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 were exceptionally well-executed and pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly releases from major publishers, along with graphic novels from various imprints, is a daunting task. This list highlights some of the year's most captivating reads.
A Few Preliminary Notes:
- Focus: Primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few notable exceptions.
- Minimum Issue Count: Series needed at least 10 issues to be considered. This excludes newer titles.
- Overall Ranking: The ranking considers all issues, regardless of release date within 2024. Exceptions: Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
- Anthologies Excluded: Anthologies like Action Comics and Batman: The Brave and the Bold are omitted 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
Technically impressive, but ultimately a dull and forgettable comic, except for a standout Joker arc.
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
A strong start that unfortunately faltered with an overabundance of filler by the end. A missed opportunity for greatness.
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.
Outsiders
A Planetary reimagining within the DC Universe, featuring predictable meta-commentary.
Poison Ivy
A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic charm.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
A solid exploration of father-son relationships and self-discovery, though not quite reaching the heights of Williamson's previous Robin series.
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
A charming and visually appealing comic from Dark Horse, focusing on a simple yet engaging narrative.
The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
A challenging and complex read, rewarding those willing to engage with its intricate plot.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
A potentially rewarding but initially tedious read, held together by Ewing's overarching narrative and stunning artwork.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic and impactful series, leaving a lasting impression.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A masterpiece in its first part, but ultimately undermined by a weaker second half.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and X-Men, beautifully illustrated by Peach Momoko.
