Matt Price’s best comic-book series of 2009
The split between periodical comics and graphic novels is becoming more like the gap between TV and film. Most comic books are being collected in book-length editions, just as episodic TV is being gathered in box sets for DVD. Monthly comic books still lean toward superheroes, influencing the lion’s share of sales in many comic stores. The following are 2009′s best 10 periodical comic books.
1.“Unwritten”: Mike Carey and Peter Gross create the story of Tom Taylor, whose father created the popular Tommy Taylor novels about a boy wizard. After his father’s disappearance, Tom becomes a low-level celebrity, signing the books that star the character named after him. But one day he discovers his father’s stories may be more real than he knew.
2.“Irredeemable”: Mark Waid (“Fantastic Four”) and Peter Krause (“Power of Shazam”) create a story in which the world’s greatest hero goes bad. Explaining why and how superhero The Plutonian turned to the dark side has been one of 2009′s best comics.
3.“Superman Secret Origin”: Writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank 
provided a perfect template for a new “Superman” film in last year’s “Brainiac” arc. In 2009, they go the Man of Steel’s past to tell a modern update of his origin.
4.“Chew”: Cibopathic detective Tony Chu gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. This has led to a vegetarian lifestyle, but when he chomps on a suspect to find out the whereabouts of the victim, he attracts the attention of the Special Crimes Division of the Food and Drug Administration. 
In this near future, the FDA has become the most powerful law-enforcement group on the planet after a bird flu led to the banning of chicken. Chu takes on bizarre cases in this original police drama.
5.“Supergirl”: Writer Sterling Gates, a Tulsa native, and artist Jamal Igle kept the mystery cooking of who the seemingly super-powered Superwoman was for much of 2009 in the pages 
of “Supergirl.” Supergirl dealt with the death of her father and the seeming villainy of her mother. This, and great use of the supporting cast, including Cat Grant and Lana Lang, made “Supergirl” a must-read Superbook.
6.“Incognito”: An ex-supervillain in witness protection illegally restores his superpowers in this pulp noir-inspired superhero tale by Ed Brubaker (“Criminal”) and Sean Phillips (“Sleeper”).
7.“Detective Comics”: Greg Rucka and artist J.H. Williams created a Batwoman story
of incredible artistry and beauty. Williams, who drew “Promethea” written by Alan Moore, is a master of visual storytelling.
8.“Resurrection”: After alien invaders leave, what happens to life on Earth? Marc Guggenheim (“Amazing Spider-Man”) and Justin Greenwood explore the answers in Oni Press’ “Resurrection.”
9.“Ganges”: Kevin Huizenga continues to be one of comics’ brightest indie creators, as evidenced by this year’s “Ganges” No. 3. While the story doesn’t initially sound like much — Glenn Ganges can’t fall asleep — Huizenga uses his talents to immerse the reader inside Ganges’ head.
10. “Daredevil”: Ed Brubaker’s final arc on “Daredevil” reunited him with “Immortal Iron Fist” artist David Aja, as the Kingpin returns to New York with plans to take down the ninja clan The Hand.
- Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
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Comments
[...] Matt Price, features editor and comics blogger for The Oklahoman, returns for a rundown of the best periodical comics of 2009. Among them: The Unwritten, by Mike Carey and Peter Gross; Irredeemable, by Mark Waid and Peter [...]
Durrhurr,
I enjoy both of those series, and they were candidates… it’s always tough to narrow these things down to 10!
- Matt
[...] at Nerdage, Matt Price, features editor and comics blogger for The Oklahoman, put us in the number one slot [...]
[...] at Nerdage, Matt Price, features editor and comics blogger for The Oklahoman, put us in the number one slot [...]
This design is wicked! You certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool! 286133
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Um, where’s Lockjaw & the Pet Avengers?
In all seriousness, some surprising picks. You mentioned a few series I never ever gave thought to reading. I’ll have to check ‘em out.
(that said, the last time I took one of your recommendations to heart, I bought the first Wolverine: First Class trade, finished it, and then fell to my knees, shook my fists, and screamed at the heavens “Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat Prrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiice!” and vowed then and there to send a clan of highly trained ninjas after you because I’d never felt more robbed of both $15 and the time spent, not to mention brain capacity and memories required, that that infernal killjoy of a series took from me, akin to only the feeling one would have if Rumplestilksin stole my firstborn child. In fact, I might rather have my firstborn taken from me than suffer through Wolverine: First Class. Here, oddly named goblin, take my son, but please spare me that comic book. )
But I’ll check out a few of these for sure!