Nick Setchfield's Picks Of 2009

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Nick Setchfield
SFX Features Editor

Favourite Film Of 2009
STAR TREK
The gamble that could have phasered the franchise into oblivion. But instead it rescued us from decades of dwindling, techno-babbling mediocrity, restoring the balls, the fizz and the flash to the final frontier. So good it made me want to run outside and play Star Trek.

Honorable mentions:
Moon, Avatar

Favourite TV Show Of 2009
TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH

Event television is a played out phrase but this was the real deal. Five nights of bold, nervy high drama that kept the nation in a vice. And made in Wales. You’ll need to have grown up with the likes of Rhaglen Hywel Gwynfryn to appreciate the unspeakable beauty of that.

Honorable mentions:
Doctor Who – Waters Of Mars, Being Human

Favourite Comic Of 2009
THE MARVELS PROJECT

I’m a sucker for the ‘30s dawn of Marvel (always loved The Invaders as a kid) so was on side for this from the beginning. I never imagined it would be quite this brilliant – a clever, compelling narrative from Brubaker and sublimely atmospheric art from Epting. Don’t wait for the trade – hunt this down now.

Honorable mentions:
Captain America Reborn, Fantastic Four

Personal Highlights of 2009:
* Meeting Duncan Jones and discovering that David Bowie’s son was an SFX reader. As a lifelong Bowiephile this actually burnt out crucial circuitry in my brain.

* The night of the Star Trek premiere. Though my lasting memory is Karl Urban spluttering “What the f**k is that?” (a blue marshmallow on a stick, actually) like an R-rated Dr McCoy.

* My first viewing of Avatar, as my cyncism melted away and I was genuinely transported. Cameron’s right – if others are prepared to follow the trail he’s blazed then yes, we’ve just witnessed a crucial evolution in cinema.

* Becoming an actual Marvel comics character in the pages of Fantastic Four. A childhood dream come true – even if it means my ass™ is now owned by Disney.

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