You can't help but think Marvel and DC stepping their respective games up to try new things, appeal to new readers and improve the state of comic books in general is a reaction to something. It's also not totally out of the blue to suggest that race to the top has been inspired by Image Comics, the creator-owned publisher who've been behind some of the very best titles released this year. Including Sex Criminals. Saga is basically the polar opposite of Sex Criminals. Although it does still feature a lot of sex and body positivity, thanks to Fiona Staples' unparalleled character designs and Brian K Vaughan's progressive writing. Inspired by stories written in Vaughan's youth, Saga tells the story of a pair of literally star-crossed lovers, new baby in tow, on the run from their respective warring alien races. This year saw the story take on new twists, with potential infidelities, drug dependency and the appearance of the horned father Marko's parents all adding wrinkles to his and Alana's marriage. Warmly written and beautifully drawn, Saga is nonetheless a rollercoaster of smart but heartbreaking plot twists, with Vaughan frequently dangling the most monstrous of cliffhangers. Cosmic family drama with ghostly babysitters and gorgeous people comic books are pretty great.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
