As the title states, I will be ranking and reviewing every comic I read this year. I’m relatively new to comics (have been reading for just over a year now), and I thought this would be a neat way for me to document my thoughts on these books and discuss them with others. For everyone's sake, I won’t be doing this for every issue. Rather, the rankings and reviews will be centered on specific story arcs or entire runs.

I plan on splitting this up into five parts to make it all a bit more digestible:

• Part 1 (January-March)
• Part 2 (April-June)
• Part 3 (July-September)
• Part 4 (October-December)
• Part 5 (The Entire Year)

Without further ado, let’s get to it with everything I’ve read so far in 2022!

Disclaimer: I will avoid discussing any major spoilers for those who may be interested in reading these stories at a later time.

#13 — “Stranger Things: Science Camp” by Jody Houser and Edgar Salazar

• Contents: Stranger Things: Science Camp #1-4
• Synopsis: Dustin arrives at Camp Know Where to navigate the new social hierarchy without the support of his Hawkins adventuring party. While also faced with nerdy bullies, a new menace haunts the young scientists and camp counselors. A mysterious figure with sinister intent arrives to disrupt the serene woodland scene. When camp counselors start to disappear, the solution won't take rocket science, but Dustin will have to get on the same wavelength as Suzie and the other campers before tensions reach a boiling point.

This is a prime example of a rather generic book that is still, for the most part, enjoyable. It breaks no new ground, and it was quite predictable because of when it takes place in the Stranger Things lore. Personally, I found the decision to explore this period to be quite silly. I say that because, in order for this story to work canonically, Houser had to severely limit her creative freedom. What I mean is, she couldn’t allow there to be a real, supernatural threat featured within the pages. If any truly strange thing happened to Dustin on this trip, it’d be odd of him not to mention it in Season 3 which takes place directly after his camp. She tries to have her cake and eat it too, and for this singular story, it works. Yet, for someone who knows the events of Stranger Things 3, this story can feel lackluster. There’s only so much one can explore in this period without contradicting canon. Nevertheless, for how boxed in she was, Jody Houser put together a cohesive tale that consistently fits into the larger Stranger Things universe. The characters are well-written, the story is fun, and the artwork is neat. Despite being generally uninspiring, it does have its moments. Additionally, further exploration into the Stranger Things universe is always a plus for me.

#12 — “Stranger Things: The Other Side” by Jody Houser and Stefano Martino

• Contents: Stranger Things: The Other Side #1-4
• Synopsis: When Will Byers finds himself in the Upside Down, an impossible dark parody of his own world, he's understandably frightened. But that's nothing compared with the fear that takes hold when he realizes what's in that world with him!

For a tie-in graphic novel to a popular streaming TV show, this is about as good as I would expect. The book offers a different perspective on some of the events that took place within Season 1 of Stranger Things, and it does so in a very respectful way. It provides a neat contrast to the show and presents some extra interesting insights. While the plot is nothing astoundingly creative due to its goal of telling Season 1’s story through another lens, I found Will’s inner monologue to be written exceptionally. Likewise, the way Houser linked particular events of the show to events in the book was consistently pleasing. The artwork was never stunning enough to make me pause, but it also never took me out of the story. In other words, the artwork was perfectly serviceable. In the end, however, this is still simply a tie-in graphic novel that won’t ever have any effect on the future of the franchise. Whether this tale is even technically canon is in question (not that I noticed anything that contradicted canon). Because of the blatantness of this notion, this story can feel frivolous and even forgettable. Nonetheless, it is fun, enjoyable, and full of tidbits fans of the franchise will appreciate.

#11 — “Star Wars: The High Republic: There is No Fear” by Calvin Scott and Ario Anindito

• Contents: Star Wars: The High Republic #1-5
• Synopsis: Centuries before the Empire and the Skywalker saga, the Jedi are at their height, protecting the galaxy as Republic pioneers push out into new territories. But as the frontier prepares for the dedication of the majestic Starlight Beacon, Padawan Keeve Trennis faces the ultimate choice — will she complete her Jedi trials, or rescue the innocent from disaster? And can she trust her closest ally? Enter a rich and vast world of new Jedi! New worlds! New ships! And new evils to fight — including the terrifying Nihil!

I’d like to preface by stating that I didn’t exactly give this book the best opportunity to succeed. I was under the impression that it was wholly accessible to those (like me) who have not yet ventured into the much wider “High Republic” era of Star Wars. As I read though, I could not help but notice how that was slightly untrue. I was still able to appropriately follow the story, however, I occasionally felt like I was on the outside of an inside joke. Even after putting that aside, there still are some issues I have with this book. Narratively, it feels somewhat stale. Likewise, I found most of the characters to be bland. Essentially, the over-arching complaint I can give to this book is that it doesn’t meet its full potential. One of the many benefits of diving into this era of Star Wars is that it doesn’t have to be tied to the greater universe. The creators had a nearly unlimited amount of space to be creative, and instead, they took a safe route. With that said, I couldn't help but be relatively fascinated by each issue. Venturing into an era of Star Wars like this is quite refreshing. Additionally, this story thrives aesthetically. The colors are vibrant, the drawings are clean, and the designs are stunning. Overall, this story can be a tad bland, but it's never bad. Its biggest flaw is that it is disappointing. Yet, because of its refreshing take on the universe, I still want to know more about this era, its characters, and its overarching plot.

#10 — “Batman: Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader“ by Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert

• Contents: Batman #686 and Detective Comics #853
• Synopsis: The Dark Knight Detective has fallen and all of his closest friends and allies are gathering to mourn the fallen hero. However, Batman's greatest foes are also attending the ceremony, to pay their last respects

This is an astounding “send-off” to The Dark Knight. It’s wholeheartedly a love letter to the character of Batman, and it works on multiple levels. This imaginative story builds until it leaves you with a piercing bittersweet feeling. Somehow, it’s heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Furthermore, this book is filled with tons of nods to Batman’s exhaustive lore. I want to tread carefully with my words to not spoil anything, but the way this book glorifies DC’s greatest detective is tremendously beautiful and satisfying. Gaiman captures the core aspects of the character and emphasizes them in an inspiring way. Not to mention the spectacular artwork. Andy Kubert knocked it out of the park with this book. Every page is gorgeous, and the minute details featured here or there are very neat. His stylistic range is certainly put on full display, but never does it disappoint. My only complaint with this whole tale is that Gaiman’s imagination can seem to occasionally get away from him. That’s mostly a nitpick, however, as this is a near-perfect “conclusion” for Batman.

#9 — “Superman: Peace On Earth“ by Paul Dini and Alex Ross

• Content: Superman: Peace On Earth #1
• Synopsis: As the holiday season approaches, Clark Kent reflects on the poverty suffered by so many throughout the world and decides to use his vast power to feed the starving and impoverished masses. As Superman sets out to accomplish the impossible, he encounters unexpected resistance to his humanitarian efforts.

This story encapsulates everything I love about Superman. I particularly appreciate how innocent — or, perhaps better described, naive — Superman is written. He sees a worldwide issue, and he aims to fix it. He doesn’t consider the troubles he might face or even if his goal is possible. In other words, he is full of hope. What’s just as cool is how Superman is written to be a role model. Even when he can’t fix every problem, he still is making a difference. What I mean is, he's causing others to be full of hope, and he's teaching them how to be better. With Superman, that's applicable both within the story and outside. This book by Dini shows why Superman can be a figure of inspiration for many comic fans. It captures what makes him the most iconic superhero of all time. It's wholesome, touching, and leaves you with a warm feeling that makes it clear why this is one of Superman's best tales. Plus, Alex Ross - ‘nuff said.

#8 — “Batman: War On Crime” by Paul Dini and Alex Ross

• Contents: Batman: War On Crime #1
• Synopsis: Bruce Wayne is in a business meeting with corrupt Randall Winters, as he proposes to replace the Bayside area. That night in Bayside, Batman hears gunshots in a store and captures the mugger. When he checks the bodies, he notices something familiar and unexpected: a boy who saw his parents die.

In case it wasn’t already known, Paul Dini truly “gets” Batman. That is, what I want from Batman at least. He has this magical ability to perfectly blend the scarred, gritty Batman we love with the kind, hopeful Batman we need. He did it with Batman: The Animated Series, and his approach seamlessly translated to comics. It's typical of writers to believe that Batman can only be dark, brooding, and gritty. Yet, Paul Dini is not one of those writers. He's found a wonderful balance for the character, and I'm always appreciative of that. This story is a prime example of what I mean. It isn't dark or intense, but rather, it's inspiring and uplifting. Furthermore, it is hardly filled with any action, and it doesn't contain any of Batman’s iconic villains. For this story though, none of that was needed. It thrives purely off of its ability to emotionally impact its reader, and it's emotionally impactful through and through. I'd also like to add that the tale itself is narrated from Batman’s perspective, and Dini leaves the reader attached to every line. It's strange because it almost reads like a poem, but in a way that actually fits the Dark Knight. Plus, Alex Ross -- ‘nuff said.

#7 — “Superman: Last Son of Krypton” by Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, and Adam Kubert

• Contents: Action Comics #844-846, 851, and Action Comics Annual #11
• Synopsis: A rocket lands in Metropolis containing a boy Superman thinks is from Krypton. Along with figuring out what that means to him, Superman must protect young Christopher Kent, who has become the most valuable child on the planet thanks to his immense power. Will Superman be able to protect him against both Lex Luthor and his new Superman Revenge Squad, as well as the Phantom Zone criminals General Zod, Ursa, and Non?

This feels like a modern classic for the character of Superman. The premise alone is instantly fascinating, and the way Johns approaches this concept works very well. This is my first jump into Johns' run on Action Comics, but I'm now eager to read more. I especially liked his voice for the Man of Steel, but the way he wrote the other iconic characters felt very appropriate as well. I'd also like to mention how neatly this book is paced. Pacing is the type of thing you never really notice unless it's bad, but I took a positive note of it with Superman: Last Son of Krypton. My undivided attention was drawn to every page of each issue because of how solidly the story was paced. On top of that, we have the great Richard Donner aiding in the creative process of this book. I don't know precisely how much of this story was Johns and how much of it was Donner, but nonetheless, them as a duo works wonders for Superman. I don't want to venture into spoilers, but the final battle was epic all around. As for the artwork, it has its wowing moments here or there, and it's consistently pleasing. My only complaint is centered on some silly plot holes that could have been avoided. All in all though, Superman: Last Son of Krypton is extremely enjoyable, and is entertaining from start to finish.

#6 — “All-Star Superman” by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

• Contents: All-Star Superman #1-12
• Synopsis: The Man of Steel goes toe-to-toe with Bizarro, his oddball twin, and the new character Zibarro, also from the Bizarro planet. And Superman faces the final revenge of Lex Luthor in the form of his own death!

Due to the widely accepted claim that All-Star Superman is Superman’s greatest story, this placement within the rankings may seem strange. I must be an uncultured, blasphemous imbecile, right? Perhaps, but at least hear my explanation first. All-Star Superman, at its core, is ingenious. In its simplest description, All-Star Superman puts the Man of Steel on his deathbed. That concept is instantly gripping, however, it can’t carry the book forever. To be frank, this book suffers from poor execution on Morrison’s part. Morrison consistently makes odd decisions with the nuances of the plot and the characterizations of many characters. For example, the decision to have Lois refuse to believe that Clark is Superman’s identity is both a strange choice for the plot and a terribly frustrating choice for her character. There are several other moments in All-Star Superman that had me similarly scratching my head. With that said, while the execution errors do hinder the story, they certainly don’t ruin it. There are beautiful moments in this story. The entirety of Issue 6 is an example of how wonderful All-Star Superman can be. In addition, I thought Morrison handled the character of Superman very well. Likewise, the artwork was enjoyable, and the story’s conclusion was abundantly satisfying. Let it be known, this is a great story. Yet, as wonderful as this tale occasionally is, it still has the execution flaws that hold it back from truly being a masterpiece.

#5 — “Batman: Court of Owls/City of Owls“ by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo

• Contents: Batman (2011) #1-12
• Synopsis: Batman has heard tales of Gotham City’s Court of Owls: that the members of this powerful cabal are the true rulers of Gotham. The Dark Knight dismissed the stories as rumors and old wives’ tales. Gotham was his city. Until now.

This book should not be good. Seriously. Oftentimes, when writers aim to “retcon” the history of a character as iconic as Batman, it does not go well. Yet, Scott Snyder’s “Court of Owls” saga defies all odds and is thoroughly enjoyable. Let me start by saying that Greg Capullo and Scott Snyder together on Batman was a genius move by DC. Not only do both of them fit the character very well, but they both mesh together seamlessly as a duo. Outside of a few minor instances, I thought Snyder did a wonderful job with a more modern take on Batman. What he said, how he thought, and how he behaved felt very natural for what I expect from Batman. As for Capullo, the artwork speaks for itself. It was immediately immersive and frequently stunning. The tale itself is bold, but as I previously mentioned, it works. I was consistently glued to the story as it progressed, and I actually appreciated most of the creative decisions Snyder took. Of course, there still were portions that didn't work. In particular, I would argue that Snyder got a bit too big for his britches as the ending feels a tad rushed. Nevertheless, through this arc, Snyder generally executed his monstrous idea very well.

#4 — “Justice” by Jim Krueger and Alex Ross

• Contents: Justice #1-12
• Synopsis: After the villains of the Legion of Doom — led by Lex Luthor and Brainiac — band together to save the world after a shared dream that seems to be a vision of the Earth’s demise. They are confronted by the Justice League of America, who doubt their true motives. The true plans unfold as the two teams do battle.

Justice is an interesting case because the story isn’t anything groundbreaking. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not implying that the plot is bad or uninspired. Rather, what I am stating is that the tale is, for the most part, simple. Because of this, one might question why it is placed so high on my list. The answer to that question, likewise, is simple. Justice is an incredible book because it is purely entertaining. In short, it made me feel like a kid again. Krueger’s innocently fun story mixed with Ross’ silver age-inspired artwork makes this book feel like a Saturday morning cartoon. Due to this style of execution, I was giddy with each page. There even were a few moments that genuinely made me want to pump my fist in the air. I’d also like to mention the large array of characters that are featured. Characters such as Superman and Wonder Woman are a given for a Justice League story, however, this book has plenty of appearances from other fan-favorite characters as well. Is it a perfect story? No. Are there occasional missteps? Sure. However, sometimes comic books are just a place to escape. Justice offers a good time and always delivers. Plus, Alex Ross -- ‘nuff said.

#3 — “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: City Fall” by Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, and Mateus Santolouco

• Contents: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2011) #21-28, Shredder, Old Hob, Alopex, Karai, Hun, and Bebop and Rocksteady Micro-Series one shots.
• Synopsis: Violence and carnage rage across the city as Shredder’s master plan unfolds. When tragedy strikes the Turtles, the brothers will have to hold the line against an attack from within, but with allegiances shifting they must formulate a plan to fight back against their deadliest enemy.

First, if you are interested in everyone’s favorite heroes in a half-shell, do yourself a favor, and get to reading this run. Thus far, this interaction of the turtles has taken claim as my definitive take. Second, this book is like a massively entertaining popcorn flick. The film isn’t directed by Scorsese, Tarantino, or even Nolan, but when you leave the theater, you’ve got an enormous smile on your face. I’d describe this the same way. It’s a blast to read, and that’s exactly what it should be. It doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Need I repeat that? Teenage. Mutant. Ninja. Turtles. Don’t get me wrong though; this isn’t a shallow, surface-level experience. In particular, the way the characters are handled is masterful. Each character has a powerful arc in which they grow, learn, and change. Without going into details, every one of our heroes is put through trying hardships in which they must adapt. Sometimes this means making moral comprises, and other times it means facing inner demons. All in all, this run is a perfect blend for the turtles, and this arc has been the peak thus far.

#2 — “Batman: Dark Victory” by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale

• Contents: Batman: Dark Victory #0-13
• Synopsis: Once a place controlled by organized crime, Gotham City suddenly finds itself being run by lawless freaks, such as Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, and the Joker. It is still early in Batman's crimefighting career, but the Dark Knight is on the verge of completing his transformation into the city's greatest defender. However, nothing he has experienced thus far—not even a new sidekick named Robin—will prepare him for the Hangman.

Batman: Dark Victory is a sequel done right. I’d argue that for the character of Batman, this story is superior to its highly praised predecessor (Batman: The Long Halloween). He’s been through a lot at this point. Matter of fact, it’s pretty clear why the book is titled “Dark Victory”. That’s exactly where Batman is — he’s coming off of a dark victory. He was victorious, but at what cost? Loeb dissects that question, but he doesn’t end there. He also seeks to psychologically expose Batman through these recently experienced hardships, and he accomplishes his goal. He shows that Batman has flaws and weaknesses. Frequently throughout the book, I was reminded that Batman is human. This approach isn't unique to just this story, however, very few writers can tackle that concept as flawlessly as Loeb does with this book. My only gripe here is that everything with Dick Grayson felt rushed. However, it is very clear that this story was never meant to be a Robin origin story. As for Tim Sale’s artwork, it only improved from Batman: The Long Halloween. I don’t know any other way to describe it other than gorgeous. Altogether, Batman: Dark Victory is some of the best content I’ve read, and a wonderful sequel.

#1 — “Batman: The Long Halloween“ by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale

• Contents: Batman: The Long Halloween #1-13
• Synopsis: Christmas. St. Patrick's Day. Easter. As the calendar's days stack up, so do the bodies littered in the streets of Gotham City. A murderer is loose, killing only on holidays. The only man that can stop this fiend? The Dark Knight.

This book is a masterpiece. I don’t know what else to say. It’s been widely regarded as one of Batman’s best books for decades, and it strongly lived up to the expectations. The story is encapsulating, and the mysterious plot makes this a book you can put down or stop thinking about. Loeb is incredible with his narration and dialogue, but the portion where he truly shines is with the characters and their relationships. Dent’s slow fall into Two-Face is handled very well, and the dynamics of him with Batman and Gordon were pristine. Furthermore, this book puts Batman to the test as it presents him with a rather complex challenge. Through this challenge, we can see him pushed to his limits. So often we see Batman as the hero who has everything under control. Batman: The Long Halloween takes a different approach, however, and has Batman make mistakes. It works seamlessly for the tale and gives Batman mounds of depth as a character. Tim Sale’s artwork is exceptionally vivid and distinct as well. I would describe his style as an acquired taste, however, it didn’t take long for me to adjust to its uniqueness. Matter of fact, I can’t imagine any other artist handling this book. Of course, there are artists I would consider superior to Sale, but none of them could capture the tone that Sale did. His artwork coupled with Loeb’s mystery tale truly forged a perfect dichotomy. Altogether, Batman: The Long Halloween is a classic that exceeds in every possible area.

Final Thoughts:

This was a splendid start to the year. Even the worst book was enjoyable overall. When it came to what I read, I definitely favored DC — or more specifically, Batman and Superman. Nevertheless, that was primarily because of a fairly large DC haul I received during the holidays. I can confirm that Marvel and others will get their due in the next segment.

If you enjoyed this blog and are interested in further installments, consider following me to get notification every time I post a blog. If you want to talk about my ranking, one of my reviews, or just one of the books featured in this blog, you are more than welcome to leave a comment! Thanks for reading!