Originally written on February 9, 2006 for publication in The Comics Journal
The 20 Best Comics of 2005
20. THE MURDER OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, by Rick Geary (NBM)
19. BPRD: THE BLACK FLAME, by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, and Guy Davis (Dark Horse)
18. TALES DESIGNED TO THRIZZLE, by Michael Kupperman (Fantagraphics)
17. SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST, by Joshua W. Cotter (AdHouse)
16. DIARY OF A MOSQUITO ABATEMENT MAN, by John Porcellino (La Mano)
15. THE WALKING DEAD, by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard (Image)
14. SEVEN SOLDIERS, by Grant Morrison and various artists (DC) / SEAGUY, by Grant Morrison & Cameron Stewart (DC/Vertigo)
13. DOGS AND WATER, by Anders Nilsen (Drawn & Quarterly)
12. DAREDEVIL: DECALOGUE, by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev (Marvel)
11. SLEEPER, by Ed Brubaker & Sean Philips (DC/WildStorm)
10. 100%, by Paul Pope (DC/Vertigo)
9. WE3, by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely (DC/Vertigo)
8. PYONGYANG, by Guy Delisle (Drawn & Quarterly)
7. PLANETES, by Makoto Yukimura (Tokyopop)
6. THE ACME NOVELTY LIBRARY, by Chris Ware (Pantheon) / ACME NOVELTY LIBRARY #16, by Chris Ware (Fantagraphics)
5. ALL STAR BATMAN & ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER, by Frank Miller & Jim Lee (DC) / ALL STAR SUPERMAN, by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely (DC)
4. ICE HAVEN, by Daniel Clowes (Pantheon)
3. OR ELSE #2, by Kevin Huizenga (Drawn & Quarterly)
2. EPILEPTIC, by David B. (Pantheon)
1. BLACK HOLE, by Charles Burns (Pantheon)
Why did you throw All Star Batman & Robin and All Star Superman together?
They both launched that year and we were encouraged to think of them as having the same basic goals, and I enjoyed them about the same.
The All-Star stuff launched in 2005? Good gravy that takes me back.
I’m reminded that was a darn good year for comics. I still return to Black Hole, Sleeper, 100%, Thrizzle and WE3. Anytime Epileptic is second best is a good year.
Yeah, looking at this list, I think this year is tough to top, almost no matter what you’re interested in.
Whoa! You liked All Star Batman & All Star Superman the same? Truly you are a man with an open mind. But wow you’re right–what an amazing year that was. Although this year has been no slouch, either.