1. “Detective Comics 871-881″
The new Batman, Dick Grayson, is put to the test as a series of brutal murders puts him up against one of Gotham City’s oldest evils.

In the second story, “Hungry City,” the corpse of a killer whale is found in an upscale Gotham City bank, sparking a deadly new mystery.
By Scott Snyder, Jock & Franco Francavilla.

2. “Criminal: The Last of the Innocent”
This is among Brubaker’s best books, a mixture of noir and nostalgia that’s part twisted take on “Archie”-style characters, part dark secrets and murder. By Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips.

3. “The Red Wing”
Jonathan Hickman (”Fantastic Four”) writes a story of fighter pilots in the future who fight their battles not only in the air, but also through time. By Jonathan Hickman & Nick Pitarra.

4. “Action Comics”
A young, brash Superman goes about his business in work boots and blue jeans, rustling up corporate criminals and raising the ire of everyone from the police and military to Lex Luthor, a brash industrialist who doesn’t much cotton to the idea of a superhuman. By Grant Morrison & Rags Morales.

5. “Daredevil”
Writer Waid and co. brought Daredevil back to his swashbuckling past in the 2011 relaunch of “Daredevil,” also showing the keen legal mind of Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer who is Daredevil. By Mark Waid, Pablo Rivera & Marcos Martin.

6. “Who Is Jake Ellis?”
This miniseries features former spy Jon Moore, now a mercenary. He’s able to escape capture in part because of the voice in his head — the voice of Jake Ellis. But who is Jake Ellis? He’s a man only Jon can see, providing information on safe escapes and possible threats. By Nathan Edmondson & Tonci Zonjic.

7. “The Rocketeer Adventures”
Dave Stevens created the Rocketeer in the early 1980s, a tribute to the serials of the 1930s and 1940s as pilot Cliff Secord finds a jet pack that allows him to race through the air. Stevens died in 2008, but IDW brought back his character The Rocketeer in 2011, with an anthology series that in part benefits hairy cell leukemia research. By various.

8. “Animal Man”
One of the breakout hits of the New 52, “Animal Man” channels Grant Morrison’s take on the character, so readers of the 1980s Buddy Baker will find much to enjoy. The art’s a little different from the DC norm, but conveys the story’s mix of domesticity and dread. By Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman & Dan Green.

9. “The Sixth Gun”
An Oni Press Western with supernatural horror elements, “The Sixth Gun” follows the path of six cursed guns during the darkest days of the Civil War. By Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt.

10. “American Vampire”
“American Vampire” follows the exploits of a new breed of vampire that has the ability to feed in the sun. The 1880s outlaw Skinner Sweet and 1920s actress Pearl Jones make their way to Las Vegas circa 1935; later the series follows Pearl and her husband into the World War II era. By Scott Snyder & Rafael Albuquerque.

For a more in-depth look at these awesome series of 2011, check out the full article on Matt’s Nerdage blog. Or come to Speeding Bullet and pick these gems up!