comics

5 Best Comics (And Graphic Novels) of All Time You Must Read Now

With so many comics out there spanning centuries, it can be tough to know where to start. I’ve got you covered. In this article, you’ll find a rundown of the five best comics that you shouldn’t miss.

Anangsha Alammyan

Mar 7, 2023 • 5 min read

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Who said comics are just for kids?

Did you know that comics have been around for more than a century?

It’s one of the most loved storytelling mediums in the world.

And who says it’s just for kids?

There’s something for everyone in the world of comics.

But with so many comics out there spanning centuries, it can be tough to know where to start. I’ve got you covered. In this article, you’ll find a rundown of the five best comics that you shouldn’t miss.

1. Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

In the alternate America of 1985, superheroes are a part of everyday life.

A group of former costumed heroes comes together to investigate the murder of one of their own.

The story delves into complex and multi-layered themes of morality, power, and human nature. Alan Moore wrote and Dave Gibbons illustrated this graphic novel in 1986. It is a masterpiece of storytelling and character development.

In 1986 and 1987, “Watchmen” got published as a 12-issue series. It revolutionized the comic book industry in the way we saw heroes.

The art style of “Watchmen” is unique and detailed. Gibbons’ illustrations complement Moore’s writing. The characters get realized, with their flaws and complexities on full display. “Watchmen” is a must-read for anyone interested in comics or storytelling in general.

2. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller

This magnum opus chronicles the story of an aged Caped Crusader. He emerges from retirement to combat a new wave of criminals.

Set apart from DC’s established canon, Miller is free to craft an epic saga of operatic proportions. It blends the grit of Rambo with the grandeur of Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

Frank Miller’s 1986 masterpiece, The Dark Knight Returns, stands as the ultimate benchmark. This is a massive hit with readers within and outside the comic book community. The fans of Batman clamored to see the book’s dystopian vision of the future become a part of the official canon.

Miller’s work redefined Batman’s character and also transformed the superhero genre. It cemented his place as a visionary storyteller in the world of comics and beyond.

I found this to be more interesting than the film as I got to see the movie first and made my way to the book.

3. Sandman by Neil Gaiman

The story centers around Dream, one of the seven Endless.

He confronts the notion that even powerful beings like the Endless must accept the inevitability of change after being ensnared and trapped for centuries by cultists.

Gaiman’s Sandman has earned its place in the pantheon of great comics. Mostly because of the ethereal and surreal personifications of metaphysical concepts. The Endless themselves serve as these personifications, embodying some of the most potent and influential forces that shape the universe.

The Sandman garnered widespread acclaim for its poetic prose, unforgettable characters, and epic scope. It’s a testament to Gaiman’s boundless creativity and vision that the series has retained its status as a cultural touchstone, inspiring countless readers to explore the rich and intricate world he has crafted.

The Sandman is a true masterpiece of the medium, and its impact on comics and popular culture as a whole cannot be overstated.

4. Maus by Art Spiegelman

Contemplating the enormity of the Holocaust has routinely confounded survivors, who strive to record and maintain their memories of the tragedy.

Maus, a multi-layered story told by its author, Art Spiegelman, is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Through intertwining narratives of Art’s parents, Vladek and Anja Spiegelman, who miraculously survived the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, Maus paints a vivid picture of family and survival in the face of incredible adversity.

By exploring the lives of his parents. Art can better understand and appreciate the deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions his father holds on to while developing an appreciation for his own identity and the choices he makes.

Too often, our political and cultural discourse becomes nothing more than a form of sweeping judgment, seeking out easy targets to criticize and condemn, cloaked in the guise of doing good.

But this polarizing behavior can be combatted with a more holistic approach — one that reaches beyond the simplistic dichotomy of right and wrong.

Through its complex narrative, Maus invites us to explore our preconceived notions about difference and encourages us to look at the world differently. By embracing the unfamiliar, we can move beyond the limitations of our perspectives and create a better world for everyone.

5. Saga by Brian K Vaughan

Saga is the story of Hazel, a child of parents from two warring worlds.

Her mother, the winged humanoid Alana is from Landfall the largest planet in the Galaxy with technological supremacy. Her Father, Marko is a man from Wreath, Landfalls’s moon, and a world of magic.

Staples’ art is a delight to behold; colorful, imaginative, and wonderfully expressive, with each page brimming with vivid details that bring the world of Saga to life.

With its unique blend of creativity and emotion, Saga is and exciting and memorable read for all readers willing to explore the world of comics.

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