[Ed. Note: This list is part of Play's roundup of the best of '09. Checkout Play online and in print this Friday to read more of our picks.]

For all types of fans of the comic book medium, 2009 was a big year. Whether you're a fan of the more thought provoking corners of sequential art or someone who looks to comics as a form of escapism, you've been provided a creative boon this year. The following five titles are all far different from one another, but all are perfect examples of how great a time it is for comic fans. Here are my top five comics of the year.

1. “Asterios Polyp”

This original graphic novel was a decade in the making by industry legend David Mazzucchelli. While some long gestating works are not worth the wait, this look at the life of a brilliant and frustrating man was worth every second. Mazzucchelli creates one of the most original efforts in visual storytelling with this title, commanding emotions with nothing more than the change of a hue or the slightest adjustment to a basic image on a page. Career best work by an all-timer.

2. “Scalped”

Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera created this title a few years back on DC’s Vertigo imprint, but this was the year it took the leap from good title to great title. It follows an undercover FBI agent named Dashiell Bad Horse as he infiltrates the seedy governing party of an Indian reservation in South Dakota. One of the best looks at crime in recent memory, this comic features stunning visuals that are as dirty as the dealings on the page.

3. “The Unwritten”

This was a year of universal acclaim for Mike Carey and Peter Gross’ new Vertigo release. This title follows the son of an esteemed literary figure who created a Harry Potter like fantasy series about a wizard named Tommy Taylor. Being his son wouldn’t be a big deal if it weren’t for the fact his name was Tom Taylor and that many people believe him to be the titular hero come to life. Literary, fun and mysterious, this is one of the most well crafted new comics in recent memory.

4. "The Abominable Charles Christopher"

This is a long running web comic created by esteemed creator Karl Kerschl that has escalated in popularity recently. It follows a yeti named Charles Christopher as he wordlessly tries to find his purpose in life while coming across all kinds of animal spirit gods and hysterical denizens of the forest he lives in. A philosophical journey as much as a physical one, Kerschl has managed to create a hilarious and beautiful world that is puzzling and inviting at the same time.

5. "Detective Comics"

Some will discount this comic because it is a superhero comic that belongs in the world of Batman, but it has one really big reason why people should check it out: JH Williams III. Williams is the artist, and in his short run has managed to create some of the most innovative and striking art in the history of the comic book medium. He redefines what can be done with his craft monthly, and that is reason enough to check this title out.

-- David Harper

David Harper lives in Anchorage. He writes a personal and music blog A Slice of Fried Gold and is a staff writer for comic blog Multiversity Comics.