2024: A Year of Surprisingly Excellent Comics
In 2024, readers found comfort in familiar narratives. Fortunately, many of these familiar stories were exceptionally well-executed and pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly comics from major publishers, plus the diverse range of graphic novels available, is a daunting task. This list highlights some of 2024's standout titles.
A Few Preliminary Notes:
- This list focuses primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions from near-superhero genres.
- Only series with at least 10 issues are included. This excludes newer titles like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, the "From the Ashes" X-titles, and Aaron's Ninja Turtles.
- The ranking considers all issues of each series, regardless of release year, including those from earlier runs. Exceptions are Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
- Anthologies like Action Comics and Batman: The Brave and the Bold are excluded due to their varied authorship.
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
A technically impressive but ultimately underwhelming comic. The fight against the "wrong" Batman was largely forgettable, except for a compelling neuro-arc with the Joker.
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
Had this series ended earlier, it would have been a top contender. However, the later issues suffered from filler, preventing it from reaching its full potential. Despite its flaws, it contained moments of brilliance.
Blade + Blade: Red Band
While the film adaptation struggled, the comic delivered a satisfying blend of action and horror, perfectly capturing the Daywalker's essence.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
A mixed bag for Moon Knight. The rushed resurrection undermined several narrative threads, leaving the character largely unchanged. Hope remains for future installments to rectify these issues.
Outsiders
A Planetary reimagining seamlessly integrated into the DC Universe. While the meta-commentary becomes predictable, the series remains a strong addition to the DC landscape.
Poison Ivy
A surprisingly long-running series (30+ issues!) with a consistent, if sometimes uneven, psychedelic charm.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
Williamson returns with Damien Wayne, confronting him with the challenges of school. While not reaching the heights of the first Robin series, it’s a compelling story about growing up, father-son relationships, and self-discovery.
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
A surprisingly charming and beautiful comic from Dark Horse. Its simplicity and focus on Wanda’s character are its greatest strengths.
The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
A deliberately complex read, not for the faint of heart. Its winding narrative and unpredictable path make it a compelling, if challenging, experience.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
Despite its flaws, Ewing's involvement makes it worthwhile. While the plot can be slow, the artwork is exceptional.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic but ultimately rewarding read, both devastating and inspiring.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A masterpiece in its first half, but the second half falters. Despite its unevenness, Spurrier’s writing remains consistently brilliant.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, beautifully illustrated by Peach Momoko.
