Well I’m back.  The ongoing saga of my life has been intruding as usual.

I would choose to blog about something topical that requires constant updates to be relevant.

Well ‘m back with a more rational publishing policy.  That is I post when I damn well feel like it rather than trying to update on a regular basis.

If you like what I write then feel free to pop by, if not then I’m not going to worry.

Yon Kuma is the cracking new title by Josh Hechinger and Jorge F. Muñoz.  It stars the unlikely hero Paul Bunyanson a twelve year old bear wrestler in his battle against four of the toughest beasts around.

This is an amazingly dynamic comic that doesn’t take it self seriously at all.  Muñoz captures the speed and ferocity of the wrestling effortlessly. This is paired with Hechinger’s surreal writing to great effect.  The Bear’s matter of fact attitude and accent crack me up.  This is a funny book I’ll be keeping an eye on.

I’ve been working my way through a massive stack of comics at the minute.  It is essentially a huge back log of reading that I’m finally getting to grips with.

I’ve just finished the first two volumes of DC’s Countdown to Final Crisis.  This mammoth epic calls on a huge range of DC’s top talent with Paul Dini at the helm.  It is a cracking good read that is intriguing and exciting.  I’m not usually a fan of big crossovers as I tend to cynically see them as a marketing ploy.  However I enjoyed seeing the links between Will Pfeifer’s Catwoman dies and Superman 3-2-1 Action.

Which neatly leads me to Busiek and Evanier’s Superman collection.  I quite like the aforementioned story even though they are more Jimmy Olsen stories.  Though it is good to see the limelight cast on the supporting cast for a change so that they can demonstrate their own courage and heroism.  It puts me in my of the Buffy the Vampire slayer episode the Zeppo which concentrated on Xander rather than the invulnerable hero.  In the same way it is good to focus on Olsen and his developing relationship with superman and his attempts to come to grips with his strange new powers.

Redemption on the other hand deals with the theme of faith.  It is quite mature examination of faith and its impact on society ranging as it does from Superman’s ability to inspire us to be better to a meta-human powered by faith acting sense of false righteousness and fanaticism.

Of the two collections Redemption edges it for me with its more sophisticated storytelling.  3-2-1 Action is just a little too pulpy for my taste.

Speaking of grownup storylines Catwoman dies has to be one of the most moving and effective I’ve read in a while.  Selina Kyle has to make a particularly harsh choice after seeing her daughter’s life consistently threatened.  Pfeifer and Lopez  have created a heartrending masterpiece and it is a great read for any comic fan.

Catwoman: Catwoman Dies by Will Pfeifer (Author), David Lopez (Author), Alvaro Lopez (Author)

Superman: Redemption by Kurt Busiek (Author), Fabian Nicieza (Author), Walter Simonson (Illustrator)

Superman: 3-2-1 Action by Kurt Busiek (Author), Mark Evanier (Author), Steve Rude (Illustrator)

A problem that I often face as a reviewer is making sure I’ve got the right artist/writer credentials.  You’d be amazed at how poorly creators credit their own work.  With some artists I have to literally engaging in a bit of detective work and reseach just to give them credit for their work.  If the creators names are there there is often no mention of who is responsible for what.  This strikes me as bizarre.  Yes your art speaks for itself but it is nice to have a little recognition for all your work.  So here’s a plea to all you creative types please give yourself a clear and prominent byline.  Then I can give you the Kudos you deserve.

I’m not generally that Keen on historical comics unless they have cracking artwork or splendid fictionalised characters added into the mix.  Hence my love for SPQR Blues which uses a historical backdrop for its intriguing narrative.

Hannibal Goes to Rome on the other hand is purely historical but it is told with humour and flair. Brendan McGinley takes the dry as dust histories and pokes fun at the fantastical and ludicrous events that have passed down to the modern day.  Now this isn’t a laugh riot, it is occasionally hit and miss in its humour. It has to be said some of the jokes are kind of in jokes for historians (Numidian cavalry is all I’ll say)  Although I found McGinley on target more often than not.

Hannibal’s crossing of the alps is well known or should that be we’re all aware that it happened but we’re short on detail.  Well Hannibal goes to Rome has the missing detail in spades without coming across as a textbook.

That said I found the first four pages or so quite confusing as either I’m being really dense or the grammar doesn’t quite work.

What made me stay the course was Mauro Vargas artwork which brings out most of the humour in the narrative and tells a visual story that either illustrates or parodies the historical. Some of the characters do have Asterix-esque  noses but I found that strangely compelling. It is the artwork that also raises Hannibal above the humour to remain a dark and brooding presence, who is every inch the hero.

It’s an intriguing title and I’ll be keeping an eye on it to see how it develops and I may even learn something.

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Well the votes are in and after a great deal of deliberation here are the winners after the jump:

High Moon wins webcomic of the year ‘o8 by popular demand and I’m please to go with the majority for once.  A professionally produced comic that deserves it own print run.  Superb atmospheric artwork from Steve Ellis captures the essence of David Gallaher’s masterful writing.  This is a comic I would pay for in a financial crisis; publishers take note.

Our award for Best Writing goes to Marsh Rocket.  This Neo-Noir from Jules Rivera is done with effortless style and panache.  The clever dialogue never seems forced.  The rue mastery of the writing is making characters witty and charming with lines that would make you and I just seem cheesy.  Excellent stuff.

Best art goes to Jeremy Love for Bayou for artwork that is atmospheric and dreamlike by turns.  For me it is the art that captures the essence of Love’s narrative.  Patrick Morgan’s work as colourist on this title cannot be ignored as it gives a vibrancy that brings the images to life.

Most originality and invention goes to Rice boy by Evan Dahm.  A moving, poignant narrative  in a world that is bizarre and yet strangely believable.  This comic is distinctive not only in its artwork but in its writing.  I was sad to see it finish but satisfied in seeing a fitting end to a wonderful story.

Respect is due to all our runners up as they are excellent comics in their own right.  Wonderella deserves a mention for the excellent Batman prankcall which was not only hilarious in its own right but continues to amuse as Justin Pierce has received hate mail from Batfans!  I also have to mention the superb Gunnerkrig Court, a personal favourite and a comic worthy of your attention.  Feel free to leave your comments on the results.

You may be wondering why there has yet to be an announcement.  Well first off a big thank you to the 44 people who’ve voted so far.  Secondly the result has been delayed due to a serious deterioration in my mental health.  I’ve been off work with depression and stress and frankly posting to a blog was last on my list of priorities.  But I’m back if a little shaky so I will be making an announcement, as to the winner, on Monday so get you votes in tomorrow.

The nominated webcomics can be found  as follows:

High Moon by David Gallaher and Steve Ellis

Bayou by Jeremy Love and Patrick Morgan

Marsh Rocket by Jules Rivera

Hob by Aaron Diaz

Rice Boy by Evan Dahm

Wonderella by Justin Pierce

Digger byUrsula Vernon

The Process by Joe Infurnari

Gunnerkrig Court by Tom Siddel

Shades byDavid A J Berner and Harsho Mohan Chattoraj

Octopus Pie by Meredith Gran

I’ll be posting a list of potential candidates and categories for the Geekies.  Please feel free to suggest other comics and this year their will be a public Vote.  Huzzah!  This may well be the end of webcomicgeek and the Geekies so make your vote count.

I’ve been increasingly disillusioned with blogging of late.  I started this blog to keep me writing when life and work threatened to overwhelm me.  I’m finding the whole thing hard to do.  Its got to the point when writing posts is a chore and I feel lazy when I haven’t produced anything.  I did really love writing for this blog and it was really gratifying to see that people did actually read my reviews.  It was also nice to chart the progress of some of my favourite artists and in a small way direct a teensy bit of recognition their way.  I guess what gets me down is although the site gets visits I rarely get comments and without feedback what’s the point?  The blog has been on an unofficial hiatus but this may become permanent.

Thanks for reading.  Vileboy.