The penultimate day of the SKTCHD AWRDS is here, as we’re nearing the end of my breakdown of the comics of the decade. For long time readers and listeners, there’s a pair of rather obvious selections here given my personal hype machine – we’re starting with one even – but a trio of perhaps slightly more unexpected releases fill out today’s quintet of titles.

As per usual, I want to remind readers that this isn’t me making any sweeping, brutal statements that these are the greatest comics and anyone who says otherwise is wrong. These were my favorite 25 comics of the decade, and for varying reasons, ranging from simple enjoyment to my genuine belief that these are in fact the best. It’s a very David list, as it could only be because it’s just me doing this.

Also, before we move on, I wanted to run down the methodology behind this once again. This wasn’t me making any rash, willy nilly decisions. There were rules here!

• This only features comics that were published between the years of 2010 and 2019
• If a comic was originally published in another language, I’m using that version’s original release date as my date of determination
• Reprints do not count in any way – this has to be an original comic, unless it’s the first version that is widely available
• I considered comics of all varieties – single issues, arcs, graphic novels, webcomics, kids comics, adult comics, etc. etc.
• I tried to read as many comics as I could, but as a one person show, I could only do my best. This list is criminally empty of manga. It’s a weakness, I know.

That’s it! I put a ton of thought into this, and I had to make some very, very tough cuts (shouts to Ben Dewey’s Tragedy Series and Saga, my final two cuts) in the process. These are the ones I ended up with, though, and the ones that I think best represent what I loved most about this decade in comics, a decade I thought was quite good indeed.

The Advocate Award: Kaijumax

Written and drawn by Zander Cannon
Color assists by Jason Fischer

There’s probably no comic I’ve advocated more this decade than Zander Cannon’s Oni Press series Kaijumax. This title that has the world’s best elevator pitch – Godzilla meets HBO’s old prison drama Oz – is something that should have worked just based off its concept but became even more thanks to Cannon’s ingenuity and gifts as a cartoonist. It’s on my shortlist for my favorite titles since it first arrived, and it has only gotten better since then.

So I doubt I need to say much more than I already have. It’s hilarious, but also tragic. It’s clever, but also sincere in heartbreaking ways. It’s absurd, but also painfully real. Its art is cartoony, but nails every dramatic beat. It’s a blend of everything that goes into a truly great story, but also a serious look at what would go into a prison for giant monsters. Kaijumax might not be for everyone. I know that. BUT IT SHOULD BE. IT IS THE BEST.

I love Kaijumax. Please read it.