I Read Comic Books’
Best Comic Books of 2024

We read lots of comics last year.
These are our picks for the best comics published in 2024.

Zach

Absolute Wonder Woman (DC Comics)

  • Writer: Kelly Thompson

  • Artist: Hayden Sherman

  • Colors: Jordie Bellaire

  • Letters: Becca Carey

This book is so heavy metal, it hurts. The Absolute Universe over at DC has been firing on all cylinders so far, and my favorite by far is this rendition of Wonder Woman. The twist in the myth of having her be the last Amazon banished to hell and raised by the witch Circe. To have her forged in such a way, rather than what we’re used to gives a whole new, darker spin on someone who is still very much a hero and a champion of light. So far we’ve seen her fight nothing but demons and eldritch horrors and it’s crazy fun. But we’ve also had the chance to see her new origin intertwined, and really has informed us of who this person is. Kelly Thompson is killing it, and Hayden Sherman’s art, with Jordie Bellaire’s colors are really driving this book and showing what it’s capable of. Like I said…this is heavy metal AF, and I’m here for it.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees (IDW)

  • Writer: Patrick Horvath

  • Artist: Also Patrick Horvath

  • Colors: Threepeat! Patrick Horvath

  • Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

How could this not be on the list? This book took the comics world by storm. A surprise hit out of nowhere. On the surface it looks like a kids Saturday morning cartoon…until you see a duck person be dissected and stuffed into paint cans. This is one of those stories where you find yourself cheering for the villain, because somehow they’ve convinced you they’re not as bad as the other villain. Horvath paints such a gorgeous picture (with words and images) of this serial killer detective story. No wasted space, great pacing, and cute art that at times becomes incredibly disturbing. Did a whole episode about it back in October. CHEAP PLUG FOR THE COMICS THAT WE LOVE!

Animal Pound (BOOM! Studios) 

  • Writer: Tom King

  • Artist: Peter Gross

  • Colors: Tamra Bonvillain

  • Letters: Clayton Cowles

This book is The Pound Puppies if that cartoon was written by Ayn Rand. A new spin on the classic Orwell novel, Animal Farm (which you should absolutely read if you never have), Animal Pound is funny and profound, and shows the world we live in through a unique perspective. It’s some of the smartest writing Tom King has ever done, and though it can be heady at times because of the serious nature of animals taking control of a shelter and creating their own form of government, laws, etc, it still have moments of levity…like bulldog becoming a streaming video star. Peter Gross does an amazing job keeping these animals looking very realistic, which I feel is important to this story, because even though it’s a play in the fantastic, at it’s core, the story is very real, and just as important now as it was when Orwell first penned the original.

Nights (Image Comics)

  • Writer: Wyatt Kennedy

  • Artist: Luigi Formisano

  • Colors: Francesco Segala and Gloria Martinelli

  • Letters: Maria Letizia Mirabella

This is a coming-of-age tale on mushrooms. The whole story exists within a world that is filled with magical realism where things like vampire girls, and ghosts just sorta continuing to live after death (and be productive members of society) are the norm. Our main character, Vince, comes to live with his cousin in Florida (which is owned by Spain, btw) and his whole world changes. He falls in love with a crazy vampire girl, and goes on adventures that will probably (hopefully) stop an apocalypse. I love how silly this book is, even in the face of deadly serious situations (like being a hitman, and feeling kinda crappy about it). Kennedy does a great job of making you care about all of these characters and wanting the best for them. Well, for most of them. The art from Formisano fits this story so well. It’s somewhere between western animation and manga, which for my money is the perfect fusion dance of what Nights needed. Also, Starvin is one of my favorite characters of 2024. He’s a mole with a star for a nose. If that doesn’t sell you, nothing will.

Mike

Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees (IDW)

  • W/A: Patrick Horvath

  • L: Hasan Otsmane-Elhaou

There are very few comics this year that have had such an iron grip on me like Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees. A significant sense of dread and excitement plagued me as I made my way through the story of a serial killer bear–a story drawn, at first, like an 18 page children’s story found in your local book store. Patrick Horvath takes the melding of a truly murderous subject and the style of simpler times and puts you through 5 issues of heightened suspense through to the very end of this story. Despite understanding the central idea of this book–a killer bear who has the dark urge to murder–nothing could have prepared me for where this anthropomorphized story was going in the end and I relished every single detail to the dark and satisfying end.

The One Hand / The Six Fingers (Image Comics)

  • W: Ram V, Dan Watters

  • A: Laurence Campbell, Sumit Kumar

  • C: Lee Loughridge

  • L: Aditya Bidikar

This is a two in one special if only because to mention one series without the other would be an insult to the series left aside. A story told in two parts of cat and mouse as a detective on his final job before retirement seeks out a murderer with the same calling card as someone he’d put away before and on the flip side, the murderer who dunnit, falling deep into something no one could truly ever comprehend. There is some masterful back to back writing in this story as you jump from issue to issue between The One hand and The Six Fingers–each living on their own but secretly filling in the details of the other under the surface. The pairing of Campbell and Kumar as back to back artists feels like seeing the two sides of the coin, each part of the same object but distinctly different–I would also say that Loughridge’s colors help with this feeling of unity as well. This was one of the most intriguing stories I read in 2024.

The Ultimates (2024) (Marvel Comics)

  • W: Deniz Camp

  • A: Juan Frigeri, Phil Noto (Issue 4)

  • C: Federico Blee

  • L: Travis Lanham

The Avengers are dead. Long live the Ultimates. When we first talked to Deniz Camp oh so many years ago, I was flabbergasted by his comic Maxwell’s Demons. A story so rich and riveting that seemed like a shining beacon in a fog of fair-quality independent comics. Years later, helming the Ultimates, Camp’s strength in storytelling and undermining the status-quo shines yet again in a major Marvel title that feels like breathing new air after years underground. Paired with Frigeri (and Noto) on art, this is a top-tier comic that does not forego the bells and whistles of capes comics but instead doubles down on them while pushing the boundaries of expectations for a comic about an alternate universe’s “Avengers” team. Issue #4 of this run is most definitely in the front-running position for best issue of 2024.

Mary Tyler MooreHawk (Top Shelf Productions)

  • W/A: Dave Baker

Mary Tyler MooreHawk is a tome; an epic comic the likes few publishers have the gall to publish nowadays. Dave Baker has done something so bombastic with this mixed media comic book that I do not know if any other comic creator in the game will be able to top it. Mary Tyler MooreHawk is an extremely heavy, brain crunching comic that overwhelms your mind, giving you nothing but a firehose of Canon to soak up and spend hours wondering about. Baker puts every fine detail into this multiple-layers of meta story sloshed between action-adventure comic and finely printed prose commentary that is a staggering reminder that there can be unbelievable levels of depth and size to a single story bound together with glossy paper, glue, and thick cardboard. I have not read a comic so significantly large in scope before and I am not sure if I will ever read one so methodically well done again.

Paloma

Hirayasumi Vol. 1 (Viz)

  • W/A: Keigo Shinzo

After quitting his budding acting career, Hiroto befriends an elderly neighbor, and ends up inheriting her house. Wrestling with the loss, he takes in a cousin who is an awkward, freshman art student. A funny, charming and heartwarming slice of life manga that is irresistible to me! The cousins struggle to adjust and find purpose and just grow together. Perfectly paced, and great for adult fans of Skip and Loafer!

Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (Marvel Comics)

  • W: Jonathan Hickman

  • A: Marco Checchetto

Now this is a #1 that’s lived up to the hype. Later in life greatness thrust upon the bearded, happily married family man that is 30-something Peter Parker? I’m here for it. I’m a sucker for alternate universes in comics and this is an alternate universe done very, very well. This issue and ongoing installments reignited my love for Peter Parker.

Kait

The Marble Queen (Dark Horse)

  • W: Anna Kopp

  • A: Gabrielle Kari

I picked this up for the beautiful cover but I’m recommending this for the beautiful story about a queer arranged marriage. I love the slow burn romance that builds alongside trust, respect, and loyalty as the characters grow into themselves and their roles.

Not-So-Lonely-Planet Travel Guide vol. 5 (ToykoPOP) 

  • W/A: Money Sorai

  • Translation: Katie Kimura

This series follows a couple as they travel together. They meet other queer folks around the world, settle into their relationship, and occasionally discuss their future together. This series carried me through the no-travel-times of Covid and continues to feed my wanderlust heart.

Fangirl vol. 4 (Dark Horse)

  • W: Rainbow Rowell

  • A: Gabi Nam

This is the last volume of the manga-style adaptation of Rainbow Rowell’s novel Fangirl. The original novel was followed by an excellent fanfiction-style series of fantasy books as well! I think the novel was very well adapted and I suggest this series to anyone who likes Rowell, slice-of-life books, or cozy romances.

Paul

Final Cut (Pantheon)

  • W/A: Charles Burns

Legendary cartoonist Charles Burns delivered one of his best books this year with Final Cut. A seemingly simple story about a group of friends filming a low-budget sci-fi film becomes something else once Brian, the creative force behind the project, becomes infatuated with his muse Laurie. Much like Burns’ classic Black Hole, this story blends the dreams and reality while capturing the awkward phase of late-teenage life. Burns’ artwork still manages to create a sense of unease, even in the most mundane settings, and this book is truly lovely while keeping the reader guessing.

Batman/Dylan Dog (DC Comics)

  • W: Roberto Recchioni

  • A: Gigi Cavenago

  • I: Werther Dell’Edera

  • C: Giovanna Nero & Gigi Cavenago

  • L: Pat Brusseau

Yeah, I had no idea who Dylan Dog was before reading this crossover. However, this comic is both a great introduction to the Italian cult comic book character, and one of the best Batman stories I read all year. Batman has to reluctantly team up with the laid-back supernatural detective Dylan Dog to stop the Joker in this beautifully illustrated story. It’s fun, funny, creepy, and action-packed; like any good Batman story should be!

Birds of Prey (DC Comics)

  • W: Kelly Thompson 

  • A: Javier Pina 

  • C: Jordie Bellaire 

  • L: Clayton Cowles 

Kelly Thompson is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers, and this is easily the superhero book I look forward to the most each month. It’s got plenty of action–all handled beautifully by Pina and other artists–but the team dynamic Thompson creates with the unlikely pairing of characters is what makes this book work for me. 

Zatanna: Bring Down the House (DC Comics)

  • W: Mariko Tamaki 

  • A: Javier Rodriguez 

I picked this as my favorite comic of the year as soon as it was announced–months before it even hit the stands! Two unique and top-notch creators telling a story about one of the best minor DC magical characters? This book was made for me. Tamaki crafts a touching background story for Zatanna while Rodriguez’s stunning art follows the character from our world to magical realms. This is a great book that will cast a spell on anyone–DC nerd or not. Yub siht cimoc! 

Judge Dredd: A Better World (Rebellion)

  • W: Rob Williams & Arthur Wyatt

  • A: Henry Flint

A classic Dredd story should be a little satirical while commenting on the real world, and this is an instant classic Dredd story. Williams and Wyatt offer a commentary of the “defund the police” movement by showing crime in Mega-City One falling after the Chief Judge decides to fund education and services in one sector of the city. Of course, things aren’t quite that simple, as other forces begin undermining the progress made for their own benefit. A very smart and engaging Dredd story beautifully illustrated by Henry Flint, this is a great introduction to the world of Judge Dredd. 

Kara

Transformers Vol. 1 (Image Comics)

  • W/A: Daniel Warren Johnson

  • C: Mike Spicer

Am I cheating because technically this series started in 2023? Yes don't worry about it I have been focusing on back catalogues and not new releases don't stop loving meeeeee

This series (briefly) got me back into an LCS!! Gotta love a Transformers reboot even if it does have tone whiplash. Still recommend!!

Daniel

Swan Songs (Image Comics)

  • Writer: W Maxwell Prince

  • Art: Alex Eckman-Lawn, Caitlin Yarsky, Caspar Wijngaard, Filipe Andrade,  Martin Morazzo & Martin Simmonds

  • Letters by Good old Neon

2024 was a big year for anthologies and this one was one of the best. A beautiful concept to explore as everyone’s a different perspective on endings. The rotating cast of artists gave this a fresh feel after every issue. Everything ends…

The Ultimates (2024) (Marvel Comics) 

  • Writer: Deniz Camp

  • Art: Juan Frigeri, Phil Noto (Issue 4)

  • Colors: Federico Blee

  • Letters by Travis Lanham

This is the crown jewel of the Ultimate line, a comics line that any of its titles deserves to be on a beat of 2024 list. Denis Camp’s writing has entered the next level here with interesting and poignant super hero comics. Issue #4 with Phil Noto is a standout and a beautiful demonstration of what can be done in the comic medium

Dawnrunner (Dark Horse)

  • Writer: Ram V

  • Art: Evan Cagle 

  • Colors: Dave Stewart

  • Letters: Aditya Bidikar

This comic is just COOL! It looks fantastic and the premise of Kaiju vs Giant Mechs would be enough to draw readers in, but the creative team adds so many layers of humanity, intrigue and a larger world that it all comes together beautifully. There are pages in this with zero dialogue but the images just capture your imagination so beautifully.

Absolute Batman (DC Comics) 

  • Writer: Scott Snyder

  • Art: Nick Dragotta 

  • Colors: Frank Martin

  • Letters: Clayton Cowles

Just when I thought Batman could not be reinvented in a way that felt new and fresh, the Absolute Universe proves that to not be correct. Nick Dragotta’s redesign gives us a more savage and stylized design full of great action. Scott Snyder world building and retelling of the story allows even long time readers like me to still be surprised,