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

In 2024, comic readers found comfort in familiar narratives. Surprisingly, many of these familiar stories pushed creative boundaries and delivered exceptional results. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly releases from major publishers, along with the diverse range of graphic novels, presents a significant challenge. 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 must have at least 10 issues. This excludes newer titles.
• 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: Due to diverse 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 proved tedious, except for a standout Joker-centric arc.

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A strong start, but later issues bogged down in filler. While containing moments of brilliance, it fell short of its potential.

Blade + Blade: Red Band

A successful adaptation of the Daywalker 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. Hopes remain for future installments.

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 relationships and self-discovery, though not reaching the heights of Williamson's previous Robin series.

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A charming and visually appealing comic from Dark Horse, emphasizing simplicity and heartwarming storytelling.

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 potentially rewarding but initially tedious read, relying heavily on established lore. The artwork is a highlight.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and impactful series, leaving a lasting impression.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A strong first part contrasted by a weaker second, showcasing both Spurrier's brilliance and tendency towards overstuffed narratives.

Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko

A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, beautifully illustrated by Peach Momoko.