2015 is OVER. We’ve been counting down our best of last year, but it’s time to look ahead. Accordingly, the Comicosity staff has gathered and submitted their Most Anticipated Series of 2016:
Alison Baker
Pretty Deadly
Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Art by Emma Rios, Jordie Bellaire, and Clayton Cowles
Published by Image Comics
Emma Rios and Jordie Bellaire rendering the horror of the trenches in World War I? Why yes, I would like 10 of each and no sleep for a month. Technically this has already launched but Pretty Deadly fans have waited a very long time for the book’s return. Readers have already seen some familiar faces. Death’s daughters have their work cut out for them, as men are about to start murdering in a very serious way. It will be interesting to see if the book veers away from fantasy closer to the realm of horror, given the setting. The pacing issues of the initial arc already seems to be improving. I’m most looking forward to watching DeConnick and Rios cross genres, bringing American Western sensibilities to the fields of France.
Runner-Up: InSeXts (Marguerite Bennett and Ariela Kristantina)
John Ernenputsch
Black Panther
Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Art by Brian Stelfreeze and Laura Martin
Published by Marvel Comics
When given the opportunity to shine Black Panther has always been one of the best characters at Marvel. This has especially been true over the past few years with Jonathan Hickman’s take on T’Challa putting the character at the forefront of the Marvel Universe’s biggest event. Now with Black Panther getting ready to debut in the next Captain America movie, and Ryan Coogler rumored to be directing the solo film, mainstream attention has never been higher for the King of Wakanda. So, of course now is the perfect time to have one of the most decorated prose writers ever to write for Marvel put his stamp on Black Panther.
MacArthur Fellow, 2015 National Book Award recipent, and giant Marvel Comics fan, Ta-Nehisi Coates will joined by veteran artist Brian Stelfreeze on a new Black Panther series this spring. There’s no doubt that this is the most anticipated comic book of 2016.
Runner-Up: Heavy Metal (edited by Grant Morrison, February #280)
Nikki Powers
Cry Havoc
Written by Si Spurrier
Art by Ryan Kelly
Published by Image Comics
When Si Spurrier and Image Comics touted this new series as “not the tale of a lesbian werewolf who goes to war. Except it kind of is,” I was in. I’m totally in. I’ve loved Spurrier’s writing of late, and I’ve been following Ryan Kelly for quite awhile now. I’m really looking forward to seeing what these two will do together, especially with this interesting premise for a story right up my alley.
Runners-Up: Surviving Megalopolis (Gail Simone and Jim Calafiore), Mirror (Emma Rios and Hwei Lim), Snowfall (Joe Harris and Martin Morazzo), Captain Marvel (Tara Butters and Kris Anka)
Keith Callbeck
Legends of Tomorrow
Written by Keith Giffen, Aaron Lopresti, Len Wein, and Gerry Conway
Art by Bilquis Evily, Aaron Lopresti, Yildiray Cinar, Trevor Scott, Eduardo Pansica, and Rob Hunter
Published by DC Comics
This was going to be Sugar & Spike, but right before submitting my picks, that mini-series turned into part of the anthology series Legends of Tomorrow.
And I’m thrilled!
Sugar & Spike was a kids’ comic published in the 50s and 60s and they have shown up from time to time as inside jokes. The new story has a grown-up Sugar and Spike as private investigators working in the DC universe. Their new clients – super-heroes who are being blackmailed. The teaser image shows Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Green Lantern in older costume designs, perhaps indicating this series is spun out of post-Flashpoint continuity.
The other chapters of Metamorpho, the Metal Men, and Firestorm look like great fun.
Runner-Up: Grant Morrison’s Multiversity Too. (It would have been the top, but I’m not holding my breath that it will hit shelve in 2016.)
Roderick Ruth
Cry Havoc
Written by Si Spurrier
Art by Ryan Kelly
Published by Image Comics
Si Spurrier is one writer that I feel hasn’t garned enough attention that he deserves. Ever since his run on X-Men Legacy — and his under-acclaimed Six Gun Gorilla — Spurrier has been on my watch. Put his story into the hands of the visceral stylism of artist Ryan Kelly and you have a jaw-dropping comic book partnership with insane renderings that I can’t wait to sink my eyes into and explore the depths of one’s own inner monster.
Runners-Up: Prophet: Earth War (Brandon Graham and Giannis Milogiannis), Power Man and Iron Fist (David Walker and Sanford Greene)
Matt Santori
Birds of Prey
Published by DC Comics?
C’mon. You know it’s happening.
Since the debut of this cover with the solicitation of Batgirl #50, it’s clear as day to anyone paying attention that the Birds of Prey are back on their way into the DC Universe. Batgirl has her new Oracle already in roommate Frankie Charles, and with the return of Black Canary to the book in upcoming issues, it’s only a matter of time. Swirl in Spoiler and Bluebird, and you have 5 kick ass ladies ready to mix it up for a whole new generation. Fingers crossed we get my pick for Best Writer of 2015, Brenden Fletcher, at the helm.
Runner-Up: A.D. After Death (Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire)
Aaron Long
Mockingbird
Written by Chelsea Cain
Art by Kate Niemczyk
Published by Marvel Comics
I’m a big Mockingbird fan, and I thoroughly enjoyed the one-shot released earlier this year. Chelsea Cain teamed with Joelle Jones to give readers a great look at Mockingbird, a powerful hero gaining prominence in the Marvel U and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV-land, so I have high hopes for what she will bring to an ongoing Bobbi series. A spy-thriller featuring one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most capable agents is just what the doctor ordered and hopefully Cain and Niemczyk can harness some of the momentum coming off of other All-New, All-Different Marvel titles.
Runner-Up: Black Panther (Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze)
Don’t miss our picks for the best of 2015:
Best Series
Best Single Issue
Best Writer
Best Artist
Best Colourist
Best Graphic Novel
Best Indies
Best Holy $#*! Moments
Best Queer Moments at DC Comics