Thank you very much for your videos. I am a 58 year old Doctor from México and I have been reading comics since I was 3 years old. Every wednesday is like Christmas. People like you remind me why I love reading comics. I know life can be hard. But your videos always make me feel better. Keep up the good work. Be happy. Have a nice day and a great day.
The reason, I keep coming back to this channel (besides the very obviously good historical and contextual knowledge you have in discussing comics and your complete uniqueness in a space fraught with man-children whining about not being the only audience comics appeal to anymore) is because despite my general avoidance and dislike of cape comics and Marvel/DC in general, we had the same number 1 comic of the year and I continuously find new comics to read through you or find you loving and respecting a lot of the comics I often have on my list. There is a genuineness to you that is hard to find in this space, an openness and love of comics that I honestly wish more people would follow. It is not a slavish devotion to tradition or staunch idolization of unchanging childhood tastes, but an evolution of the artform of comics and acceptance of so much potential of what this artform can be and is for so many people. Honestly, I even watch videos on subjects I don't much care for just because hearing you talk about them can be so interesting.
Comics, even superhero comics, have always had a subversive, often progressive bent to them, and it’s been really strange to watch a bunch of emotionally stunted Internet personalities ignore that and pretend that it’s some kind of new, unprecedented change. Nostalgia has blinded them to the truth.
Thank you, Chris. To be honest, I'm someone who briefly worked in comics thirty years ago (not as a creator, nobody famous) who lost his passion for the medium. You manage to breathe a little life into the cold, dead embers of my comic book heart.
I really liked Walt Simonson’s era of Fantastic Four but then I’m an 80s Baby Chris and that was my Jam - also his Eric Masterson Thor run was one of my 90s favourites
What I've enjoyed the most about Transformers is the artwork, each drawing is imbued with so much kinetic energy, and there's a balance between selective visual detail, morphing of character proportion and models, and implied motion which really brings the action to life.
Ryan North, for a guy who got his start writing webcomics about dinosaurs where the art never changes, is really proving himself to be one of my favorite mainstream writers of the last decade. First squirrel girl, now fantastic four. That’s not even touching his slaughterhouse five graphic novel, which is one of my favorite GN adaptations
Chris, you should do a full video breakdown of Monica later in the future, and go full in-depth with all the details and story beats and artwork in the story.
I can't believe it took me this long to notice that the opening animation for Comic Tropes was done by none other than Harry Partridge! He does some great work and his cameo as Mip on Smiling Friends is one of the best things I've ever seen.
Happy New Year to all my fellow Tropes! Hopefully we see enough changes in the comics industry to save American comics. Because as bad as things have gotten, I don't want to see the medium die or the people who really care lose heart...
So excited to hear you talk about Local Man! I happened across it at the bookstore, started flipping through it and ended up reading a full third of the first volume right there in the store
Just picked up Where The Body Was and Monica last week. Haven't read them yet but seeing both on your best of list has assured me I made a wise purchase!
First of all, THANK YOU for this video, and for all the other Comic Tropes videos over the past year. You're both an inspiration and a delight. Secondly, that's an interesting list. I haven't read anything by Daniel Clowes, but you make "Monica" sound very interesting. It's wonderful that people like Clowes (and Brukbaker and Phillips) are still free to explore the potential of sequential art, making stories that are personal to them and not something intended to appeal to a niche market somewhere. That's real art, in the classic sense of the term. It's also interesting that "Monica" is a hardcover, and only a hardcover. From your description it sounds like it could never be reproduced in digital form without losing an essential part of the storytelling. A very intriguing choice by Mr. Clowes.
As someone who doesn't have much experience with comic books, I thought the recent Watership Down graphic novel was a great adaptation of my favorite story, and it makes me consider reading more of them.
Glad to see F.F. getting some Props. This is what the First Family is supposed to be about, Love for each other, then Science and Exploration. I love that Dr. Sue Storm is going to work with Johnny to expand on his powers. This has always been the problem with Johnny's powers, it's either flame balls or he goes super nova and kills everybody.
Great list Chris. I definitely plan on reading DWJ Transformers and FF. Favs of 2023 in no particular order were world’s finest, where the body was, Superman and action comics, Hulk, Daredevil, dceased war of undead gods
Great list man and as for me here’s my list of my top 10 best comics of 2023 10. / Superman world finest by mark waid 9. The Incredible Hulk by PKJ 8. Transformers by Daniel Warren Johnson 7. Shazam! By mark waid 6. Green lantern by Jeremy adams 5. Jay Garrick flash by Jeremy adams 4. Superman by Joshua Williamson 3. Dceased war of the undead gods 2. Action comics by PKJ and Dan jurgans 1. The flash by Jeremy Adams.
Chris, you very succinctly and astutely describe the themes of Daniel Clowes, who I always connect with while feeling challenged and uncomfortable. Great list! My bank account thanks you😉
im super late to this, i know, but if i would recommend a book. it would be a manga and it's Chainsaw Man. i'd LOVE to see your takes on Chainsaw Man, as it not only deconstructs tropes of the shonen manga genre but it also references situations from western superhero books and movies and i think you'd find that very interesting. there's even a straight up Raimi Spider-Man reference in the beginning of Part 2 and it's an amazing moment.
I really respect Tatsuki Fujimoto. Great artist. I prefer his one shots over Chainsaw Man like Look Back and Goodbye, Eri. Chainsaw Man is interesting but a little bleak.
@@ComicTropes Look Back and Goodbye, Eri are amazing. and im so happy to see you responded! Chainsaw Man can be a little bleak because it discusses topics like manipulation of minors or grooming or SA but i think it is ultimately trying to tell a story of a teenager being dehumanized for simply wanting to live peacefully by abusive authorities in his life and i think it would be worth discussing. and like your Donny Cates video, Fujimoto is a millennial and he depicts millennial struggles and writes millennial characters so i think an exploration of that as how you did with Donny Cates' writing would be interesting as the story is set in the late 90s and focused on millennial youth.
The best comics were FF, all of the X-Men line, Gods, The Seasons Have Teeth, Vivian's Ghost 3 and What Happens Next (the last two only if webcomics are allowed). I didnt read much indie stuff this year.
Happy new year! Thanks for the great tips, i will definetely check some of them out! One thing i find fascinating is the way you interpreted Orwell's "Animal farm" as a cautionary tale against the dangers of communism, which is correct, but Orwell by all accounts intended it as a satire of all dictatorial regimes. Every nation has seen it as a warning against the regime they find more abhorrent, which is the beauty and irony of that masterpiece.
A good list for the year, as always. I know they didn't come out this year, but the best comics I read were Cruel Summer and Reckless by Brubaker and Phillips.
Excellent list and an excellent year for both your channels. Keep up the great work (including all those corrections in the video. Funny and honest!) Your list usually has a few titles I've read and this year is no exception ( Miracleman, Transformers and Local Man). But I don't know if they would all make my personal top 10, which isn't a thing anyway. Books I enjoyed that didn't get mentioned: Traveling to Mars, Kaya, Maple Terrace, Stranger Things meets TMNT, Dwellings, Peepee PooPoo, Arcade Kings, Spine-Tingling Spider-Man, Danger Street, Xcellent. If anyone is complaining about a lack of quality comics today, DISREGARD THEM. They're self exposed posers who probably can't read.
Thank you for the recommendations, you turned me onto Barry Windsor-Smith's 'Monsters' a couple years ago so I hold your opinion in high regard. I really haven't done much this year besides Tom King and James Tynion (and a revisit to Punisher MAX) so I can't wait to check some of these out. Thanks again.
2023 is the year I finally finished Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol run and I loved every page, for stuff from this year DWJ has absolutely rocked Transformers and the rebooted GI Joe has been an absolute treat
The writing has been decent - but the art is atrocious across the board, and Void Rivals (the original property in the Energon universe) is one of the most derivative and boilerplate things I have ever read. I am giving things another couple of months to see if things improve, but I already noticed in GIJoe Cobra Commander talks normally, but his 1 shot he hisses, so at the start the quality control takes a hit
For me, by far it is Doctor Strange Fall Sunrise by Tradd Moore. What an absolute trip. Just crazy awesome art. Light on story, you don't really know what's going on. But the art alone you just have to see. It's a 4 issue mini series. I would recommend getting the oversized treasury edition. Also recommend Vanish. Unfortunately it is currently only 8 issues because Donny Cates was in a car accident and lost his memory. I really hope the series continues. I can't really understand the Wonder Woman pick, I hated issue 1 :P Void Rivals is also good.
Appreciate the review. I haven’t been into comics since the mid to late 90s and just gained a new found interest because of my kids. Picked up an issue of transformers recently and loved it.
I'll second The Human Target. Not since my impressionable teen years in the 90's have I been so blown away by the comic art. Greg Smallwood did FANTASTIC work and it fit in perfectly with Tom King's heartfelt story. It certainly helped that the story is wrapped around nostalgic members of the 80's Justice League International (which was a favorite as a kid). Just a beautiful series.
Seven of the top 10 comics of 2023 you have chosen are ones that I have also read and loved this year. Like you, I follow writers and artists rather than characters. Neil Gaiman once said that he would read a CARE BEARS book if Alan Moore wrote it, because Alan would find some way to make it interesting and compelling. I agree with you about Tom King; for my money, he's the best writer in comics today. Haven't read Ryan North's FF or Local Man; maybe I should. And thanks for reminding me I need to pick a copy of MONICA. Happy new year, Chris.
I’ve been loving the current Moon Knight run. The art is beautiful and not quite like anything else out there right now.
10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1
Happy New year from Brazil. Thank you for your work, that always pulls me off my daily struggles and makes me breath for a while. I wish I could tell u how much good u do by simply talking about comics with such passion and truth.
I’ve loved comic book characters since I was a little kid from movies, cartoons and video games but never read many actual comics. I just started going to my local shop in September and reading weekly. Transformers is definitely one of my favorites as well. Some others are: The Incredible Hulk Immortal Thor Daredevil Superman Blue Beetle Wesley Dodds: The Sandman Conan The Barbarian Universal Monsters: Dracula Canary
I need a list like this, since I gave up my weekly trips to the comics shop. I’m so old, I actually READ the beginning of Neil Gaiman’ Miracle Man run, thirty years ago, and already have the collection on pre-order. It’s been a LONG wait. Glad to hear good things about it. I ordered several titles based on your recommendation, and I JUST finished’Local Man,’ which was GREAT, so thanks. Next will be The Fantastic Four, who I’ve always loved. Tom King? Eh, I’ve had a grudge against him after what he did to Wally West, and I HATED his Batman run! On the other hand, I loved ‘Vision,’ and thought ‘Mister Miracle’ was…interesting? I decided to take a chance on Wonder Woman, who I genuinely like, but that one with the animals? No way! I can’t deal with animal abuse. His books are grim enough as it is. Thanks for the picks, they’re appreciated (Monica just arrived from Amazon, but I might wait to read that!)
I have to totally agree about Transformers by Skybound Chris, I’m a GI Joe guy and I’m loving GI Joe at Skybound and Image, but my Gosh Transformers is a step up, I’d love to see what Darren Warren Johnson could do with Marvel or DC characters if there weren’t any character restrictions on storytelling
Great video! Love the recommendations! I just finish Monica after seeing your video and really enjoy it, it grip me through the whole way and I pretty much finish it in one sitting (Though I don't know if I agree with loving the ending, Dan Clowes has that same energy with Vladimir Nabokov where when you finally arrive at the ending and are at task to crack the code, it makes you (or maybe just me) feel like I just had a punch in the gut. On the one hand I'm impressed someone could beat me half to death with a single punch, on the other I'm annoyed I'm dying (Alright maybe this wasn't the best metaphor)) I guess it makes sense considering Clowes is a fan of Nabokov, but still frustrating. I was also expecting a lot of more comments listing off their own favorite comics, and there's barely any of it! I checked the previous year list video and saw there were barely any in that one either! (Though I swear there were a lot more, maybe I'm misremembering) But then I when I started writing my own list, I realized I also barely have any comic I want to mention (So maybe it was just a rough year for all of us?), well whatever, here's (In no particular order) my own list, maybe someone out there will enjoy what I have to say :D 5. Sneeze by Naoki Urasawa:A collection of short stories by Urasawa. They're not as dense with characters and plot points as his long running comic, but I place this here just because of the autobiography that he drew here. (Chapter 3 and 6 specifically) There's a certain charm to the line work and sketchiness of the comic. I remember one of the Kayfabe (I don't remember if it was Ed Piskor or Jim Rugg) commented on one of Robert Crumb panels as very human. I feel the same way with these 2 Urasawa pieces. You can tell he drew them quickly, and there's something I appreciate about that. You can't fickle with the drawing as much when you have time restraint, and a certain honesty does come out when you don't think about every line you put down and just let your pen do the talking (It also helps if you are as good as a draftsman as Urasawa) 4. Akagi: This was the year I got really into Fukumoto Nobuyuki's work. I pretty much read all of Kaiji and Akagi. I'm placing Akagi above just because I thought the first 70 or so chapters were boring. Everything before the part about Washizu makes me want to pull my hair out in frustration. 3. Breakfast at the vivarium: ...Huh? (This series has caterpillar that is name Hemmingway) 2. Kaiji: part 1-5: And speaking of Kaiji. Kaiji part 1-5 are definitely some of my favorite comics I read this year. I pretty much finished the whole thing in half or so a month. Part 4 is kinda boring, but still readable. Part 1,2, 3 and 5 were my favorites. Nobuyuki Fukumoto's writing, though in some parts slow, does make me want to keep reading. And his artwork (My God, what other artist in the manga industry even draws like him?), the character's expression, the way he uses abstract background to push the emotion of the character. The fact that the story is just about some guy that keeps losing money and somehow succeeds anyway. And the background (Fukumoto didn't do the background, I'm pretty sure it's the assistant, but my god are they beautiful!) It's pretty good. I recommend it. 1. Reimu: Alright this is just Narcissism considering I made this comic. ̶1̶.̶ ̶R̶e̶i̶m̶u̶:̶ ̶A̶l̶r̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶N̶a̶r̶c̶i̶s̶s̶i̶s̶m̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶s̶i̶d̶e̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶I̶ ̶m̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶b̶o̶o̶k̶ ̶ Actual number one: One piece, an obvious answer, but I think it’s appropriate. Out of 5 of the 40ish chapters released this year, we finally got the backstory of Kuma and Bonney, and Jesus Christ. Even if I were to just count up the 5 chapters that they were actually about, I would still put it at number one. There is a panel (Spoiler for chapter 1095) Where Kuma’s father was shot in just one panel and it cuts to just a guard saying “Pipe down”. That is one of the most brutal panels I have read in comics this year, no lamenting that he’s dead, no commenting, just a bang and a picture of Kuma with blood on the side of his face. Portraying just how savage the celestial dragons are. Those chapters from 1095 forward made me cry. The best comic I read in 2023. Highly recommend. Honorable mention: Katsuhiro Otomo's Domu (Recommended by the Kayfabe guys, like it, but didn't leave an impact), Charles Schwultz's Peanuts vol 1 (I was going to read the entirety of Peanuts this year but never got around to it. I finish the first volume but never got around to two U_U), Inio Asano's Downfall (This is a book by a very depressed person), Will Eisner's Contract with God (This is a very well made comic that I kept forgetting),Batman and Robin adventure chapter 7, alongside Batman Gotham adventure chapter 2 (Very scatterbrain answer, but two excellent comic that tell the two stories of batman’s villain that gave them a lot of humanity, not in the list because technically it’s a part of a run and I haven’t all of those), Dick Tracy (read the story arc with Flattop returning and blackmailing a bunch gangster, really love it, but should probably read the entire thing if I want to place it on the list) Conclusion: This year I was more obsessed with literature than comics (Though I guess comics could be considered literature), I read In Search of Lost Time, Life and Fate, The Iliad, Joyce’s Ulysses. Hell, I even read the entirety of the King James’ Bible. But not much comic looking back. This doesn’t help with the fact that I’ve been writing and drawing my own comic since the middle of last year. Well, hopefully next year I’ll read more comics. Oh well, sorry for the long ramble, again thanks for the recommendation Chris, hopefully 2024 will be a better experience for all of us :D
Absolutely fills my heart up with joy to see Transformers even make the thumbnail. As a lifelong fan it makes me so happy to see Skybound and Image really Get it and put the best writer, artist, and colorist for the job on this book. I'm so happy its letting people see what Ive been liking about tf for years, not that crummy michael bay stuff that seems to still be present in people's minds
Definitely I started reading comics thanks to your Chanel. I really enjoyed watching your deep analysis on the media I admire. I hope the next year is even better for you and your channel
I've been getting Transformers, but haven't gotten to read it yet. That said, some of these have really peaked my interest. Thank you for this list! Wish uou all the best hor 2024!
Great video Chris! Many books I am now aware thanks to you. If I could make a recommendation, it would be for the manga Dandadan. The creator was an assistant of Tatsuki Fujimoto, the author of Chainsaw Man. Dandadan has an interesting setting in which aliens and spirits are real, but this is unknown for almost everyone. It has both male and female protagonist which are very relatable. It is a good mash up of action, comedy, horror, even romance. And the art is gorgeous.
I'm a massive Star Wars fan, and there were some amazing Star Wars comics this year! Yoda 10 issue series from Marvel Han Solo & Chewbacca 10 issue series from Marvel Hyperspace Stories 12 issue anthology series from Dark Horse were all fantastic reads!
Cool video. Baby Boom was my favorite and an all-time great manga/use of the medium. This might have come out very late 2022 in some markets. The Gull Yettin, Monica, Life Under Tension, I Wish I Was Stupid, Michael Mouse, Three Rocks, and Night of the Ghoul are also special.
I'm too young to have been into the 80s transformers show but I know some of the lore and when I heard you read off Optimus Prime's card "freedom is the right of all sentient beings" I got goosebumps
We've been spoiled on the classic manga release side of things this year. The second and third volumes of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (usually translated as Yokohama Shopping Log) by Hitoshi Ashinano (a series that ran from 1994-2006 in Japan). River's Edge by Kyoko Okazaki (originally 1994). The fourth volume of Emanon by Shinji Kajio and Kenji Tsuruta (2006-2017). Nejishiki by Yoshiharu Tsuge (1970s short stories).
I didn't do a top 10 but something different. New ongoing: Local Man Returning ongoing: MMPR New mini/maxi: Alan Scott Returning mini/maxi: Dead Lucky One-shot non-anthology: X-Men Blue Origins One-shot anthology: Devil's Cut Issue 1: Transformers Event: Gotham War Digital Exclusive: Iceman
Thank you very much for your videos. I am a 58 year old Doctor from México and I have been reading comics since I was 3 years old. Every wednesday is like Christmas. People like you remind me why I love reading comics. I know life can be hard. But your videos always make me feel better. Keep up the good work. Be happy. Have a nice day and a great day.
By any chance are you the same doctor in Tijuana that buys in cómics Turi?
I’m 60, and I started at 11, so we’re neck-and-neck!
I'm 37 and I feel the same way as you both. Never stop reading!
The reason, I keep coming back to this channel (besides the very obviously good historical and contextual knowledge you have in discussing comics and your complete uniqueness in a space fraught with man-children whining about not being the only audience comics appeal to anymore) is because despite my general avoidance and dislike of cape comics and Marvel/DC in general, we had the same number 1 comic of the year and I continuously find new comics to read through you or find you loving and respecting a lot of the comics I often have on my list. There is a genuineness to you that is hard to find in this space, an openness and love of comics that I honestly wish more people would follow. It is not a slavish devotion to tradition or staunch idolization of unchanging childhood tastes, but an evolution of the artform of comics and acceptance of so much potential of what this artform can be and is for so many people. Honestly, I even watch videos on subjects I don't much care for just because hearing you talk about them can be so interesting.
Strange Brain Parts is another good channel you might like.
@@juniorjames7076 Seconded. Strange Brain Parts is one of the best comic channels.
Comics, even superhero comics, have always had a subversive, often progressive bent to them, and it’s been really strange to watch a bunch of emotionally stunted Internet personalities ignore that and pretend that it’s some kind of new, unprecedented change. Nostalgia has blinded them to the truth.
This dude is the avgn of comics that didnt sellout
@@bixbite2comics trope? But he's not angry
Thank you, Chris. To be honest, I'm someone who briefly worked in comics thirty years ago (not as a creator, nobody famous) who lost his passion for the medium. You manage to breathe a little life into the cold, dead embers of my comic book heart.
Same here
I honestly really have loved Ryan North's FF, it hits all the notes on why the FF is my favourite Marvel title.
I really liked Walt Simonson’s era of Fantastic Four but then I’m an 80s Baby Chris and that was my Jam - also his Eric Masterson Thor run was one of my 90s favourites
What I've enjoyed the most about Transformers is the artwork, each drawing is imbued with so much kinetic energy, and there's a balance between selective visual detail, morphing of character proportion and models, and implied motion which really brings the action to life.
Ryan North, for a guy who got his start writing webcomics about dinosaurs where the art never changes, is really proving himself to be one of my favorite mainstream writers of the last decade. First squirrel girl, now fantastic four. That’s not even touching his slaughterhouse five graphic novel, which is one of my favorite GN adaptations
Hey! Thanks for the LOCAL MAN love. We really appreciate it.
Yeah, I picked up an issue from you at the Washington Summer Con and was just blown away by the levels it was working on for me.
@@ComicTropes ❤️we’re going way deep in arc 3. Hope you dig where we take it.
I havent read comics for 40 years and I love this channel ❤
Green lantern war journal gotta be one of the biggest surprises this year
Chris, you should do a full video breakdown of Monica later in the future, and go full in-depth with all the details and story beats and artwork in the story.
This is a FANTASTIC list! Loving your work, Chris! Thank you for putting these books on my radar! And Happy New Year!
I can't believe it took me this long to notice that the opening animation for Comic Tropes was done by none other than Harry Partridge! He does some great work and his cameo as Mip on Smiling Friends is one of the best things I've ever seen.
My recommendation would be NOT picking up a Tom King book. His writing has just been dreadful going back to his Batman run to his current output.
I need to check out FF and Transformers. The book I'm loving the most right now is Conan.
The current Conan run by Zub and De la Torre is so good, I completely agree.
Happy New Year to all my fellow Tropes! Hopefully we see enough changes in the comics industry to save American comics. Because as bad as things have gotten, I don't want to see the medium die or the people who really care lose heart...
So excited to hear you talk about Local Man! I happened across it at the bookstore, started flipping through it and ended up reading a full third of the first volume right there in the store
Just picked up Where The Body Was and Monica last week. Haven't read them yet but seeing both on your best of list has assured me I made a wise purchase!
This is the best part about the new year. All these wonderful best of lists.
I've been looking forward to this episode all year
First of all, THANK YOU for this video, and for all the other Comic Tropes videos over the past year. You're both an inspiration and a delight.
Secondly, that's an interesting list. I haven't read anything by Daniel Clowes, but you make "Monica" sound very interesting. It's wonderful that people like Clowes (and Brukbaker and Phillips) are still free to explore the potential of sequential art, making stories that are personal to them and not something intended to appeal to a niche market somewhere. That's real art, in the classic sense of the term.
It's also interesting that "Monica" is a hardcover, and only a hardcover. From your description it sounds like it could never be reproduced in digital form without losing an essential part of the storytelling. A very intriguing choice by Mr. Clowes.
As someone who doesn't have much experience with comic books, I thought the recent Watership Down graphic novel was a great adaptation of my favorite story, and it makes me consider reading more of them.
The Movie wasn’t enough?
@@cjhepburn7406 The movie was decent, I think it rushed through some things though, and the characters especially seemed flat to me.
Glad to see F.F. getting some Props. This is what the First Family is supposed to be about, Love for each other, then Science and Exploration. I love that Dr. Sue Storm is going to work with Johnny to expand on his powers. This has always been the problem with Johnny's powers, it's either flame balls or he goes super nova and kills everybody.
Thanks for being such an amazing guide through the world of comics!
Great list Chris. I definitely plan on reading DWJ Transformers and FF. Favs of 2023 in no particular order were world’s finest, where the body was, Superman and action comics, Hulk, Daredevil, dceased war of undead gods
Great list man and as for me here’s my list of my top 10 best comics of 2023
10. / Superman world finest by mark waid
9. The Incredible Hulk by PKJ
8. Transformers by Daniel Warren Johnson
7. Shazam! By mark waid
6. Green lantern by Jeremy adams
5. Jay Garrick flash by Jeremy adams
4. Superman by Joshua Williamson
3. Dceased war of the undead gods
2. Action comics by PKJ and Dan jurgans
1. The flash by Jeremy Adams.
Thanks for bringing up Walter Simonson's run on Fantastic Four, that man's ability to lay down such energetic pencils and inks never fails to astound.
Chris, you very succinctly and astutely describe the themes of Daniel Clowes, who I always connect with while feeling challenged and uncomfortable. Great list! My bank account thanks you😉
I would've never thought Transformers would be this good but it's absolutely one of my favorites this year.
Yes 🎉
Agreed. Picked up the first issue because of DWJ, and was floored by how good it was.
im super late to this, i know, but if i would recommend a book. it would be a manga and it's Chainsaw Man. i'd LOVE to see your takes on Chainsaw Man, as it not only deconstructs tropes of the shonen manga genre but it also references situations from western superhero books and movies and i think you'd find that very interesting. there's even a straight up Raimi Spider-Man reference in the beginning of Part 2 and it's an amazing moment.
I really respect Tatsuki Fujimoto. Great artist. I prefer his one shots over Chainsaw Man like Look Back and Goodbye, Eri. Chainsaw Man is interesting but a little bleak.
@@ComicTropes Look Back and Goodbye, Eri are amazing. and im so happy to see you responded! Chainsaw Man can be a little bleak because it discusses topics like manipulation of minors or grooming or SA but i think it is ultimately trying to tell a story of a teenager being dehumanized for simply wanting to live peacefully by abusive authorities in his life and i think it would be worth discussing. and like your Donny Cates video, Fujimoto is a millennial and he depicts millennial struggles and writes millennial characters so i think an exploration of that as how you did with Donny Cates' writing would be interesting as the story is set in the late 90s and focused on millennial youth.
The best comics were FF, all of the X-Men line, Gods, The Seasons Have Teeth, Vivian's Ghost 3 and What Happens Next (the last two only if webcomics are allowed). I didnt read much indie stuff this year.
Happy new year! Thanks for the great tips, i will definetely check some of them out! One thing i find fascinating is the way you interpreted Orwell's "Animal farm" as a cautionary tale against the dangers of communism, which is correct, but Orwell by all accounts intended it as a satire of all dictatorial regimes. Every nation has seen it as a warning against the regime they find more abhorrent, which is the beauty and irony of that masterpiece.
Best top 10 video I've seen all year
A good list for the year, as always. I know they didn't come out this year, but the best comics I read were Cruel Summer and Reckless by Brubaker and Phillips.
Fantastic books, I agree.
Excellent list and an excellent year for both your channels. Keep up the great work (including all those corrections in the video. Funny and honest!)
Your list usually has a few titles I've read and this year is no exception ( Miracleman, Transformers and Local Man). But I don't know if they would all make my personal top 10, which isn't a thing anyway.
Books I enjoyed that didn't get mentioned: Traveling to Mars, Kaya, Maple Terrace, Stranger Things meets TMNT, Dwellings, Peepee PooPoo, Arcade Kings, Spine-Tingling Spider-Man, Danger Street, Xcellent.
If anyone is complaining about a lack of quality comics today, DISREGARD THEM. They're self exposed posers who probably can't read.
Lol hell yeah
Thank you for the recommendations, you turned me onto Barry Windsor-Smith's 'Monsters' a couple years ago so I hold your opinion in high regard.
I really haven't done much this year besides Tom King and James Tynion (and a revisit to Punisher MAX) so I can't wait to check some of these out. Thanks again.
Same with Monster.
It was genuinley mindblowing how good it was. Probably top 3, or atleast top 5 comics I have ever read
2023 is the year I finally finished Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol run and I loved every page, for stuff from this year DWJ has absolutely rocked Transformers and the rebooted GI Joe has been an absolute treat
The writing has been decent - but the art is atrocious across the board, and Void Rivals (the original property in the Energon universe) is one of the most derivative and boilerplate things I have ever read.
I am giving things another couple of months to see if things improve, but I already noticed in GIJoe Cobra Commander talks normally, but his 1 shot he hisses, so at the start the quality control takes a hit
Local Man was great. I want more of that.
Transformers getting the respect it deserves by the comic world! They are in my eyes, a comic property first and foremost.
Saved to watch later, but gotta check in real quick, like, and comment! Excited to watch this one
Happy New Year. Chris. Thanks for a awesome year of comic book reviews.
You're not lying about Brubaker and Phillips. I don't think I've read anything by them i didn't like. The 'Reckless' series is great !
For me, by far it is Doctor Strange Fall Sunrise by Tradd Moore. What an absolute trip. Just crazy awesome art. Light on story, you don't really know what's going on. But the art alone you just have to see. It's a 4 issue mini series. I would recommend getting the oversized treasury edition. Also recommend Vanish. Unfortunately it is currently only 8 issues because Donny Cates was in a car accident and lost his memory. I really hope the series continues. I can't really understand the Wonder Woman pick, I hated issue 1 :P Void Rivals is also good.
Could you do an episode about Strangers in Paradise? Keep up the great work!
Appreciate the review. I haven’t been into comics since the mid to late 90s and just gained a new found interest because of my kids. Picked up an issue of transformers recently and loved it.
some really great ongoing manga from this year, Undead Unluck, Dandadan, Drifting Dragons, Witch Hat Atelier
I'll second The Human Target. Not since my impressionable teen years in the 90's have I been so blown away by the comic art. Greg Smallwood did FANTASTIC work and it fit in perfectly with Tom King's heartfelt story. It certainly helped that the story is wrapped around nostalgic members of the 80's Justice League International (which was a favorite as a kid). Just a beautiful series.
Thanks for your channel and love of all things comics. I truly enjoy your channel and content and make me love comics more.
Just put "Monica" on hold at the library. Also, EXCELLENT confetti blooper. 😂
Happy new year Chris
Seven of the top 10 comics of 2023 you have chosen are ones that I have also read and loved this year. Like you, I follow writers and artists rather than characters. Neil Gaiman once said that he would read a CARE BEARS book if Alan Moore wrote it, because Alan would find some way to make it interesting and compelling. I agree with you about Tom King; for my money, he's the best writer in comics today. Haven't read Ryan North's FF or Local Man; maybe I should. And thanks for reminding me I need to pick a copy of MONICA. Happy new year, Chris.
Libraries! Libraries, libraries!
Really enjoyed that. Happy new year to you too. :)
Thanks for the recommendations. This is one of my favorite videos at this time of year. Have a wonderful new year.
Gaiman's Miracleman is amazing. I was also quite found of Jed Mackay's Moon Knight
I’ve been loving the current Moon Knight run. The art is beautiful and not quite like anything else out there right now.
Happy New year from Brazil. Thank you for your work, that always pulls me off my daily struggles and makes me breath for a while. I wish I could tell u how much good u do by simply talking about comics with such passion and truth.
I’ve loved comic book characters since I was a little kid from movies, cartoons and video games but never read many actual comics. I just started going to my local shop in September and reading weekly. Transformers is definitely one of my favorites as well. Some others are:
The Incredible Hulk
Immortal Thor
Daredevil
Superman
Blue Beetle
Wesley Dodds: The Sandman
Conan The Barbarian
Universal Monsters: Dracula
Canary
This is a great list of books. Thanks for turning me on to some books I haven’t heard of. 👍🏼
I need a list like this, since I gave up my weekly trips to the comics shop.
I’m so old, I actually READ the beginning of Neil Gaiman’ Miracle Man run, thirty years ago, and already have the collection on pre-order. It’s been a LONG wait. Glad to hear good things about it.
I ordered several titles based on your recommendation, and I JUST finished’Local Man,’ which was GREAT, so thanks. Next will be The Fantastic Four, who I’ve always loved.
Tom King? Eh, I’ve had a grudge against him after what he did to Wally West, and I HATED his Batman run! On the other hand, I loved ‘Vision,’ and thought ‘Mister Miracle’ was…interesting?
I decided to take a chance on Wonder Woman, who I genuinely like, but that one with the animals? No way! I can’t deal with animal abuse. His books are grim enough as it is.
Thanks for the picks, they’re appreciated (Monica just arrived from Amazon, but I might wait to read that!)
I have to totally agree about Transformers by Skybound Chris, I’m a GI Joe guy and I’m loving GI Joe at Skybound and Image, but my Gosh Transformers is a step up, I’d love to see what Darren Warren Johnson could do with Marvel or DC characters if there weren’t any character restrictions on storytelling
Then you should read Wonder Woman: Dead Earth and his Beta Ray Bill miniseries!
@@ComicTropes ah great recommendations Chris thanks and a Happy New Year to you! ☺️👍
I'll second Beta Ray Bill, it's phenomenal.
Great video! Love the recommendations! I just finish Monica after seeing your video and really enjoy it, it grip me through the whole way and I pretty much finish it in one sitting (Though I don't know if I agree with loving the ending, Dan Clowes has that same energy with Vladimir Nabokov where when you finally arrive at the ending and are at task to crack the code, it makes you (or maybe just me) feel like I just had a punch in the gut. On the one hand I'm impressed someone could beat me half to death with a single punch, on the other I'm annoyed I'm dying (Alright maybe this wasn't the best metaphor)) I guess it makes sense considering Clowes is a fan of Nabokov, but still frustrating.
I was also expecting a lot of more comments listing off their own favorite comics, and there's barely any of it! I checked the previous year list video and saw there were barely any in that one either! (Though I swear there were a lot more, maybe I'm misremembering) But then I when I started writing my own list, I realized I also barely have any comic I want to mention (So maybe it was just a rough year for all of us?), well whatever, here's (In no particular order) my own list, maybe someone out there will enjoy what I have to say :D
5. Sneeze by Naoki Urasawa:A collection of short stories by Urasawa. They're not as dense with characters and plot points as his long running comic, but I place this here just because of the autobiography that he drew here. (Chapter 3 and 6 specifically) There's a certain charm to the line work and sketchiness of the comic. I remember one of the Kayfabe (I don't remember if it was Ed Piskor or Jim Rugg) commented on one of Robert Crumb panels as very human. I feel the same way with these 2 Urasawa pieces. You can tell he drew them quickly, and there's something I appreciate about that. You can't fickle with the drawing as much when you have time restraint, and a certain honesty does come out when you don't think about every line you put down and just let your pen do the talking (It also helps if you are as good as a draftsman as Urasawa)
4. Akagi: This was the year I got really into Fukumoto Nobuyuki's work. I pretty much read all of Kaiji and Akagi. I'm placing Akagi above just because I thought the first 70 or so chapters were boring. Everything before the part about Washizu makes me want to pull my hair out in frustration.
3. Breakfast at the vivarium: ...Huh? (This series has caterpillar that is name Hemmingway)
2. Kaiji: part 1-5: And speaking of Kaiji. Kaiji part 1-5 are definitely some of my favorite comics I read this year. I pretty much finished the whole thing in half or so a month. Part 4 is kinda boring, but still readable. Part 1,2, 3 and 5 were my favorites. Nobuyuki Fukumoto's writing, though in some parts slow, does make me want to keep reading. And his artwork (My God, what other artist in the manga industry even draws like him?), the character's expression, the way he uses abstract background to push the emotion of the character. The fact that the story is just about some guy that keeps losing money and somehow succeeds anyway. And the background (Fukumoto didn't do the background, I'm pretty sure it's the assistant, but my god are they beautiful!) It's pretty good. I recommend it.
1. Reimu: Alright this is just Narcissism considering I made this comic.
̶1̶.̶ ̶R̶e̶i̶m̶u̶:̶ ̶A̶l̶r̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶N̶a̶r̶c̶i̶s̶s̶i̶s̶m̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶s̶i̶d̶e̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶I̶ ̶m̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶b̶o̶o̶k̶ ̶ Actual number one: One piece, an obvious answer, but I think it’s appropriate. Out of 5 of the 40ish chapters released this year, we finally got the backstory of Kuma and Bonney, and Jesus Christ. Even if I were to just count up the 5 chapters that they were actually about, I would still put it at number one. There is a panel (Spoiler for chapter 1095) Where Kuma’s father was shot in just one panel and it cuts to just a guard saying “Pipe down”. That is one of the most brutal panels I have read in comics this year, no lamenting that he’s dead, no commenting, just a bang and a picture of Kuma with blood on the side of his face. Portraying just how savage the celestial dragons are. Those chapters from 1095 forward made me cry. The best comic I read in 2023. Highly recommend.
Honorable mention: Katsuhiro Otomo's Domu (Recommended by the Kayfabe guys, like it, but didn't leave an impact), Charles Schwultz's Peanuts vol 1 (I was going to read the entirety of Peanuts this year but never got around to it. I finish the first volume but never got around to two U_U), Inio Asano's Downfall (This is a book by a very depressed person), Will Eisner's Contract with God (This is a very well made comic that I kept forgetting),Batman and Robin adventure chapter 7, alongside Batman Gotham adventure chapter 2 (Very scatterbrain answer, but two excellent comic that tell the two stories of batman’s villain that gave them a lot of humanity, not in the list because technically it’s a part of a run and I haven’t all of those), Dick Tracy (read the story arc with Flattop returning and blackmailing a bunch gangster, really love it, but should probably read the entire thing if I want to place it on the list)
Conclusion: This year I was more obsessed with literature than comics (Though I guess comics could be considered literature), I read In Search of Lost Time, Life and Fate, The Iliad, Joyce’s Ulysses. Hell, I even read the entirety of the King James’ Bible. But not much comic looking back. This doesn’t help with the fact that I’ve been writing and drawing my own comic since the middle of last year. Well, hopefully next year I’ll read more comics.
Oh well, sorry for the long ramble, again thanks for the recommendation Chris, hopefully 2024 will be a better experience for all of us :D
My first Fantastic Four run started with the Steve Englehart run.
Absolutely fills my heart up with joy to see Transformers even make the thumbnail. As a lifelong fan it makes me so happy to see Skybound and Image really Get it and put the best writer, artist, and colorist for the job on this book. I'm so happy its letting people see what Ive been liking about tf for years, not that crummy michael bay stuff that seems to still be present in people's minds
Big YES to Monica at #1
Glad Local Man made your list.
wanted to cast my vote for Midlife, and Lotus Land!
Definitely I started reading comics thanks to your Chanel.
I really enjoyed watching your deep analysis on the media I admire.
I hope the next year is even better for you and your channel
Superman: Space Age. That’s my best of the year
I've been getting Transformers, but haven't gotten to read it yet. That said, some of these have really peaked my interest. Thank you for this list! Wish uou all the best hor 2024!
Happy New Year Chris !!!!!
Thanks for the year end video with top ten list for 2023.
"Blood of the Virgin" is very good.
Thanks Chris! Happy New Year!!!!
Happy new year ! ❤
I've never gone wrong listening to your recommendations for comic books so excellent list
Happy New Year, Chris!
Great video and I love the last bit. I look forward to you getting creative when you're ready! :D
“It’s the end but the moment has been prepared for.”
Great video Chris! Many books I am now aware thanks to you. If I could make a recommendation, it would be for the manga Dandadan. The creator was an assistant of Tatsuki Fujimoto, the author of Chainsaw Man. Dandadan has an interesting setting in which aliens and spirits are real, but this is unknown for almost everyone. It has both male and female protagonist which are very relatable. It is a good mash up of action, comedy, horror, even romance. And the art is gorgeous.
Totally agree with the ones I’ve also read that are on this list; fantastic four, human target and transformers!!
I'm a massive Star Wars fan, and there were some amazing Star Wars comics this year!
Yoda 10 issue series from Marvel
Han Solo & Chewbacca 10 issue series from Marvel
Hyperspace Stories 12 issue anthology series from Dark Horse were all fantastic reads!
Cool video. Baby Boom was my favorite and an all-time great manga/use of the medium. This might have come out very late 2022 in some markets.
The Gull Yettin, Monica, Life Under Tension, I Wish I Was Stupid, Michael Mouse, Three Rocks, and Night of the Ghoul are also special.
Great list! Love hearing your recommendations! Happy new year!
Im trying to get back to comics, havent read anything since 2019. Im gonna check this books out! ✌🏽
Here we go for 2024!
Hope you have a great year
I'm too young to have been into the 80s transformers show but I know some of the lore and when I heard you read off Optimus Prime's card "freedom is the right of all sentient beings" I got goosebumps
Happy New Year Chris. Love you and love this channel 🎉
A happy and healthy new year for all comic book lovers around the wide wild world! 😍
Very great list, Chris. Now you’ve given me fantastic suggestions for books I didn’t get to reading this year. Hope to see you in the new year!
And I love everything that Tom King’s done, he is an amazing writer.
What LCS do you get your new books from if you done mind me asking or do you get most of your new books digitally?
I'd love a deep dive on monica to explain some things to me.
Haven’t kept up with Fantastic Four but I need to check it out!
Skybound’s Transformers is the first TF comic I’ve loved from day one, it’s so familiar
"akemashite omedetō" to all Comic Troopers 😁
We've been spoiled on the classic manga release side of things this year. The second and third volumes of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (usually translated as Yokohama Shopping Log) by Hitoshi Ashinano (a series that ran from 1994-2006 in Japan). River's Edge by Kyoko Okazaki (originally 1994). The fourth volume of Emanon by Shinji Kajio and Kenji Tsuruta (2006-2017). Nejishiki by Yoshiharu Tsuge (1970s short stories).
Jed McKays moon knight was definitely my favorite of the year
I didn't do a top 10 but something different.
New ongoing:
Local Man
Returning ongoing:
MMPR
New mini/maxi:
Alan Scott
Returning mini/maxi:
Dead Lucky
One-shot non-anthology:
X-Men Blue Origins
One-shot anthology:
Devil's Cut
Issue 1:
Transformers
Event:
Gotham War
Digital Exclusive:
Iceman
Thanks for the all the excellent reccomendations! Now to the add them to my ever expanding backlog.
Highly appreciate the recommendations! Happy new year! I liked Hellboy in Love this year :)