2024 Comic Book Rankings Unveiled: Marvel, DC, and Beyond

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

In 2024, comic readers found refuge in familiar narratives. Surprisingly, many of these familiar stories were exceptionally well-executed and pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly comics 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 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: 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 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

A technically impressive but ultimately dull comic. The fight against the "wrong" Batman was underwhelming, except for a noteworthy Joker-centric arc.

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A strong start, but later issues became bogged down with filler. While containing excellent moments, it fell short of its potential.

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 storytelling and underdeveloped characters. Potential remains for future improvement.

Outsiders

A Planetary reimagining within the DC Universe, featuring heavy-handed meta-commentary.

Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series (30+ issues) with a unique psychedelic charm.

Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A solid exploration of father-son relationships and self-discovery, featuring the return of the Robinmobile.

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A charming and visually appealing comic from Dark Horse, prioritizing simplicity and warmth.

The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier

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

The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing

A potentially rewarding but slow-burning series, notable for its stunning artwork.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and intense series, both devastating and inspiring.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A brilliant but uneven series, 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, beautifully illustrated.