The Geeky Nerfherder 9th Anniversary & My 2020 Favourites

2020, in hindsight, was not exactly a standard year, and to be honest, just glad we're nearly done with it!

 

But with all that has gone on in the world outside, and the cancellation of so many activities that I took as the norm - visits to the cinemas, attending comic cons, browsing comic shops, rummaging through secondhand bookstores, etc, there has still been enough things to escape with in a geeky and nerdy bubble; such as as enjoying new TV series, books, comics, and games. And I've listed a few of my favourites from 2020 below.

 

It's also a Happy Birthday to The Geeky Nerfherder, as it's been 9 years to the day since this nerdy blog began with a blog post way back on this day in 2011. The Geeky Nerfherder, is a one man band, just me, Andy, and has come a long way over the years, but the aim is always to showcase awe-inspiring art, whether it's poster art, comic art, cover art or art from the latest new contemporary exhibitions, and the artists that make them.

My social media profiles, where I sometimes post bonus content, such as the #OnThisDay feature where I post some of my favourite films, books, comics that were first released or published on a particular date, continues to gain new followers, with the number of followers now in the thousands! WOW! Thank you so much!! It's always great to know that people are also enjoying the artworks I'm posting and hopefully discovering new artists along the way as well. But if you’re not already following, here are the links to my social media profiles:

on Twitter (@GeekyNerfherder)
on Instagram (@geekynerfherder)
on Tumblr (GeekyNerfherder)
on Pinterest
on YouTube
on Ello (@geekynerfherder)
on Goodreads

Stores:
on Threadless (GeekyNerfherder)
on Red Bubble (GeekyNerfherder)
on Society6 (GeekyNerfherder)

I continue to feature the latest poster releases and highlighting some of the pop culture inspired and new contemporary art shows on the blog, as well as my 'Artist Spotlight' series showcasing art from some of my favourite artists, plus beginning each day with an #ArtOfTheDay post. I'm also trying to add more reviews of the books and movies I read and watch over the year.

As always, a big thanks to everyone that drops by the blog and/or follows me through the various socials I post to. I hope that you continue to enjoy my posts of cool art and pop culture geekery.

You can also help support the blog by using these Affiliate Links when shopping online:

• SkillShare
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• Waterstones Books
• Kobo Ebooks & Audiobooks (UK)
• Alibris UK Books, Movies & Music
• Audible Audiobooks (UK)
• Forbidden Planet
• Kobo Ebooks & Audiobooks (US)
• Kobo Ebooks & Audiobooks (Canada)
• GB Posters

And so, it's that time of year once again, where everybody lists all their favourites from the year, and here are mine:

 

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TV:

With 'Jojo Rabbit' and 'Tenet' being the only new movies I saw at the cinema this year due to the Pandemic causing movie studios to delay releases and cinemas to close, 2020 was all about the small screen.

I've enjoyed some new original series, as well as the return of some favourites, and here are a few of the shows, in no particular order, that I enjoyed this year.

Click images for trailers.

 

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Books:

I managed to read quite a few good books and audiobooks this year, once again surpassing my annual target of at least 50 books in the GoodReads 2020 Reading Challenge!

I do 'try' to plan out what I want to read next from my TBR (To Be Read) list, mixing the latest titles with books I've been meaning to read - from short stories to novellas to behemoth tomes. It's always a challenge, especially when there have been some great book releases throughout the year, as well as titles that I've missed and want to get caught up on, that get added to my (ever expanding) reading list.

I love my fantasy and science fiction, and some of my favourite reads are stories that break away from the usual SFF tropes and trends; with tales inspired by cultures and perspectives other than my own (I'm a white cis male); deep world building and lore filled with interesting and engaging characters. As a result I've discovered a fair number of new authors and series that I'll be keeping a watch out for in the future. Unfortunately I am a bit behind with some of my reviews, but you can see my star ratings for the books I've read at my GoodReads profile.

Here's a list of the books / audiobooks that I've read / listened to throughout the year.

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Comics:

I prefer my comics based in the realms of science fiction and fantasy, without supers, capes and spandex, and there were lots of great titles that I enjoyed reading this year from some of my favourite publishers like Image Comics, Boom Studios, Dynamite Comics, IDW Publishing, Dark Horse Comics, DC Black Label, and Aspen Comics.

Thanks to my local comics shop, Collectors Assemble for keeping me supplied with my subs list.

My top titles, in no particular order, for 2020 were . . .

 

'Die' (Image Comics)

'Invisible Kingdom' (Berger Books / Dark Horse Comics)

'Isola' (Image Comics)

'Monstress' (Image Comics)

'Once & Future' (Boom! Studios)

'Oblivion Song' (Image Comics)

'The Last God' (DC Black Label)

'Undiscovered Country' (Image Comics)

'We Only Find Them When They're Dead' (Boom! Studios)

 

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Art / Illustration:

Another year passes and despite the kind of year it was, it still managed to be one full of gorgeous art, with, as always, way too many fantastic pieces of artwork to even consider singling out just one or two, no matter the field, whether it's a new print release, an art exhibition, or new book or comic cover art.

Here are just a few of my favourites (in no particular order and only really represents the tip of a very large iceberg of awesome art) from 2020.

by Bella Grace

by Matt Ferguson

by Sarah Joncas

by Matt Taylor

by Matt Ryan Tobin

by Jeff Echevarria

by Darren Tan

by Chie Yoshii

by Matt Griffin

by Matt Ferguson

by Mahdieh Farhadkiaei

by Allison Reimold

by Brian M Viveros

 

If you're new to the blog, each weekend I post a selection of art from two artists, one on a Saturday and another on a Sunday, in my 'Artist Spotlight' series, featuring artists that have caught my eye in the fields of new contemporary art, conceptual art and illustration, as well as in pop culture art, whether they are established artists or new up and coming artists. Researching and delving more into the work of the artists I feature has been an absolute pleasure, and as I'm working through the alphabet, currently only at the letter K, there's still plenty more to come!

To kickstart each day (UK time) I post a random piece of art every day in my #ArtOfTheDay feature on my blog and across my social media. Picked from the Geeky Nerfherder archives - it could be anything from the realms of pop culture to fantasy art, book or comic covers, contemporary or concept art or just something that has caught my eye recently. Something a bit different to begin every day.

At the end of every year, the #BestNine posts start popping up on social media. Nine of the most liked posts that you've posted over the course of the year, all in one handy image. You can go here to get yours to post on your IG feed. And so here's mine.

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Gaming:

I'm a big fan of RPG's (Role Playing Games) - single player, story driven, action adventure games, with a vast and deep world to explore, puzzles to solve, some good NPCs to interact with, and a compelling protagonist that develops over the course of the game - I love those type of games!

I haven't played too many new games this year, I always aim for quality over quantity, but of the games I did play, I really enjoyed playing through them, and immersing myself in the story, characters and worlds of each game. They certainly ticked the boxes I look for in a game.

Click images for trailers.

 

 

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So there you have it, a list of some of my favourites from 2020. Thanks again to everyone who drops by the blog, and follows me on social media, making 'The Geeky Nerfherder' a lot of fun to curate! Here's to another year packed with nerdiness!