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Dec 14

The Homies 2020

Posted on Monday, December 14, 2020 by Al in Uncategorized

There’s gifts on the fire and logs on the tree, and that means only one thing – it’s time for the annual House to Astonish Homies awards, where we dish out our gongs in various categories to the best and brightest comics of the year.

As always, Paul and I will individually be choosing a winner for each category, but there’s the usual proviso – we want YOU to help, so you all name your picks in the comments, and Paul and I each choose our own, and we talk a bit about each of the three on our awards show.

We’re likely to be recording at the beginning of the new year, so we’re giving you until midnight UK time (7pm Eastern, 4pm Pacific) on December 31 2020 to make your choice. When you list your picks, don’t just name names either, because we’ll be reading out the best comments on the show, so let us know your thinking!

BEST NEW SERIES

This one’s pretty self-explanatory – any comic whose first issue was published between 1 January and 31 December 2020 is eligible. What new series got your attention the most this year?

BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES

This one’s a little less self-explanatory – what series, again first published during 2020, did you think was best, with the proviso that it has to be something where the property wasn’t in existence prior to the start of 2020. We’re counting re-use of titles as well as concepts, so X-Factor or Amethyst wouldn’t be eligible, but (for example) Giga or Decorum would.

BEST CONTINUING SERIES

The counterpart to the categories above, which covers books whose first issue was published in 2019 or before. They’ve been around the block, but they’ve still got what it takes.

BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN

These are explaining themselves by this point, right? We’re looking for OGNs, one-shots and minis published in 2020 (or partially in 2020, in the case of minis).

FAVOURITE WRITER

FAVOURITE ARTIST

FAVOURITE COLOURIST

Each of these three is pretty self-explanatory – whose name on the cover or credits box of a book makes you want to pick it up? Whose work do you most look forward to seeing?

MOST WANTED

This is for the comic, series or graphic novel that saw print this year which you’d want to see more of, whether that be a book that was cancelled before its time, a one-shot or mini that just begs for a follow-up, or an OGN that you’d love to see a sequel to.

MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE

It may have seemed unappealing when you read about it online, and those preview pages may have looked unremarkable, but when you finally got the winner of this category in your hands you were ready to eat your words. What comic, series or graphic novel did you find yourself enjoying much more than you thought you would?

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

This is exactly what it says – which creator, creative team, publisher or other contributor to the world of comics really knocked it out of the park this year?

Let us have your picks in the comments thread below, along with your thinking on each one – we’ll read out a range of the responses on our big end-of-year show. Happy nominating!

Bring on the comments

  1. Chris V says:

    There weren’t a lot of comics that caught my eye in 2020 and I read a lot less comics this year than in past years.
    Sadly, with the small output of material this year, nothing Mike Mignola related impressed me this year. Usually, Mignola contributes at least one best of the year contender.
    “Her Fatal Hour” wasn’t bad, but I didn’t find it that strong. It was the best Mignola-related book this year.

    The year, for me, was dominated by Al Ewing’s work and Si Spurrier’s Hellblazer.
    It’s going to be a toss-up between the two for many of these catergories, but I won’t be able to give an answer for each one.

    -Best Continuing Series: Immortal Hulk-This book continues to impress year after year, and is easily my pick for best Marvel title in recent years.

    -Favourite writer:Al Ewing-I guess I’ll give the nod to Ewing over Spurrier because Ewing had more than one quality series this year.
    SWORD looks promising after the first issue, and is the most interested I’ve been in the X-relaunch since shortly after House/Powers ended.

    -Most Wanted: Well, based on my compatriots who read comics, I’d be remiss if I didn’t put out in the aether the idea of Si Spurrier getting the chance to continue his late lamented Hellblazer run.

    -Outstanding achievement: Si Spurrier’s Hellblazer-I’m a long time fan of the Hellblazer series. I’ve followed the character since the Ennis years and own all of JC’s appearances going back before that point to his introduction in Moore’s Swamp Thing. He is probably my favourite comic book character ever created.
    I can honestly say this was the best iteration of HB since the Paul Jenkins run.
    After many years of HB comics I hated, it was more than a pleasant surprise to read a HB comic I was proud to add to the legacy of Jamie Delano, Paul Jenkins, and Garth Ennis.
    Managing that feat with John in 2020 is worthy of getting the nod in this catergory.

  2. It’s been a rough year.

    BEST NEW SERIES

    I still cant believe X-FACTOR is as good as it is. I admit, I’m completely in the tank for David Baldeon’s art, but even still, this book is the best thing to come of the Hickman X-Men run since MARAUDERS.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES

    Taking a mulligan on this one because, much like Paul, I didn’t really discover a new series this year.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES

    The Immortal Hulk is the best comic on the stands, and has been since its first issue.

    BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN

    Green Lantern Earth One Volume 2. Gabriel Hardman draws hard sci-fi the way I want to see it done, with inestimable skill–and the story he and his partner have crafted breathes so much fresh air into the GL concept.

    FAVOURITE WRITER

    Al Ewing. Marvel has finally figured out how to utilize they’re best asset, and he keeps. Putting. Out. Barnburners.

    Also, HE MADE EMPYRE GOOD. What cursed shambolic Majik allowed that to happen?

    FAVOURITE ARTIST

    I feel like Marco Checchetto (Daredevil) is some magic urban genie whose work is the pinnacle of street level superheroics, and that should have been recognized long before now.

    FAVOURITE COLOURIST

    Jordan Boyd made Green Lantern Earth One Volume 2 the prettiest comic I remember reading this year.

    MOST WANTED

    Immortal She-Hulk. Even with Ewing’s name in the byline, I thought this was just going to be a one-off cash grab. I was elated that instead, we got Jennifer’s take on Thw Green Door, and what Death means to so many in the Marvel U who have returned from it. Its brilliant and I want more.

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE

    Who on their right mind would have thought that after months of COVID delay, having halg its crossover titles cut, and having Dan Slott’s name in the byline, that EMPYRE was going to be a joyous exercise in storytelling competence? Certainly not Matvel, who crapped the books out as quickly as possible to clear the deck for whatever Donny Cates is doing next. But man, reading EMPYRE felt like the comics equivalent of the New York Philharmonic doing a night of Mozart favorites–sure, you’ve heard every nite before, but they’re being played as skillfully and delightfully as you’ve ever heard. Empyre was a treat.

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

    Funny anecdote: I started my podcast the same week Sex Criminals #1 hit the comic shelves. So I felt a pretty big twinge of emotion when the final issue hit this year. Big props and huge affection to Chip Zdarsky and Matt Fraction for finishing that incredible series.

  3. Phil says:

    Merry Xmas you guys

  4. CJ Kray says:

    Can you add best Letterer? I actually know some letterers in the industry and they work really hard and have great talent.

  5. Mark Coale says:

    If any year needed the Stiff Drink Award, it’s 2020.

  6. Thom H. says:

    BEST NEW SERIES: X-Factor by a mile. Love hanging out with those quirky kids.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES: I got nothing. Even S.W.O.R.D. had a previous volume. But maybe S.W.O.R.D.?

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES: Immortal Hulk for sure. I’ve never liked the Hulk until now.

    BEST MINI: Strange Adventures. If Tom King is going where I think he’s going, it’s going to be an emotional ride for me.

    FAVORITE WRITER: I’m going with King because I’m really enjoying Rorschach, as well. Al Ewing is a very close second.

    FAVOURITE ARTIST: Nicola Scott is knocking it out of the park on Black Magick. The comic book beefcake doesn’t hurt.

    FAVOURITE COLOURIST: Chiara Arena of Black Magick. Technically, she’s “color assist,” but when she steps in her palette is gorgeous.

    FAVOURITE LETTERER: Jodi Wynne of Black Magick again. The runic vibe of the normal lettering, the white-on-black of spellcasting, the sound effects — it all looks great.

    MOST WANTED: Can Brubaker/Martin/Vicente’s Friday (at Panel Syndicate) come out a little more often, please?

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE: Honestly, I was on the fence about Rorschach before it came out, but the ’70s vibe and the central mystery have me hooked.

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: To all the comic shops that survived the pandemic shutdown. And to all the comic fans who supported them through a tough time. We really are a great little community.

  7. brian says:

    BEST NEW SERIES: Black Widow by Kelly Thompson and Elena Casagrande. Things take a turn during the first issue and sets the series in a really intriguing direction.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES: I can think of nothing that would be eligible.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES: John Constantine: Hellblazer. Spurrier has Constantine’s voice down perfect and it really is exactly what you want from a Vertigo Hellblazer series in 2020. Plus, Tommy Willowtree is a lot of fun in the supporting cast.

    BEST MINI: Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen by Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber was funny, quirky and very entertaining.

    FAVORITE WRITER: Tom Taylor for his work on the DCeased books and Suicide Squad.

    FAVOURITE ARTIST: Steve Lieber for me – Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen was one of my favourites this year and it wouldn’t be the same series at all without Lieber.

    FAVOURITE COLOURIST: It’s not a novel choice but Jordie Bellaire for her work on Black Widow and John Constantine: Hellblazer.

    MOST WANTED: Hard not to say more of Spurrier writing John Constantine. It was the best series in comics this year and Spurrier has been vocal in saying he would have liked to have gone on further on the title.

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE: Struggling with this one to be honest but I suppose I’ll go for Fabian Nicieza returning to an X-title with a pretty solid take on the Juggernaut.

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: I would echo the previous selection of retailers who have survived the pandemic – hopefully 2021 is an easier year for comics shops. Honourable mention to Joshua Williamson wrapping up a long and satisfying run on the Flash.

  8. Krzysiek Ceran says:

    BEST NEW SERIES
    Got to be X-Factor. I really like the grasp Leah Williams has on those characters, Baldeon’s art gives them life – and a lot of style. And the premise is bonkers in a good way. We haven’t seen many issues so it’s still an open question whether the potential the series has will be realized, but it was a very good start.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES
    Scarenthood only has two issues out, but it’s a great mix of comedy and parental dread, with tinges of sadness and actual horror. It’s not revolutionary and probably won’t change comics forever, but I can’t think of any other actually new series I enjoyed as much.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES
    It was a toss-up between Immortal Hulk and John Constantine: Hellblazer, but since Hellblazer won’t be continuing, it gets the award.

    God, that first mermaid issue. Saw the end coming from miles away and it still hit me and stayed with me for days.

    FAVOURITE WRITER
    Al Ewing, easily. At his worst he’s producing fun, pulpy romps way above the rest of the fray – Empyre was great, silly cosmic fun and probably the best Avengers event in years.
    And at his best, well, Immortal Hulk.

    FAVOURITE ARTIST
    Valerio Schiti. He may not be my favourite penciler on a panel to panel basis (that would probably be Marco Checchetto on Daredevil), but I loved his creature, costume and tech designs in Empyre and SWORD.

    MOST WANTED
    More of Spurrier’s Hellblazer.

    I skipped some categories, might come back to them later if I come up with something.

  9. Jarrod Jones says:

    I have to be careful not to repeat myself for CASUAL WEDNESDAYS’ upcoming YEAR IN REVIEW episode, but here goes nothin’:

    BEST NEW SERIES

    I have two, just to break out from my final list:

    WICKED THINGS from BOOM! Box. John Allison, Max Sarin, Whitney Cogar and Jim Campbell are back and my heart was so full. I’ve rarely been so pleased to see a specific creative team return to a series.

    Vault’s THE AUTUMNAL isn’t near done yet, but so far it’s exactly the kind of methodical drip-drip-drip of tension you want to see in a proper horror story. A24 quality stuff so far.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES

    another two:

    AfterShock struck some gold with Zac Thompson this year, with his Lonnie Nadler/Sami Kivela co-conspired UNDONE BY BLOOD, OR: THE SHADOW OF A WANTED MAN or his Jen Hickman team-up LONELY RECEIVER.

    BILLIONAIRE ISLAND became yet another reason why AHOY is one of my favorite publishers. darkly hilarious and not ashamed to take the piss out of those of us who gloss over the horrors of the world. fun stuff.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES

    DC’s THE GREEN LANTERN, SEASON TWO is as weird as DC is likely to ever get again (so long as Morrison keeps their distance), so I’m going with this. ‘sides, the book maintained its moxie for the duration of both seasons and a fill-in 3 issue mini, BLACKSTARS. I loved all of it.

    BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN

    LOUD! Maria Llovet’s near-wordless one-shot from Black Mask, made me swoon it was so good.

    FAVOURITE WRITER

    it’s Mark Russell, both here and in the CASUAL WEDNESDAYS episode (and on my site’s “Best of” list). oops. what can I say? I read SECOND COMING: ONLY BEGOTTEN SON #1 last night and I was both moved and red in the face from laughing. Russell’s just that good.

    FAVOURITE ARTIST

    Maria Llovet, FAITHLESS II, LOUD! Maria is terrific; her technical skill gets glossed over by her style, I think. should be set on the same level as a lot of folks (including myself) are placing Tradd Moore.

    FAVOURITE COLOURIST

    Jordie Bellaire’s work on JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER is reason enough to land this spot. Jordie’s done far more work this year than that, besides. nobody nails textures and shadows quite the same.

    MOST WANTED

    more legitimately funny comics, please. no more “isn’t this particular situation silly” kinda books, but gut-busting stuff like Mark Russell’s SECOND COMING or whatever Tom Peyer feels like scribbling down in the moment.

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE

    not that I doubted it for a second, but SUPERMAN SMASHED THE CLAN was a nigh-perfect Superman story that transcended readership age without dumbing things down for the younger group.

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

    as much as I enjoyed a lot of what they put out, AHOY’s output has kinda been in flux this year; some good stuff, some iffy stuff, but I think 2021 will be more their year (far as I’m concerned). so give all accolades to Vault Comics, an independent publisher that indulges talent, goes decadent with book production (the design! that paper stock!!!) and maintains a general fine-to-actually really damn great spectrum of quality that few of its contemporaries share.

    also, pour one for Al Ewing, He Who Must Write All The Things.

    thanks, fellas! love the show!

  10. Tom Shapira says:

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES

    Wicked Things – John Alison. Max Sarin. ’nuff said.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES

    Copra – just three issues this year but, in the grand Fiffe tradition, each one feels like artistic miracle.

    BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN

    A Map to the Sun – best OGN of the year (and there’s been plenty of them)

    FAVOURITE WRITER
    John Alison

    FAVOURITE ARTIST

    Michel Fiffe

    FAVOURITE COLOURIST
    Sloane Leong

    MOST WANTED

    After Judge Dredd: Control I REALLY need more Chris Weston Judge Dredd stories in my life

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

    Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou – I’m biased because he publishes my stuff, but hut really manages huge amount of output while keeping to impossibly high standards

  11. Liam Davenport says:

    Asking for votes, that’s how you get me to post. There’s some things mentioned here already that I obviously need to read.

    I read a lot of comics this year – found myself with an excess of sitting-around time – but mainly older things I got in Comixology sales. It’s not that I didn’t read mostly Big Two, it’s that I read mostly old Big Two this year. Gerry Conway’s run on Spider-Man: very good.

    BEST NEW SERIES

    Does this have to go to a not-actually-new series? Can I cheat and nominate two actually new series? If so, does that imply some kind of hierarchy between the two?

    I will avoid that question by nominating WICKED THINGS in this category, like Jarrod Jones has; Lottie has been a protagonist before, albeit not in a book published by Boom. John Allison might well agree that she is his best character. I suspect this book would do better in the “actually new” category, where Tom Shapira put it, though.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES

    Given the above, I will concur with Krzysiek Ceran and say SCARENTHOOD. It might be the recency effect – if I went back and re-read e.g. ADVENTUREMAN would I like that more? – but I really enjoyed those first two issues. Plus, it’s nice to see authentic Irish accents represented in dialogue, instead of whatever Banshee is meant to be.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES

    The mob is right, it’s IMMORTAL HULK. Probably one of the best runs on any Marvel book in the history of the company. CROWDED would be my runner-up.

    BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN

    I thought this was going to be tricky, and then scrolling back through the year I saw Ryan North and Albert Monteys’ graphic novel adaptation of SLAUGHTER HOUSE FIVE. Which was tremendous. Probably the single comic I re-read the most this year.

    FAVOURITE WRITER

    I wasn’t sure at first, but looking back at what I read over the year as a whole it’s clearly CHRISTOPHER SEBELA. Ewing is good, but there’s lots of his work around; I don’t feel the need to seek him out, he’ll come to me. Sebela’s the writer whose books I’m actively looking out for.

    FAVOURITE ARTIST

    Gonna nominate Andrew MacLean’s excellent cartoony decapitations in HEAD LOPPER. It’s not reached the heights of that first story again yet, but I still really look forward to this whenever it’s out. If you’re missing Hellboy, maybe give Head Lopper a look.

    FAVOURITE COLOURIST

    I flipping love Triona Farrell’s colours in CROWDED.

    FAVOURITE LETTERER

    This is hard, I worry that I don’t notice lettering at its best. I like the lettering in HEAD LOPPER, so Erin MacLean. But I have a nagging feeling that this should be Albert Monteys as well.

    MOST WANTED

    Technically it’s not dead yet, but this year did see CROWDED curtailed; the end of the story will come out as a standalone GN, and that’s it. This is a great shame, so it gets my vote.

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE

    Diamond’s stranglehold on comics distribution is being broken! Just in time for the local comic shop ask we know it to be killed by a combination of Covid and Amazon, but still. That was a bit of excitement back in June.

    Oh, I have to nominate a comic? It began late in 2019, but FAR SECTOR is really consistently good. NK Jemisin is one of those few outside-medium hires who instinctively knows how to write a comic. Genuinely didn’t expect this to still be good a year later.

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

    Nothing can compete with all the shops who weathered the pandemic, especially in areas and times when no furlough or support was available, but shout-out to all of the fans and creators who pulled support from Dynamite in July over the Comicsgate thing. Hope to see more of that when publishers act badly in the future.

  12. Adam says:

    Man, everything that I really enjoy these days started in 2019.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES

    “Die” by Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans.

    BEST MINI OR OGN

    “Banned Book Club” by Hyun Sook Kim and Ryan Estrada.

    FAVORITE WRITER

    Joe Hill.

    FAVORITE ARTIST

    Stephanie Hans.

    MOST WANTED

    “Locke & Key”. Happily, I’m getting it in February.

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

    The comic shops, sure, why not.

  13. Michael Keloisim says:

    ~BEST CONTINUING SERIES Legion of Super-Heroes. It’s a Bendis book (nuff’ said), but the art was great and it’s better than nothing. LONG LIVE THE LEGION!

    ~BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN
    My Little Pony / Transformers: Friendship in Disguise ! The crossover you all wished for but were afraid to admit out loud!

    ~MOST WANTED : comic companies hiring writers, artists, and editors due to talent and not political beliefs.

    ~MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE : All of the free digital comics given away on Comixology due to the pandemic/untimely death of Chadwick Boseman. Hundreds of single issues, trades and complete runs of Black Panther and Scooby-Doo.

    ~Stiff Drink award (RIP 2018) I’m reviving and modifying this one: All of the comic book stores in the USA that have stopped selling new weekly comics (and there are many). A harbinger of the end. If comic book stores can no longer afford to sell the weekly titles and opt to become Magic cards / toys/ pop culture stores, this just shows how the current batch of creators has driven away fans in droves.

  14. Luke says:

    Long time listener, first time Homies voter, I think.
    Thanks to Dawn of X, I’m actually reading weekly comics again. That said…

    BEST NEW SERIES

    Cable? I’ve enjoyed this more than I thought I would and the art is beautiful. Not a particularly strong recommendation, I know, but X-Factor has left me cold and Hellions…. take out Sinister and it doesn’t have much.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES

    Decorum. It’s definitely gotten weaker (or demanded more attention that I can’t give it) as it’s gone on, but I’m mostly still enjoying it.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES

    I’ve oscillated on the Last God (liked it, decided it was derivative hack nonsense, back to liking it again) although the art has always been brilliant, and I’ve really liked Marauders, Valkyrie and The Green Lantern, but Hellblazer has to win this. Every single issue has been funny, scary and devastating. It’s not a new idea to tell stories where Constantine is both hero and villain, but this is on another level. Spurrier has knocked it out of the park. And the art has been horrific and surreal and amazing. Every issue has stayed with me for days and re-reading it last week, I was just stunned at how it holds together, and at how well Spurrier tied it all up when they got cancelled.

    BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN
    All the X of Swords one shots were great, and Fantastic Four Road Trip was pleasingly weird, but winner for me is Immortal Hulk – the Threshing Place.

    FAVOURITE WRITER
    Has to Si Spurrier

    FAVOURITE ARTIST
    Aaron Campbell.

    FAVOURITE COLOURIST

    Jordie Bellaire manages to produce loads of varied work that is always good.

    MOST WANTED

    I really miss Jane Foster Valkyrie, but, again, winner has to be Hellblazer.

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE

    X of Swords. I was dreading it, but X-Men 13 and Creation has me hooked. Every issue in the early part was good, but I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that I was about to read 10 issues of mindless grimdark fighting…. and it never happened. X-Force 14 had me in stitches and the finale had me genuinely excited.

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
    Hellblazer 12. It’s just stunning.

  15. I.M. Baytor says:

    BEST NEW SERIES
    If by ‘new series’ you mean ongoing series, I have to go with Decorum. If this category also includes finished limited series, though, then The Ludocrats (with Strange Adventures as a close second)

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES
    Again, Decorum or, if allowed, The Ludocrats. That said, I actually think we got plenty of great (actually) new series this year: Undone By Blood, American Ronin, Wicked Things, Big Girls, We Only Find Them When They’re Dead…

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES
    Red Sonja (closely followed by Far Sector, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen, and Deadpool)

    BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN
    The Ludocrats (followed by Maria Llovet’s Loud! and X-Ray Robot)

    FAVOURITE WRITER
    Mark Russel

    FAVOURITE ARTIST
    Jesse Lonergan (Mike Huddleston is awesome, of course, but Lonergan blew me away with Hedra)

    FAVOURITE COLOURIST
    Tamra Bonvillain

    MOST WANTED
    Now that Rick Veitch brought back the Maximortal, I can’t wait to see where he takes him next…

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE
    Wonder Twins – even with Russell writing, I had no idea a teen DC book about the Wonder Twins could be this hilarious and contain such genuinely sharp satire

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
    Clayton Cowles’ lettering managed to hit on all fronts this year: among others, it actually made Jimmy Olsen funnier, Batman cooler, Strange Adventures more affecting, and Adventureman more joyful and full of wonder.

  16. Mark Coale says:

    I dont think i read enough new books to vote for everything but some picks:

    Best Mini: bill and ted are doomed. Evan Dorkin co writing B&T again and Roger Langridge drawing? Yes please

    Best Continuing Series: usagi Yojimbo. Constant and consistent.

    Fav Writer: just to not vote for Al Ewing, matt fraction for jimmy olsen and also adventureman.

    Fav Artist: colleen coover

    Outstanding Achievement all the brick and mortar shops still hanging in there

  17. Adam in California says:

    BEST NEW SERIES
    Wicked Things. I got into Giant Days late, but I was on the ground floor for this bit of perfection. Max Sarin is a treasure.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES
    Friday. Sometimes Panel Syndicate is the best comics publisher on the planet.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES
    Immortal Hulk. Pity the creative team that has to follow this one.

    BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN
    Pulp by Brubaker and Phillips. Perfect.

    FAVOURITE WRITER
    Al Ewing. Obviously Immortal Hulk is a future classic run, but his Guardians of the Galaxy is my favorite run on that title… ever?

    FAVOURITE ARTIST
    Marcos Martin. I chose Marcos Martin as my favorite artist because he’s coincidentally the best artist.

    FAVOURITE COLOURIST
    Muntsa Vicente. And his missus is the best at coloring things, too!

    MOST WANTED
    More Runaways from Rainbow Rowell; She-Hulk too, if she’d like.

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE
    Friday. A Brubaker/Martin series out of the blue. Best creative team since the last creative team that also had Marcos Martin.

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
    Comic book stores somehow surviving this mess.

  18. Paul F says:

    BEST NEW SERIES

    X-Factor, probably. Not a lot I read that qualifies, sadly.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES

    Spy x Family: The first manga series to actually grab me enough that I’m reading along with it as it comes out. Delightful series. https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/10/21285734/spy-x-family-manga-shonen-jump-review

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES

    Immortal Hulk. Even loved the King in Black tie-in issue, which also managed to be both a ‘Nuff Said issue and a Christmas issue.

    BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN

    Superman’s Friend Jimmy Olsen was the best book I read all year. Wonderful in every way.

    FAVOURITE WRITER

    Al Ewing

    FAVOURITE ARTIST

    Dan Mora

    FAVOURITE COLOURIST

    Nathan Fairbairn

    MOST WANTED

    More Wicked Things would be nice, or just more of that world.

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE

    I shouldn’t have doubted Yang and Gurihiru, but Superman Smashes the Klan was miles better than it needed to be.

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

    Comic shops

  19. Elizabeth says:

    ~BEST NEW SERIES: Persona 5 (Viz Manga)

    ~BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN
    My Little Pony Transformers: Friendship in Disguise (Can’t wait for a sequel, where Rarity redecorates all of Cybertron!=)

    ~MOST WANTED : More adventures from The Lost Light (Transformers) … weep…

    ~BEST CONTINUING SERIES: Sword Art Online (Yen Press light Novels) & Yona of the Dawn (Viz Manga)

    ~MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE / OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Marvel Puzzle Quest & Contest of Champions MOBILE GAMES! … I was shocked the character dialog was written far better then any actual comics I tried reading this year (other then manga).
    The contest of champions game had a great, heartwarming H.E.R.B.I.E. Team up story, Deadpool filming a Canadian “nature documentary” (poor Wolverine); & even the Amazing Spider-Ham came by for Christmas!
    & Puzzle Quest (while they do repeat the story quests a lot) had equally well written stories, plot, & it was the first time I enjoyed reading something with Deadpool in it that wasn’t written back in the 90’s…
    (Conclusion… Marvel, Please fire your SJW writers & hire your game staff writers, they’re far better at the job!)

  20. JD says:

    Pfew, it’s not too late yet…

    BEST NEW SERIES
    Hellions, which technically isn’t 100% new because of the completely unrelated miniseries with the Xavier School kids.
    Anyway, it’s a great book with an amusingly weird cast, and I 100% approve of the current trend of making Mr Sinister funny.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES
    Strange Academy : the first time I’ve enjoyed Scottie Young’s writing on something he doesn’t draw. Humberto Ramos is well-suited to the material, and seems to be stretching himself even when taking into account Edgar Delgado’s vibrant colours.
    It’s a fun book with an endearing cast (kids and teachers) that makes the best of the kitchen-sink magical side of the Marvel Universe.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES
    Since I don’t need to give the nod to the obvious, hulking suspect, I’ll instead cast my vote for Tom Taylor & Bruno Redondo’s Suicide Squad, which just narrowly missed “best new series” because the first issue got published in mid-December 2019.
    It was a breath of fresh air to the franchise, adding in a bunch of new characters and having them accompany the old cast on a thrilling adventure.
    While I’m a bit sad that it only lasted for 11 issues, at least it got to tell a complete story on its own terms, and I’m intrigued on how this creative team is going to tackle Nightwing, of all things, next.

    BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN
    First, a shout-out to DC’s program of OGNs for kids and young readers : while they’ve not all been winners (ouch the stinker that was Gotham High), they’ve nearly always been at least enjoyable, and even willing to introduce new characters (with Anti/Hero and Primer).

    That said, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen blew off everything else out of the water.

    FAVOURITE WRITER
    Al Ewing is the obvious winner, between Immortal Hulk, Guardians of the Galaxy, and the promising SWORD. (Empyre wasn’t as good, but picked up quite a bit by the end.)

    Honorable mention to Mark Russell, who knocked it out of the park in those last two issues of Wonder Twins, his digital Swamp Thing run, and his assorted stories in various anthologies. I’m really looking forward to his Future State: Superman vs Imperious Lex miniseries, because his take on Lex Luthor is just wonderful.

    FAVOURITE ARTIST
    Jamal Campbell for Far Sector. Amazing world building for this alien world.

    FAVOURITE COLORIST
    Not really my forte, but special mention for Edgar Delgado (Strange Academy, Marauders…) and Guru-eFX (X-Force, Doctor Doom…).

    MOST WANTED
    That Moira (mini?)series that has been teased for ages, because I sure would like to see more of her now that her character has been completely revamped.

    Also, I miss Saga.

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE
    Savage Avengers turning out to be pretty fun with Deodato out of the way.

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
    The comics industry just somehow surviving this hell year, and still turning out some really welcome entertainment along the way.

  21. Karl_H says:

    In a bit of a rush to get this in under the wire so I’m going to go fast.

    BEST NEW SERIES

    Hellions, always a treat to read.

    BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES

    Drawing a blank.

    BEST CONTINUING SERIES

    Have to say Immortal Hulk, with honorable mention to Head Lopper (although its status as “continuing” is debatable). Also, Die. Yes, let’s say Die and move Ewing down to Writer. Die, Die, Die!

    BEST MINI, ONE-SHOT OR OGN

    I don’t think anyone has mentioned We Live, which is a limited series I think? Great art, emotional punches, big twists.

    FAVOURITE WRITER

    So hard to pick, Ewing vs. Spurrier vs. Gillen. Have to go with the crowd on this one and say Ewing, because the MU is clearly close to his heart as it is to mine.

    FAVOURITE ARTIST

    Michel Fiffe because I didn’t get Copra into any previous awards. And he’s amazing.

    MOST WANTED

    Spurrier’s Hellblazer. (I really want Uber back too but that doesn’t appear to qualify as it hasn’t been published since… 2018?)

    MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE

    Ack! Out of time…

    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

  22. Sol says:

    Got to say, I haven’t had the brainpower to put together a list myself, but I took all the X-Factor (2020) praise above to heart and just bought Vol 1.

  23. Joseph S. says:

    Really surprised to see CG sympathizers here, but in case anyone reading is swayed by this nonsense, there’s absolutely no correlation between a few LCBS no longer selling weeklies (where is this even happening?) and supposed SJW creators or whatever.

    Firstly, there’s the global pandemic, which should affix an asterisks to qualify any speculations made about causation in the current market place. But beyond that, we’re looking at a decade long train wreck unfolding that has nothing to do with “politics in comics,” as if comics were at somepoint “apolitical.”

    The industry imploded due in the 90s. Marvel went bankrupt. There was a speculative boom, too many variants and BS aimed at speculative resale and not at building a sustainable marketplace. But virtually nothing has been done to change things, to figure out how to retool the direct market for the present market conditions. (Subscription services like MU are a step in the right direction, though of course this cuts out LCBSs)

    One would have to be delusional to think that DC and Marvel, owned by WB and Disney, two of the biggest media companies in the world, are self-consciously tanking their sales to appease “a vocal minority.” To the contrary, Ms. Marvel, Moon Girl, Squirrel Girl, etc sell phenomenally well in trades, especially to key younger demographics and via the Scholastic book fairs.

    And furthermore, the current X-line is selling very well, as have many books by non-male creators, by “political” creators (of many stripes). Clearly, CG is insecure middle aged men upset that they’re not the only demographic being catered to. Get out of here with that misogyny, for real.

  24. Michael Keloisim says:

    ~Joseph
    Ha! No one mentioned comicsgate and if Ms Marvel, Squirrel Girl and Moon Girl sold ‘phenomenally well’, Marvel would not have canceled each one of them. In the USA, many comic book stores have stopped selling weekly comics because they were losing money on them and that was before Covid. Some closed altogether. The comic creators who use their comic books as political soap boxes drive fans away and that is what is killing the industry. I don’t want to read about BLM in a super hero comic any more than a right wing cyber frog. Comics are supposed to be entertainment. When they become propaganda, right or left, it’s no longer fun. Argue all you want ,but the reality is more comic shops are closing down every year- the pandemic merely hastened their demise.