Never let it be said I didn't use proper grammar. Also, never let it be said that I didn't blatantly steal ideas from my own readership. Wait. No. I want that said.
Anyhoo, this thread on our forum gave me an idea for a post. We're all in our "Best of '08" food comas by now, so it's time for something else. Something hopeful for a hopeful nation (and their hopelessful friends from other countries who read this). Let's look ahead, now, and guess at what's going to end up on our Best of '09 lists. Comics should be good, after all-- these especially!
(And yes, we're a month in. Well, I started this post weeks ago. Quiet, you.)
5. Vertigo's Crime Line
This is the first of three Vertigo-published entries on this list. It will be a good year for the dazzling heights of mature-readers comics. (And there's also Milligan's Hellblazer, the first issue of which I think came out but I haven't read it yet but feel free to tell me if it's good or not in the comments kthxbye.)
I'm not sure when the first of these crime books is set to appear, but it's something this annum, and it should be a good time. Ian Rankin's writing one-- starring the aforementioned John Constantine, of all characters-- and you can see the cover to Azzarello's above. What's most exciting is that these books are coming out as original graphic novels, and, by the publication design, are clearly aimed at the discerning bookstore market. This could be a cool coup for Vertigo, and may push them to do further OGNs, rather than publish awesome but unsuccessful serials.
4. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century
New work from Alan Moore is always something worth anticipating, and even though I haven't gotten around to buying LoEG v2 or the Black Dossier yet (I am totally waiting on the vinyl record), I will probably pick this up. Century will be comprised of three 80-page comics-with-spines, two of which are due out in 2009, and the first in April. Hurrah!
I'm interested to see how Moore's literary protagonists handle the 20th century, and what works (books? film? TV? But... the public domain!) he'll bring into the universe.
3. Daytripper by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba
The boys from Brazil (I know, I know) are teaming up again, this time for a 10-issue Vertigo series. I'm not entirely sure what it's about, but it's Moon, it's Ba, it's going to be awesome, buy the damn thing.
Here is a semi-explanation from this Newsarama interview:
The title "Daytripper" refers to the structure of the story, as readers will travel to different points in one person's life. "We see how, as we go from age to age, where he is and how he's dealing with different parts of his life -- how he deals with his mother, his wife, his friends. And we light from issue to issue and check him out from various perspectives," Schreck said, explaining the title. "It's that we're going from day to day. We go from age 32 to age 48 to age 18. So we're tripping, sort of, through his various days. And really, each issue is a day. We get to see what he did when he was 18, then what he did when he was 32. So it's 'daytripping' with this character."
I am intrigued. And the art will be gorgeous.
2. Ignition City by Warren Ellis and Gianluca Pagliarani
Here's a release from Avatar I've been stoked about for ages, every since Internet Jesus started playing around with the idea in his BadSignal newsletter. The high concept is basically "Flash Gordon meets Deadwood," and I, for one, couldn't be more excited. Also, it's drawn by the dude who drew Aetheric Mechanics, which, as I'm sure you'll all remember, was beautiful.
Supposed to bow in April. Here's a bit of script to whet your appetite:
Pic 3
He awakens fully, realising what’s hit him. Because there's a turd on his chest. He tries to focus on it, almost going cross-eyed.
YURINo. Is-- is mouse turd.
YURI
You drop your baby turds on Yuri now?
Pic 4
He rages, standing shakily.
YURILightning Bowman! Govnjúk! You are assfucker of pigs!
YURI
How dare you deploy your shitpot on greatest Russian ever in time!
YURI
I have more medals than you have scabs on your whoremonger’s cock!
Should be awesome, no?
1. Seaguy: The Slaves of Mickey Eye by Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart
Did you really expect anything else of me? I've been salivating for a salacious sequel to the scintillating Seaguy since the conclusion of the last mini, almost five years ago, now. And finally, finally, it's here! And on April 1, no less! I must be dreaming! Da fug!
The way Morrison has spun it before, this second Seaguy series will be his "teenage rebellion" phase, after the "childhood's end" type of story we had in the first mini. Did I mention the first mini is one of Morrison's best works of all time? Right up there with Flex Mentallo, We3, and whatever else you might happen to think is totally awesome?
From the solicitation:
In Seaguy’s cartoon future world, everyone is a Super Hero and no one dies. It’s absolutely perfect...Or is it? In this follow-up to the cult 2004 miniseries, Seaguy resurfaces with a sinister new partner, a hatred of the sea and a rebel restlessness he can’t explain. Why are Doc Hero and his ex-archenemy Silvan Niltoid, the Alien from Planet Earth, whispering strange equations? Why is Death so useless? And can that really be the ghost of Chubby Da Choona mumbling uncanny warnings and dire prophecies of ultimate catastrophe?
And from Cameron Stewart's blog:
Beautiful. Cameron Stewart is a helluvan artist, and more people should realize this. More pages at the link.
Looks like April is more "the awesomest month," rather than the cruelest. Suck it, T.S. Eliot!
Stuff Other Cool People Are Probably Anticipating but I Am Not Fit to Comment On: Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe
Stuff That May or May Not Come Out, for which I Vote for "May": The next issue of the Next Issue Project! Corey Lewis' Pinapl! More Casanova!
Reprints I'm Salivating Over: Jack Kirby's Losers! Tales Designed to Thrizzle in hardcover! Showcase presents Doom Patrol by Drake and Premiani! More Herbie Archives!
So, readers! What are YOU awaiting in oh-niner?