Well, we haven't received any really good ideas for the names. There were a few that I liked, but I don't think they were quite good enough to be a good name, or they were something that, should we decide to do this again next year, would make any sense for next year's awards. So, at this point, the name of the awards is still to be determined. I still had to make up some graphics, though.

That's right--your favorite comic could win a coveted TBD Award! In fact, you could help it win! Just submit your votes in the following categories to awards@fanboycomics.biz, or fill out one of our handy paper ballots we'll have available in the store. You don't have to vote in every category, but that's not discouraged, either. Here are the categories available for voting:

Best Cover - The issue with the best cover art released in 2006.
Best New Comic Series - Best series beginning in 2006; i.e., issue #1 was published sometime in 2006.
Best Single Issue - The best single comic issue released in 2006.
Best Miniseries - The best miniseries of 2006. At least half of the issues of the miniseries must have been published in 2006.
Best Story Arc - The best story arc in an ongoing series of 2006. At least half of the issues of the story arc must have been published in 2006.
Best Ongoing Series - The best ongoing comic series (i.e., not a miniseries) of 2006.
Best Moment - The best moment in any comic where you just went, "That was awesome."
Best Original Graphic Novel - The best graphic novel composed of material not originally released in individual issues.
Best Collection - Best collection of material previously released in individual issues.
Best Comic-Based Movie/DVD/TV Show - Pretty much anything you care about that can somewhat fit in this category. I'm not going to be too strict about it.
Best Indie Comic - The best independent comic book published in 2006. Indie is defined as not published by Marvel, DC, Image or Dark Horse.
Best Hero - The best comic book hero of 2006, by whatever criteria you deem proper.
Best Villain - The best comic book villain of 2006, by whatever criteria you deem proper.
Best Comic Babe - The best comic book babe of 2006, by whatever criteria you deem proper. I guess women can send in their votes for hot guys or whatever. THE THINGS I DO FOR FEMINISM.
Best Artist - The best comic artist of 2006.
Best Writer - The best comic writer of 2006.
Best Roleplaying Game Product - The best product released for any roleplaying game or system in 2006.
Best Card Game Product - The best product released for any card game in 2006.
Best Miniatures Product - The best product released for any miniatures game in 2006.

Alright, now that we've got the categories established and hopefully well defined, let's see those votes! To give you an idea of some of the awesome stuff that came out in 2006, the Fanboy Comics staff has all made their selections and we will be revealing them week by week until the final votes are tallied. This week, I am revealing my choices.

Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #12

art by
Juan Roman Cano Santacruz

X-Factor

written by
Peter David
art by
Ryan Sook
Dennis Calero

All-Star Superman #5

written by
Grant Morrison
art by
Frank Quitely

52

written by
Geoff Johns
Grant Morrison
Greg Rucka
Mark Waid

art by
Joe Bennett
Chris Batista
Keith Giffen
Ruy Jose
Jad Jackson

covers by
J.G. Jones

Daredevil 82-87
"The Devil, Inside and Out"

written by
Ed Brubaker
art by
Michael Lark

The Incredible Hulk

written by
Ed Brubaker
art by
Michael Lark

Hawkeye Breaks Out
(Ultimates 2 #10)

Pride of Baghdad

written by
Brian K. Vaughan
art by
Niko Henrichon

Doom Patrol Vol. 4: Musclebound

written by
Grant Morrison

Justice League Unlimited Season 1

Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse

by
Ben Templesmith
published by
IDW

Lucifer

Iron Man

Red Sonja

art by
Paul Renaud

Ben Templesmith

Ed Brubaker
(Captain America, Criminal, Daredevil, Uncanny X-Men)

Dictionary of Mu

by
Judd Karlman

Warmachine: Superiority

---

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #1

Writers: Robin Furth and Peter David
Artist: Jae Lee
Colorist: Richard Isanove
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99

It finally arrived last week, this most ballyhooed of recent comic book releases. According to Joe Quesada, in his "New Joe Fridays" Q&A bit at Newsarama, the first issue of Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born moved in excess of 200,000 copies. I'm not a betting man, but I'm willing to bet that's huge. The die-hards came out for it, the curious came out for it, and the suckers certainly came out for it, as they do for everything. The dust has settled now, so is the book any good?

Yes, a resounding yes. It's obvious from the opening pages that Marvel and the creators on the book have hedged their bets and poured every last resource into this series. Editor Ralph Macchio, in a letter at the end of the issue, writes, "The magazine you're holding is the culmination of several years' labor." It would be impossible to say that he's bluffing. No matter if you're a die-hard fan of the Dark Tower series or simply a comic book fanboy, it's easy to see that this issue is gorgeously designed and nothing less than an inspired realization of Stephen King's written universe.

The masthead for this book is interesting: Stephen King is "Creative Director and Executive Director." I challenge anyone outside of Marvel's marketing department to tell me exactly what that means. Robin Furth, King researcher and author two Dark Tower tie-in books, gets credit for "Plotting and Consultation." Is that fancy for "co-writer"? Who knows what it all means, but the results are a success. Simply enough, this series is a prequel to the Dark Tower novels, an illumination of gunslinger Roland Deschain's formidable years. For those new to the universe, Peter David writers the narration (which is heavy throughout) as a primer on the characters and the language of Roland's homeland of New Canaan. Roland and his friends are gunslingers-in-training, boys who still need to prove themselves. As a newbie, I don't fully understand the role of the gunslinger, but I do love Westerns, so I just accept that some guys have to become gunslingers, and that's what they do. There's something to be said for blind faith.

Roland Deschain is quickly established as a gruff overachiever with a ten-pound rock on his shoulder. His father is a legendary gunslinger, and Roland feels the need to constantly prove himself, which he does in bouts of violent aggression and bullheadedness. He's a loner with something to prove. Furth and David competently blend Western tropes with the world of psychic magic and design Roland's world as out of time and incongruous. This is fantasy, and like great fantasy, it's enthralling.

While the story takes a wide-angle view that also zeroes in on strong characterization, the ultimate power of this book comes through Jae Lee's artwork. It's a remarkable achievement, and the best work he's ever done. Each image feels labored over, extracting the most dimension, detail and emotional possible. On one page, Lee's panels are crammed tightly with each focusing on the eyes of two characters, setting up a violent showdown. On others, Lee allows his illustrations the space to overwhelm and pop. Richard Isanove's coloring is a character onto itself as well. The colors in this book are a mood-EKG. Without the words, the colors explain character and display complex yet clear emotion. The book has a rough, ugly glossiness that provides for a cinematic edge, while honoring the characters' storied origins.

Marvel didn't mess this one up in the slightest. The only ads they placed in this 48-page monster are for Marvel books, and they crammed in extras such as maps, a supplemental prose story, a look at issue #2, and more. They want people to stay on board, and they want new comic readers to use this series as a gateway. However, let's ignore the marketing and say this: Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born is shaping up to be a fantastic series.

RATING: 4.5/5

---

New Avengers #27

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Leinil Yu
Colorist: Dave McCaig
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99

For this revamp of the New Avengers series to be properly titled, the cover should read: New New Avengers. Our fearless writer, Brian Michael Bendis, remains the same, but the artist is now rising star Leinil Yu. So what's so new new? Well, this book deals with the endgame of Civil War (which isn't over yet, but let's pretend it's done). After the heroes are done fighting their idealistic scrum and the new alliances caused by the fighting dovetail into revised teams series and their series (see how nicely that worked out for everybody?), things are going to look a little different. Bendis writes this latest issue of The New Avengers as a way for new readers to hop on board as that team goes through major changes. And most of it is for the best.

The anti-reg and pro-reg factions created during Civil War are going to make for two new teams: these New New Avengers and the Mighty Avengers (who have their own series debuting in March). (SPOILER: SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE TEAM MAKE-UP) Captain America's team is here, and it looks like this: Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Dr. Strange, Iron Fist and a new Ronin. Spider-Man has his black costume, and it looks as though Luke Cage is leading the team this time around. The possible dynamics of the team are exciting, with a bevy of hothead personalities and a Dr. Strange that looks like a zombie.

Bendis fills the bulk of this book with a clunky narration delivered by way of expository email message. Maya Lopez, AKA Echo, AKA Ronin, is still in Japan, working to infiltrate the Yakuza. She's abandoned and alone while the Civil War wages back in the States, and she's definitely feeling it. So alone in fact that she drafts the aforementioned email to Matt Murdock, only to be delivered if she's captured and killed. (Oh, they're about to get me! Better fire off this pre-written email before I get ready to go die so that I don't have to edit the draft!) Sexy ingénue by day and masked hero by night has gotten to Maya. As Ronin, she's ambushed by the evil Elektra and some goons of the Hand. They plan to make Maya over as an Hand assassin. But the email must have made it just in time because the heroes show up to kick all kinds of ass (and groin).

For the most part, Bendis writes a strong gateway issue. The email narration is irksome after many pages, and the ending here is plagued by a lapse in logic (even in comic-book logic), but overall the story is a seamless pleasure with a healthy amount of sexy violence.

Leinil Yu's art especially stands out. The rough, sketchy quality of his pencils fits the setting and blazing speed of the action. The quality of his visual storytelling balances true emotion and blind rage. The new team isn't quite polished, and Yu's work acts as a necessary character.

Team books should always be fun, and in the hands of a pro like Bendis, this revamp shouldn't disappoint. It's not perfect by any stretch, but it also delivers where it should.

RATING: 3.5/5

---

Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil #1

Writer: Jeff Smith
Artist: Jeff Smith
Colorist: Steve Hamaker
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $5.99

The words "All-Ages" may strike fear into the heart of the adult (but not in the least mature) comic fan. Those words may literally translate to "Strictly for Kids!" However, it's a very rare occurrence that a comic book can handedly secure the interest of every reader by finding that perfect combination of imaginative storytelling, adventuresome art, and spot-in characterization. In the hands of Jeff Smith, the brains behind the ended-in-2004 series Bone, a comic book can strike that most perfect balance, creating an entirely blissful experience that speaks to the core of why comic books enchant. Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil is going to be a series that dares even the most-grumpy curmudgeon not to grin widely at its pages.

Long-time Captain Marvel fans needn't groan at the notion of a new series either in or out of continuity. With the perpetually frigid response that Judd Winick's take on the character has received, it's time for a little refresher. Instead of the brooding nature of Winick's character, Smith chooses to de-age Billy Batson and cast his as a quasi-Oliver Twist. Here, Batson is a homeless scamp, tormented by a vile creep, Lagreen, who torments Batson for scraps and loose change. A series of events leads the curious street urchin to a magical underground cavern inhabited by a wizard who will tell Batson of the word SHAZAM! Soon enough, Captain Marvel is brought to be and given the boy as his new host. We get to see how the two begin to interact, which is lighthearted, touching and humorous. Batson is in for several surprises and his new job, to be the host for the powerful hero, starts to be too much responsibility for a kid used to being on his own. Youthful exuberance leads to a bad decision that sets off the storyline that this series promises in the following three issues of the limited series.

Fan of Captain Marvel? Never heard of him? It doesn't matter. This series a comic-reading necessity. Jeff Smith knows to breathe real emotion and character into his illustrations, and his panels read like Saturday morning cartoons, but with fine production values. His dialogue is limited, but the art says nearly as much as the lettering. In one particular giddy scene, Batson tricks Lagreen by rushing off and buying a hot dog. When Captain Marvel arrives and Lagreen runs off, the hero is left with the hot dog and the prospect of stopping crime in exchange for street food. The humor of Bone is all here, as is the endearing emotional journey.

I tried and tried, but I truly couldn't find a single weakness in this book. No matter the subject matter or convoluted nature of the storytelling, every comic reader hopes for an enthralling experience. The best comics delight with dynamic characterization and passionate storytelling. Smith does both, and it's something to behold.

RATING: 5/5

---

Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #1

Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Clayton Crain
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99

I can't really think of a witty intro to this review, so I guess I just jump right into it. Trail of Tears is a sort of prequel to Ghost Rider: Road to Damnation. It begins with Travis Parham, a lieutenant in the Confederate army. During the fight he is mortally wounded, and falls to the ground unconscious. When he eventually comes to, he finds himself abandoned along with the other deceased soldiers on the battlefield. He is rescued by a kind black man who treats his injuries, and gives him shelter. There is tension between the two men at first, as they obviously come from different ends of the social spectrum. However, Travis ends up staying there for two years, and quickly befriends Caleb (the man who rescued him). One day while working on the farm, he makes a startling discovery, one that will probably change his life forever.

Garth Ennis does an excellent job with this book. The dialouge is sharp and poignant. He gives the characters great depth, so that by the end of the first issue, you almost feel like you've been reading about them for years, which is an impressive feat, given that there are many characters I've been reading about for years and yet I couldn't care less when they died. Cough, Superboy. If I just spoiled Infinite Crisis for you, I'm sorry, but that happened like a year ago, so I think that the “spoiler period” is officially up. In fact while I'm at it, I'll go ahead and ruin Titanic, Passion of the Christ, and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith too. The ship sinks, Jesus dies, and Anakin becomes Darth Vader, but that's completely off topic.

The art is excellent as well. Upon opening the book, my first thought was, “Huh. Remind me of Sin City.” I 'm referring to the movie, not the comic. Clayton Crain does such a good job with his shading, that it feels like the characters actually come out of the page at you. In some places, it almost appears photographic. Seriously, it's that detailed.

I'm now going to leave you with a confession: I actually hate Ghost Rider. I just think the idea of a guy who has a flaming skull, who rides around on a giant, flaming motorcycle, and whips things with a chain (also on fire) sounds like something a seven year old would write about in an essay titled, “What I want to do when I grow up.” So, it should a testament to this book's quality when I say that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and highly recommend it. -Tristan Hoagland is a retired five-star general from the U.S. Merchant Marines. His new book, "Robocop Tales: Back in Detroit," is loosely based on his time fighting penguins in Antarctica.

RATING: 4.5/5

---

Fathom: Kiani #0

Writer: Vince Hernandez
Artist: Marcus To
Colorist: Peter Steigerwald
Publisher: Aspen Comics
Price: $2.99

First off, I just want to say that I'm sick off publishers putting out “0”issues (looking at you, Dark Horse). If you want to put out a promotional book, call it a “preview,” a “sketchbook,” or something that fits it's nature. No more of this trying to pass something that's essentially nothing more than an elaborate a trailer off as a numbered issue. I miss the good old days when comics were numbered using positive integers starting with one. I shudder to think what “creative” marketing scheme they'll be using in the future.. Perhaps “0” will slowly evolve into the first normal issue, and I'll be writing long-winded rants about “-1” issues. But in the mean time, I guess I'll go ahead and start reviewing this comic, like I was supposed to do about 130 words ago.

To begin with, I should point out that until I read this, I had never even heard of the Fathom series, so I assume that my initial confusion is due to ignorance. So, I had my good friend Wikipedia give me the back round. Long story short, Fathom is about a race of people who live underwater. Kiani is a stereotypical female warrior. She comes with a sword, and sexy but completely irrational body armor. But hey, I guess there's really no reason to protect your abdomen, because there aren't any vital organs inside it, right? She also has a obvious disdain for humans (the ones that live on land), and has a lonely past, as she lost her parents as a child, and has been abandoned by everyone else whom she cared for. That's about as much detail as I can give you about the plot of this book, because, as you should have inferred from reading the opening paragraph, it's really more of a trailer for the upcoming series, and it really only gives some vague background into Kiani's past, and some even vaguer foreshadowing to things to come.

The art was impressive, to say the least. The artist pays close attention to detail, which makes every page intriguing. He does a particularly good job with the sprawling aquatic environments, and the contrasting lava flows. Overall, it's hard to grade this book. It's really only meant to be a preview. The art is good, the dialouge is good, and I'm willing to give the story the benefit of the doubt. The way I see it, 3.5 is the best score I can give a preview book in good conscience, so consider this to be one of the best “preview” books ever published. If you're looking for something a little bit different, you should consider picking it up. I'm not really talking to devout Fathom fans here, because like anything I say here is going to prevent them from reading this new series. -Reviewer Tristan Hoagland comes from the future to teach us all a lesson about sharing.

RATING: 3.5/5