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

2024 saw readers gravitating towards 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, 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. Therefore, newer releases like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, "From the Ashes" X-titles, and Aaron's Ninja Turtles are excluded.
• Overall Ranking: The ranking considers all issues of each series, regardless of release year. This includes series with multiple titles in their initial run. 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 omitted due to their varied creative teams.

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

Review Highlights:

• Batman: Zdarsky Run

Technically impressive but ultimately a dull, unremarkable comic, except for a compelling Joker-centric arc.

• Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A strong start, but ultimately bogged down by filler issues in its later run. Potential unrealized.

• 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.

• Outsiders

A Planetary reimagining within the DC universe, featuring predictable meta-commentary.

• Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic appeal.

• Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A compelling coming-of-age story exploring father-son dynamics.

• Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A charming and visually appealing comic from Dark Horse, prioritizing 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 visually stunning but narratively underwhelming series, relying heavily on established lore.

• Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and intense series, leaving a lasting impact.

• John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A strong first part contrasted by a weaker second, showcasing both Spurrier's brilliance and tendency towards overstuffed narratives.

• Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko

A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and X-Men mythology, beautifully illustrated.