A series needs the strength of talented writers and artists in order to keep the comic book alive. With hard work, a solid reader base, and a little luck, you end up with a comic that keeps us coming back for more.

Usagi Yojimbo, by Stan Sakai (Dark Horse)

Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo follows a traveling samurai who just happens to be a rabbit. But he’s no silly cartoon version; the comic—which includes panda bears as province lords and thieving foxes—doesn’t focus on its own cuteness. Instead, the collection captures Japanese legends infused with stories that don’t beat you over the head with their morality. You’re introduced to defined characters, both lovable and despicable, as Usagi meets them in this well-contained, black-and-white series.

You’ll be surprised how much you might enjoy Usagi Yojimbo. For me, it’s always a nice break to clear my mind from the usual bombardment of over-hyped and wearily dramatic comics to hit the shelves. With the expanse of Japanese landscape and culture at its disposal, this comic wields the potential to grow and continue weaving solid tales. With over twenty-two volumes under its belt, Usagi Yojimbo doesn’t embellish to the point of making its stories ridiculous or fantastical—even if its characters are anthropomorphic animals. In fact, the simplicity of what it has to offer not only respects the sources it derives from, but it keeps the reader coming back for more. Like tea. –WITA

Naoki Urasawa’s Monster, by Naoki Urasawa (Viz)

If you’ve never picked up manga, you might have the misconception that they’re all about giant robots, high school girls in bikinis or tentacle monsters. But until you curl up with a traditional right-to-left reading manga, it’s tough to really know what to expect. But that’s what made Naoki Urasawa’s Monster, nominated for Best Continuing Series, such a twisted delight to dive into.

Monster, a long established manga series turned anime, only recently made its way stateside. Monster focuses on Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a talented Japanese brain surgeon living in Germany for his residency. Tenma lives a comfortable life. He is engaged to the hospital director’s daughter and has a promotion on the horizon. Despite his immense talents, Tenma finds himself as nothing more than a pawn at the hospital, constantly having his triumphs passed off to others. But when politics and finances begin to play a role on who gets treated, Tenma shrugs off his passive nature and treats a young orphaned boy with a gunshot wound to the head instead of a politician that arrived notably later. Tenma saves the young boy, but the mayor didn’t survive. Tenma loses his promotion, fiancé and favor at the hospital. That is, until those in the hospital that crossed him mysteriously wind up dead. And the boy he saved disappears. Years later, the murders begin again, and Tenma realizes that he may have unleashed a monster upon the world.

Easily as intense as any thriller, Monster is nearly impossible to put down. Tenma’s virtue and character make him a perfect protagonist, and his guilt-driven quest to rectify his self-imposed crimes make the story that much more engrossing. If you are looking to taste what the best manga has to offer, look no further than Monster. –VirtualGirl

All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (DC)

If you want to get to know the Man of Steel, grab your beverage of choice and curl up on the couch with All-Star Superman. Forget about continuity, forget about the seventy years of history this hero has racked up, and just enjoy one of the most delightful stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Grant Morrison, who has been known to go off the deep-end on occasion, has crafted a tale with all the simplicity and heart of a small Kansas farm and the charm and glamor of the big city. Superman has been told he has one year to live after falling prey to one of Lex Luthor’s evil schemes. What does he do with that information? Exactly what he does every other day of his life: act the hero. All the supporting cast members get a chance to shine (Jimmy, Bizarro, etc.), but it’s Lois who gets the sweetest deal. Superman gives her super powers for twenty-four hours. I thought I loved Frank Quietly’s art before, but seeing Lois as Superwoman is quite a sight, as is the rest of the book. And the colors! Bright, classic and yet refreshing.

Morrison and Quietly’s All-Star Superman is one complete story told in twelve issues, but the title itself will continue with different creators telling different tales. Whoever comes next better be prepared to fall short. This is the definitive tale of the hero we call Superman. –Jill aka TheNerdyBird

Fables, by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Niko Henrichon, Andrew Pepoy, and Peter Gross (Vertigo/DC)

Part mystery, part fantasy, Fables stands as one of the greatest series on the market today. Pulling from classic literary characters and stories, Fables seeks to twist a tale of adventure, romance, mystery, and friendship in an extraordinary fashion. Set in a fictional location, Fabletown, infamous characters are placed side-by-side next to modern day New Yorkers. There, they are forced to work in the “real world” and must be able to bring in the dough while keeping their true identities (and age) under wraps. Quite a feat if you’re a talking jaguar or The Big Bad Wolf who tried to eat ‘ol granny. For those special talking animals and those that don’t quite behave in the Big Apple, a Farm was created to reside in. This only skims the surface of one of the most detailed and engrossing series of all time.

Willingham takes what were once two-dimensional characters and builds layers upon layers on even the most shallow of characters portrayed in the series. Prince Charming—the snarky ladies’ man divorced three different times—even has his honorable moments at one point in the series. Beginning strong and admirably, Fables continues to thrive and surpass each installment as its characters and plotlines undergo further development and intricately (and cleverly) paint a world even more magical than it once was. From Snow White to Pinocchio, Fables is a highly enjoyable and universally engaging tale of all tales. –Melissa Kay

Thor, by J. Michael Straczynski, Olivier Coipel, Mark Morales, and various (Marvel)

J. Michael Straczynski found a way to bring Thor back from the dead, literally and figuratively, and then he proceeded to elevate the new incarnation to a fan favorite. Hopefully Marvel’s new 600 renumbering system across all titles will not shake fan confidence, for this is the same volume three series which began with #1.

Well-balanced colors and solid writing unveil Thor’s life as both a god and a human, showing plots involving mundane Earthly romance and destiny. Thor keeps one of his enemies so close that she has time to weave into the lives of the gods. Loki excels at being a master manipulator even when it comes to her own physical being, which changes from female human to male time-transporting god—no doubt appealing to the JMS science fiction fan pool. Love for the Thor comic book has spurred a movie deal and an animated series scheduled for 2010. –Amber Love

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• Best Writer
• Best Coloring
• Best Cover Artist
• Best Penciller/Inker
• Best New Series