Panel of the Week

Top 10 Panels of the Year: Super Hero Edition

In no particular order here are my Top 10 Panels of the Year (super hero edition). I chose these panels mostly on how visually striking they were but also for media attention and milestone character moments.

Nightcrawler Dies – X-Force #26

In what was probably the least well kept secret in X-comics this past year Nightcrawler dies while defending Hope. Not the Obama version of Hope either. Hope, as in the first mutant child since M-Day that no one really cares about except maybe Cyclops. I’m sure he was only pretending to care so that he could finally be a royal prick and have a good excuse. Art by Mike Choi.

Everyone Lives Again – Blackest Night #8

In the final pages of DC’s 2010 mega-event we are once again reminded that dying in modern comics is little more than an inconvenience. In this case it is presumed that these heroes got to come back to life because they really, really wanted to. Art by Ivan Reis.

Daredevil Murders Bullseye – Shadowland #1

What high hopes I had for Shadowland. After the over the top circus that was Siege I was very excited for some street-level Marvel Knights style alley brawls. Spidey, Punisher, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Moon Knight, Daredevil and Hand ninja? Where do I sign? Of course, it didn’t go down that way. Daredevil was ‘possessed’ by evil forces, we saw entirely too much of Ghost Rider, and somehow an ancient Japanese fortress overflowing with ninja in the middle of Manhattan’s west side didn’t generate a great story. At least Matt got around to murdering Bullseye. Of course, now he feels all bad about it and is on some kind of super hero sabbatical. Art by Billy Tan.

Leonardo Da Vinci Flies – S.H.I.E.L.D. #1

Even after five issues of this book I don’t have a grasp on just what the hell is going on here. Like everyone else though, I know it’s something special. I knew after only a few pages of Dustin Weaver’s art that something great was happening but it wasn’t until I got this full page of Leo the action hero that I knew S.H.I.E.L.D. was going to be a mega hit.

Lois Meets Superman – Superman: Secret Origin #3

This recent (and official) retelling of the Superman origin story was according to some, not necessary. Sure, there was a Crisis there that needed some things cleared up but wasn’t Birthright good enough? (We’re not even going to mention Earth One.) I also don’t know why Supes had to look like Reeve but as long as Gary Frank is drawing the pictures I’m buying the books.

Sentry Murders Ares – Siege #2

The exact opposite of this panel is what I wanted to happen. I would have loved nothing more than for Ares to finally take down the Sentry. Instead, we get treated to yellow Superman ripping Ares into bursting guts balloon. There is no justice. In the end the Sentry problem was solved during the final pages of Siege but at what price? Art by Olivier Coipel.

General Ross is Red Hulk – Hulk #22

In what became one of the least satisfying hand-jobs in recent comics history the reveal of the identity of the Red Hulk creeped from months to years. In the end it was General Ross all along, as many had surmised. I’ve heard rumors that the Hulk books are rewarding again but for much of 2010 and even 2009 this was a book that defined unrewarding. Art by Ed McGuiness.

Diana’s New Outfit – Wonder Woman #600

This is the get up. This is what made nationwide news in the comic universe. Black pants and a leather jacket. Wonder Woman drops the star spangled swimsuit for something borderline appropriate for adventuring/fighting and the world poops itself. I really don’t mind it.

Valkyrie is Reborn – New Ultimates #4

The Ultimate universe is not what it used to be. Ultimatum, truly, should have been the coffin nail. Even with some of the writers and artists that have been involved in this line since then it’s all been forgettable. I’m a big fan of Frank Cho, even when he signs individual pages of the books he draws. Even he can’t do much for the New Ultimates. I could not in clean conscience recommend the New Ultimates to anyone. However, when I saw this page with his version of Valkyrie I had to stop and stare. It’s just a stunning character design.

Robin Crowbars the Joker – Batman and Robin #13

Frazer Irving is not for everyone. His art style was off-putting for some readers, being as stylized as it was. I know I said this list was in no particular order but if I had to choose a Panel of the Year it could very well be this one. Certainly it has loads of symbolic value between these two characters but even with all the history of ‘the crowbar’ this is a distinctly Damian moment. I also am very much a fan of having no sound effect for the blow. What I imagine is much worse than anything some overwrought font could express

Well, that’s the list. Disagree? Think I missed one? Let me hear it in the comments. Or take this poll right here. Next week I’ll have my top ten panels of the year: non-super hero edition.

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