Decapitated Dan's Best of 2012

Well it’s the end of the year, and what better way to recap it than by making a list! So check out what I liked best in 2012!

____________________________________

Writer of the Year: Robert Tinnell
If you want to talk about having a great year in writing, then look no further than Robert Tinnell. While his main comic writing really only took place in 2 fantastic OGN's, Riven and Flesh & Blood Book 2, he also contributed a story to Chillers from Transfuzion. I hope that in 2013 we can be treated to more of his fantastic stories.

Honorable Mentions: Terry Moore, Joe Hill

____________________________________

Artist of the Year: Riley Rossmo
He was an honorable mention last year, but this year Riley is my pick for the Best Artist of 2012. His work on Green Wake, Rebel Blood, Debris and Bedlam was beyond GORE-Geous. His layouts and panels showed growth through out the year, as he found new ways to present his pages. 2013 is looking very promising for him to make another return to this list.

Honorable Mentions: Sami Makkonen, Simon Bisley

____________________________________

Horror Publisher of the Year: Humanoids
Humanoids could do no wrong in 2012. With books like Koma, Whispers in the Walls, Pandemonium, Crusades and Zombies that Ate the World all coming out in 2012, it is easy to see why they are at the top of this category. Before you even say it, yes these are either reprints or imports. They are sitting in this spot because of the amazing work that they brought to the English reading comic market. 

Honorable Mentions:  Antarctic Press, IDW Publishing, Dark Horse

____________________________________

Best Ongoing: Hellblazer
I think this category might have a Madden Curse, because 28 Days Later ended after last years top honor and now Hellblazer is ending. Hellblazer has been a Horror Comic staple for years, and this year was no exception. Milligan wrote the living hell out of this series and it showed, with what I thought was some of the best Hellblazer in years. So sad to see it end. 

Honorable Mentions: Rachel Rising, I,Vampire

____________________________________

Best Mini Series: Deadworld: War of the Dead
Oh my beloved Deadworld was back in 2012, and it was celebrated in August by IDW with Deadworld Month! Gary Reed and Sami Makkonen took this title into uncharted territory by adding in color, and it worked. I wish we could get more than just a mini series or an OGN, but for now this was all I needed in 2012. I LOVE DEADWORLD!

Honorable Mentions: Rebel Blood, Four Horseman of the Apocalypse, Locke & Key Clockworks

____________________________________

Best OGN: Riven
Did you read this? I mean seriously, did you read this? Comic books are drawings on paper, yet every time I try to recall Riven all I see in my head is a movie playing out. Tinnell and Hampton delivered a book that was so perfect, I really can not try to explain it with words. You will all just have to go read my review of the book. This is seriously Horror Comic Gold!

Honorable Mentions:  Whispers in the Walls, Pandemonium

____________________________________

Best Small Press Title: 86'd
Anthologies are a huge staple in horror comics and it really does seem like a lot of small press creators put them out. So for 86'd to be sitting at the top of this list, above 2 amazing comics, that are not anthologies, it must be pretty damn good. A GORE-Geous collection of art and stories, this over sized beauty is something you should be on the look out for. Matter of fact, find it online and buy a copy today! 

Honorable Mentions: Zombie Chuck, Careful

____________________________________

Best Book You Never Heard Of: White Devil
When I was asked to review White Devil the first thing I did was look at some of the pages, and man did my jaw drop to the floor. Nate Burns' art on this title is so amazing, that I was hoping the story by Matt Evans and Andrew Helinski could hold up, and it did. This first issue is actually free online, so you can go check it out for yourself. I really hope to see more of this one in 2013.

Honorable Mentions:  Risher, El Bigote

____________________________________

Best Comedy Title: Lenore
Did you know that every 4 months the world is treated to a little comic bundle of joy called Lenore? Celebrating her 20th birthday this year, the brain child of Roman Dirge will easily leave you in stitches. This year we saw the emergence of the Creepig, we watched Lenore make a sandwich and even travel through the portals of hell, all within the pages of the Funniest Comic of 2012.

Honorable Mentions:  Futurama, A-Babies vs. X-Babies #1

____________________________________

Best Non-Horror Title: Koma
1 word sums up Koma, PERFECTION! Humanoids traveled across the Atlantic and came back with Pierre Wazem, Frederik Peeters and Albertine Ralenti's masterpiece. This book reminded me of the movie Spirited Away, where the reader is transported to a dark world and where a girl has to find the beauty in it. Hands down this is by far the book of 2012, even over all Horror comics.

Honorable Mentions:  Saga, Crusades, Danger Club

____________________________________

Best Collected Book: Chilling Archives of Horror Comics: Zombies
When it comes to bringing old school Horror Comics to new readers eyes, none really do it better than the Chilling Archives series of books. This year we saw the release of this GORE-Geous collection, focusing on zombies. Yoe books and IDW are doing the word a great service, by not only collecting these stories, but in also presenting them in what I think is the best overall printing (paper choices for cover and interiors) of the year.

Honorable Mentions:  Lenore Swirlies, Zombies that Ate the World Book 2

____________________________________

Best Historical Book: The Best of From the Tomb Magazine
How could I go against anything that I am personally attached to. While the magazine might be gone for the moment, Twomorrows Publishing was still awesome enough to bring us some of the best material that was ever put together by Normanton and company. Every single person who has an interest in Horror Comic history needs to own this book.

Honorable Mentions: Mars Attacks 50th Anniversary

____________________________________

Best Mainstream Anthology: Haunted Horror
As I already stated with the Best Collected Book of 2012, the Chilling Archives series is great. Stepping away from the larger hardcover format, 2012 saw the introduction of reprints being done in regular comic size. The team behind this, Yoe Books and IDW, are not only offering some of the greatest Horror Comic material ever to be reprinted, but they are offering it at a STEAL of a price, so this also gets Best Comic Deal of 2012!

Honorable Mentions:  Creepy, Heavy Metal

____________________________________

Best Small Press Anthology: Chillers
If you know the movie, you will know what to expect. However if you are like me, after reading this you will go and watch the movie. Crossing media might not be easy, but when it comes to Horror and Anthologies, Chillers does it right. This is a great collection of writers and artists working together to scare you to death, and raise some awareness to the film. Here is hoping that a sequel of both comic a movie are in the works for 2013.

Honorable Mentions:  Strange Aeons Magazine, Indie Comics Horror

____________________________________

Best Comeback: Mongrel
Back in the 1994 a little known comic book by Ed Dunphy and Andrew Kudelka hit the stands, only to have 1 issue be released. After over 15 years of being lost in the shuffle, the creators got back together to finally finish this GORE-Geous werewolf series. Touching up the artwork and adding color, this Son of a Bitch came back with a vengeance. If you missed reading issue #1 in the 90's have no fear, because Mongrel is available for you to check out today!

Honorable Mentions:  Mars Attacks

____________________________________

So there you have it. My picks for the best of 2012!

• Note: It was not easy to make this list. There are so many great horror comics that come out each year, so I say to you, create your own list and let the world know what stood out to you. When it came to choosing the writer and artist of the year I specifically took into consideration people who worked on more than one book for the year.