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

In 2024, comic readers found satisfaction in the familiar, a trend amplified by the exceptional quality of many established series. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly releases from major publishers, along with the diverse graphic novels available, remains a significant challenge. This list highlights some of the year's most captivating titles.

A Few Preliminary Notes:

• Focus: Primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few notable exceptions.
• Minimum Length: Series must have at least 10 issues. This excludes newer titles like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, recent X-titles, and Aaron's Ninja Turtles.
• Overall Ranking: The ranking considers all issues of each series, not just those released in 2024. Exceptions are made for Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
• Anthologies Excluded: 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

Technically impressive, but ultimately a dull and forgettable comic, except for a compelling Joker-centric arc.

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A strong start, marred by a later influx of filler issues. While containing moments of brilliance, it fell short of its potential.

Blade + Blade: Red Band

A successful adaptation of the Daywalker into a thrilling, 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 to rectify these issues.

Outsiders

A reimagining of Planetary within the DC Universe, featuring predictable meta-commentary. Despite its flaws, it remains a worthwhile read.

Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic charm, offering a consistent, if occasionally uneven, narrative.

Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A compelling coming-of-age story exploring father-son dynamics, though it doesn't quite reach the heights of Williamson's previous Robin series.

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A charming and visually appealing comic that prioritizes heartwarming simplicity over experimentation.

The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier

A challenging and complex read, rewarding those willing to engage with its intricate narrative.

The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing

A potentially rewarding but initially tedious read, driven by Ewing's overarching narrative and stunning artwork.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and emotionally resonant series, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A masterpiece in its first half, the UK portion, while the US portion is less successful. Despite its unevenness, Spurrier's portrayal of Constantine remains captivating.

Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko

A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, brought to life by Momoko's distinctive art style.