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 comics from major publishers, plus the diverse range of graphic novels, is a daunting task. This curated list highlights some of 2024's standout titles.
A Few Preliminary Notes:
- Focus: Primarily Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions.
- Minimum Length: Series must 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, not just those released in 2024. Exceptions: Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
- Anthologies Excluded: Due to varied authorship (e.g., Action Comics, Batman: The Brave and the Bold).
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 was tedious, except for a noteworthy Joker-centric arc.
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
A strong start that faltered towards the end, bogged down by filler issues. Despite its flaws, it contained moments of brilliance.
Blade + Blade: Red Band
A successful adaptation of the Daywalker into a fast-paced, action-packed comic.
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 within the DC Universe. While the meta-commentary is present, it lacks originality.
Poison Ivy
A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic charm, despite occasional pacing issues.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
A compelling story about growing up, father-son relationships, and self-discovery.
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
A charming and visually appealing comic from Dark Horse, prioritizing simplicity and emotional resonance.
The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
A complex and challenging read with a rewarding, albeit unpredictable, narrative.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
A potentially rewarding but slow-burning series, held together by its stunning artwork and intriguing overarching narrative.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic and powerful comic that leaves a lasting impact.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A brilliant first part contrasted by a weaker second part. Despite its inconsistencies, Constantine's portrayal remains exceptional.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and X-Men, beautifully illustrated by Peach Momoko.
