Posted on: December 28th, 2011 Top Books of 2011 That I Didn’t Read
I wanted to call this post: Top Books of 2011 That I Wish I Had Kept Up On Instead Of Watching Brad Meltzer’s Decoded. I didn’t. Because…that would be a long title. But that’s essentially what this list is about.
I can’t tell you what the greatest books of 2011 are. You probably have completely different tastes than I do. You may love the books I hate, so even “Worst Of” lists are dumb. So what do I have left? Books that I enjoyed but stopped reading because I get too damned distracted on Wednesday nights when Brad Meltzer is throwing conspiracies in my face over on The History Channel. Brad, you’re doubling my “To Read” pile.
10. Casanova
I didn’t read this book in 2006. So they re-released and I thought, “Hell yes! Now’s my time.” And I read the first two issues. And I loved them. And then I stopped reading it. And no one knows why. “Auburn, there are attack pandas!” Great! That sounds like something I would enjoy. I love to read Matt Fraction’s work. I love looking at Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon’s stuff. It was a great couple of issues I read. I just…suck.
9. Morning Glories
Remember? I even reviewed this book! I didn’t really dig it in the beginning. But, by God, I stuck with it and just when I got to the point where I liked it, I stopped. Twists were happening. People were dying. We were making bombs. I think I got angry at a character and just couldn’t muster up the determination to flip open the next issue. If it was good enough to stir up an emotion out of me, it’s good enough to continue. And, really, Nick Spencer can write. I know that. There’s no excuse.
8. Punisher
I reviewed this book too! And this one I enjoyed right from the get-go. The death! The destruction! The art! My God. It was beautiful. Probably still is. I wouldn’t know. Is Checchetto still on the book? Is Rucka still awesome? I bet they are. And I bet Frank’s killing everybody and being all stoic. And it looks great. So great.
7. X-Factor
Haven’t read one issue of X-Factor. Not one. And yet every time it comes out, my brother tells me how great it is. I’ll get to it. One day. I swear to you I will. I know it’s great! I’m sure all the cool kids are reading it. And, people, I have NEVER been cool.
6. X-Force
Speaking of X-Books! This. Regenesis started and I was dumb enough to think I could jump onto all the books because it was a new story arc. It’s X-Men. And I’m an idiot for thinking that. You can’t stop reading X-titles. You do that and suddenly somebody’s popping in from another dimension, or is no longer bad, or did something really bad, or got cloned. I have no idea what’s happening here. I’ve got so much back reading to do, it’s staggering.
5. Gladstone’s School For World Conquerers
I loved this book. I loved it. And one week, my shop didn’t get it in. And he promised me it would come in. And it didn’t. And it didn’t. When it finally did, I had other things to read and it got pushed back in the pile. And then the issues just kept piling up. I’m not proud of it. I’m not entirely pointing the blame on my shop. But, damnit, Jim-you ruined me.
4. Amazing Spider-Man Spider-Island
I read more tie-ins than I read of the actual story! I know what happened to all of the fringe characters but have NO CLUE what happened to Parker. I started it. I probably got 2-3 issues in. Never finished it. Why? Maybe I didn’t want to see how it was resolved. Maybe I just wanted to pretend that it was just a matter of time before I mutated into a giant spider. A girl’s got to have her dreams.
3. Ultimate Spider-Man
Speaking of Spidey! What about Miles? This kid was great! I liked his friends, I liked him. His uncle was sketchy but, hey-not enough to make me stop reading. I was thrilled to have a change of ethnicity in Spider-Man. And I’ve always liked Bendis’s dialogue. Miles wasn’t doing much punching. He was just scared and talkative. And I said, “To hell with you, Miles. Go solve your problems on your own.”
2. Sweet Tooth
I am aware that this a great book. But it always put me in such a bummer of a mood. Nothing ever works out for these people! Lemire toys with you. He leads you to believe something good’s going to come for someone. And then just when you have hope, he crushes your dreams and everything sucks again. I’m like a delicate flower, people. You can’t just do that to me. I’m not going to keep coming back. I don’t want to be sad for Gus. Poor Gus.
1. Daredevil
It’s like the pick of the week all the time for most sites. And when I read the first couple of issues, I thought it was amazing. I really like Daredevil. He’s the everyman’s hero. I liked the art and how it related to his audible perception, I liked the script. It’s praised constantly and every time I see that, it just reminds me of how much I want to read it. But do I? No. Why don’t I allow myself to be happy?
You don’t need to take the time to tell me how much I’m missing here. I know. But, good grief, have you seen Decoded? That show’s like crack. I’m watching it right now. Sorry, comics.
Happy New Year, Folks!