2024: A Year of Familiar Comfort and Unexpected Excellence in Comics
2024 saw readers gravitating towards familiar narratives. Surprisingly, many of these familiar tales were exceptionally well-executed and pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly comics from major publishers, alongside graphic novels catering to all ages, is a daunting task. This list highlights some of 2024's standout titles.
A Few Preliminary Notes:
- Focus: Primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions.
- Minimum Length: Series needed 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, not just those released in 2024. Exceptions: McKay's Moon Knight and Williamson's Robin.
- Anthologies Excluded: Due to varied authorship (Action Comics, Batman: The Brave and the Bold).
Table of Contents:
- Batman: Zdarsky's 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's Run
A technically proficient but ultimately underwhelming comic. The fight against the "wrong" Batman proved tedious, except for the Joker's neuro-arc (a significant misstep).
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
A strong start, but ultimately bogged down by filler in later issues. While possessing moments of brilliance, it fell short of its potential to become a modern classic.
Blade + Blade: Red Band
A successful adaptation of the Daywalker into a fast-paced, action-packed comic book, providing a satisfying alternative while the film faced delays.
Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
A mixed bag, hampered by rushed storytelling and underdeveloped characters. The hope remains that future installments will rectify these shortcomings.
Outsiders
A Planetary reimagining within the DC Universe. While featuring meta-commentary, its execution is somewhat predictable.
Poison Ivy
A surprisingly long-running series (30+ issues) with a unique psychedelic charm, offering a blend of captivating and less engaging moments.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
A solid exploration of father-son dynamics and self-discovery, though not reaching the heights of Williamson's previous Robin series.
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
A charming and visually appealing comic, prioritizing a simple, heartwarming narrative over experimentation.
The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier
A complex and challenging read, rewarding perseverance with a unique and unpredictable narrative.
The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing
A potentially rewarding but initially slow-paced series, driven by Ewing's intricate storylines and striking artwork.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic and intense series, leaving a lasting impression.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A strong first part, but the second part falters. Despite its flaws, Spurrier's portrayal of Constantine remains compelling.
Ultimate X-Men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and X-Men, enhanced by Momoko's consistent artistic style.
