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

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

In 2024, comic readers found solace in familiar narratives. Surprisingly, many of these familiar stories were exceptionally well-executed and pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly releases from major publishers, alongside graphic novels from various imprints, is a daunting task. This list highlights some of the year's most captivating titles.

A Few Preliminary Notes:

• Focus is primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions.
• Only series with at least 10 issues are included. Therefore, newer titles like Ultimates, Absolute Batman, recent X-Men relaunches, and Aaron's Ninja Turtles are excluded.
• The ranking considers the entire run of each series, not just 2024 releases. Exceptions are Jed McKay's Moon Knight and Joshua Williamson's Robin.
• 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

Reviews:

Batman: Zdarsky Run

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

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A strong start that unfortunately faltered towards the end, bogged down by filler issues. 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. Hopes remain for future installments to rectify these issues.

Outsiders

A Planetary reimagining within the DC Universe, featuring heavy-handed meta-commentary that ultimately becomes predictable.

Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series with a unique psychedelic charm, offering moments of both brilliance and uneven pacing.

Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A compelling coming-of-age story exploring father-son dynamics, 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 those willing to engage with its intricate narrative.

The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing

A potentially rewarding but slow-burn series, held together by Ewing's established narrative threads and stunning artwork.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and intensely engaging series.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A masterful 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, elevated by Momoko's consistent artistic talent.