As a group, writers about comics in 2008 expended more energy giving writers like Grant Morrison the most flattering read possible and then castigating those who don't agree on a scale of how much they "get it" or "don't get it" than they spent, say, diving into the particulars of Lynda Barry's collage-influenced style or making the case by reading his work across various publications how Kevin Huizenga's 2008 was even stronger than it first appears (he's the cartoonist of the year, clearly).

The Comics Reporter's Tom Spurgeon is always the very last critic in any field to come out with a "year's best" piece, but his lists are always among the most fun and provocative. This one is no exception, and there are at least five things here that I've either added to my "buy" list or plan to keep an eye out for once they're released in book form.

Somewhat predictably, I call bullshit on the idea that there were 24 comics last year that were better than All Star Superman #10. Heck, I call bullshit on the idea that there were three comics better than All Star Superman #10.