Thank you for the idea of this thread.
I don't share the opinion that the state of comics is not good. My opinion is formed by avoiding Marvel and DC comics completely. I've read enough "Superman and Spider-Man" type stories to state that the illusion of change concept inherent in their composition no longer motivates me to read more. Any changes in the newer material is, in my opinion, forced manipulation of character continuities due to not having enough talented writers around to sculpt engaging tales. It takes a lot of imagination and skill to create a new yarn in the face of all that has gone before, I'll grant you. I do see remarkable creativity in many non-super hero titles. The Black Hammer title is very good, yes, because Lemire is gifted. (IMO again)
I tend to follow authors, and writer/artists these days. The aforementioned Lemire, Kindt, Snyder, Vaughn, Allred, Moore, some Morrison (when he's not being pretentious), Kirkman......the list is actually quite large. I will occasionally pick up a new twist on old characters I read as a kid. Dynamite is trying, once again, to give Magnus, Turok, and the other '60's Gold Key title characters another go, and I'll buy those until they get stupid. Hopefully they won't.
I would also recommend Cinebook graphic albums. Blake and Mortimer is my favorite and never disappoints. The Antares stories are really good, and XIII is loaded with suspense.
Astro City was mentioned. There was a time when Busiek may have been the best writer working in the super hero genre. I'm not currently reading this title because of all the starts, stops, delays, switching imprints, etc. I'm liking the tactic used by many current creators of issuing "arcs" of a specific number of issues, taking a hiatus to prepare more, and then issuing another arc.
Black Hammer is fresh air. For me, Superman, Batman, Kid Eternity, The Avengers.....they're done. Superman does not have "sons". Dick Grayson is Robin. That oeuvre is done. Black Hammer shows that a talented writer and still create interesting super hero types even after all these years.
Legacy, Rebirth, The New 52....How do the Big Two get a sales boost marketing the same old crap?
Lastly, please excuse me if I get to sounding preachy. I owned a comic and game store for 20 years, and spent time working for Marvel Entertainment and a couple comics and games distributors. As I see the Big Two hopelessly screwed up (on comics publishing and distribution) I tend to go from opinion to sermon.