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 stories transcended expectations, pushing creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly releases from major publishers, along with the diverse range of graphic novels, is a daunting task. This list highlights some of the year's most captivating titles.
A Few Preliminary Notes:
- This list focuses primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions from the near-superhero genre.
- Only series with at least 10 issues are included. Therefore, newer series are excluded.
- The ranking considers the entire run of each comic, not just 2024 releases. Exceptions are made for Moon Knight (Jed McKay) and Robin (Joshua Williamson).
- Anthologies like Action Comics and Batman: The Brave and the Bold are omitted due to their varied creators.
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 standout neuro-arc with the Joker.
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
A strong start that unfortunately faltered towards the end, bogged down by filler issues. While not reaching its initial potential, it still delivered enjoyable moments.
Blade + Blade: Red Band
A successful adaptation of the Daywalker's persona into a thrilling, action-packed comic book experience.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
A mixed bag, hampered by a rushed resurrection and underdeveloped plot points. Hopes remain for future installments to rectify these shortcomings.
Outsiders
A Planetary reimagining within the DC Universe. While the meta-commentary is heavy-handed, the story itself remains engaging.
Poison Ivy
A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic charm, offering moments of brilliance alongside less compelling sections.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
A compelling coming-of-age story exploring 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 that prioritizes heartwarming simplicity over experimental storytelling.
The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
A complex and challenging read, rewarding those willing to invest the effort. Its unpredictable narrative is a key strength.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
A potentially rewarding but initially slow-paced series. While the story itself may be tedious, the artwork is exceptional.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic and intense series that delivers both destruction and inspiration.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A masterpiece in its first half, faltering somewhat in the second. Despite its flaws, Spurrier's portrayal of Constantine remains brilliant.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, beautifully rendered by Peach Momoko.
