The Earth 519 Top 10 of 2024
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It's the close of the year, and we're in a reflective mood as we look back at what came out in 2024. Overall it was a pretty great year with interesting new directions, and a couple of really solid publishing initiatives by Marvel and DC.
Marvel kicked things off with the Ultimate line in 2023 with Ultimate Spider-Man, but it really got rolling in 2024 with Ultimate Black Panther and The Ultimates (as well as the 1 Year In special). DC answered with the Absolute line which was kicked off with All In. It was a terrific year for Image, Boom, IDW, Dark Horse and tons of other publishers as well.
We'd love to hear what YOU liked in 2024! Comment on our Facebook post and let us know what you loved!
This list is my picks for what I enjoyed most in 2024 - Brian.
1 - Absolute Batman
I have to admit, the first images of Absolute Batman didn't grab me. A big, bulky Batman with a bat-shaped cape, and an utterly stupid Bat Symbol on his chest? Ugh, but by the end of the first issue I was hooked, we're three issues deep and each issue has built on the one before.
A Spider-Man who gets his powers as an adult? Who has a stable relationship with his wife Mary-Jane Watson? With two kids, and a best friend who's Harry Osborne? AND that massive twist about Uncle Ben? AND a compelling, interesting, and dare I say sympathetic J. Jonah Jameson? That's scratching the surface of this series which has seen multiple issue ending cliffhangers.
3 - Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees
I can't think of a comic that stuck with me more than Beneath the Trees, I picked up the first few issues on a road trip to Chicago, and relentlessly searched down the final three issues afterwards. It's Dexter with Teddy Bears and you will never hear "The Teddy Bear's Picnic" the same again. In any other year this would be my number one pick, which tells you how strong 1 and 2 are this year!
I have to confess, I grew up on Lynda Carter on my TV, and George Perez' Wonder Woman in comics, and it is a high water mark, but my favourite incarnation of the Amazing Amazon is Brian Azarello and Cliff Chiang's Nu52 reboot. Absolute Wonder Woman feels like Nu52 by way of Daniel Warren Johnson's Dead Earth, and I have loved the first three issues so far. I think this may be the best interpretation of Wonder Woman yet.
5 - Uncanny Valley
What if you woke up and found out that the world was secretly populated by cartoons, and what if YOU were a cartoon yourself? That's the "high concept" of Uncanny Valley, and it's an awesome ride full of Acme style adventures.
6 - Ultimates
This is the sleeper hit of the Ultimate line, with some of the best single issues of the year! The Ultimates unite to rebuild the Ultimate Universe! Iron Lad, Cap, Doom, Thor, and Sif gather heroes to fight the Maker’s shadowy rule. A clash with Midas leads to a surprising ally: She-Hulk. Can they restore freedom and hope?
The Absolute series I was least interested in is the one I am most invested in after two issues. I like Superman as a hero, but he hasn't felt compelling since Byrne reinvented him in the 80's, but this Superman? He is relevant to today, he's a figure of hope, and he seems to be truly alien while also being all too human. Two issues in and I am hooked.
The Krakoan era of the X-Men is my favourite era ever, and when it was done I was a little sad. Luckily Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijngaard came along with "What if The X-Men was an Image Comic?", featuring characters that feel like they could be X-Men without being X-Men ripoffs.
A classic noir mystery that starts off with the question "What happens when Plastic reaches its half life?" - Plastic Man starts to decay, and his biggest worry is "What will happen to my son" the hero known as "Offspring" who shares Plas' gifts.
10 - GI Joe
GI Joe and the Energon Universe is something so simple, it's brilliant. The first issue was a great setup for what promises to be a great series, and that last page? WOAH! Duke leads G.I. Joe against Cobra’s Energon-fueled rise post-Autobot and Decepticon arrival! Familiar faces, new allies, and shocking twists redefine G.I. Joe in this groundbreaking Energon Universe series by Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly.
Honourable Mentions:
DC All-In Special #1 (One-Shot)
A one-shot that kicked off the All In initiative, and acts as the secret first appearance of the Absolute Line in a flip book. The DC Universe faces Darkseid’s return as Superman unites heroes to defend against a new Apokolips threat. Meanwhile, the Absolute Universe's heroes rise, battling immense odds and a dire destiny. A flipbook special that reshapes DC history!
The Justice League cartoon of the 2000's is one of the best adaptations of the comics. This re-launch of Justice League (after more than an 18 month absence) poses the question "What if every DCU Hero was a Justice League member?" and includes a final page reveal that is positively shocking!
Meet Ryker Ruel, a sociopath with a time-freezing device! As chaos unfolds worldwide, only the device's creator can stop his revenge spree. What would you do if time stood still? It's kind of like "What if Sex Criminals had no sex, but more criminals?"
I mentioned Daniel Warren Johnson earlier, and even though I didn't think he would be right for the mechanical marvels that are the Transformers, his dynamic art and "back to basics" approach to the story has made Transformers top of my pile every time it comes out. Even when he pulled back on art duties, new artists Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer have maintained the same dynamic energy that makes Transformers a must read every month.
Wonder Woman
Our favourite new format:
Even before I started Earth 519, I was buying these up for my son (who loves DC Comics), classic stories in a compact format. He carries a comic with him on every trip we take (and we take a lot of trips). He's read All Star Superman in this format, and I've bought a Watchmen for myself (which I think is my fifth or sixth version of Watchmen floating around my house). Even though they're small, they're surprisingly easy to read for my aged eyes.
Marvel has announced the Marvel Premier Collection launching in February 2024, which will be similar to the DC Compact Comics.
What were your favourites of 2024? Comment on our Facebook post!