Best Graphic Novels of 2005

Seems like there’s a few people coming here searching for a list for the best graphic novels of 2005, so I’ll try and bring these things up. Originally I thought this was going to be an easy list to compile as I’ve actually read a slew of books that were actually published last year, however within that list is an extensive list of graphic novels that came out this year as well. Going through that list I’ve actually come to the conclusion that this has been a great year for the graphic novel.

One of the problems I faced is that I didn’t get a chance to read a couple of the books that were released in 2005 (which I’ve bought) that would have probably made the list. I plan on giving each and every one of these books it’s fair amount of time in a proper review but I thought I’d give everyone a taste of things to come on Splash Panel and say goodbye to 2005 in style.

10. Daredevil | Volume 4
    By Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev
    Marvel‘s input to this list was very anaemic, as most of what they’ve published since Bill Jemas left the building has been seriously underwhelming. It’s amazing what that crazy guy actually brought to the table, regardless of what Rich Johnston says (love you lots Richie). The number of Hardcovers went down dramatically, and they introduced this premium hardcover editions, which are less bang for your buck than their now traditional 12 issue hardcovers.

    Having said that, the team behind Daredevil is the best ever at Marvel. It’s a shame that they’re moving on but I can understand it completely. They’ve both had a healthy run on this character and I’m extremely grateful for all the fun times they’ve provided. Their replacements (Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark) are top notch so at the very least this great character is in good hands.

    You can expect Volume 5 to be in the top ten next year as well, maybe.

9. Samurai Executioner
   By Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima
   Honestly it’s a bit of the same with regards to the 28 volume Lone Wolf and Cub, but with a little more humanity involved. It’s also on a smaller scale as it centres around one person living in one place rather than roaming the countryside. However when it’s this good I’ll happily take as much as they dish out. The publishing schedule was slightly erratic which is weird however I can forgive Dark Horse, simply because they’re publishing this exceptional series.

8. Chosen
   By Mark Millar and Peter Gross
   Even though this was a three issue mini-series, it was a damn good three issue mini-series. It talked about the second coming, but definitely not in the way you’d expect. It was an extremely pleasant surprise since I’d missed the hype around it. I actually rate this higher than Wanted (Millar’s other creator owned comic that came out this year), even though that one was pretty good, this mini-series was better.

7. We3
   By Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
   It’s always a treat when these two gentlemen get together. The last time they got together before this was during the first part of their X-men run. This was a beautiful mini-series about three animals (a dog, a cat and a rabbit) that escape from the military lab they were being tested on. It’s a touching little mini-series that packs a great deal of emotion. Due to the nature of the story the words and art had to work together in complete synergy. These two gents accomplished that without skipping a heartbeat.

6. Invincible
   By Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker and Ryan Ottely
   I was actually very surprised at just how much I enjoyed reading this, simply because I honestly didn’t expect to have this much fun. It reminded me of the first couple of years of Ultimate Spider-man except what you think is a traditional Superhero story gets turned completely on it’s head. I don’t want to say much for ruining the story, or my upcoming review of this series. Take it from me, there’s a reason it’s on this list.

5. Sleeper | Season 2
   Ed Brubaker and Sean Philips
   I was actually very sad when this series finished, because it was one of the best things I’ve read in a good long while, and was told in the Universe that I grew up with. Most people claim the DC universe or the Marvel Universe as the books they grew up reading, for me it was the Wildstorm Universe. The great thing about Ed’s story however is that even if you don’t know jack shit about the WSU, you’ll enjoy this just as much as me. The only thing is I’ll get a slightly extra kick out of a couple of things. That just shows the talent involved. Sean Philips is of the same school as Eduardo Risso a great storyteller.

4. Deep Sleeper
   By Phil Hester and Mike Huddleston
   This series was originally published under the Oni Press banner as a follow up to their previous collaboration The Coffin which is still in my eyes one of the best graphic novels published in 2003. This is not a follow up except that it’s of the same superb quality as The Coffin. Hester has an amazing knack for telling a story and ending it properly without loosing a beat. It’s very important because it seems more and more that comic book creators are forgetting how to end a story. The buildup is good but the pay leaves you cold. Deep Sleeper does nothing of the sort. It delivers.

3. Ex Machina
   By Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris
   The first year of Ex Machina was released in the form of two trade paperbacks, The First Hundred Days and Tag. Both are exceptional pieces of work from both of these creators. The ending of the second book reminds me of the great little cliffhangers that Bendis has done over on Daredevil for the past 2 years. The characters jump off the page, both in terms of their dialogue and because Tony photo references everything. One of my favourite news series of 2005.

2. Vagabond
   By Takehiko Inoue
   Vagabond consistently entertained and wowed me throughout this year. The second I’d buy it I would have to start reading it. Most times I’d have finished reading the book before I even got home. That’s how addictive this series was. 5 books released in 2005 isn’t a bad run. Now let’s just hope that Takehiko Inoue gets drawing and finishes this story off, because the suspense is killing me.

1. Top Ten | The Forty-Niners
   By Alan Moore and Gene Ha
   This is like 2 years in the making. If there is one series that Moore has created in the past 5 years that stands tall around his other creations it’s Top Ten. Unfortunately for us this book also marks the last time that Moore and Ha tell us a story with these characters, and it’s a terrible shame. If I had to pay twice as much for books like this but that would ensure they continued with these characters I’d pay it in an instant.

   Still how could a Gene Ha fully painted book (the detail is astounding) written by Alan Moore not get the best book of 2005?