The Top Ten Comic Book Series Of 2014

Gavin Gronenthal ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Executive Editor
Here at Emertainment Monthly, we do a lot of comic reading, and for the first time, we’ve decided to compile a Top Ten Comic series of the year for our readers. This was a crazy year for comics, for both independent series and the big comic publishers. Let’s take a look at the best of the best for this past year.

10. Batman and Robin – Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason

Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason’s book continued throughout the year by showing us Batman’s obsessive trek to return his son Damian, the sadly deceased Robin, back to life. His journey took a particularly intense turn this year, and it lead to incredible action, from Batman confronting the league of shadows to having fistfight with Darkseid himself. Incorporating the best parts of Batman’s relationship with his protégés, teammates, and in the end, his now living son, Tomasi has continued to prove that Batman and Robin is a book worth reading.

9. Lumberjanes – Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis and Brooke A. Allen

Created by Grace Ellis and Shannon Waters, Boom! Studios’ unique and ridiculously fun all ages comic has led to some of the crazier adventures in 2014. Some killer art and completely vibrant characters have made these lady campers members of one of the best new series of the year. Completely written and drawn by a female creative team and intended for all ages, this series is lightning in a bottle that we can’t wait to see more of.

8. Daredevil – Mark Waid and Chris Samnee

It’s just so dang hard not to love Matt Murdock’s adventures these days. Ever since 2011, legendary writer Mark Waid has been pulling out all the stops on our favorite horned hero, and when artist Chris Samnee joined him, things somehow got even better. 2014 saw a new number one and a move to San Francisco, but that hasn’t stopped the book from being fantastic, intense, and of course, daring.

7. Southern Bastards – Jason Aaron and Jason Latour

Jason Aaron, a southern man himself, reunited with his Scapled creative partner Jason Latour to create a dark and blood soaked comic that has cemented itself in uniqueness. Self described as ‘The Dukes of Hazzard meets The Coen Brothers,” Earl Tubb’s angry adventures in Craw County, Alabama has proven that, when it’s done right, a whole lotta blood goes a long way in a comic book. Only 6 issues in, next year should be a whole new ballgame for these Bastards.

6. Rocket Raccoon – Skottie Young

Only four issues in and still firing on all cylinders, the breakout character of this summer’s hit movie Guardians of the Galaxy proves that there’s a reason he’s so popular now. Skottie Young provides both the writing and art for this clever and witty space adventure, one that has an incredibly rare cartoon feeling in an industry where everything always seems dark and hyper-realistic. Featuring the always loveable sidekick Groot and a horde of angry ex-girlfriends, this is a perfect reader for comic lovers and raccoon lovers everywhere.

5. All New X-Men – Brian Michael Bendis, Stuart Immonen and Mahmud Asrar

Still stuck in the present, Brian Michael Bendis’s team of the original X-Men have been bouncing between outer space, earth, and alternate dimensions in just 2014 alone. Combining huge action sequences and intricate character details, Bendis and his team of excellent artists has made every event seem fresh and new, incorporating everything that makes team book great while still not losing any momentum. With another Guardians of the Galaxy crossover coming next year, this team of mutants has no where to go but up.

4. Saga – Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples

It seems impossible to create a list about good comic books without including Saga, which can only be regarded as a classic in the making. Brian K. Vaughn once again proves himself a phenomenal writer, creating new characters that are just as interesting as the cast we already know and love, while also putting his protagonists through situations that continually get harder and harder. A brilliant and beautiful composition, with still phenomenal art by Fiona Staples, it literally pains us to put it at number four.

3. Batman – Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo

What else is there to say about Scott Snyder’s Batman? Ever since he and Greg Capullo took over for The Caped Crusader in The New 52, the stories have never been better. 2014 saw the end of Zero Year and the start of Endgame, which brought about the Joker’s triumphant and horrifying return. Trust us when we say there was no better way to celebrate The Dark Knight’s 75th anniversary then reading this run of Batman, which has all but cemented itself in comics history.

2. Ms. Marvel – G. Williow Wilson and Adrian Alphona

Simultaneously the most fun and important new superhero on the block this year, Kamala Khan has more than earned a spot amongst Marvel’s elite in such a short time. G. Willow Wilson’s book about a Muslim teenager who discovers she has super powers is supremely written, wonderfully drawn, and endlessly relatable. She loves super heroes, she loves being a super hero, and we love Ms. Marvel.

1. The Multiversity – Grant Morrison and Various Artists

Eight years in the making, Grant Morrison’s enormous and unyieldingly interesting epic defies all comic book expectations while never forgetting that it is, indeed, a comic book. The traversal through alternate worlds ushers in a constant stream of new and old characters, all of which are as fascinating as the next. Morrison showcases his prowess as the master of the industry as every comic is written in a completely different style, and yet none of them lack in quality. With artists that simultaneously look back at brilliant early comic art and look forward in unique ways of artistic story telling, this limited series fought a hard battle for number one, but it is more than well deserved.
That’s our list! Tell us what you think in the comments below, and remember, keep reading Emertainment Monthly for comic book news and more!