In 2024, readers found comfort in the familiar, yet the year delivered a slew of exceptional comics that truly pushed boundaries. Navigating the vast sea of weekly releases from traditional publishers, not to mention the diverse graphic novels catering to all age groups, can be daunting. Here's a curated list of our favorites from 2024.
Before diving into the list, a few notes:
- This roundup focuses primarily on the Big Two (Marvel and DC), with a few exceptions for near-superhero series.
- Only comics with at least 10 issues were considered. New titles like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, the X-titles from the "From the Ashes" relaunch, or Aaron's Ninja Turtles didn't make the cut.
- All issues of each comic were evaluated, not just those released in 2024, including if they spanned multiple titles. Exceptions include Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
- Anthologies were excluded due to their varied authorship (e.g., Action Comics, Batman: The Brave and the Bold).
Table of Contents ---
- Batman: Zdarsky Run
- Nightwing by Tom Taylor
- Blade + Blade: Red Band
- Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
- Outsiders
- Poison Ivy
- Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
- Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
- The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
- The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
- Venom + Venom War
- John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
- Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
Batman: Zdarsky Run
Image: ensigame.com
This run skirts the edge of mediocrity but ultimately delivers a technically impressive comic about the battle against a false Batman. The neuro-arc involving the Joker, however, was a misstep that marred the experience.
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
Image: ensigame.com
Had this series concluded twenty issues earlier, it might have secured a top spot on this list. Unfortunately, the finale was bogged down by filler content. Despite this, the series had its moments of brilliance, and Tom Taylor's narrative will be remembered fondly. It's a pity it didn't reach the heights of a new Hawkeye but settled into typical DC ongoing quality.
Blade + Blade: Red Band
Image: ensigame.com
With the movie stuck in production limbo, the comic filled the void perfectly for fans of the Daywalker, delivering a gory action-packed narrative that slices through the vampire hordes.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
Image: ensigame.com
Moon Knight's year was tumultuous. Revived too soon, the narrative suffered across all fronts: the successor's story was rushed, the emotional arcs of loved ones were hastily resolved, and Marc himself didn't evolve much. Even Ms. Marvel's resurrection didn't sting as much. Here's hoping Jed McKay's current series can set things straight.
Outsiders
Image: ensigame.com
A reimagining of Planetary woven into the DC Universe, this comic tries to sprinkle meta-commentary throughout but often falls into predictability. Nonetheless, it stands on the shoulders of its predecessor, which remains untouched.
Poison Ivy
Image: ensigame.com
Poison Ivy's ongoing soliloquy has spanned over thirty issues, a minor miracle in itself. The comic oscillates between surprising and skippable, yet it retains a unique psychedelic-astrosocial charm.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
Image: ensigame.com
Williamson returns with Damien Wayne to tackle a new adversary: school. While it doesn't reach the heights of the first Robin series, it remains a compelling tale of growth, father-son dynamics, and self-discovery. Bonus points for the Robinmobile!
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
Image: ensigame.com
A dark horse entry, this comic wasn't initially considered for the list. However, its cozy, beautiful storytelling, akin to Wanda's Emporium, won me over. It doesn't strive for radical changes but charms with its simplicity.
The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
Image: ensigame.com
This series is a challenging read, not suited for everyone. It demands engagement, but if you persevere, Spurrier's narrative might reward you—although what that reward is remains a mystery. The Flash's journey is unpredictable and all the more fascinating for it.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
Image: ensigame.com
Without Al Ewing's name on the cover, I might have abandoned this series. It's a dull mix of modern god saga and superhero storytelling, with tedious references to older comics. Yet, I'm hooked on Ewing's overarching concepts, hoping to witness their culmination. The artwork, however, is stunningly divine.
Venom + Venom War
Image: ensigame.com
A chaotic yet inspiring read, this series embodies pure chaos. I've already revisited it three times, perhaps staring into the abyss a bit too long.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
Image: ensigame.com
The UK segment of this series is a masterpiece, with enough surreal elements to eclipse the other comics on this list. The US segment, however, veers into a heavy-handed critique of freedom and other clichés. Despite this, Spurrier's brilliant characterization of Constantine shines through. Over time, the less impactful parts will fade, leaving only the memorable moments that define this great work.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
Image: ensigame.com
Imagine a manga about girls with superpowers, infused with psychological Japanese horror, and featuring the X-Men, all drawn consistently by Peach Momoko once a month. It sounds like a fantasy, but this series blends these elements into an incredible creation.
