Unveiling the best comics hitting the stands & online in 2024

2024: A Year of Familiar Comfort and Unexpected Excellence in Comics

2024 saw a surge in reader interest in familiar comic storylines. While this might seem unremarkable, the quality of these familiar tales often exceeded expectations, pushing creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly releases from major publishers, along with the diverse graphic novels available, presents a significant challenge. This list highlights some of the standout titles we loved in 2024.

A Few Preliminary Notes:

• This list focuses primarily on Marvel and DC comics, with a few exceptions from the near-superhero genre.
• Only series with at least 10 issues are included. Therefore, titles like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, recent X-titles, and Aaron's Ninja Turtles are excluded.
• The ranking considers the entire run of each comic, not just 2024 releases. This includes series with multiple titles in their initial run. Exceptions were made for McKay's Moon Knight and 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's 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

Reviews:

Batman: Zdarsky's Run

A technically impressive but ultimately underwhelming comic. The fight against the "wrong" Batman proved tedious, except for the Joker neuro-arc, which was a significant misstep.

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A strong start, but ultimately bogged down by filler in its later issues. While it fell short of its potential, it still contained moments of brilliance.

Blade + Blade: Red Band

A successful adaptation of the Daywalker into a fast-paced, action-packed comic book experience.

Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu

A mixed bag, hampered by rushed storytelling and underdeveloped character arcs. The series' potential remains unrealized.

Outsiders

A Planetary reimagining seamlessly integrated into the DC universe. While the meta-commentary is predictable, the overall execution remains strong.

Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic charm. While the quality fluctuates, its overall originality is commendable.

Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A solid exploration of father-son relationships and self-discovery, though it doesn't quite reach the heights of Williamson's previous Robin series.

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A charming and beautifully illustrated comic from Dark Horse, offering a comforting and simple narrative.

The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier

A challenging and complex read, rewarding those willing to engage with its intricate plot. The unpredictable nature of the story adds to its intrigue.

The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing

A potentially rewarding but ultimately tedious read, even for fans of Ewing's work. The artwork, however, is exceptional.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and impactful series, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A mixed bag with a strong first part and a weaker second. Despite its flaws, Spurrier's portrayal of Constantine remains compelling.

Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko

A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, elevated by Momoko's consistently impressive artwork.