Good -looking guy who can fly that wears spandex or team of mutated denizens out to prove that they are just like you and me? Neither.

The best comic books, at least by today's standards, aren't the ones which pit good vs. evil on a monthly basis. Indeed, the storylines for this drivel always seems to be the same: Bad guy(s) want something...good guy(s) need to stop bad guys for whatever reason (they just have to, it is morally correct, it will hurt innocents if they don't). These books can go on for years with the same rehashed structure.

The best comic books are the indies (independent publishers/small press). The books where the writer and artist HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY and are not concerned about being able to pay off their mortgage with any earnings (though this would be nice). The indies produce far more heartfelt content than content from "the big two" (Marvel and DC). Indeed, writers who publish with a smaller press often times must be better at their craft than writers at an already established publisher. It seems all must endure the trenches and hardships of a smaller press at first, but when they finally make it thier work seems to taper off...not be as passionate.

Having said all this the best comic book then is the one that makes you think the most when you finish it. It's as easy as that. It will vary from person to person just like food preferences. For this particular writer, two titles stand out.

Preacher and Watchmen. In that order.

Learn more about this author, Michael Stevens.
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