Complex Magazine | DC Comics

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 …

DETECTIVE COMICS #1 GOES BACK TO PRESS

DETECTIVE COMICS #1, by writer/artist Tony S. Daniel, will be going back to press for its fourth printing. This makes DETECTIVE COMICS the second title from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 to reach four printings, following JUSTICE LEAGUE.

Check out what the people saying about the series so far:

"Detective Comics is head-spinningly spectacular from top to bottom.” – MTV Geek

“Perfect.” – COMPLEX MAGAZINE

“A great Batman story with some truly killer art.” – IGN

So if you’re not reading already, you’ve got a chance to start from the beginning; DETECTIVE COMICS #1 will be back on shelves on 12/21. And if you’re among those who’ve already discovered the series, issue #4 hits stores on 12/7.

Tags:

Complex Magazine, DC Comics-The New 52, detective comics, IGN, justice league, MTV Geek, Tony S. Daniel

Critics and Scott Snyder Talk BATMAN

This week marked the release of the third issue of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s bestselling BATMAN series. Well, the critics have spoken and it looks like BATMAN #3 is a hit!

In addition to giving the book a perfect 5-star star review, IFANBOY has named it their “Pick of the Week.” “BATMAN #3 is expertly crafted … The Court of Owls have arrived. Batman’s rattled. I’m rattled. That’s a good thing,” they wrote of the book.

But IFANBOY wasn’t the only outlet to give BATMAN #3 a 5-star review. COMICVINE gave the book a perfect ranking as well. “It's a great ride that you're going to want to sit back and savor every tiny bit,” they said. “Reading this series just makes me happy to be a Batman fan.”

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES agree. “BATMAN after the relaunch has been a strong series, and this issue is no exception. It's a good time to be a Batman fan.”

“Snyder and Capullo reach new heights of collaboration here,” wrote IGN in their review. “The final scene of BATMAN #3 is the best in the series to date, as we witness Batman uncovering the truth behind the Court of Owls and realizing that everything he thought he knew was wrong.”

“Snyder is crafting a mystery that calls the Dark Knight's recent adversaries into question and reveals an ancient conspiracy that his family has faced for decades,” described COMPLEX MAGAZINE. “It’s gripping, unpredictable, intelligently plotted, and, most of all, incredibly illustrated thanks to Greg Capullo.”

So what can we expect in the next issue of this acclaimed series? We asked Scott Snyder to tease a little bit about what’s to come in issue #4.

“DC Nation! I just wanted to say how much it means to all of us - the kind things said about BATMAN,” Snyder exclusively told THE SOURCE. “Greg Capullo and I are having a blast with this story. Jon Glapion and FCO, too - and it's one we both care a lot about. And as a thanks to everyone out there who picked us up, here's a hint of what's coming... Because next issue we're finally going to learn Bruce's reason for being so resistant to believing in the Court - a reason that dates all the way back to his childhood, and some of the blackest days of his young life. And The Court of Owls (if it exists?) will finally spring its most deadly trap on Batman - a trap buried deep beneath the city, in the darkest bedrock. Okay, to Gotham. And remember, The Court is always watching!”

BATMAN #4 flies into stores on December 21st. Check out your exclusive first look at the issue below.

Tags:

Batman, comic book resources, Comicvine, Complex Magazine, DC Comics-The New 52, Greg Capullo, ifanboy, IGN, scott snyder

Everyone’s Talkin’ About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Monday Evening (PT) Edition

Ever since we launched DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, we’ve been trying to find the perfect outlet to post each exclusive preview. What better match, then, is there for BATMAN AND ROBIN than WIRED’s GEEKDAD? Head on over to their website to see an amazing 6-page sequence from issue #3, which is all about the tension between Bruce Wayne and his son, Damian.

USA TODAY previewed RESURRECTION MAN #3 and spoke with series writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. "His mortal soul is in jeopardy in a much greater way. The stakes are much higher than simply life or death," Abnett told them. “There are serious repercussions about heaven and hell and what these supernatural powers are interested in. That's really going to play out the next few issues where you've got forces both mortal and immortal fighting over him because he is so important."

LOS ANGELES TIMES’ HERO COMPLEX spoke with the acclaimed creative team behind WONDER WOMAN, Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. “We’re striving for something that speaks to a certain timelessness but at the same time doesn’t get bogged down with older notions of the Greek gods,” Chiang said of the series. “We’ve done away with togas and sandals and stuff like that in order to make you look at them with new eyes. We want the characters to look and sound different, we want them to act different than you would expect … The fact that all of the Greek myths are really rooted in human behavior is great.”

IGN spoke with NIGHTWING writer Kyle Higgins about the Gotham hero. “He grew up a sidekick, studying under the best, then left to spread his proverbial ‘wings’ but ultimately came back to take his mentor's place,” Higgins said. “In a medium where change is hard to facilitate, Dick is a character that has grown and developed -- he's a character who is built on the very idea of change.” While you’re at IGN, be sure to check out their exclusive preview of SUICIDE SQUAD #3.

Curious what else is coming out this week? POPMATTERS previewed DEMON KNIGHTS #3, COMPLEX MAGAZINE previewed MISTER TERRIFIC #3 and DC Comics’ official Facebook page has your first sneak peek at this week’s GRIFTER #3.

To be continued …