The Best of 2011

There’s still glitter on the streets. Fridges are filled with half-empty bottles of champagne and gyms are extra crowded due to people working on their resolutions. And while we celebrate the beginning of a new year, there’s no better way to ring in 2012 than to reflect on the successes of 2011.

The DC offices were closed all of last week, but that doesn’t mean that press didn’t continue to roll in. Below, take a look at some of the year-end “best of” lists that ran.

CNN’s GEEK OUT highlighted ANIMAL MAN, BATWOMAN, THE FLASH, I, VAMPIRE and JOE THE BARBARIAN in an article about the “unprecedented creativity” in comic books in 2011.

THE ONION’s A.V. CLUB’s list of the best comic books of 2011 included DETECTIVE COMICS, BATMAN, BATWOMAN and ANIMAL MAN. The article also gave individual honors to WONDER WOMAN, O.M.A.C. and JIMMY OLSEN.

GAWKER’s IO9 featured SPACEMAN, ANIMAL MAN, SWAMP THING, BATMAN and FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.HA.D.E. on their list of the best science fiction and fantasy comic books of 2011.

COMPLEX MAGAZINE’s list of top 25 comic books of 2011 included FLASHPOINT, JUSTICE LEAGUE, NORTHLANDERS, SWAMP THING, WONDER WOMAN, BATWOMAN, ACTION COMICS, DETECTIVE COMICS, BATMAN and ANIMAL MAN.

BLOODY DISGUSTING’s list of top 10 comic books of 2011 included SWEET TOOTH, DETECTIVE COMICS, BATWOMAN and ANIMAL MAN.

AFTER ELLEN highlighted BATWOMAN in their 2011 review of books.

SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE named DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 the biggest comic book story of 2011.

POPDOSE included BATWOMAN, SCALPED and XOMBI on their list of favorite comics of 2011.

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES’ list of top 100 comics of 2011 included BATMAN INCORPORATED, HELLBLAZER, XOMBI, FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E., THE UNWRITTEN, SWEET TOOTH, THE SHADE, ALL-STAR WESTERN, JONAH HEX, AMERICAN VAMPIRE, FLASHPOINT: BATMAN KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE, O.M.A.C., FABLES, IZOMBIE, BATGIRL, BATMAN, AQUAMAN, ACTION COMICS, SWAMP THING, WONDER WOMAN, BATWOMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS, SCALPED and ANIMAL MAN.

IFANBOY declared DC Comics as their “Publisher of the Year.” Their list of best new books in 2011 included ANIMAL MAN, SPACEMAN, BATMAN and ACTION COMICS. Meanwhile, their list of the top 10 comic events of 2011 included DC: RETROACTIVE and the STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES crossover, while FLASHPOINT and DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 took the top two spots. And their list of 2011’s best comic book writers included Jeff Lemire (ANIMAL MAN/FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E./SWEET TOOTH), Brian Azzarello (WONDER WOMAN/100 BULLETS/SPACEMAN), and taking the #1 spot was Scott Snyder (BATMAN/SWAMP THING/DETECTIVE COMICS/AMERICAN VAMPIRE).

To be continued …

The Best of 2011

The end of the year means a lot of things: traffic around Times Square, midnight kisses and the clinking of champagne flutes across the globe and gyms full of people looking to stick to their resolutions. But in the publishing industry, one thing that the end of the year also signifies is the publication of various “best of the year” lists.

USA TODAY just published their story on the best things to happen in the comic book industry in 2011. Best writer? Scott Snyder. Best superhero artist? J.H. Williams. Best artist return? Jim Lee. Best worst Super hero? Aquaman. It's all there--and more, with multiple name checks for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

THE VILLAGE VOICE included ANIMAL MAN and SPACEMAN on their list of the best comic books and graphic novels of the year while NPR's MONKEY SEE BLOG's list featured DEMON KNIGHTS, ANIMAL MAN, DAYTRIPPER, AQUAMAN and WONDER WOMAN.

Over on THE TORONTO STAR’s list of the top 10 graphic novels of the year, you’ll find DC COMICS: THE NEW 52 OMNIBUS and the deluxe edition of JOE THE BARBARIAN.

Meanwhile, IGN dubbed the launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 the “best moment of the year.” AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST was also named the “best miniseries,” SECRET SIX #36 won the award for “best single issue” and Scott Snyder was again crowned the “best writer.”

And while you’re at IGN, be sure to check out their list of the Best Vertigo and Icon comics books of 2011. AMERICAN VAMPIRE came in at #1 with THE UNWRITTEN, SWEET TOOTH, SCALPED, IZOMBIE, FABLES, and NORTHLANDERS all making the Top 10 list.

To be continued …

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: For the Grant Morrison Fan

Looking for the perfect gift for the Grant Morrison fan on your list? Well, look no further. Here are a few of Morrison’s newest comic books that are guaranteed to delight.

ACTION COMICS issues #1-4

Newly launched as part of DC Comics-The New 52, ACTION COMICS, with art by Rags Morales and Rick Bryant, features Superman as the new guy in town, and the people of Metropolis are none to pleased with their new champion.

BATMAN INCORPORATED: LEVIATHAN STRIKES

Batman realizes to his dismay that he's been outwitted as the true identity of Leviathan continues to elude him, in this sensational, giant-sized one-shot spinning out of the critically acclaimed BATMAN INCORPORATED, with art by Chris Burnham and Cameron Stewart.

JOE THE BARBARIAN Deluxe Edition

“Gorgeous and haunting” – IGN

"Intelligent, honest and beautifully illustrated."- IO9

With art by Sean Murphy, JOE THE BARBARIAN is an emotional journey through one boy’s epic adventure that may be an insulin deprived delirium.

WE3 Deluxe Edition

“Writer Morrison and illustrator Quitely meld incisive dialogue with action visualized from a four legged point of view.” — WASHINGTON POST

“A smart and surprisingly touching high-tech fable.” —SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

With art by Frank Quitely, WE3 includes 10 new story pages and a 28 page bonus section featuring a wealth of character designs and sketches from Quitely, with commentary and script excerpts from Morrison.

The SCREAM 2011 nominees include…

We’re pleased to announce that the following Vertigo and DC Comics titles were nominated for The 2011 SCREAM AWARDS:

DAYTRIPPER by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon and AMERICAN VAMPIRE by Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque for Best Comic Book or Graphic Novel

Grant Morrison: JOE THE BARBARIAN and BATMAN INCORPORATED for Best Comic Book Writer

Mark Buckingham: FABLES for Best Comic Book Artist

Scream is the first and only worldwide annual event dedicated exclusively to honoring the Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Comic Book genres.

The SCREAM 2011 winners will be announced on SPIKE on Tuesday, October 18. For the full list of nominees click here.

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