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

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

2024 saw a surprising trend: readers gravitated towards familiar narratives. However, this year's offerings transcended the typical, delivering exceptional stories that pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly comics from major publishers, along with the diverse graphic novels available, is a daunting task. This curated 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 must have at least 10 issues. Therefore, newer series like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, recent X-titles, and Aaron's Ninja Turtles are excluded.
• Ranking Methodology: All issues of each series were considered, regardless of release date in 2024. This includes titles with multiple initial releases. Exceptions were made for 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

Individual Series Reviews:

Batman: Zdarsky Run

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

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A strong start that unfortunately faltered towards the end, bogged down by filler issues. Despite its flaws, the series contained moments of brilliance. It fell short of its potential to be a modern Hawkeye.

Blade + Blade: Red Band

A successful adaptation of the Daywalker into a fast-paced, action-packed comic, providing a satisfying alternative to the film's production delays.

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

A mixed bag. The rushed resurrection of Moon Knight undermined the narrative, leaving several plot points unresolved. Hope remains for future installments to rectify these issues.

Outsiders

A Planetary reimagining within the DC Universe. While the meta-commentary is present, it lacks subtlety and becomes predictable. Despite this, the comic remains a worthwhile read.

Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series (30+ issues) with a consistent psychedelic charm, offering a mix of engaging and less compelling moments.

Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A solid exploration of father-son relationships and self-discovery, though not quite reaching the heights of Williamson's previous Robin series.

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A charming and visually appealing comic from Dark Horse, prioritizing simplicity and emotional resonance over experimentation.

The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier

A complex and challenging read, rewarding patient readers with a unique and unpredictable narrative.

The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing

A potentially rewarding but initially tedious series. The numerous references to past comics may prove frustrating, but Ewing's established narrative threads maintain a degree of intrigue. The artwork is exceptional.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and impactful series, leaving a lasting impression.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A masterpiece in its first part (UK), but the second (US) is a less successful exploration of freedom and societal power structures. Despite its flaws, Spurrier's portrayal of Constantine remains compelling.

Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko

A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and the X-Men, elevated by Momoko's consistent and striking artwork.