Spotlight Week of December 22, 2004 By Roger Burks December 31, 2004 - 09:46 These rankings are compiled from the top 3 choices from 18 different voters on the Internet for comics released on December 22, 2004. 1. Green Lantern: Rebirth #3, 36 pts Parallax is explained this issue, and even though it is slightly Silver Age in style (white temples, alien happens to be named after an earth scientist's optical terminology), the ends more than justify the means. The issue is a bit Kyle-heavy, but it sets up some events which should be very interesting. 2. Astonishing X-Men #7, 22 pts "Whedon's dialogue and shifts in internal narration (from "I am riding a monster's nostrils" to "I really like beer") continue to impress and amuse. He starts another nystery within the X-manison as the team tries to build up its image. Best lines of the book: Ben asking Peter to play Whack-a-Mole and Johnny's reaction to being tarred with the same meida brush that the X-Men get: he'd get a more interesting set of groupies. "Reed, can we be evil now?" (It's even funnier after reading what they've been through in Waid's run.)" darklaw14, DC Message Boards 3. JLA: Classified #2, 10 pts "I loved Grant Morrison's original run on JLA. He seemed to write the series with a sense of inspiration. While his arc on Classified is fun, I don't think that it is inspired. It's a pleasant diversion. And his depiction of Grodd is terrific. But I don't think Morrison's frenetic pacing is easy to digest in just 3 issues. The flow was a little choppy, so I never felt really invested in the danger that our heroes were facing. But the Morrison roller-coaster is still good for a few neat spins and dips." altamont, DC Message Boards 4. Green Arrow #45, 6 pts "When Mia discovered that she had HIV a few issues back the rumors of her as Speedy were already circulating so I feared that Mia would use the excuse that her disease gives her a limited life span, so she might as well put herself in harms way as a hero. Thankfully Winick avoids that trap by having Mia genuinely want to help people, something she wanted to do even before she was sick. It's good to see that Winick is portraying Mia as wanting this life in spite of her disease, not because of it. Also, I'm sorry to see that Phil Hester and Ande Parks are moving on. Even if you didn't care for their art you have to respect the fact that they went 45 issues with very few fill-ins." jimmyking, DC Message Boards 5. The Goon #10, 5 pts Probably the best retelling of A Christmas Carol that I've seen, mainly because it is done Goon-style! The last page wasn't very good, but everything else was very amusing. 6. Manhunter #5, 4 pts Another good issue, setting up a major court case over the next few issues. Andreyko has managed to make Kate an unlikable yet amazingly engrossing character. (tied for 7th) Lunch Hour Comix #1, 3 pts "Rob Ullman shows the comics reading world what readers of his self-published series, FROM THE CURVE, already knew -- that he's one of the best autobiographical cartoonists around. Lunch Hour Comix is impressively honest and beautifully drawn. Plus, it's the perfect size for stockings. Pick up your copy today." tek3311, DC Message Boards (tied for 7th) Uncle Scrooge #337, 3 pts "The comic that will not be stopped is tops on my list again. He fans of the citizens of Duckburg are treated to a variety of stories from the legendary Don Rosa and William Van Horn to the new garde of European artists that shine. 3 Scrooges, a Gyro Gearloose, and a Huey/Louie/Dewey story makes DubipR's COMIC OF 2004 worth every penny." dubipr, DC Message Boards (tied for 7th) New Thunderbolts #3, 3 pts "Nice to see old Marvel storytelling; something that's been missing since this book was 'canned' to become Marvel Fight Club and the editors not understanding continuity. The newest member of the team arrives as the plot thickens. Solid storytelling and dynamic artwork by Tom Grummett makes this the best Marvel (and the only one I buy) comic on the racks." dubipr, DC Message Boards (tied for 7th) Black Widow #4, 3 pts "Now we're talking! Lots of great intrigue and spy stuff all around. Dirty secrets, Brainwashing, Shady players. What's not to love?" rouge2, DC Message Boards 11. Wonder Woman #211, Conan #11, Knights of the Dinner Table #98, Queen & Country #28, Imadoki! vol. 3: Daffodil, The Losers #19, 2 pts 17. Catwoman: When in Rome #3, The Witching #7, 1 pt © Copyright 2002-2026 by Toon Doctor Inc. - All rights Reserved. All other texts, images, characters and trademarks are copyright their respective owners. Use of material in this document (including reproduction, modification, distribution, electronic transmission or republication) without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.