2024: A Year of Familiar Comfort and Unexpected Excellence in Comics
2024 saw readers gravitate towards familiar narratives. Surprisingly, many of these familiar stories delivered exceptional quality and pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly comics from major publishers, alongside graphic novels from various imprints, is a daunting task. This list highlights some of the standout titles we loved in 2024.
A Few Preliminary Notes:
- Focus: Primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions.
- Minimum Length: Series needed at least 10 issues. Therefore, newer titles like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, recent X-titles, and Aaron's Ninja Turtles are excluded.
- Ranking Methodology: All issues of each series were considered, regardless of release date in 2024, including those from earlier runs. Exceptions: Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
- Anthologies Excluded: Due to varied creative teams (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
Technically impressive, but ultimately a dull and forgettable comic, except for a compelling Joker storyline.
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
A strong start that faltered with excessive filler towards the end. While containing moments of brilliance, it fell short of its potential.
Blade + Blade: Red Band
A successful adaptation of the Blade character into a thrilling, action-packed comic.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
A mixed bag, hampered by rushed storytelling and underdeveloped character arcs.
Outsiders
A Planetary reimagining within the DC Universe, featuring predictable meta-commentary.
Poison Ivy
A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic charm, despite occasional pacing issues.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
A solid exploration of father-son dynamics and self-discovery, though not as impactful as Williamson's previous Robin series.
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, rewarding those willing to engage with its intricate narrative.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
A sprawling saga with stunning artwork, though potentially overwhelming for those unfamiliar with Ewing's previous work.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic and impactful series, leaving a lasting impression.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A strong first half contrasted by a weaker second, showcasing both Spurrier's brilliance and tendency towards over-saturation.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and X-Men, beautifully illustrated by Peach Momoko.
