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

In 2024, comic readers found comfort in familiar narratives. Surprisingly, many of these familiar tales were exceptionally well-executed and pushed creative boundaries. Navigating the sheer volume of weekly comics from major publishers, plus the diverse range of graphic novels, is a daunting task. This list highlights some of 2024's standout titles.

A Few Notes Before the List:

• Focus is primarily on Marvel and DC, with a few exceptions.
• Only series with at least 10 issues are included. Therefore, newer titles are excluded.
• Rankings consider the entire 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 a "wrong" Batman is largely forgettable, aside from a compelling Joker-centric arc.

Nightwing by Tom Taylor

A strong start that falters towards the end, bogged down by filler issues. Despite its flaws, it contains moments of brilliance.

Blade + Blade: Red Band

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

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

A mixed bag, hampered by rushed plot points and underdeveloped character arcs. Hopes remain for future installments to rectify these issues.

Outsiders

A Planetary reimagining seamlessly integrated into the DC Universe. While the meta-commentary is predictable, the core concept remains strong.

Poison Ivy

A surprisingly long-running series with a consistent, albeit uneven, psychedelic charm.

Batman and Robin by Joshua Williamson

A solid exploration of father-son relationships and self-discovery, though not as impactful as Williamson's previous Robin series.

Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver

A charming and visually appealing comic that prioritizes simplicity and emotional resonance.

The Flash Series by Simon Spurrier

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

The Immortal Thor by Al Ewing

A visually stunning but narratively slow-paced series, relying heavily on references to previous works.

Venom + Venom War

A chaotic and impactful series, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America

A masterpiece in its first half, faltering in its second. Despite its flaws, Constantine's portrayal remains brilliant.

Ultimate X-men by Peach Momoko

A unique blend of manga, psychological horror, and X-Men lore, consistently well-executed.