Matt's top 10 comic-book reads, December 2023

Word Balloons #1197: What tops the list for December?

Let’s look back at December 2023 for my picks for my favorites of the comics I read. This is an adaptation of an idea from my friend the Food Dood. Each month, I’ll select from the comics that I’ve read during the past month, whether they be old, new, or whatever, included or excluded as I see fit at the time.

Here are my top 10 for December 2023!

10. Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #2 

Tremendous art from writer/artist Rafael Grampa, who is creating a dark Batman tale that might be at home in a David Fincher film. There’s also a strong manga influence, which could make this a compelling Batman story for the folks that grew up on “Death Note” and the like. 

9. Canary #2

Scott Snyder and Dan Panosian are the creative team for this miniseries featuring the federal marshal Azrael William Holt, called in to investigate strange killings in a town with a collapsed mine. In this issue of the old West horror-thriller, we get Marshal Holt’s origin, as he faces off with Hyrum Tell, who appears to be a supernatural threat. Years later, Holt has returned to Canary, where he and geologist Edison Edwards will investigate the mine and its dark secrets.  

8. No/One #7

The superhero thriller mystery is getting closer to its conclusion as more suspects are uncovered. The Image Comics series is written by Kyle Higgins and Brian Buccellato, with art by Geraldo Borges and colors by Mark Englert.

7.  G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #302

The Joes mourn a fallen friend as Serpentor Khan and Cobra Commander rally their forces. Larry Hama writes; Stephen Mooneyham provides terrific art. 

6. Transformers #3 

Daniel Warren Johnson is the writer-artist of “Transformers,” based on the Hasbro toys. The humans can’t really tell the difference between the good giant robots and the bad giant robots, leading to frustration and danger for the Autobots.  

5. Duke #1

The official Skybound launch of the G.I. Joe character titles in the Energon Universe begins with this miniseries focusing on Conrad Hauser, aka Duke. The creative team is writer Joshua Williamson (“Superman”) with artists Tom Reilly and color artist Jordie Bellaire. 

4. Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #22

Dan Mora is among the best at conveying superhero action, and this issue has plenty of it, as Earth-Prime’s Superman and Batman try to stop the villainous Gog on the earth of Kingdom Come. The origins of Gog and Magog from “Kingdom Come” are in part revealed here. 

3. Wesley Dodds: Sandman #3

Wesley Dodds, aka the crimefighter Sandman, continues the investigation into who has stolen his journal. One potential perpetrator’s death appears to be a cover-up. 

Written by Robert Venditti with art by Riley Rossmo. Rossmo’s art is enveloping the reader in this slightly dreamlike 1940s world with wisps and shadows hiding true dangers.  

2. Local Man #8

After being drugged, Jack tries to make up with his father, who is having none of it. Inga’s secrets continue to swirl. Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs use innovative comics techniques to tell a story of going home going wrong in a superhero package. 

1.Where the Body Was 

The latest original graphic novel from writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips looks at the seamy underside of an apparently typical cul-de-sac. Everyone has secrets, and most are telling lies, though some only to themselves. Who killed the private eye? And what was he there to find? The story unfolds as a tale of love gone wrong in the summer of 1984.

Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, Oklahoma.