2024: A Year of Familiar Comfort and Unexpected Excellence in Comics
In 2024, comic readers found solace in familiar narratives. Surprisingly, many of these familiar stories were exceptionally well-executed and pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly comics from major publishers, along with graphic novels from various imprints, is a daunting task. This list highlights some of the year's most captivating titles.
Note: This list focuses primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions. Only series with at least 10 issues are included, excluding recent launches like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, the "From the Ashes" X-titles, and Aaron's Ninja Turtles. The ranking considers all issues, regardless of release year, with exceptions for McKay's Moon Knight and Williamson's Robin. 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 was tedious, except for a standout Joker-centric arc.
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
A series that started strong but faltered towards the end due to an overabundance of filler. Despite its flaws, it contained moments of brilliance.
Blade + Blade: Red Band
A successful adaptation of the Daywalker mythos into a thrilling, action-packed comic book.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
A year of mixed results for Moon Knight. The abrupt return from death negatively impacted the narrative.
Outsiders
A Planetary-inspired title seamlessly integrated into the DC Universe. While the meta-commentary is predictable, the 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 compelling coming-of-age story exploring father-son dynamics. While not reaching the heights of the first Robin series, it's a solid entry.
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
A charming and visually appealing comic from Dark Horse. Its simplicity is its strength.
The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
A complex and challenging read that rewards perseverance with a unique and unpredictable narrative.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
A potentially rewarding but initially tedious series. The artwork is exceptional.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic and impactful series that demands multiple readings.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A brilliant but uneven series. The UK portion is a masterpiece, while the US section is less compelling.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, beautifully illustrated by Peach Momoko.
