can’t wait for White Knight to come out in a trade. $4.99 is too pricey for me.
Yeah, it’ll be a good trade for sure. I read it all at once in issues, and that’s the way to go for me!
The trade collecting Batman White Knight is on sale digitally at Comixology for $4.99 right now as part of their end of the year sale