2024: A Year of Familiar Comfort and Unexpected Excellence in Comics
In 2024, comic readers found solace in the familiar. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as many of these established titles delivered exceptional stories that pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly releases from major publishers and the diverse range of graphic novels is a daunting task. This list highlights some of the standout series we loved in 2024, focusing primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions. To be included, a series had to have at least 10 issues, excluding new series and anthologies. The ranking considers the entire run of each series, not just 2024 releases.
Batman: Zdarsky Run
While technically impressive, this Batman run fell short of expectations. A largely unremarkable story, aside from a compelling Joker-centric arc, ultimately proving a disappointment.
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
A strong start faltered towards the end, accumulating filler issues that detracted from its initial promise. Despite its flaws, it contained moments of brilliance, but ultimately fell short of its potential.
Blade + Blade: Red Band
While the film adaptation struggled, the comic delivered a satisfying action-horror experience, perfectly capturing the essence of the Daywalker.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
A mixed bag. The rushed resurrection of characters and lack of significant character development hampered the storyline. While not a complete failure, it fell short of expectations.
Outsiders
A Planetary-inspired series seamlessly integrated into the DC Universe. The meta-commentary, while present, became predictable. Nevertheless, it stands as a worthy entry.
Poison Ivy
A surprisingly long-running series (30+ issues!) with a consistent psychedelic charm, offering a blend of captivating and less engaging moments.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
Williamson's return to the Robin series, focusing on Damien Wayne's school life, is a solid entry, exploring themes of growing up and father-son relationships.
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
A surprisingly charming and beautifully rendered comic from Dark Horse, excelling in its simplicity and heartwarming narrative.
The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
A complex and challenging read, rewarding patient readers with a unique and unpredictable storyline.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
While potentially tedious for some, the beautiful artwork and Ewing's signature long-form storytelling kept us engaged, despite its slow pace.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic and compelling series, leaving a lasting impact with its intense and inspiring narrative.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A masterpiece in its first part, but the second part falters. Despite its flaws, Spurrier's masterful portrayal of Constantine shines through.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, brought to life by Momoko's stunning art. A truly remarkable achievement.
