BEST COVER OF 2011: SECRET AVENGERS #17

John Cassaday's cover for this was so in your face that it practically leaped off the shelf and into your hands. This is what a good cover should do; jump out at you and get you to look at it. Very dynamic, very vibrant, truly alive.

BEST COMIC BOOK OF 2011: LOCKE & KEY

The first six-part series of Locke and Key was a bit too bloodthirsty even for me, but ever since then, writer Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez have gone in a thousand different directions and explored everything and anything to make this the most entertaining, beautiful, emotional, and surprising book out there. The three kids have become the heart of the book and while the book has explored the usual young-love and adolescent angst of most high school stories, this one feels real and raw and the way it truly is. Add on the supernatural element and a super-evil baddie and a ton of keys that unlock untold new worlds and this book just keeps getting wilder and better.

BEST ISSUE OF 2011: CRIMINAL: LAST OF THE INNOCENT #1

Sure, it's a rip-off of the movie Garden State, but it adds murder to the equation along with a terrific mash-up of modern noir and old-school, Archie comics type story telling. Writer Ed Brubaker mines his own father's death to create a brutally emotional tale that's equal parts entertainment and grit. The entire four part series never went anywhere unfortunately but this first issue was perfect. It had to remind you of the fun and carefree days of childhood but it also reinforced the fact that you can reminisce all you want but the real world is an ugly, broken place. It was brutally honest and heartbreaking but also a joy to read in the sense that it felt alive and exciting. Truly a classic issue.

BEST WRITER OF 2011: JOE HILL

Joe Hill is doing such a fantastic job writing his series, Locke & Key. The end is near and I'm totally sad. The reason he's a good writer is the fact that he's good writing dialogue and story. His stuff is dark and uplifting, beautiful and weird, scary and engrossing. This year we got a big climax of sorts and a ton of historical back story. Hill also has a hell of a knack for creating a perfect 22 page story, almost as if he's constructing a delicate, elegant puzzle. Read the last panel of Locke & Key: Clockworks #3 and try not to feel a shudder run down your spine.

BEST ARTIST OF 2011: J.H. WILLIAMS III

Last time around, in Detective Comics, J.H. Williams III had writer Greg Rucka on board. Even without him, Batwoman is still a phenomenal read thanks to the luxuriously beautiful artwork. The panel layouts are like an acid trip but even all the tricks wouldn't help if the art wasn't so detailed and fluid and vibrant and alive. These pages truly belong in a museum...somewhere.

THE BEST OF 2011

It's 2012 already and, honestly, it won't be as big a year for comics as 2011 was. Sure, Marvel killed off The Human Torch (turns out he was never dead), Thor, Captain America (not only is Bucky Barnes back but he has a new series), and Spider-Man (granted, it was Ultimate Spider-Man), and did put out a slew of #1 books like Daredevil, The Mighty Thor, The Incredible Hulk, and The Punisher, and split the X-Men into two groups, and had a major Spider-Man epic (Spider Island! Mostly silly)...but DC got all the press. DC re-booted every book in September with new #1 issues and new creative teams. It was exciting, sure, and ended up mostly hit-or-miss, but it did bring some new life into comic book stores for a month. As for the indies and semi-indies? Joe Hill ruled on Locke & Key. Joe Benitez drew the shit out of Lady Mechanika. Brubaker delivered the best Criminal issue yet. Kick-Ass didn't get soft. Savage Dragon died and returned and celebrated #175 (with the same writer/artist...quite the feat). Chew rocked as usual. The Walking Dead went mainstream but stayed dry. Terry Moore put out a new, super-creepy series with Rachel Rising. & while comics seem to be dying (go to a store and everyone is my age)...it doesn't mean they're not as fun & as entertaining as ever. It was an epic year.