Annihilator – The wild ride of a dissolute Hollywood screenwriter whose shot at redemption may or may not be a brain tumour that communicates with him. A wildly imaginative, science-fiction themed adrenaline rush. Grant Morrison, Frazer Irving and Legendary Comics.

Black Summer – A “meditation on the line between vigilante justice and plain old super-villainy”, as a superhero executes the President. Excting, tragic, polemic, ultra-violent, Black Summer is a fast-paced read and completely unpredictable with it. Warren Ellis, Juan Jose Ryp and Avatar Press.

Cinder and Ashe – Reading like a polished TV drama, forget the convenient names and immerse yourself in a character based 1980s thriller whose roots stretch back to the Vietnam War. It starts with intimidation and rapidly escalates from there. Gerry Conway, José Luis García-López and DC.

Demon – Over four volumes the intention was to continually escalate the suspense, and create ever more ingenious unbeatable traps for the man who discovers that when he dies he immediately jumps into a new body. The cartooning pulls the sting from the carnage.  Jason Shiga and First Second.

The Last Templar – The novel’s author adapted his story over four graphic novels, opeing in the 14th century, as in the 21st century the secrets from that era are sought. Compelling and twisting all the way to the final page. Raymond Khoury, Miguel Lalor and Cinebook.

The Punisher: Kitchen Irish – A hateful old bigot dies, but rumours persist of his final legacy, a lure that pulls in assorted violent ideologues with axes to grind, all connected to the auld country. The Punisher’s spoilt for choice when it comes to deserving targets. Garth Ennis, Leandro Fernandez and Marvel.

Punk Rock Jesus – Set in the near future when DNA tinkering has resulted in a corporation being able to genetically engineer the rebirth of Jesus Christ. Packed with memorable people, scenes and art, this is a truly adult drama, all the more astonishing as a writing debut. Sean Murphy and Vertigo.

Stickleback: England’s Glory – Stickleback rules London’s underworld in the late 1800s, and his world incorporates the renowned fictional characters of the era. Throw in the occult and there’s a beguling sandpit for the creators to play in. Ian Edginton, D’Israeli and 2000AD Books.

The Winter Men –  Undeservedly forgotten masterpiece about the former superheroes of the Soviet era, as a bleak and self-desrtuctive police detective investigates the abduction of children in Moscow and New York. Superbly seedy and wonderfully drawn. Brett Lewis, John Paul Leon and Wildstorm

You Are Here – A homage to the screwball romantic comedies of the 1940s, the hook is that Noel Coleman has been lying to the woman he loves about his wild past. It comes back in spades, however, as he makes a killer’s hit list and has to contrive ever more extravagent excuses. Kyle Baker and Vertigo.