2024 Comics Dominate: Ranking the Best from Marvel, DC, and Beyond

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

In 2024, comic readers found refuge in familiar narratives. Surprisingly, many of these familiar tales were exceptionally well-executed and pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly releases from major publishers, along with the diverse range of graphic novels available, is a monumental task. This list highlights some of 2024's standout titles.

A Few Preliminary Notes:

• Focus: Primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions.
• Minimum Length: Series must have at least 10 issues. This excludes newer titles like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, and certain X-titles from the "From the Ashes" relaunch.
• Overall Ranking: The ranking considers all issues of each series, not just those released in 2024. Exceptions: 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 creative teams.

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 and predictable comic, marred by a poorly executed Joker storyline.

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A strong start that unfortunately faltered towards the end, bogged down by filler arcs. While containing moments of brilliance, it ultimately fell short of its potential.

Blade + Blade: Red Band

A successful adaptation of the Blade character 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 potential for redemption remains in future installments.

Outsiders

A Planetary reimagining within the DC Universe, featuring predictable meta-commentary. Despite its flaws, it remains a solid entry.

Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic charm, offering a consistent, if uneven, experience.

Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A solid, if not groundbreaking, sequel to the first Robin series, focusing on themes of growth, family, and self-discovery.

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A charming and visually appealing comic from Dark Horse, prioritizing simplicity and emotional resonance over experimental storytelling.

The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier

A complex and challenging read, rewarding patient readers with a unique and unpredictable narrative.

The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing

A long-running series that, despite its flaws, maintains intrigue due to Ewing's established mythology and stunning artwork.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and compelling series that leaves a lasting impact.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A strong first half contrasted by a weaker second, showcasing Spurrier's talent while also highlighting his tendency towards over-saturation.

Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko

A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, elevated by Momoko's consistent artistic vision.