Despite a weird year, comic books thrived and creators took the medium to epic heights.
Whatever you say about 2021, you can't deny its comics. There were so many great comic books this year that we had to split the celebration up into two massive episodes. And we're not sorry.
Sorting through The Best Comics of 2021 was no easy task. In an utterly bugnuts year, the medium produced numerous brilliant works. Putting our heads together, we created thirteen categories (that are very CBCC) and split them over two EPIC episodes. Welcome to Part One, the Thunderdome.
With 2021 being a banger year for comic books, we invited some friends onto the show to name their favorites. You will hear some familiar titles, but we believe you'll also encounter several discoveries. And while you're putting these comics on your to-read pile, why don't you also add these brilliant podcasters and journalists to your regular comic book consumption list.
Our hope is that these two episodes will get your new year off to a joyous start. Below you'll find timestamps for each category as well as links to these fabulous guests and their websites. Seek them out and give them some words of affirmation.
Part One Award Category Timestamps:
Best Digital Release - 12:15
Best Biographical Comic - 19:34
Best All-Ages Comic - 29:31
Best Young Adult Comic - 36:59
Best First Issue - 50:20
Episode Cameos:
David Brooke (@Nosocialize) from AIPT
Guido (@GuiAlexSan) & Rob (@RobertRibar) from Dear Watchers
Dan Gvozden (@SupSpiderTalk) from Amazing Spider-Talk
Jessika (@Jessikawitha) & Mike (@vansau) from Ten Cent Takes
Sara Century (@saracentury) & S.E. Fleenor (@se_fleenor) from Bitches on Comics
Other Relevant Links:
Best Comics of 2021 by the Comics Bookcase Staff, including Lisa
Film School Rejects' The 15 Best Comic Books of 2021 by Brad
Best Comics of 2021 by The Comics Collective
Filmspotting's Top 10 Films of 2021
Here it is—The Best Comics of 2021 (Part Two). As far as comics were concerned, the year was simply too marvelous. We had to stretch the celebration across two episodes.
If you haven't already listened to The Best Comics of 2021 (Part One), you can find it by clicking HERE.
As with that previous episode, we invited numerous friends onto the show to help us with this party. We are humbled by their enthusiasm and their generosity. It's an honor to have them partake; please seek them out via the links below and share their good work often.
Part Two Award Category Timestamps:
Best Cat Comic - 8:29
Best Food Comic - 10:29
Best Ongoing Series - 25:18
Best Original Graphic Novel - 35:30
Best Single Issue - 40:28
Best Limited Series - 48:25
Writer of the Year - 56:30
Artist of the Year - 1:13:02
Best Basketball Comic - 1:17:13
Discovery of the Year - 1:19:02
Episode Cameos:
Erin (@GirlsTalkComic1) from Girls Talk Comics
Christian Holub (@cmholub) from Entertainment Weekly
Connor Goldsmith (@CerebroCast) from Cerebro
Chris Arrant (@chrisarrant) from Newsarama
Kat Calamia (@ComicUno) from Comic Uno
Dallas (@dallas_comics), Carol Anne Talks Comics! (@AnneComics), & Lexi Taylor (@lexilou_comics) from The Comics Collective
Zack Quaintance (@ComicsBookcase) from Comics Bookcase
Nathan Simmons (@whatastorynate) from AIPT
Other Relevant Links:
Best Comics of 2021 by the Comics Bookcase Staff, including Lisa
Film School Rejects' The 15 Best Comic Books of 2021 by Brad
Best Comics of 2021 by The Comics Collective
Filmspotting's Top 10 Films of 2021
And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.
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Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.
Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.