Polite Dissent

After looking at the Worst Comic Book Medicine of 2006 yesterday, today I’m going to celebrate the Best Comic Book Medicine of 2006:

Best Depiction of Medicine:
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #200 has some of the best hospital scenes ever shown in a comic book. I know I picked on it for the use of an English trade name instead on an American one, but don’t let that fool you: it was an excellent comic from a medical point of view (and quite good from a comic book point of view as well).

Best Doctor:
Doctor Mid-Nite wins for his return to form as the premiere physician of the DC Universe. He stumbled a little in 52 #5, but was outstanding in JSA Classified #19-20.

Best Single Medical or Scientific Concept:
Monster is generally right on the money in terms of its depiction of neurosurgery in the ’80s and ’90s. Admittedly, it is a reprint, so if you want to disqualify it because of that, then Robin wins for being the only hero in Gotham City who actually has useful C.S.I. skills.

Best Imaginary Medicine or Treatment:
Xenografting was big this year. It was the theme of Dr. Mid-Nite’s story arc in JSA Classified, and the recent transplantation of Skrull organs into super-villain in Heroes for Hire is a clever concept.

Special Mention:
Most Over-the-Top Depiction of Medicine: Ray
Best Medically Accurate Art: Valentine DeLandro, penciler of Marvel Knights 4 #26, who correctly drew a doctor using a head mirror. They’re usually thrown in as an artistic shorthand for “physician” rather than a useful (if outdated) piece of equipment.

Welcome to the Class of ‘06! Best new physician characters introduced in 2006, presented starting with my favorite:
1. Soranik Natu (Green Lantern Corps: Recharge and the ongoing Green Lantern Corps series)
2. Night Nurse (Doctor Strange: The Oath)
3. The Accomplished Perfect Physician (52 and Green Lantern)

Previous “Best of the Year”: The BestComic Book Medicine of 2005 The BestComic Book Medicine of 2004