In our opinion you can't have a "Best of" list without the "Worst of" to go with it. Welcome to our worst picks of 2015. Think of it like the Razzies for comics. Each writer will make their own pick so sit back enjoy " Most Annoying Industry Habit".
ASA: Comics on Network TV
2015 was generally a great year for comic-based tv thanks to Netflix's Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Unfortunately, it was also the year of Gotham, Constantine, Agents of SHIELD, Arrow, and Supergirl. I'm not saying these shows are awful (and they are very clearly successful) but it's disappointing to see great properties end up as rushed, cheap-looking network shows when they could easily be so much more mature and intelligent. I am aware that not everyone wants the complexity and grit of the Netflix style, but it was painful this year to constantly be reminded of how shallow, corny, and gimmick-y comic book tv could be.
JAMES: Optioning Everything
No doubt there have been some wonderful hits within the movie and tv genre related to comic book properties. And it is very nice to see those successes. But with each success, comes the rush to option something else trying to make it to the big or little screen by any means necessary. I mean Deadpool was green lighted after a scene was leaked. With each option, the chance for failure becomes more imminent. And we have seen some of those failures, especially with a lot of the network stuff. Watching Constantine crash and burn broke my heart. It is my hope that all of these properties that are optioned really get good and honest looks, so an excellent product can be made. When I see what Netflix is doing, I am optimistic. But unfortunately, there are so many companies out there who want to capitalize on anything comics that the shit meter could potentially be huge.
STEVE: Comics Politics
Whether it's over contentious covers, controversial creators / creative teams, or simply stories that piss people off for one reason or another, this year has seen a further escalation of polarizing comic book politics, especially within the increasingly vitriolic echo chambers online. Unfortunately, that debate has not become more intresting or nuanced, but simply a bigger shouting match of endless repetition, name-calling, threats and snide, passive-aggressive pretense, making the enjoyment of comics this year a diluted secondary element.
DUSTIN: Industry Back-Patting
Look we diversified aren't we great. Look we hired a woman aren't we good now. The big two acted like hiring people that weren't white males and writing about people that weren't white was something to be proud of rather than what should be the norm. You don't get a pat on the back for catching up with the era we live in. That gets you a head shake you ass hats.
DAVID: Comic Book Synergy
Marvel was definitely the biggest offender of this in 2015. Media attention was turned to their decision to spite Fox by cancelling the Fantastic Four as well as basically sterilizing and quarantining the X-Men in order to give their failing Inhumans books a boost, however smaller decisions such as randomly referring to the decade-old character Quake as Skye in a desperate attempt to keep the continuity with Agents of SHIELD also haven't gone unnoticed. I love you Marvel, but you need to keep your industry politics out of my comic books! If I like the X-Men, then I don't expect you to bench them in some sly way of boosting the profile of characters you still have the rights to. When business gets in the way of art, the result is never good.
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