The year is winding down, and that means it’s time to think about all those things you think about at the end of every year: things accomplished, things not accomplished, what was fun, what you’re looking forward to, and what you can do even better. And, of course, when you run a website devoted to comics, you think about concocting a best-of list that focuses on the great graphic novels and manga you read over the past 12 months, which I was more than happy to do. Right now on GNR, you’ll find my picks for my favorites of the year. I couldn’t narrow it down any further than my top 20…coming up with a top 10 was just too difficult. I also wanted to include a best-of-2010 manga list, so I asked our great reviewer Casey Brienza to name her favorites.

As I reflect back on the year that was, I also think about some of the big developments we’ve had on GNR…most notably, the debut of our core lists for booksellers and librarians. This was a massive undertaking, as we attempted to develop a list that would be of use to people in the field, in every far-flung corner of the country. The lists took a while to develop, and they spurred a great deal of fun and interesting discussion. And now we’re looking toward next spring (March, to be specific), when we’ll unveil updated core lists…the first of many times we’ll be updating the lists to keep them current, timely, and of the utmost use to our readers. Going forward, we’ll be updating them twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. It’s a big task, but that’s how committed we are to helping our readers make the most of graphic novels and manga.

This year saw comics permeate our culture even further, with both San Diego and New York’s comic conventions being bigger than ever before; a hit new TV show debuted based on an acclaimed graphic novel (The Walking Dead); fervent anticipation built for upcoming movies based on Green Lantern and Thor; and there’s even a Broadway musical starring Spider-Man. And as Carol found out, Miami Book Fair International's Day of Comics was an even bigger hit this year than it was in the past two years. As the book fair expands to include the impact of comics on literature at large, the exposure benefits the industry in a huge way, and audiences at the fair are responding in kind. It’s been a big year for comics. I think next year will be even bigger.

Also online right now is the GNR interview with Doug TenNapel, author of Ghostopolis. I’ll let you in on a secret: Doug’s book made my best-of list this year. It was one of the most moving things I’ve read in a long time, and even though it was more or less a kids’ book, it was one of those stories that adults glom onto even more than kids. So when one of our writers, educator Katie Monnin, asked if she could interview him, I jumped at the chance. Doug is truly great, and I’m happy to give him more exposure. If you haven’t checked out his book, do so. You’ll love it. And be sure to check out his interview, which is intriguing. Doug has definite views and isn’t afraid to speak his mind. I always find that refreshing, whether I agree with a person or not. Having that clear and decisive outlook has probably helped shape Doug’s talents as a writer.

Also online right now is an interview I did with Mike Pellerito, president of Archie Comics. Archie Comics have probably been the “gateway” comic for more readers than anyone can imagine, so I was excited to get a chance to talk to him. The whole interview came about by happy chance…Carol and I were stumbling down the street after a very long day at New York Comic Con, and we happened to run into our friend Alex Simmons (of Kids' Comic Con) somewhere along Ninth Avenue. Alex was hanging out with Mike, and I knew it was my chance to get in my request for a talk with the prez. After a little coordinating of busy schedules, we have the interview online. I hope you enjoy it, especially because some bold and unexpected things have been going on with Archie Comics over the past year or so. As Archie becomes more 21st-century, now seemed like the perfect time to get a little perspective on where the company’s been and where it’s headed next.

We’ll be back in two weeks with our final update of the year. Thank you for all the support you’ve shown us this past year, and enjoy all the new content now online.

Happy reading,

John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)

Bronx librarian Ryan Donovan set out to create a young-adult discussion group for graphic novels and manga. What transpired between the months of October 2009 and July 2010 was more than that: It became a social outlet for a dozen teen to discuss comics in a variety of aspects.

As the year winds down, we pick the best graphic novels and manga of 2010. With picks for kids, teens, and adults, we’ve got the top of the line in a very good year for graphic publishing!

Audrey Niffenegger’s The Night Bookmobile is a short graphic novel based on a fascinating idea: What if there was a library that collected everything you have ever read? Her story follows one woman who encounters her own personal library --- and is changed forever. Niffenegger is the author of the prose novels The Time Traveler's Wife and Her Fearful Symmetry, as well as two novels in pictures, The Adventuress and The Three Incestuous Sisters, but in this foray into graphic novels, she creates an instant, indelible classic.

-Click here to enter to win a free copy of The Night Bookmobile!
-Click here to read an interview with Audrey Niffenegger, in which she talks about her inspiration for The Night Bookmobile and its transition from short prose story to graphic novel.

Powers, Vol. 13: Z by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming

After Z, the superpowered hero who murdered Hitler, is found dead, Detective’s Walker and Sunrise are on the case. This new collection from writer Brian Michael Bendis launches the series in a direction that makes for a great jumping-on point for new readers while rewarding longtime fans with details of Walker’s past and the incredible twists, turns, and surprises of a Powers investigation. Reviewed by Michael Hicks

Dante’s Inferno by Christopher Gage and Diego Latorre

Based on an EA video game, Dante’s Inferno puts vivid art front and center and takes on a very unorthodox retelling of a classic. Reviewed by Danica Davidson

Revolver by Matt Kindt

Sam is a young man stuck in a dead-end job. But his life takes a very strange turn when he begins waking up in an alternate universe very similar to his own except being pushed to the brink of destruction. As he flips back and forth between both realities, he finds himself losing his grip on reality. Reviewed by John Hogan

Impaler, Vol. 2 by William Harms and Matt Timson
The undead have taken over the earth, and the United States has nuked New York City in a vain effort to keep the vampires at bay. Only the legendary Vlad the Impaler has the potential to save the human race from the evil unleashed. Reviewed by John Hogan

Robot City Adventures by Paul Collicutt

The Robot City stories are good, old-fashioned futuristic yarns with a modern attitude, in which robots and humans work side by side, and the humans don't always get the last word. Reviewed by Brigid Alverson

-Click here to enter to win all four books in the Robot City series.

The Great Treasury of Christmas Comic Book Stories edited by Craig Yoe

You’d have to be a true grinch to dislike this collection of great, classic comic book stories about Christmas. The Great Treasury of Christmas Comic Book Stories is a joy-filled experience for the season. Reviewed by John Hogan

Avengers Assemble, Vol. 1
Marvel Comics

Azrael: Angel in the Dark
DC Comics

The Batman Chronicles, Vol. 10
DC Comics

Batman: The Widening Gyre, Vol. 1
DC Comics

Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery Archives, Vol. 4
Dark Horse

Captain America: No Escape
Marvel Comics

Captain America: America First
Marvel Comics

Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus, Vol. 2
Dark Horse

Deadpool Team-Up, Vol. 2: Special Relationship
Marvel Comics

The Eerie Archives, Vol. 6
Dark Horse

Excalibur: Visionaries, Vol. 3
Marvel Comics

The Flash Gordon Comic Book Archives, Vol. 2
Dark Horse

Girls & Goddesses: The Pin-Up Art of Joseph Michael Linsner
Image Comics

Grandville: Mon Amour
Dark Horse

Hack Slash: My First Maniac, Vol. 1
Image Comics

Jingle Belle, Vol. 4: Stocking Stuffers
Image Comics

Little Lulu's Pal Tubby, Vol. 2: The Runaway Statue and Other Stories
Dark Horse

Magdalena: Origin, Vol. 1
Image Comics

Magnus, Robot Fighter
Dark Horse

The Mighty Samson Archives, Vol. 2
Dark Horse

Orc Stain, Vol. 1
Image Comics

Star Wars: Legacy, Volume 10: Extremes
Dark Horse

The Super Hero Squad, Vol. 4 Digest
Marvel Comics

Superman/Batman: Big Noise
DC Comics

Sweet Tooth, Vol. 2: In Captivity
Vertigo

Thor, Mighty Avenger, Vol. 1: The God Who Fell Into Earth
Marvel Comics

The Vengeance of Moon Knight, Vol. 2: Killed Not Dead
Marvel Comics

X-Force: Sex and Violence
Marvel Comics

Aliens: Fast Track to Heaven
Dark Horse

The Astounding Wolf-Man, Vol. 4
Image Comics

Batgirl: The Greatest Stories Ever Told
DC Comics

Dust Wars, Vol. 1
Image Comics

Emitown
Image Comics

Exiles: The Ultimate Collection, Book 6
Marvel Comics

Generation X Classic, Vol. 1
Marvel Comics

Light, Vol. 1
Image Comics

Orpheus, Vol. 1
Viper Comics

Powers: The Definitive Collection, Vol. 4
Marvel Comics

Preacher, Book 3
Vertigo

Proof, Vol. 5: Blue Fairies
Image Comics

Rawhide Kid: The Sensational Seven
Marvel Comics

Rebels, Vol. 3: The Son and the Stars
DC Comics

Showcase Presents: Our Army at War, Vol. 1
DC Comics

Superman: Secret Origin, Deluxe Edition
DC Comics

Tales of the Green Lantern Corps, Vol. 3
DC Comics

The Uncanny X-Men: The Birth of Generation Hope
Marvel Comics

X-Campus
Marvel Comics

X-Necrosha
Marvel Comics