While historically ‘best of’ lists are best suited at year’s end, the reality is that waiting until then actually leaves some doubt throughout the year itself what is considered great as it’s happening. With that in mind, throughout 2021, I’ll be regularly updating Comic Book Herald’s best comics of 2021 guide, so that the work can function as a check-in for your next series to read, and by year’s end, a summary of everything we recommend.
Featured
‘Tis the Season to be Harley (Quinn) in the Batman Adventures Christmas Specials
If you’ve watched, read, or listened to pretty much any media featuring Batman in which a holiday is even mentioned, it’s likely that you’ve heard his tragic origin story. If not, here’s a quick recap: his very rich parents were killed in a dark alleyway they had no business being in after an opera, play, or movie. After that, every holiday was ruined. Every single one. Yes, including St. Patrick’s Day. Forever.
Oh, to be an orphan on Christmas! As you know, this tragedy messed the young Bruce Wayne up in all kinds of ways, and to this day, he’s still out here, dressing like a bat just in case someone does a crime. It might not come as a great surprise that Batman is a real Scrooge when it comes to celebrating the winter solstice, but to be fair, a lot of people try to kill him in highly inventive holiday-themed ways on a fairly regular basis. Somewhat paradoxically, despite Batman being a real bummer during this time of year, Batman Christmas Specials are a delight across all mediums. That goes double for most of the myriad Batman Adventures
Covering The Batman & Robin Adventures #3, The Batman Adventures Holiday Special #1, Batgirl Adventures #1, and Batman: The Adventures Continue #15-17 [Read more…] about ‘Tis the Season to be Harley (Quinn) in the Batman Adventures Christmas Specials
Daredevil & TMNT: The Parody Comic That Ruled The World | Darecember #3
There’s a lurking evil waiting to consume New York City and the only ones that can save the day have been training their entire lives, ever since they were changed by a radiation accident, ever since they became masters of the ninja arts. They are … The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
If an 80s-born comic about gritty superheroes fighting waves of deadly ninja assassins sounds more Daredevil than TMNT to you, well, that’s because it is. [Read more…] about Daredevil & TMNT: The Parody Comic That Ruled The World | Darecember #3
KLAUS by Morrison and Mora | Beautiful, Unstoppable Ideas
Once upon a time. And a place. There was a man. These days everyone knows his name, but few could tell you who he really is…or how he got started. This is the greatest untold story of them all.
To many, superhero comics are a medium of pure inspiration: stories built on the hope to grow beyond a darker, more cynical world, and in turn, leave that world better than when we found it. But what happens when we follow that hope as it grows over the years? How does a myth continue to grow, endure, and inspire? [Read more…] about KLAUS by Morrison and Mora | Beautiful, Unstoppable Ideas
Creannotators #72: “Barbaric” with writer Michael Moreci!
This week on Creannotators, I talk Barbaric
On Comic Book Herald’s ‘Creannotators’ I’ll be interviewing some of my favorite creators in comics about specific runs, graphic novels or series, looking for their insights on the inspirations behind the work and ideas or hidden material readers may have missed. Creannotators is an audio annotative guide to enjoying the intricacies and thinking in the art. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the comics!
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[Read more…] about Creannotators #72: “Barbaric” with writer Michael Moreci!