2007 wasn’t too bad for me, I have to admit. There are definitely some things that could’ve gone a lot better, both in my real life and my “comics life,” but overall, I guess things weren’t as bad as I might think (given that it’s difficult to look back on one’s life objectively). I fulfilled one of my personal goals in life by being a magazine editor, even if only for a year. While I wish my time with UVC could’ve ended better, the fact remains that I contributed significantly to the launch of a new comics magazine that filled a niche in the industry by appealing to a long-overlooked segment of the marketplace.

I don’t mean to brag, but I want it on the record for posterity: I contributed a number of story ideas and developed others, brought in a handful of regular and guest contributors, single-handedly handled distribution here in the New York area prior to Diamond picking us up, and provided my knowledge and expertise as a comics journalist, creator, and former retailer to the overall guidance and direction of UVC – all with the belief that I was building something important and enduring that would eventually provide me financial compensation once it took off. My influence is a tangible presence in those first few issues and cannot be taken away. Did I make mistakes? Of course. I had no prior experience as an editor and I said and did things which I regret, but I was brought in with the knowledge that I would go through a learning curve and experience ups and downs. I believe the positive far exceeds the negative, though, and I believe my opinions and ideas were valued and respected.

Until they weren’t.

But I’m not interested in slinging mud. All I’ll say here is that I wish everyone at UVC well and leave it at that.

UVC enabled me to attend San Diego for the first time – and wow, what an experience that was! It was a week that had many emotional highs and lows for me; some disappointments but a lot of surprises as well. While I could wish for a few things to have gone down differently, I certainly do not regret the trip. I had fun hanging out with old and new friends, seeing so many new things, and enjoying a week in sunny Southern California. At this point it seems highly unlikely I’ll return for 2008, but that’s okay. At least I can say I’ve been there.

The year in black comics saw some significant strides for some influential creators. Dwayne McDuffie returned to Marvel and DC in a major way: from Beyond to Fantastic Four to Avengers Classic to Justice League, he’s getting to play with the big characters once again and the response has generally been positive. Screenwriter Kevin Grevioux made a big debut at Marvel with New Warriors. Kyle Baker moved to Image and finished Nat Turner, and his new mini-series Special Forces is only a precursor of more to come in 2008. Rapper MF Grimm’s autobiography Sentences helped expand the hip hop comics audience in a major way, while the Davis Brothers brought Blokhedz to the bookstore audience.

Then there’s the characters. Steel and his niece Natasha shined brightly in 52 and their story continues monthly in Infinity Inc. Amanda Waller and her Machiavellian schemes were a major element in the pages of Checkmate. The death of Captain America made the Falcon an even bigger part of the events that followed in that book, while Luke Cage filled the void left by Cap as the leader of the New Avengers. Martha Washington came back just in time to die (albeit in a somewhat underwhelming story) while Punisher villain Barracuda came back from what appeared to be the dead. Nighthawk fought Hyperion in Darfur, the Black Panther & Storm joined the FF, and Misty Knight lost her ‘fro.

Other highlights (among many) from the year that was: Cheryl Lynn Eaton formed the Ormes Society and struck a blow for sisters everywhere in comics… Other Heroes, Africa Comics and Looking for a Face Like Mine @ MOCCA provided great new venues for black comics to be seen… The Heroes for Hire “hentai cover” gave feminists another reason to hate corporate comics… Stagger Lee cleaned up at the Glyph Comics Awards… The graphic novel Aya and the series The 99 got international acclaim… BET launched an animation division that began with a controversial music video… The Boondocks returned to the Cartoon Network for a second season… Tintin in the Congo caused a worldwide furor decades after its initial release… The Dabel Brothers left Marvel… Mario Gully left Image and brought Ant to the new Big City Comics… Michael Davis’ Guardian Line brought in the Christian audience… and Larry Stroman returned to Marvel.

Among the books to look forward to in 2008 include: Mat Johnson’s Incognegro (which has already started generating a buzz among the literary cognoscenti), Kyle Baker’s Laika (not to be confused with the Laika GN that came out in ’07), MF Grimm’s Green Lantern (if the rumor is true, and I believe it is), Brandon Thomas’ Miranda Mercury (which has already gotten some retailer love – thank you Fred), Genndy Tartakovsky’s Cage!, the Davis Brothers’ second volume of Blokhedz, the new Unknown Soldier series set in Uganda, rapper Method Man’s graphic novel, Alex Simmons’ run on Archie (can’t wait to see that), Gettosake’s Chocolate Thunder (finally!), new reprints of Brotherman, Alitha Martinez’ self-published comic, the print volume of Spike’s Templar, Arizona, and of course… the return of Tribe.

My seventh annual Top 10 list is of comics from the industry at large, not just black comics (although there are some). Indeed, this year’s list is one of my most diverse ever – Palestine, Great Britain, Japan, Korea and Canada are among the countries represented! I don’t talk much about general comics here, but obviously I get them and read them too. I must emphasize, though, that I don’t read everything! I’m well aware there’s stuff I’ve missed, for whatever reason (lack of money, lack of time, etc), so please don’t yell at me asking where’s such-and-such on my list. I don’t read everything. But here’s what I did read.

10. The Hookah Girl and Other True Stories by Marguerite Dabaie (website). An anthology of stories, some autobiographical, about Palestinian and Palestinian-American life. I first discovered this girl at MOCCA a couple of years ago, and I have been charmed ever since by the creativity, wit, and inspiration in her comics. If you liked Persepolis and Aya, you better get this one too.

9. Vogelein: Old Ghosts by Jane Irwin (Fiery Studios). The continuing story of the centuries-old, European android fairy as she learns more about her past in order to keep a promise. Jane compares favorably to Colleen Doran and Wendy Pini in terms of world-building and literary cred (her influences go way beyond other comics) and her art gets better all the time. Buy this for your daughters and nieces.

8. Sentences: The Life of MF Grimm by Percy Carey & Ronald Wimberly (DC/Vertigo). The autobiography of the titular rapper, born Percy Carey, from his days as a child actor on Sesame Street to his ascendancy in the underground rap scene to the assassination attempt that left him paralyzed and in jail. A candid look into the hip hop scene beyond corporate radio and a strong debut as a comics writer for the rap star.

7. Alice in Sunderland by Bryan Talbot (Dark Horse). A “secret history” of the British town of Sunderland, which encompasses much more than Lewis Carroll and his famous children’s books. Simply a breathtaking artistic tour-de-force from one of comics’ greatest multi-taskers. The levels of detail, in both story and art, seem endless.

6. Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine (Drawn & Quarterly). The ups and downs in the relationship of a young Asian-American couple. Race plays a significant factor in this 20-something romantic drama; cultural differences between Japanese, Koreans and Americans, assimilation, and racial solidarity are among the elements that Tomine weaves into this exquisitely-illustrated and provocative story.

5. Silverfish by David Lapham (DC/Vertigo). A curious young woman, a stepmother with a secret double life, and a demented killer are among the catalysts in the latest crime noir comic from Lapham. His pacing, his compositions, his approach to atmosphere and his claustrophobic sense of tension make his comics evoke classic Hollywood at its best.

4. Nat Turner: Revolution by Kyle Baker (Image/Kyle Baker Publishing). The conclusion of the true story about the 19th-century slave revolt in America, led by the titular character. You thought Sweeney Todd was bloody? Check this out. Baker, using Turner’s own words verbatim, portrays the conflict as only he can, all the way to the tragic finale. A storytelling triumph for this comics grandmaster.

3. Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (DC/Minx). A young woman encounters past and future versions of herself and must help them reconcile the pain and regret in their lives. When the first wave of Minx titles were announced, I knew that this would be the one I’d want most, because of Kim. His sensitive, light touch in portraying facets of human behavior, combined with Hamm’s endearingly sweet art, made for a winning combination.

2. Essex County by Jeff Lemire (Top Shelf). Two in a series of three volumes about small town life in Canada: Tales From the Farm, about the odd relationship between a newly orphaned boy and a former hockey star, and Ghost Stories, about the fortunes of two brothers in the big city. These were overlooked gems that stayed with me long after the stories ended. With artwork heavy on moody shadows amid stark landscapes and cityscapes, and a memorable cast of characters interwoven between volumes, former Xeric Award winner Lemire does much with little, vividly rendering a vision of small town life yet allowing for ambiguity as well. Can’t wait for The Country Nurse, the conclusion of this trilogy.

1. Punisher by Garth Ennis and various (Marvel/Max). Yes, it’s a corporate comic. Yes, it’s a company-owned character. But in seven years and over a hundred issues, Garth Ennis has truly made it his own, in a fashion comparable with Alan Moore’s work on Swamp Thing and Grant Morrison’s work on Animal Man, and it’s disgraceful that he’s not getting the recognition he deserves for it. In 2007, Ennis took Frank Castle to new heights with the story arc “Widowmaker” (illustrated by Lan Medina), which was so chilling and brutal in places I had to put it down at one point because it was too much. By contrast, the spin-off mini-series Barracuda (illustrated by Goran Pavlov) had dark humor and outrageous hilarity in the classic Ennis fashion. It also provided something there is not enough of in comics: a great black villain, written without any politically correct restraints. Marvel has announced that Ennis’ run will conclude next year with issue 60. I firmly believe time will show that Ennis made history with this book and this character.

Happy new year to you all and I’ll see you in 2008!