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, is a daunting task. This list highlights some of the year's standout titles.
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, not just those released in 2024. Exceptions: Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
- Anthologies Excluded: Due to varied 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
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 it fell short of its potential, it still contained enjoyable moments.
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, with narrative choices that hampered the overall impact. Hopes remain for future installments to rectify these issues.
Outsiders
A Planetary reimagining within the DC Universe, featuring predictable meta-commentary. Despite this, it remains a solid entry.
Poison Ivy
A surprisingly long-running series (30+ issues!) with a consistent, if occasionally uneven, psychedelic charm.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
A solid exploration of father-son relationships and personal growth, though not quite reaching the heights of Williamson's previous Robin series.
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
A charming and visually appealing comic, emphasizing simplicity and warmth.
The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
A challenging and complex read, rewarding those willing to invest the effort. Its unpredictable nature is a key strength.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
While potentially tedious for some, the beautiful artwork and intriguing long-term narrative keep it engaging.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic, powerful, and inspiring series that warrants multiple rereads.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A brilliant, if overstuffed, portrayal of Constantine, with a strong first part overshadowed by a weaker second.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, elevated by Momoko's consistent artistic talent.
