2024: A Year of Exceptional Comics
In 2024, readers found comfort in familiar narratives, but this year, many of those familiar stories pushed creative boundaries and delivered exceptional results. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly comics from major publishers, plus the diverse range of graphic novels available, is a monumental task. This list highlights some of the year's best, focusing primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few notable exceptions.
Criteria:
- Focus: Primarily Marvel and DC, with a few near-superhero series included.
- Minimum Length: Series must have at least 10 issues. This excludes newer titles like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, "From the Ashes" X-titles, and Aaron's Ninja Turtles.
- Overall Ranking: The ranking considers all issues of each series, not just those released in 2024. Exceptions are Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
- Anthologies Excluded: 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
Reviews
Batman: Zdarsky Run
While technically impressive, this Batman story felt ultimately boring and unremarkable, except for a compelling neuro-arc with the Joker.
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
A strong start, but ultimately bogged down by filler in its later issues. It had the potential to be a great series but fell short of its initial promise.
Blade + Blade: Red Band
A successful adaptation of the Daywalker into a bloody, action-packed comic book.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
A disappointing year for Moon Knight, with rushed plot points and a lack of character development.
Outsiders
A Planetary reimagining integrated into the DC Universe, though the meta-commentary feels heavy-handed at times.
Poison Ivy
A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic charm, though the quality fluctuates.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
A solid return for Damien Wayne, exploring themes of growing up and father-son relationships.
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
A surprisingly strong entry from Dark Horse, offering a cozy and beautiful narrative.
The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
A challenging but rewarding read with a complex and unpredictable plot.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
While slow-paced and reliant on prior knowledge, the stunning artwork and intriguing long-term narrative keep it engaging.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic but ultimately captivating and inspiring series.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A strong first part contrasted by a weaker second, though Spurrier's writing remains brilliant despite the uneven pacing.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and X-Men, brought to life by Peach Momoko's stunning art.
