Our annual “Looking Forward, Looking Back” feature continues, as we ask various comics folks what they liked in 2013, what they’re looking forward to in 2014 and what projects they have planned for the coming year. In this round, see what Kurt Busiek, Corinna Bechko, Jeffrey Brown, Andrea Sorrentino, Jon Proctor, Steve Lieber, Ales Kot, Dennis Culver, Victor Santos and Declan Shalvey had to say.
And if you missed them, be sure to check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4, where we heard from Jimmy Palmiotti, Tim Seeley, Chris Roberson, Faith Erin Hicks and many more. And we still have plenty to go, so check back Thursday to hear from more creators!
Kurt Busiek
Astro City
What was your favorite comic of 2013?
In terms of your basic average package -- the ongoing comic book series -- the book I was always most excited to get a new issue of was Saga, and still is. It's sharp, gorgeous, unique, warm and surprising. Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples are doing an amazing job.
I've also been reading a lot -- and I mean a lot -- of classic comic-strip reprints, and having a great time with those. Mary Perkins on Stage, Rip Kirby, Little Orphan Annie, Walt & Skeezix A... there are so many great strips being reprinted these days. If I had to pick a favorite right now, I'd say the Fantagraphics reprints of Buz Sawyer by Roy Crane. I just love the energy, humor, adventure and charm of them.
I was also going to mention The Nao of Brown as a favorite GN, but I see it came out in 2012. I just didn't get around to reading it 'til 2013.
Comic-wise, what are you most excited about for 2014?
This is a bad question for me, because I'm so rarely aware of what's coming up more than a few months in advance, so most of 2014 is terra incognita to me.
But I'm all itchy to get the new Buz Sawyer volume when it comes out next year, so that'd make a perfectly good pick, too.
Also, just turned up on Amazon is a long-awaited DC reprint: Cinder & Ashe by Gerry Conway and Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. Gorgeously drawn crime-adventure, and the best thing Gerry ever wrote in comics form, it's something I've wanted in book form forever, so I'm glad it's finally coming out.
In terms of new stuff, I have no idea, but I'd watch Image and Oni -- they both seem to be doing a lot of exciting new books these days, and don't show any signs of slowing down.
What personal project are you working on for 2014 that you're especially pumped about?
Heh. I have to name Astro City, because it's the only thing I can name!
It's the only book I've got coming out next year that's announced -- there are others that'll debut next year, but until the publishers are ready to make a fuss over them, I don't think I should be talking too much about them. But I'm pumped about all of them, including the chance to work with artists like Ben Dewey, Dan McDaid and Edmund Bagwell.
And I'm thrilled to have Astro City back again, coming out regularly -- next year we'll be doing a multi-part story focusing on Winged Victory, Samaritan and the Confessor, introducing the Silver Adept, exploring the mind of a sharp-dressed criminal, playing with time, storytelling and ancient gods, and lots more. So we'll keep things hopping.
Corinna Bechko
Station to Station, Star Wars: Legacy
What was your favorite comic of 2013?
I really enjoyed rereading Comeback by Ed Brisson and Michael Walsh as a trade. It's a wonderfully inventive and twisty crime story that hinges on time travel. In short, my favorite kind of story, from two of my favorite creators.
Comic-wise, what are you most excited about for 2014?
Original, creator owned books seem to be getting more and more attention. The digital realm is still expanding, but traditional print seems to be on the upswing too. I'm excited to see this trend continue and gain momentum.
What personal project are you working on for 2014 that you're especially pumped about?
Gabriel Hardman and I are working on a miniseries called Station to Station for Dark Horse, following up on our one-shot of the same name. It's interdimensional sci-fi and I can't wait for everyone to see it!
Jeffrey Brown
Jedi Academy, Goodnight Darth Vader, Kids Are Weird
What was your favorite comic of 2013?
It's hard to choose just one favorite with another year of lots of great books, so I'll give the nod to the book that was both enjoyable as well as poignant -- March, by Congressman John Lewis (!), Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. The only downside to this book is having to wait to see the rest of the story. It's an important story, told in a way that should reengage adults and open eyes of younger readers.
Comic-wise, what are you most excited about for 2014?
After their Kickstarter blitz I have to admit I'm pretty excited for Fantagraphics' spring season of books, which is chock-full of new work as well as the collected Eightball.
What personal project are you working on for 2014 that you're especially pumped about?
I'm mostly working on more Star Wars (Jedi Academy book 2 and Goodnight Darth Vader), but I'm also wrapping up Kids Are Weird, which is pretty much comics about funny things my son said from the time he started putting sentences together until the sentences started making sense.
Andrea Sorrentino
Green Arrow
What was your favorite comic of 2013?
Probably Wonder Woman, followed very closely by Trillium, Thor and Batman (and I'm sure I'm forgetting some right now). Also I'd suggest everyone to give a try to Joshua Hale Fialkov's The Bunker as well!
Comic-wise, what are you most excited about for 2014?
I'm VERY excited about The Sandman: Overture. The first issue has been already released in 2013 so I'm not sure if this is a good answer, but the issues to come are for sure the things I'm mostly eager to read next year. Conventions-wise, I hope I can finally organize for San Diego or New York and personally shake the hands of some colleagues and fans!
What personal project are you working on for 2014 that you're especially pumped about?Well, we've the
Outsiders War starting this December on Green Arrow that will last for about the first half of 2014, with a sequential arc that will tackle what's happening in Seattle with Richard Dragon and John Diggle. I'd say It will be another full year for the fans of the Emerald Archer!
Jon Proctor
Binary
What was your favorite comic of 2013?
East of West by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta
Comic-wise, what are you most excited about for 2014?
Rick Remender's Black Science!
Steve Lieber
Superior Foes of Spider-Man
What was your favorite comic of 2013?
Jaime Hernandez's work in Love and Rockets: New Stories #6. The exploration of Tonta and Frogmouth's family was devastating.
Comic-wise, what are you most excited about for 2014?
Kurt Busiek and Benjamin Dewey have been teasing a new series they're collaborating on. I've seen some of the art, and it's stellar. I can't wait to read it!
What personal project are you working on for 2014 that you're especially pumped about?
I'm having a ball working with Nick Spencer and Rachelle Rosenberg on Superior Foes of Spider-Man. Looking forward doing more!
Ales Kot
Secret Avengers, Iron Patriot, Zero, The Surface, Quiet
What was your favorite comic of 2013?
Fury MAX, The End of the Fucking World, Saga, Hawkeye, Emily Carrol's webcomics (Out of Skin came out this year, specifically), Very Casual and everything else by Michael DeForge. Also almost everything I worked on, with Change, Zero and the first three issues of Suicide Squad, plus some pages from the upcoming Secret Avengers #12 being the high points. I am also waiting to read Joe Sacco's Great War, Okazaki's Helter Skelter, Tagame's The Passion of Gengoroh Tagame, Mind MGMT, Battling Boy, new comics by Jim Woodring and Dash Shaw ...
Comic-wise, what are you most excited about for 2014?
I am excited about a lot of things in comics. I am excited about upcoming comics, new and reprints. I am excited about seeing creators grow creatively and ethically. I am just generally pretty excited. It's a pleasant way to be.
What personal project are you working on for 2014 that you're especially pumped about?
All of them. I am excited about continuing Zero with a myriad of exciting artistic collaborators. I am excited about The Surface coming out. I am excited about launching Secret Avengers and Iron Patriot in March. I am excited about upcoming graphic novellas I am working on -- Quiet with Morgan Jeske and others. I am excited about a thing I am working on with Will Tempest. I am excited about projects in other mediums as well. So "all of them" is true. There is no point in working on something unless I am excited about it. It doesn't have to be a constant high-intensity excitement -- it has to be genuine love and enthusiasm. And I feel that for every single one of my projects.
Dennis Culver
Edison Rex, Davey Jones and the Mystery of the Monocle Men
What was your favorite comic of 2013?
I am loving Waid and Samnee’s run on Daredevil. Their synergy makes for a book neither could do with another collaborator. It’s excellent!
Comic-wise, what are you most excited about for 2014?
Pretty excited for that Jack Kirby Artist’s Edition from IDW.
What personal project are you working on for 2014 that you're especially pumped about?
Edison Rex! Volume 2 of the print edition of Edison Rex will be available in March from IDW (order number JAN140510). If you can’t wait, you can get those issues digitally here. We’re already working on the issues for Vol. 3 and the print edition of that should be out in the back half of 2014.
As far as solo, I’ve written and drawn a three-part story running in Dark Horse Presents titled Davey Jones and the Mystery of the Monocle Men. The first part should be out in the March issue.
Victor Santos
Polar, Furious
What was your favorite comic of 2013?
My favorite series right now is Mike Oeming´s The Victories. I think a lot of new fresh series are appearing out of the DC-Marvel universes, renewing the genre. I could pick several favorite series, but Victories is special to me because it is a extremely personal work, written from the heart and drawn by the guts.
Comic-wise, what are you most excited about for 2014?
I'm really exciting for the new genres and variety of stories I'm seeing: Westerns, weird sci-fi, tones of noir, awesome mixtures. Creators are losing fears and assuming risks. I think this is going to be a year of crossroads and new directions.
What personal project are you working on for 2014 that you're especially pumped about?
The upcoming Furious miniseries, written by Bryan JL Glass and published by Dark Horse is my first superheroes owner-creation book. I'm so involved that I'm drawing and coloring at the same time. We're trying to revive the storytelling of the classic super-guys stories, adding the social media and modern TV series language to a colorful classicism.
Declan Shalvey
Polar, Furious
What was your favorite comic of 2013?
I'm quite behind on my graphic novels I'm afraid, but I really enjoyed Battling Boy, and Hellboy: Midnight Circus was tremendous. I really want to say The Fifth Beatle, but frustratingly, I haven't read it yet.
Comics: Fury Max was an absolute joy from beginning to end. The team of Ennis and Parlov are incredible and I was delighted to read another book by them. Thor by Aaron/Ribic was amazing, Nowhere Men by Stephenson/Belegarde, Daredevil by Waid/Samnee, Sheltered by Brisson/Christmas, etc. All excellent.
Comic-wise, what are you most excited about for 2014?
I'll be heading to Emerald City Comic Con this year; my first time as a guest on that side of the continent. Quite looking forward to it.
As for new books, there's lots I'm looking forward to in 2014: the new Wolverine and The X-Men with Latour and Asrar, Tradd Moore's Ghost Rider, White Suits by Barbiere and Cypress, Deadly Class by Remender and Craig, Southern Bastards by Aaron and Latour … actually, with the Image Expo coming out I'm sure there's going to be a lot of interesting books coming out in 2014. The continued success of creator-owned has been amazing and I hope that continues on in the New Year.
What personal project are you working on for 2014 that you're especially pumped about?
I'm launching a new Moon Knight series with Warren Ellis and Jordie Bellaire in 2014. I'm quite "pumped" about it, as you say. Been working on it for a few months now, so I can't wait 'til it hits the stands. I've also lined up some small short stories with Scott Snyder, Ales Kot and Jordie Bellaire scripts during the year which should be a lot of fun too.
