The Top Trade Paperbacks of 2012

Okay folks... here are my picks for the top trade paperbacks of the year to pick up at your local comic book store (and if you're local to me, then that means you pick them up at Galactic Quest in Buford, dig?)...

And trust me, this list wasn't easy. There were quite a few really incredible collections that were published this year, and if the Resident Alien and/or Punk Rock Jesus trades had hit this year, this list would be different.

1. Saga V1 (Image)



2. Revival: You're Among Friends V1 (Image)



3. Scarlet Spider: Life After Death V1 (Marvel)



4. Red Hood and the Outlaws: Redemption V1 (DC)



5. Rachel Rising: Shadow of Doubt V1 (Abstract Studios)



6. Saucer Country: Run V1 (Vertigo)



7. Demon Knights: Seven Against the Dark V1 (DC)

 

8. Dancer (Image)



9. Winter Soldier: The Longest Winter V1 (Marvel)

 

10. Tie -- Fairest: Wide Awake V1 (Vertigo)



Fatale: Death Chases Me V1 (Image)

The Writer Will Take Your Questions Now (#260) -- Why Redemptive Stories?

Why do you love redemptive stories so much?

The simple answer? Because of my faith. As a Christian believer (albeit one on the outskirts and fringes of the Christian subculture), I'm a sucker for a story about someone being changed for the better.

The Squadron Supreme

The writer answer? Because at their core, stories are about the growth and changing of people, and what's a better or bigger change than a redemptive one? The same could also be said of a "fall" story, in which a character does the opposite and goes bad due to situations and choices. Two of the greatest are Darth Vader and Faust in Michael Oeming's new Dark Horse series The Victories. But who gets left with a good feeling after that kind of tale?

Some of my favorite redemptive stories in comics include:

• The Thunderbolts initial run
• The Sandman in the various Spider-Man books (before he was turned bad again)
• Heatwave in Superboy (yes, the Flash villain)
• Moloch in Watchmen
• Thief of Thieves
• Saga
• Squadron Supreme (the folly of forced "redemption," kind of like Fundamentalist politicos trying to enforce Christian moral stances in gray areas)
• House of Secrets (the Steve Seagle Vertigo run)