Sir Jon’s Best of 2025
Having done a quick column last year focused on my personal best for the year, I figured I would attempt it again, with a few changes as 2025 became quite the chaotic mess with machines breaking, personal upheaval, and difficult reading situations delaying much of what might make the list! That said, here are my “best of” choices for releases or publishings this year.
MONTHLY/ONGOING COMIC SERIES
MINOR ARCANA (Boom! Studios)
As with many of the titles listed in this selection, a number of issues had piled up before I finally got to reading. I generally don’t like to do that as it’s not always money well spent, but my hit-to-miss ratio the last few years has been 5 to 1. Thankfully MINOR ARCANA not only pleased me from the outset, it continues to do so, with me eagerly awaiting the next chapter. This is a Jeff Lemire beast, as he’s writer and artist on it while also working on series for other publishers. If you like Lemire, you should be knee deep in this mystical mystery of a young woman returning home with enough drama to fill the CW network three times over. The lead, Theresa, is seemingly psychic in some way, after living her life as a skeptic from living with her likely fake psychic mother. The story is loaded with symbolism, angst, and enough easy characterization to engross any reader. The tarot card art connection only makes it that much more intriguing. Volume 1 is available in collected form, and the monthlies are still being released, with issue #12 out now.
QUANTUM (Time Bomb Comics)
This anthology series from the U.K. is another that piled up, and once I got to reading it just could not get enough of it. There are generally four tales per issue within the squarebound format, some continuing, some individualized, and some that end a chapter only to return later in the run. The queen of the stories would be those surrounding Major Rakhana in a very conceptualized alternate British Empire history. Other ongoing stories center on tales in an Egyptian civilization that never fell, a world where the dead are used as enforced labor, and a clockwork hero in Victorian England. There are letters and editorial notes, and a few really great and funny cartoon strips that fill pages in a most positive way. Solid anthologies are extremely difficult to pull off on a regular schedule, so I appreciate what Time Bomb is doing here, particularly as I enjoy every tale. QUANTUM is published generally bi-monthly; it was fairly regular until the Diamond Distributors collapse, so hopefully it’ll get back on track when that all settles. I’ve read through issue 10, though up to twelve have been released.
SUPERGIRL (DC Comics)
Supergirl is not a character I’ve read consistently often. Famously eliminated from DCU history in the classic Crisis on Infinite Earths series of 1985, the Supergirl that came after wasn’t even Kara Zor-El, cousin to Superman. So, until we finally did get another version of Kara, I found myself less and less interested. Come DC’s “All In” initiative and the announcement that Sophie Campbell would be taking on the character, well, I jumped in with both feet. Sophie’s work has been known to me for years with her excellent Wet Moon graphic novels and I really wanted to see how she might handle the “Maid of Might” in current DC settings. Wow, what a great modern interpretation of Supergirl with all the Silver Age accessories attached! If you’re an age-old lover of Linda Danvers or the Bottle City of Kandor or Streaky the Super Cat or all the ridiculous costumes through the ages, this is for you. Every issue. Every detail. It’s Sophie on both script and art duties, with striking colors by Tamra Bonvillain, and expressive lettering from Becca Carey and it’s come to be one of the most joyful superhero titles I’ve read in years. Such a great read for the year. The first few issues are in a collected volume, and up to issue 9 has been released. [Sophie appeared on Pint O’ Comics episode 388 July 20, 2025]
MINI-SERIES
DARK REGARDS (Oni Press)
Dave Hill is considered a comedian, but I would specify he’s a performer. His abilities run the gamut from music to writing to comedic situations, and he runs in circles that puts him in a different level of association. DARK REGARDS is the comic book version of his communication with members of the Black Metal community where the band (fictional or otherwise) Witch Taint was the extremely extreme best metal in the world. Hysterically funny, surprisingly reverent, and jammed full of references you might need Google for, it has that rare quality of discovering new things with every read. If you like music, humor, self-effacing situations, and excellent art from Artyom Topilin, you need this series. I am surprised it didn’t reach sleeper hit status, it is that great. Hopefully it’s a perennial seller as it should be. [Dave appeared on Pint O’ Comics episode 376 April 20, 2025]
HOWL (AHOY Comics Magazines)
Alisa Kwitney seems to be a constant in my reading experiences, having been part of the heyday at Vertigo, as well as published work wherever I might be at any given moment. AHOY has given her an outlet for some of her more oddball science fiction stories, all which have been very entertaining, with the apex being this latest, HOWL. This is a period era fiction, with a bizarre alien invasion surrounding literary bohemians in a very personal view of expanding New York City. Alisa also fills each issue with columns and commentary detailing some of her own parentage and history, much of which is used as allegory fleshing out the story’s background. With that, the whole of HOWL feels like an immersive cathartic experience superceding itself which makes it likely the best series I read in 2025. Excellent art from Mauricet only expounds the scenery and livens the story greatly. HOWL is available in both collected format and original single issues. [Alisa last appeared on Pint O’ Comics episode 363 on January 19, 2025, discussing the series]
BABS (AHOY Comics Magazines)
Fantasy titles will always intrigue me to investigate them, though few really grab in a way to make them strong enough to push to “best of” status. Even if I was fully caught up in my reading, even if I had read the stacks of older material in my piles, BABS would still likely be on this list due to myriad factors, the least of all being Garth Ennis’ script. This series is not exactly a parody, it’s more of a comedic Dungeons and Dragons adventure with ridiculous characters that might be analogous to both fictional and real personas. With fun design and detail work from Jacen Burrows, Ennis has built a worthy fantasy setting for anyone willing to accept tongue-in-cheek dialogue with a lot of hack-n-slash like a classic D&D adventure. More than just a comic Red Sonja, more than just a knock-off, BABS grabs from all possible descriptors and wrings them dry. Too much fun! BABS is also available in collected and single issue format, and a new series from the same team is due in 2026. Get in on it now!
Honorable Mention goes to THE GODDAMN TRAGEDY, a single issue story from writer Chris Condon, artist Shawn Kuruneru, and publisher Oni Press. A Western tale of a homesteader trek gone bad, it’s the title that sells the book before the hard hitting conclusion in the best one-shot issue in a long time. Better comic book shops will have it, or will get it for you. [Chris Condon last appeared on Pint O’ Comics episode 385 June 29, 2025]
GRAPHIC NOVELS
THE COMIC BOOK HISTORY OF THE COCKTAIL: Five Centuries of Mixing Drinks and Carrying On (Ten Speed Press/Penguin Random House)
The solicitation for this volume of mellifluous accounting had me scrambling to make sure someone involved with the book would be appearing on Pint O’ Comics. I was truly curious how the history within might play out, and I was completely blown away as the work, the detail, and research done was far above my expectations. Author and drink master David Wondrich fills the pages with so much information on the vastly American creation of the cocktail that one starts to feel patriotic by the conclusion. The greatest parts of the book are the tales of superstar bartenders of the 19th century, a topic wholly unknown to me, and thoroughly fascinating. David Kotz’s art adds to the layout, making each generation be as singularly specific as possible. With that, the recipes of drinks from all eras, and detailed information throughout, this one screamed to the top of the pile as more than just a great read, it makes a great gift year round. Available now from any good book or comic shop. [David graciously appeared on episode 396 of Pint O’ Comics, September 28, 2025]
MISFITS OF MAGIC (DC Comics)
Matt Smith (not that Matt Smith, the other Matt Smith. Or that Matt Smith, either) – sorry, Matthew Dow Smith, was continually posting young versions of the DC Comics magic characters on Xitter and Bluesky, causing commentary and curiosity. When word came that MISFITS OF MAGIC would be an actual book, especially one aimed at a younger reader, who could pass that up? Matt’s stylized, youthful designs of some of these characters is so much fun you could just stare at the art page after page without even bothering to read it. The story is fun, great for new readers, and can be seen as an easy gateway book for young fans to step into a different corner of the DCU. It should be the first in a series of books like this, it’s that much fun. Ricki and Ross Jones are siblings sent to learn how to use their magical abilities alongside other kids, and some of them get wrapped up in a Scooby-Doo sort of adventure. Danny Cassidy (Blue Devil), Boston Brand (Dead Kid), and June Moon (Enchantress) fill out the main cast, but you’ll see just about every other DC magic character make an appearance. GET THIS BOOK. It’s whimsical, cute, and an easy read. Heck, it could even easily be put to animation! Hey DC! Get on that! Available now at better stores everywhere. [Matthew Dow Smith appeared on Pint O’ Comics episode 364 January 26, 2025]
I watched more television and movies in 2025 than I likely did in all of the previous year. These are my absolute top favourites, in brief.
TELEVISION
DEPT. Q – This Netflix series based on the Danish novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen is the dark mystery that speaks to the heart of my interests. Damaged personalities all trying to get through their day and just possibly be a little better at the end of it? Well, I love that. Great cast, acting, dialogue, and wonderfully plotted timing and pacing put this one all the way at the best of the best this year. Not for the squeamish, nor the easily triggered.
SLOW HORSES – Apple TV started airing this show to acclaim in 2022 and it quickly landed in my sights, partly due to casting and partly due to the espionage nature of the story. Based on Mick Herron’s novel series, the latest season was by far my favourite, which is interesting as each and every season has been better than the last, to me. It’s been five series/seasons so far, with two more coming, so we’ll get more great stories on the screwups of MI 5 at their washout program, AKA “Slough House.” Great stuff if you like terribly odd characters in improbable conspiratorial situations.
LIONESS (Special Ops: Lioness) – The second season of this actioner at Paramount + kicked the first in the teeth as a dirty, nasty, fast-paced, brutal story of a military program centered on women sent undercover in awful, intelligence gathering operations. Even though it’s loaded with a solid cast, I don’t hear enough discussion on it, and I love it. I think I only know one other person that saw it and that’s a shame, it’s a real solid thriller. I hope a third season is coming.
DANDADAN – Well, put me on the Dan da Dan train and let me ride it to the end. Wow does this anime pluck from every facet of pop culture interest and just keep handing it to the viewer. Yes, I know of the manga series but let me just say that the animation, the voice talent, and especially the music make this a show worth watching, if you can keep up with the pace. I know there’s an English dub, but I heartily recommend the original Japanese with subtitles to get the real nuance in what they’re saying, as each character has such a great depth of personality. I won’t even attempt a decent overview of the plot other than saying it focuses on magic, aliens, Japanese lore, comic books, kaiju, and even giant robots. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the story takes us. DandaDan is airing all over the streaming services, so go find it and enjoy seriously fun and wacky anime.
MOVIES
SINNERS – I came to this flick late, long after it had run its course in theatres. I wanted a quick and easy movie to breeze through and, well, I didn’t get that. I got a great period movie with an awesome lead, with a much more complex version of Dracula vs. Musicians than I ever thought I would get. It continually surprised me, and was not what I was expecting, even after all the hype, commentary, and spoilers. Absolutely loved it.
LIFE OF CHUCK – This was another one that cropped up after it had mostly been out of theatres. I heard a little about it, being a Stephen King adaptation, but other than Mark Hamill being cast in it, I’d no preconceptions. What an absolutely amazing piece of filmmaking. I do not understand why this one isn’t being discussed more. Beautifully acted, paced, and with that amazingly edgy feel that a more fantastic King tale brings, I could watch this one over and over. I wonder if people skipped this one because they might think it was a horror, when it’s way beyond that.
SUPERMAN – I finish this column with this movie, which was highly anticipated by fans like myself who felt the Superman we had grown up with was not being represented on the big screen. Not to dissuade fans of the Henry Cavill era, but the stories were just a little too dark for my interests. Regardless, when I saw this new Superman, I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t anywhere near “best of” level when I came out of the theatre. I enjoyed it yes, I thought it was one of the most comic book-like movies of comic characters I’d seen (it felt like I just opened up an issue and started reading it, which was not a bad thing!) but no, not the greatest. And yet… I watched it a second time at home. And then a third. I wish I’d seen it a second time in the theatre, I bet my feelings would even be more than how I express now, which is to say, what an excellent adventure story of Superman and Lois. It gave me almost everything I wanted to see and then some, with a number of first-time live action performances of beloved four color characters. What I discovered, and this is why the movie makes the “best of” list, is that it gets better and more entertaining with subsequent viewings. Not a great many superhero movies have been able to pull that off. Also? As great as the entire cast was, Rachel Brosnahan stole every scene she had as Lois Lane, making me want a solo Lois Lane movie. Wouldn’t that be something to behold?
Cheers, 2025. You weren’t great to a lot of people I know. I am not sad to see the end of it. 2026? Be like the guys of Dept. Q and try to be a little better every day, if possible.
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