Best Comics 2024: Marvel, DC, More

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

In 2024, comic readers found comfort in familiar narratives. Surprisingly, many of these familiar stories exceeded expectations, pushing creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly releases from major publishers, along with graphic novels from various imprints, is a daunting task. This list highlights some of the year's standout titles.

A Few Preliminary Notes:

• Focus: Primarily Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions.
• Minimum Length: Series had to have at least 10 issues. This excludes newer series like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, recent 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

A technically impressive but ultimately underwhelming comic. The fight against the "wrong" Batman proved tedious, except for a compelling Joker-centric arc.

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A strong start, but bogged down by filler in later issues. While not reaching its initial potential, it still offered enjoyable moments.

Blade + Blade: Red Band

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

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

A mixed bag, hampered by rushed plot points and underdeveloped character arcs. Hopes remain for future installments to rectify these issues.

Outsiders

A Planetary reimagining seamlessly integrated into the DC Universe. While the meta-commentary is predictable, the core story remains engaging.

Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic charm. Consistency varies, but its overall appeal remains.

Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A solid exploration of father-son dynamics and self-discovery, though not quite reaching the heights of Williamson's previous Robin series.

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A charming and visually appealing comic from Dark Horse, offering a heartwarming and simple narrative.

The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier

A complex and challenging read, rewarding those willing to invest the effort. Its unpredictable nature adds to its intrigue.

The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing

A potentially rewarding but currently slow-paced series. Its artistic merit is undeniable, despite a somewhat tedious narrative.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and impactful series, leaving a lasting impression.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A strong first part, but the second part falters. 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, beautifully illustrated by Peach Momoko.