By Will Stennett

News Editor

1. Saga

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Art: Fiona Staples

Image Comics

This is a fantastical space opera with horned and winged people, a romance novelist, a cat that knows if you’re lying, and whatever Vaughan decides to introduce. It’s the biggest breakout this year, and it is creating a huge following.

For further proof check out the countless cosplayers dressed as the characters. Two lovers, Alana and Marko, conceive a child in the midst of a war between their people. Though it sounds simple, people have compared the feeling of first reading this book to the feeling of first watching “Star Wars.”

2. FF

Writer: Matt Fraction

Art: Mike Allred

Colorist: Laura Allred

Marvel

This is, perhaps, my favorite series of the year, both because I love the Allreds and believe that the Allreds plus Fraction team is the best in recent memory. FF, which stands for the Future Foundation was the idea of Mr. Reeds, a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic, to mold young minds into the future scientist, explorers and heroes he believes they can be. The Fantastic Four, taking a hiatus to explore other dimensions, enlist Ant Man, She-Hulk, Medusa and Darla Deering to run the foundation in their absence. This comic harks to Marvel’s golden age, while Mike Allred harnesses Jack Kirby’s brilliant designs.

3. Prophet

Writer: Brandon Graham

Art: Simon Roy

Image Comics

Prophet is a reboot of Rob Liefield’s series with the same name, except this is so much better. John Prophet awakens years into the future with one goal: to re-inhabit earth with humans. The mastery lies in Graham’s heavily influenced French-styled comic story telling. Those not familiar with Graham’s work, check out King City.

4. The Private Eye

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Art: Marcos Martin

Self published and digital.

This comic book is free, unless someone wants to donate money, therefore they probably should. Identity is not only a right in this series, it is sacred. Everyone has a secret identity, and it’s one man’s job to understand who they really are.

5. Batman ‘66

Writer: Jeff Parker

Art: Jonathan Case

Cover Art: Mike Allred

DC Comics

I’ve just started reading this, and it is keen. This series is a throwback to the Adam West TV show. So if someone has a heart for a lovable “cornball” serial, he or she should read this.