TOM TAYLOR’S TOP PICKS
The #1 New York Times Bestselling author, co-creator of The Deep on Netflix, and X-Men: Red and All-New Wolverine writer, shares his pull list! “This is always too hard. There are so many creators I admire and so many stories I love, but here are just a few!” For more of Tom’s work, pick up Wolverine: Adamantium Agenda! Plus, read on for some Young Adult picks from Tom’s 12-year-old son, Finn!
Read Tom’s Favorites!
Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis & Mark Bagley
In Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) #1
What Bendis & Bagley did on this book was, frankly, ridiculous. At 111 issues, they managed the longest run by any two creators in Marvel history, beating out Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This book delivered big shocks along with great characterization and perfect interactions. It balanced tragedy and comedy like someone walking a web-tightrope between buildings. This was Peter Parker as the most human of super humans.
Nextwave by Warren Ellis, Stuart Immonen & Dave McCaig
In Nextwave: Agents of H.a.T.E. (2006) #1
I love pure entertainment, and Nextwave is the purest of entertainment. This is comics distilled down to the best bits. Some see Nextwave as a satirization of comics, and that's true to some extent, but it's also a celebration. Ellis is one of my favorite writers, and Immonen changed up his style (in a way only he can do) to elevate this book into an expressive, kinetically charged bundle of drop-bear-fighting joy.
Vision by Tom King, Gabriel Walta & Jordie Bellaire
In Vision (2015) #1
In 2016, nothing touched what Tom King, Gabriel Walta and Jordie Bellaire managed in this twelve-issue run. If Nextwave was a distillation of super hero comics, Vision is a reminder that the comics medium can still be stretched in new and compelling ways, and it's a challenge to all creators to be better at their craft.
Punisher by Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon & Chris Sotomayor
In Punisher (2000) #1
Bacon and eggs. Lennon and McCartney, Ennis and Dillon. I can't say enough good things about these two creators. I'm not sure any creative team has ever been able to switch so easily and organically between the hard, the heart and the humor as these two.
Read Finn’s Favorites!
Unstoppable Wasp by Whitley, Charretier, Wilson & More
In The Unstoppable Wasp (2017) #1
Everything about this comic is amazing: the art, the writing and especially the character (Nadia Pym). Nadia is just happiness stuffed into a human form.
Iceman by Sina Grace, Alessandro Vitti & More
In Iceman (2017) #1
This comic made me cry; it wasn’t that sad, it leaned more to the funny and happy side but Bobby’s life is just the worst...sort of.
Hawkeye by Kelly Thompson, Leonardo Romero & Jordie Bellaire
In Hawkeye (2016) #1
This comic is the best, the jokes are completely ridiculous (in a good way) and it’s the kind of comic that makes you laugh every time you read it.
Champions by Mark Waid, Humberto Ramos & Edgar Delzado
In Champions (2016) #1
In Champions, each character is almost completely different and the story is like nothing I’ve ever read before. Most of the time they deal with real world problems, and they actually fix them. Why can’t we do that?!
Spider-Gwen by Jason Latour, Robbi Rodriguez & Rico Renzi
In Spider-Gwen (2015) #1
Spider-Gwen is a must-read! It’s just…brilliant. It has everything a comic needs, drama, action, comedy and Spider-Ham!