funnybook of the month: May 2011

In an attempt to nail down the year's best funnybook, I will whittle down the contenders by month. Why? Because the year is ending and a year-end list is what people do.

The Winner: Journey Into Mystery #623

What I said then: "This is flawless storytelling, and it's happening in a tie-in to a giant event. Incredible."



Why it's still awesome now: The only good thing to come of Fear Itself was Kieron Gillen's tales of Young Loki, and this issue is exactly why. The young god trying to reconcile himself with his former self going to his imprisoned brother to ask about what he would have done and what he should do is some of the best character work in any book. The fact that it came during the big summer event is just icing on the cake.

Was it close? FF #4 had a shot, but the characterization in Journey Into Mystery can't be beat. At least, not this month.