Thursday 31 December 2015

My 2015 Favourites (Happy New Year);

Another year comes to an end so here come's another list of My 2015 Favourite's. I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year! And here's to another year of awesome, Comics, Films and everything in between.

My favourite writer of 2015: Jason Aaron
Why? Star Wars is back at Marvel and Jason Aaron was given the responsibility of writing the flagship Star Wars title and what a great job he is doing. Let's not forget his other work Southern Bastards and one of my favourite Marvel titles this year Thor (The Mighty Thor). What more reason do you need?


My favourite artist of 2015: Greg Capullo
Why? The best title this year is Batman by far. The collaboration between Capullo and Snyder is what makes this title as successful as it has been. Greg Capullo has been nailing the art on this book and just as you think his at the top of his game he still manages to take it up another level. I'll be sad to see him leave/take a break from this book from issue 50. But we're promised he will be returning to collaborate with Scott Snyder, plus we also have the anticipation for the announcement of what he will be working on with Mark Millar.


My favourite colorist of 2015: Rico Renzi
Why? One of the break out titles of the year is Spider-Gwen and also Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. Who colours these books Rico Renzi. He is also responsible for the fanastic coloring on Joe Quinnones art for Howard the Duck, which is the best I have seen his art coloured and gave me a new appreciation for the artists style.


My Favourite Publisher of 2015: Marvel (Star Wars)
Why? Star Wars is back at Marvel! And what a great job Marvel are doing with the franchise. I was very upset at first that Dark Horse lost the franchise and I was apprehensive as to what Marvel will do with it. But then they announce the creative teams and prove that they are putting there all into creating exciting, in continuity, stories for the Marvel Universe. What a great job there doing and what a great job Jason Aaron and Kieron Gillen are doing with there respective titles.


My favourite single issue of 2015: Batman #41
Why? This was part of the DCYou promotion and the first introduction and issue containing the status quo change for Batman. What happens when Bruce Wayne is dead/missing who will take on the mantle of Batman. Well none other than James Gordon of course and what an exciting and interesting take on Batman this character and the creative team have given us.



My favourite event of 2015: Vader Down
Why? We live in an age where if you don't have 1 or more events from the big publishers in a year well obviously your doing something wrong right? Even though I have strong feelings about the ever to frequent event strategy from the Big 2, I mean at least complete them in time. I have been pleasantly surprised by the first event to take place in Marvel's Star Wars titles. Vader Down is an exciting take on what happens if the Rebellion knows where Darth Vader is and when Darth Vader is stranded. We're half way through this event so far and the real question here is who is the hunter or hunted?


My favourite cover artist of 2015: Declan Shalvey
Why? For several years now Declan Shalvey has been one of my favourite artists. I remember him on issues of Dark Avengers and then a cover run on Winter Soldier alongside a brilliant arc on Deadpool. His now moved onto his creator owned book, Injection, with partner and colorist extraordinaire Jordie Bellaire and writer supreme Warren Ellis. But he has continued to create covers for Marvel and they do not disappoint as usual, and well I couldn't have a favourite's list without him. 


My favourite on-going title of 2015: Batman
Why? This was a close one. Star Wars being back at Marvel gave me several options however Batman has consistently been the title I look forward to most each month. Snyder and Capullo continue to put Batman into exciting and new storylines. In 'Endgame' and 'Superheavy' we have had to of the most intriguing and exciting Batman storyline's, how they keep managing to do one better than their last storyline is beyond me but I sure am thankful they do.


My favourite new title of 2015: Spider-Gwen
Why? The fact that this character got her own solo title is down to Fan demand and also the incredible creative team behind it in Jason Latour, Robbi Rodriguez and Rico Renzi. I've had to dramatically reduce my monthly pick list and this title still easily makes the cut. Each month I look forward to the next adventure for this character and love that Spider-Gwen will now have some involvement with the 616 universe alongside her own.



My favourite film of 2015: Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Why? Well what else would it have been? I've been waiting three years for this film and it didn't dissapoint. The only film I have ever gone to a midnight showing for. I've seen it twice so far and plan on seeing it at least a couple more times before it stops showing in the cinema. Next step is it's home release and I can't wait to get hold of this so I can watch it whenever I want! May the Force Be With You...


My favourite video game of 2015: Fallout 4
Why? E3 2015 was the most exciting E3 in some time for me. Why? Bethesda, for the first time, were going to be giving there first pre-E3 press conference. What for? It couldn't be Fallout, could it? Well yes, yes it was. This was the announcement I had been waiting for, I got a PS4 a year after it's release but still found there wasn't much to play on it and still do. But Fallout 4 has filled that gap. I can play this game for hours, just wandering around the open world, until I run out of stimpaks. Have I completed it yet? No, but it is still by far the best video game I have played this year.


My favourite TV programme of 2015: Star Wars Rebels
Why? The only TV programme I have kept up with weekly for quite some time. I make sure I catch every episode. Blending great visuals, influenced by the original concept art from Ralph McQuarrie, and the feel of the original trilogy. Star Wars Rebels continues to put the heroic band of Rebels into impossible situations, not to mention the return of fan favourite characters, Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex. It's currently on its mid-season break but I can not wait for its return in January.



My Favourite on-demand TV programme of 2015: Daredevil
Why? Daredevil, what do you think of. Ben Affleck? Jennifer Garner? Not anymore! Marvel finally released their Daredevil Netflix earlier in the year. Was it what I expected? No. It was far better than I expected, a nitty gritty street level programme showing one mans fight against injustice. And that fight scene in the hallway, one of the best choreographed scenes on TV this year. Bring on Daredevil Season 2.