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 tales were exceptionally well-executed and pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly releases from major publishers, alongside the diverse range of graphic novels, presents a significant challenge. 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.
- Ranking: The overall quality of each series is considered, not just 2024 releases. 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 underwhelming and predictable Batman story, marred by a poorly executed Joker arc.
Nightwing by Tom Taylor
A strong start that faltered towards the end due to an overabundance of filler. Despite its flaws, it contained moments of brilliance.
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 character arcs. Potential remains for future improvement.
Outsiders
A Planetary reimagining seamlessly integrated into the DC Universe. While the meta-commentary is predictable, it doesn't detract from the overall quality.
Poison Ivy
A surprisingly long-running series (30+ issues) with a consistent psychedelic charm, though pacing varies.
Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson
A compelling coming-of-age story exploring father-son relationships. While not reaching the heights of the first Robin series, it's still enjoyable.
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
A charming and heartwarming series from Dark Horse, focusing on simplicity and emotional resonance.
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-paced series, reliant on familiarity with Ewing's previous work. The artwork is a highlight.
Venom + Venom War
A chaotic and impactful series, leaving a lasting impression.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America
A brilliant first part contrasted by a weaker second, showcasing both Spurrier's strengths and weaknesses.
Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko
A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and X-Men, beautifully illustrated.
