In an unprecedented year 2020 really has filled us with uncertainty but one thing we comic fanatics can always rely on to distract us from the madness is our addictive hobby. One good thing 2020 did bring was a great year for comic books.
Our very own team here at Comic Watch have worked together to compile a list of our favorite DC Comics titles of the year to entice you to add to that read pile!
Join us for our best of DC Comics 2020 below!
Hawkman Series
Writer: Robert Venditti
Artists: Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert
Colorist: Jeremy Cox
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Cover: Mikel Janin
Kenneth Bowden’s pick kicks off our list with Hawkman which he said… “Venditti continued the brilliant work of Geoff Johns and managed to pump it full of a ‘super-saiyan’ like level of awesomeness (nice reference there for you DBZ fans!!) The creative team do an outstanding job continuing to outdo themselves issue to issue qnd really evolving the mythos of this historic character!”
Wonder Woman Dead Earth Miniseries
Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Covers: Daniel Warren Johson, Mike Spicer
Next up we have a lot of love for Daniel Warren Johnson (friend of the Comic Watchers Show!) and Wonder Woman: Dead Earth. Check out what Ross Hutchinson and Mike Eakins had to say below:
Ross: “Wonder Woman Dead Earth creative team Daniel Warren Johnson The exceptional artist behind Murder Falcon single handedly takes on an alternative Wonder Woman in an apocalyptic future that examines ideas like taking responsibility for the terrible things one has done and the consequences of those actions. Brilliant art with a strong emotional core.”
Mike: “Daniel Warren Johnson is not of this earth. One look at his art and when you read his stories all you can do is be thankful as comic fans that we have someone like DWJ to appreciate. WW: Dead Earth brings Diana into a new light with an incredible story and gorgeous art that screams Daniel Warren Johnson. Wonder Woman: Dead Earth, to date, is the best title released on DC’s Black Label imprint and I’m not too sure if its title reign will be threatened any time soon. A must-read for any WW fan and a great introduction to the world of Daniel Warren Johnson.”
Far Sector Series
Writer: N.K Jemisin
Art and Colors: Jamal Campbell
Letterer: Deron Bennett
Cover: Jamal Campbell
Cody White and Lillian Hochwender both vouched for Far Sector as a truly great title, here is what Lillian had to say!
“Far Sector follows Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein as she finds herself solving a murder on the galaxy’s edge — one with a centuries-long planetary struggle at its core. The art from Jamal Campbell makes it easy to get lost in the dazzling neon future-scapes of Far Sector. Simultaneously, Jemisin pulls readers into a web of intrigue driven by a charming cast of characters and urgent questions of social justice.”
Superman Smashes the Klan Miniseries
Writer: Gene Luen Yang
Art and Colors: Gurihiru
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Cover: Gurihiru
This unique title Superman Smashes the Klan was selected by Duna Haller who said… “This is a volume filled with warm expressive art and an engaging storyline that intertwines Clark Kent and Lan-Shin Lee’s childhoods. It goes on my book as one of the best Superman stories ever, and it gets Kal-El deeply, from the simplicity of his kindness to the complexity of what he represents: both an ideal to strive towards, and always an immigrant.”
Dark Knights Death Metal Event
Writer: Scott Snyder
Pencils: Greg Capullo
Inks: Jonathan Glapion
Colorist: FCO Plascenia
Letter: Tom Napolitano
Dark Knights: Death Metal up next chosen by Matt Meyer, we took a few notes below on his fantastic issue #1 review: “There’s no denying Death Metal is a rip-roaring fun comic. And it wouldn’t be half as good without Snyder’s longtime collaborator Greg Capullo along for the ride. Capullo is pulling out all the stops with this one, drawing the hell out of every insane concept Snyder comes up with. And it works fantastically. Capullo has clearly found his perfect muse in Snyder, because their ongoing decade-long collaboration has brought out the best in the artist at every turn. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Snyder is giving him juicy and tantalizing things to draw like Clayface Batman or Etrigan Batman or the floating upper torso of Sergeant Rock. Who wouldn’t want to go all-out on that?!
In the end, continuity quibbles aside, Dark Knights: Death Metal #1 is everything you could possibly want in a comic. And if it isn’t, then why are you even reading comics anyway?!”
Catwoman Series
Writer: Ram V
Artists: Fernando Blanco, John Paul Leon, Jaun Ferreyra
Colorist: FCO Plascenia
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Covers: Joelle Jones, Laura Allred, Lee Bermejo
It was difficult for Ariel Bee to pick a single title for DC as Ariel said much of their output has been extraordinary this year, but in the end she had to go with Catwoman saying… “The writing is gritty and grounded yet somehow poetic, and the superhero-noir art is the perfect vehicle to carry it.” Ariel is convinced what we have here is a best-of-character run in the making.
Hellblazer Series
Writer: Si Spurrier
Artists: Aaron Campbell, John Paul Leon
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Cover: John Paul Leon
Kevin Rossi said “Si Spurrier’s run is everything you want in a Hellblazer book. The series feels like classic Constantine was picked up and dropped into 2019/2020. The backdrop of 2020 politics and the horrors it brings meshes with Constantine perfectly, so it was only appropriate that 2020 took the series out. Between The Dreaming and John Constantine: Hellblazer, I am now a lifetime fan of Si Spurrier.”
Justice League Dark Series
Writers: James Tynion IV & Ram V
Artists: Amancay Nahuelpan, Kyle Hotz
Colorists: June Chang, FCO Plascenia
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Cover: Yanick Paquette, Nathan Fairbairn, Kael Ngu
Nic Osborn chose the phenomenal Justice League Dark and had this to say:
“As the reigns pass from Tynion IV onto Ram V, this series of JLD continues to surpass expectations and define just how much the team can offer the DC Universe. It delivers all the magical intensity, unique teamwork and undeniable horror you could ever want all while exploring fresh new perspectives of beloved characters.”
Suicide Squad Series
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Bruno Redondo
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Wes Abbot
Cover: Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, Jeremy Roberts
Jeff Brister picked Suicide Squad saying “Tom Taylor injected this title with his brilliance to bring it to another level!” Jeff added that it was great action-thriller, over way too soon. lots of great character work, beautiful art, just solid from start to finish.
DCEASED Dead Planet Event
Writer: Tom Taylor
Art by: Trevor Hairsine, Gigi Baldissini, Stefan Guadiano
Colorist: Rain Beredo
Letterer: Saida Temofonte
DCEASED Dead Planet was Steve Batleys pick and my own personal favorite this year from DC! Tom Taylor is a special writer as like his Injustice title, he has now taken an interesting concept and turned it into a unique world with an ever-growing fan following. He achieves this with unprecedented scenarios full of twists and turns with scenes and narrative that puts the reader through an emotional roller-coaster, fans better get strapped in again because thankfully Dead Planet does not take the foot off the pedal.
That wraps up the Comic Watch DC Comics picks for 2020! Hopefully we have influenced you to go out and support these titles and be sure to check out our Marvel and Indie picks also!
Don’t forget to stay tuned to Comic Watch for all your fandom news and reviews!
