20. Usagi Yojimbo, Volume 27: A Town Called Hell by Stan Sakai (Dark Horse)
Set in 16th century feudal Japan, Miyamoto Usagi is a wandering ronin (masterless samurai) who comes across a town brought to its knees by two warring gangs who've taken over and over whom the local authorities have no power over. Teaming up with legendary swordsman Kato, Usagi Yojimbo (Japanese for Rabbit Bodyguard) defeats the evil gangs and brings peace to the town. Stan Sakai's wonderful black and white comic is at its 27th volume though don't let this put you off as anyone can pick up A Town Called Hell and enjoy it as a standalone volume. Sakai's choice of black and white means despite the violence there is no blood seen on the page and animal-headed characters make this an all-ages blend of Japanese history and mythology. Absolutely amazing comics for readers who enjoy samurai stories.
19. The Legend of Luther Strode by Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore (Image)
The sequel to The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, Legend picks up 5 years after Luther has ran away from home and begun his vigilante career as the avatar of violence. But his activities and powers - super-strength, super-speed, invulnerability, healing factor - have caught the attentions of an ancient order looking to recruit him - or destroy him. Jordan and Moore's ultra-violent epic has some of the goriest and most imaginative fight sequences you'll find in any comic. There's also a super-creepy mummy serial killer called Jack in this book that's horrifyingly great to see go up against the seemingly invincible Luther. Both Jordan and Moore's careers have taken off thanks to this series and, as good as their work is elsewhere, the best of both of their talents can be seen in this original series. Definitely not for kids, The Legend of Luther Strode is a blood-soaked thrill-ride from start to finish.
18. The Sixth Gun by Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt (Oni)
Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt's 19th century western horror series sees a pair of gunslingers with haunted, powerful six-shooters being hunted by an array of monsters, ghouls, and assorted supernatural threats who're after the guns for themselves. Each of the six guns possesses a power like pestilence, which emaciates anyone it shoots, or shoots bullets with the power of a cannon, or shoots fire. When all six guns are assembled, the end of the world is nigh - unless our heroes Becky and Drake can end the terror once and for all! Amazingly paced story with stunning art from Hurtt, The Sixth Gun saw yet more fantastic issues added to the series this year along with a spin-off volume of stories featuring General Hume's henchmen called Sons of the Gun. The Sixth Gun is an exciting, original comic that never fails to fascinate.
17. X-O Manowar by Robert Venditti et al. (Valiant)
Leading Valiant's relaunch was X-O Manowar, the story of a 5th century Visigoth abducted by aliens who obtains a powerful suit of armour and become the superhero X-O Manowar. This year saw Aric defeat the alien Vine and bring his people back to his homeland of Dacia - modern day Romania - without realising 1500 years had passed! The spacecraft carrying Aric and his people was seen as a hostile invasion by modern governments who've begun to fight against this strange incursion, the story of which is currently unfolding in Unity. Extraordinarily written by Robert Venditti, X-O Manowar has remade itself from the image of the late 90s to become one of the most exciting comics being published today. THE Valiant title to check out, X-O Manowar is a terrific superhero action comic.
16. The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks (Dark Horse)
Superhero Girl has superpowers like super-strength and can leap tall buildings in a single bound but she also shares a rented flat and shops in thrift stores because superhero-ing doesn't pay. Told episodically, Faith Erin Hicks satirises the superhero genre as Superhero Girl learns how to be taken seriously as one. Her cape shrinks in the wash, she leaves a mask on during a sunny day leading to tan-lines around her face, and she lives in Canada, not exactly a hotbed of crime. The book could also be read as a more universal story of a young person living their dream and realising perhaps it's not quite what they wanted to do after all. Drawn in a kind of Bryan Lee O'Malley style, The Adventures of Superhero Girl is funny, clever, entertaining, and ideal for readers everywhere, whether you're a superhero fan or not (though if you are, you'll love it more).