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 ordinary, delivering exceptional stories that pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly comics from major publishers and the diverse range of graphic novels available is a daunting task. This list highlights some of the year's most captivating reads.

A Few Notes Before We Begin:

• This list focuses primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few notable exceptions from other publishers.
• 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.
• The ranking considers all issues of each series, regardless of release year, including those from earlier runs. Exceptions are Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
• Anthologies like Action Comics and Batman: The Brave and the Bold are excluded due to their diverse 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, a jarringly poor creative decision.

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A series that started strong but faltered towards the end, accumulating too many filler issues. While not a complete failure, it fell short of its potential, failing to achieve the quality of a series like Hawkeye.

Blade + Blade: Red Band

A successful adaptation of the character, perfectly capturing the bloody action and vampire-slaying elements of the Blade franchise.

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

A mixed bag for Moon Knight. The resurrection felt rushed, hindering character development and plot progression. Hopes remain that future installments will rectify these issues.

Outsiders

A Planetary reimagining seamlessly integrated into the DC universe. While the meta-commentary is predictable, it's a worthy entry in its own right.

Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series (30+ issues!) with a consistent, if occasionally uneven, psychedelic charm.

Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A solid addition to the Robin series, focusing on Damien Wayne's adolescence and father-son dynamics. While not reaching the heights of its predecessor, it's still an enjoyable read.

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A surprisingly charming and heartwarming comic from Dark Horse, prioritizing emotional depth over experimental storytelling.

The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier

A complex and challenging read, rewarding those willing to engage with its intricate narrative. The unpredictable nature of the story adds to its appeal.

The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing

Despite its occasionally tedious pacing and heavy reliance on references to past works, Ewing's storytelling and the stunning artwork keep this series engaging.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and exhilarating read, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A strong start in the UK section, featuring memorable moments. The US section, however, is a less successful foray into political commentary.

Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko

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