Gregg’s Best Comics of 2023
December 20th, 2023 by Gregg Senko
It was the year of debuts on a number of levels in 2023. As a result of Disney being the largest shareholder of 20th Century Fox, the Predator and Alien franchises saw their mini-series come out under Marvel instead of Dark Horse. In another publisher switch, Transformers and G.I. Joe recently got their reboot under Image instead of the recently familiar IDW. Meanwhile, characters like DC’s Beast Girl and Marvel’s Hallow’s Eve made their entrances this year as well. But after all the firsts, which titles rose above the smoke?
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For years, Transformers and G.I. Joe comics were published under Marvel, which then changed hands and went to IDW. However, at the end of last year, IDW’s grip on the licensing for both IP’s was lost. As the old adage goes, one man’s loss is another man’s gain, and such is the case in comic book publishers as well when Image swooped in to snag the rights. Both series recently made their debut with Transformers coming in a little earlier. What’s the verdict?
With Frank Castle gone and missing into parts unknown, it was only a matter of time before he either returned or someone took up the Punisher mantle. Well, Frank’s still MIA but there’s a new sheriff in town. Former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Joe Garrison has donned the all-black attire adorned with an abstract skull face. Is this guy hard core or just a gun-toting wannabe?
Alligator Loki?? He was not only my favorite surprise in the Loki series on Disney+, but my favorite surprise after walking into my local comics shop recently. The dialogue-absent inaugural issue features twelve brief tales that follow Alligator Loki on a number of comical mishaps and interactions with various Marvel characters.
That’s right, in addition to his monthly ongoing series, the Fish of Khonshu also gets a concurrent mini-series titled Moon Knight: City of the Dead. The five-issue series is penned by David Pepose (Savage Avengers, Hulk Annual) with artwork from Marcelo Ferriera (The Amazing Spider-Man, Strange). I’ll leave it to Pepose’s website (davidpepose.com) to best describe this latest installation in the world of Moon Knight…
When Doomsday killed Superman back in 1992, the earth-shattering storyline concurrently introduced new characters that instantly struck a chord with readers. One of those was none other than John Henry Irons, an engineer by trade who created his own enhanced suit of armor to fend off the villains of Metropolis. Irons donned the moniker Steel and took to the skies and the streets of Superman’s city. The man with the hammer is back, well, this other man with a hammer, not the Asgardian one, and he’s looking to do big things for the citizens of Metropolis.
Worlds collide as IDW brings together the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a roster of classic Street Fighter characters in the new mini-series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. Street Fighter! Gang Green is all here, including the fifth turtle, Jennika. With writing by Paul Allor (Godzilla Rivals) and art by Ariel Medel (Evil Ernie), TMNT vs. SF opens with a calcium-shattering punch by Raphael, connecting with the face of everyone’s favorite sonic-booming flat top, Guile.
About two months ago, give or take, some comic book stores were lucky enough to get debut issues of Dylan Burnett’s Arcade Kings. Though those were very limited, the series has now had its official widespread release with issue #1. Burnett, who’s done covers for another Image title, Radiant Black, has also spent plenty of time with Marvel working on series such as Ant Man and Cosmic Ghost Rider. With Arcade Kings, however, this is Burnett’s baby as he created, wrote, and did the artwork. So what’s this new, colorful series about anyway?
It’s a bustling week for comic book releases as IDW, DC, Marvel, and a the small publisher Scout Comics all have newsworthy titles arriving at stores. The end of March will be bringing a variety of nostalgia, famous faces and new stories for readers everywhere. So what titles did these aforementioned publishers provide? Without further ado, let’s cast some spells, smash some walls and turn up the volume!
The Spider-Man universe has a lot going on right now. I’m talking traffic at Times Square busy. Spider-Gwen has clones, Silk is back, Miles Morales is trying to find his way, and Dark Web made a chaotic splash, and then there’s Janine Godbe. Godbe is the former girlfriend of Ben Reilly, a clone Spider-Man. When Reilly’s memories were erased and he became the villain Chasm, Janine Godbe hit the road with her collection of supernatural masks to become Hallow’s Eve.
Last week Image launched its newest series, and despite its title, the concept is definitely from out of town. Local Man is created and written by the duo of Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash) and Tony Fleecs (Star Wars Adventures) and the tandem has approached the first issue in a most unique way. Jack Xaver, better known by his hero name Crossjack, is a former member of the super team Third Gen. The comic book is actually set up quite unconventionally where the back cover starts with Third Gen in action ripping through a horde of supposed baddies. If you flip the comic book over to the other cover, however, it delves into the modern day aftermath of Jack Xaver back home at his parents’ place in a small town called Farmington. So what got this guy the boot?
Norman Osborne, better known as the Green Goblin, is easily Spider-Man’s greatest nemesis. The sled-flying psycho has changed his tune in recent years, most recently donning the unwilling moniker of the Gold Goblin. After his son Harry’s death, a gap was left in the world of law-refusing goblindom. Enter Normie Osborn, Harry’s son, grandson of Norman. But this little scarlet menace is quite different than his science-based predecessors. What secret does he hold that his family does not?
Coming from Kyle Starks and Dark Horse Comics, Where Monsters Lie is a mini-series I had heard nothing about, yet came highly recommended at my local comic book shop. Starks is the creator behind Sexcastle, an 80’s-themed story about an assassin who’s retired to become a small town florist. While I can’t say I’ve read it, Starks must be doing something right because Sexcastle was just optioned to become a major motion picture, according to Image Comics. Hats off to Starks’ success, but can he match that with Where Monsters Lie?
Lots of big splashes were made in the industry this year with Detective Comics releasing its DC vs. Vampires miniseries and Marvel delivering the Judgement Day event. Meanwhile, Aliens and Predator both saw their respective miniseries get launched for the first time not under the Dark Horse label. And speaking of firsts, Batman and Spawn teamed up for the first time in years to put the dark duo back in the hands of fans. But who stole the show as the year’s best?
There’s the old saying that every dog has his day, such is the case with short, green Jedi Masters. Marvel recently released issue #1 of Yoda in part one of the story arc, Light and Life: The Coming of the Jedi. No stranger to Star Wars, Cavan Scott, can be found authoring the series with Nico Leon responsible for the artwork. While it’s not necessarily considered an oversized issue, the premier certainly has more content than your typical comic book. That’s all fine and dandy, but how is the story?
Artist/Writer Scottie Young (Human Torch, New X-Men) has created something uniquely appealing with his new series I Hate Fairyland. This time, other than the book’s cover, Young steps back from artistic duties and works primarily as the series’ writer. With a title like that, you’re probably asking what this series is about, especially if you did not catch its prior inception. It centers around main character Gertrude, who was trapped in Fairyland as a child, grew up there, became disenchanted there, and split a lot of heads there…literally. What can I say? She carries a big axe.
Marvel heads to South Korea with its newest super team, Tiger Division ! Emily Kim, who wrote the Spider-Man spinoff series Silk, assumes writing duties for Tiger Division, and does a more than proficient job I might add. As the inaugural issue states, “When South Korea needed defending, the National Intelligence Service, led by Director Ami Han, A.K.A. White Fox, assembled a team of super-powered individuals. Taegukgi, the powerhouse who packs a punch; Lady Bright, a card-wielding sorcerer; Mr. Enigma, a street-brawling demigod; the General, a living totem; Gun-R II, a fast-talking robot; and Luna Snow, a cryokinetic pop star.”
Namor: Conquered Shores recently mades its debut in comic book stores and has been receiving solid reviews across the board. Written by Christopher Cantwell, the writer/director takes us 100 years into the future when much of the earth’s surface is a scalded wasteland while Atlantis prospers below the waves. Cantwell is joined by artist Pasqual Ferry who offers page after page of descriptive visuals in what will be a five-issue mini-series.
