Whew, another college semester down. If you’re a college student, then you know exactly what I mean when I say I need a vacation. But then again, even if you’re not a college student, you still know what I mean.
More than just the end of the semester, December marks the end of the year 2006 and, of course, this means it’s time for the big “year-ender.” That’s right, welcome to Down, But Not Out’s Best of 2006! This year I’ve expanded to include more than just my comic book favorites; I’ll also be talking about my favorite CDs and movies of the year.
Well, enough of this, let’s get right to it.

Comics

Best Writer:

Ed Brubaker

If you’ve read any Marvel Comics or, hell, anything about comics this year, Ed Brubaker’s name has no doubt come up. We’re talking the man behind X-Men: Deadly Genesis, The Uncanny X-Men, Daredevil, Criminal, and the brand-spankin’-new Iron Fist series.
Brubaker makes this spot for me because of his work on Uncanny X-Men, a book that had been spiraling into mediocrity. Fortunately, with X-Men: Deadly Genesis, Brubaker showed that he had the chops to take on Marvel’s merry band o’ mutants. Personally, I always know a writer just has “it” while writing an X-Men book when he creates a brand new character that I can actually accept as an X-Man. There have been a ton of characters created over the past few years that have done absolutely nothing for me, but this new character that I speak of, Darwin, has really made a good impression on me.
Anyway, thanks to Ed for making Uncanny awesome again.

Honorable Mentions: Robert Kirkman, Stuart Moore, and Rick Remender.


Best Writing Team:

Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti

For a second year in a row these two make this category. Jonah Hex is still arguably the most consistently good book that I read. Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters is one of the freshest books of the year. I mean, come on, these guys even made the first issue of Friday the 13th good! Now that is an accomplishment!


Best Artist:

David Finch

Two words: Moon Knight.

Honorable Mentions: Phil Hester, Billy Tan, and Jamal Ingle


Best Overall Title:

Firestorm The Nuclear Man

Thank you to Stuart Moore and Jamal Ingle for successfully making the One Year Later leap and not letting Firestorm fall into mediocrity like many of DC’s other titles (I’m still pissed about Hawkman). Firestorm The Nuclear Man is another book that, like Jonah Hex, is consistently good, so also, thank you to Stuart Moore and Jamal Ingle for putting out a fresh, fun, and interesting book. I just wish more people would read it.

Honorable Mentions: Fear Agent, Uncanny X-Men, and The Irredeemable Ant-Man.


Best Mini-Series:

Marvel Comics’ Beyond!

Dwayne McDuffie always manages to write a compelling story. In Beyond!, McDuffie gets to return to the character I know him best for, the Michael Collins Deathlok. He also gets to play around with what is arguably Marvel’s coolest new character of the past few years, Gravity. But that’s not all; we get the Inhuman Medusa, The Hood, Alyosha Kravinoff, Hank Pym, The Wasp, and a few more.
In what should have been called Secret Wars III, these heroes are transported to Battleworld to do, what else, battle. The “Beyonder” appears and tells ‘em to fight it out; he promises that the last man (or woman) standing will get whatever they wish. McDuffie’s characterizations are spot-on fantastic, which not only makes this a great book, but also allows him to add yet more depth to them.

Honorable Mentions: Ghost Rider: The Road to Damnation, X-Men: Deadly Genesis, Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters


Best New Title:

The Irredeemable Ant-Man

Once again, Robert Kirkman knocks one outta the park! With the new Ant-Man, Kirkman has successfully created a character that I not only hate, but also love!
How’s he do that? Well, Eric O’Grady is the biggest jerk-intending-to-be-a-super-hero ever! I hate the guy, just like Kirkman wants us to, but I freaking love the book. It’s an interesting approach to a comic: create a main character that people will hate. If you haven’t picked it up yet, then by all means, do so. It’s not far in yet, so you’ll be able to find the first few issues and get yourself acquainted with this punk!


Best New Volume (re-launch) of a Series:

Moon Knight

Come on, did you expect any less from me? Okay, sure, some may have thought the new Ghost Rider, but if you really know me, then you know there’s no contest here.
Charlie Huston has breathed new life into a character that has been staler than stale for the past ten years. With the exception of a few Doug Moench minis and an appearance in Robert Kirkman’s Marvel Team-Up, MK has been sitting on the shelf, doing absolutely nothing but collecting dust (and the occasional needless comparison to Batman. Ugh.).
With the addition of David Finch’s ultra-detailed art, this new book hits the absolute top of my list in this category.
There are, however, honorable mentions: Ghost Rider and Gen 13


Best Trade Paperback:

X-Men: The Complete Age of Apocalypse (all four of ‘em)

Ah yes, what I consider to be the best X-story of the 90’s, Age of Apocalypse showcased a grim world in which Charles Xavier was murdered, albeit accidentally, before he had a chance to found the X-Men. In his place, Erik Lehnsherr, also known as Magneto, forms a group he calls the X-Men in honor of Charles Xavier, who dreamed of a world in which mutants would be accepted alongside humans.
Along the way, in this timeline, Apocalypse rises to power and creates a hellish world in which mutants are on top and the humans are below the bottom. Magneto’s X-Men are all that stand between Apocalypse and total decimation of the humans and domination of the world.
Thanks to Marvel for collecting all of these into trade paperback form. This is an essential addition to any X-Men fan’s library.


Other Media:

Best CD of 2006:

Iron Maiden: A Matter of Life and Death

Iron Maiden’s A Matter of Life and Death is already a classic in my library of albums. While there was nothing particularly wrong with their albums of the past few years, this one just has the band firing on all cylinders. It’s an all-out, heavy and hard rockin’ album that’s reminiscent of Number of the Beast and Piece of Mind.

Honorable Mention: Paul Stanley – Live to Win


Best Movie of 2006:

The Prestige

The only thing I can utter is “wow.” Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Scarlett Johansson put in their absolute best performances in what can be considered a move of many layers. There’s so much going on in this move that you’ll have to see it twice. Also, I have to mention that David Bowie, while playing a relatively small role, blows everyone else away in this movie. Everyone.

Honorable Mention: Superman Returns


Best DVD of 2006:

The Transformers: The Movie – 20th Anniversary Special Edition

Chances are good that, if you’re a fan of The Transformers, then you already own this. It’s an absolute no-brainer. If you’re not a fan, then you don’t. Simple.
It makes the list for the fantastic job done in re-mastering the movie; the colors are vibrant and the sound is perfect. The movie itself still manages to stand the test of time, especially considering the entire thing was based around selling toys. Awesome.

Honorable Mention: Darkwing Duck – Season One