Ranking the best comics of 2024: Marvel, DC, and All-In-Ones

2024: A Year of Exceptional Comics

In 2024, readers found comfort in familiar narratives, but this year's offerings transcended the typical, delivering exceptional stories that pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly comics from major publishers, plus the diverse range of graphic novels available, 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: Only series with at least 10 issues are included. This excludes newer titles like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, recent X-titles from the "From the Ashes" relaunch, and Aaron's Ninja Turtles.
• Overall Ranking: The ranking considers all issues of each series, regardless of release year, including those from earlier runs. Exceptions: Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
• Anthologies Excluded: Anthologies like Action Comics and Batman: The Brave and the Bold are excluded due to their varied authorship.

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

Batman: Zdarsky Run

A technically impressive but ultimately underwhelming comic. The fight against the wrong Batman proved tedious, except for the neuro-arc with the Joker, which was a significant misstep.

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

Had this series ended earlier, it would have ranked much higher. However, the later issues suffered from an excess of filler. While containing moments of brilliance, it ultimately fell short of its potential.

Blade + Blade: Red Band

A successful adaptation of the Daywalker mythos into a fast-paced, action-packed comic.

Vengeance of the Moon Knight + Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu

A mixed bag. The rushed resurrection of Moon Knight undermined several plot points and character arcs, leaving the story feeling unsatisfying.

Outsiders

A reimagining of Planetary within the DC Universe. While incorporating meta-commentary, its execution feels somewhat heavy-handed.

Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series (30+ issues!) with a unique psychedelic charm, though the quality fluctuates.

Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A compelling story about Damien Wayne's maturation, father-son dynamics, and self-discovery.

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A charming and heartwarming comic from Dark Horse, notable for its simplicity and beautiful art style.

The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier

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

The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing

While potentially tedious for some, the beautiful artwork and ongoing narrative threads keep the reader engaged.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and exhilarating read, leaving a lasting impact.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A masterpiece in its first part (UK), while the second part (US) is a less successful but still intriguing exploration of themes of freedom and power.

Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko

A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, beautifully illustrated by Peach Momoko.