The New 52 has for the most part been a bit rubbish in terms of the titles it’s produced,* but it did get me back into comics. And that’s a good thing, because otherwise I’d have missed the titles I’m going to recommend below. These are also the comics I’m going to be putting on my Hugo ballot.

Saga (writer Brian K Vaughan / artist Fiona Staples) – Believe the hype, this is one cool science fiction comic. Imaginative, violent, funny, dark and beautifully drawn by Fiona Staples. And if it isn’t nominated for Best Graphic Story then I’m not sure what the point of the category is.

Rachel Rising (writer and artist Terry Moore) – Where have you been in my life Terry? Apparently you won a whole slew of awards while I was ignoring comics. Rachel Rising not only has his lovely black and white art, the story of possession and resurrection and all sorts of dark stuff is compelling. I especially love Moore’s use of silence between panels (I’m not sure of the technical terminology).

Hawkeye (writer Matt Fraction /artist David Aja) – By far the best ongoing superhero comic out there (Daredevil is good, but Hawkeye is a step above). Fraction is an interesting writer. His later issues of Iron Man were OK without being great and I’m not convinced of his take on FF after Hickman’s wonderful run. But by jiminy he has nailed Hawkeye. And he’s done it by taking Clint away from his Avengers world and showing us the sort of person he is when he’s doing his thing at home. Aja’s art is astonishing, all rectangular and sharp and clean and dynamic.** The tone is perfect, the humour spot on.

The Manhattan Projects (writer Jonathan Hickman / artist Nick Pitarra). The true story of what happened during the development of the A-Bomb except so much more crazy and surreal than you could possibly imagine. Hickman is a genius (I’m beginning to really love his work on Avengers and New Avengers and he has the sort of imagination suited for comics. With The Manhattan Projects he lets his imagination off the fucking leash.

Glory (writer Joe Keatinge / artist Ross Campbell) I never read the original Glory, as created by Rob Liefeld, but the word on the street is that I wasn’t missing anything.*** Keatinge has taken the character and made it into a super violent space opera – a bit like Saga actually. It’s fantastic, kinetic stuff and I’m sad that Keatinge and Campbell are finishing their run in March. (Though I appreciate that they’re not dragging out the series for the sake of churning out another issue).

Actually, any Image comic – like Prophet, Nowhere Men, Storm Dogs, Planetary is worth your time.**** But the five above are my faves.

And if you’re looking for recommendations, check out Grant’s Pull List or Greg McElhatton’s comic’s blog

* There’s always exceptions like Batman, Batgirl, Batwoman and… er… Action Comics has had its moments. (I also have a thing for Animal Man and Swamp Thing but the Rotworld stuff hasn’t turned me on).

** I know less than shit about comic book art. So I apologise if my descriptive terms make no sense or aren’t event remotely reflective of the actual art style.

*** Alan Moore also had a crack with Glory but I haven’t read that run either

**** Oh and Mudman… don’t forget Mudman, it’s awesome!