My Favorite Comics

Written by Brett in General Last Updated December 27, 2023
Favorite Comics

Here I will keep a running list of my favorite comics. I am just getting started on working my way through Marvel and DC (with the occasional random series thrown in), so this list is ever-evolving. I have sampled both Marvel and DC and love them for different reasons. Additionally, I read some non-Marvel/DC titles and love those too.

I don’t have much loyalty to a publisher, but I do go on spurts of reading one versus another. This is mainly because of my drive to complete large chunks of a character at a time. I tend to switch at appropriate stopping points in a character and when I need a shift in tone.

This list is not comprehensive of every comic book I have read and rated. Please visit the my Goodreads page to check out more of what I have read.

Books I have Finished:
Dada Drops's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book lists (read shelf)

Table of Contents

My All-Time Favorites

These are my best of the best and have shaped my comic preferences and reading habits throughout the years. They have set the bar high.

  1. Batman Year One by Frank Miller (DC, Batman #404–407, 1987)
  2. Watchmen by Alan Moore (DC, 1986-1987)
  3. Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan (DC Vertigo, 2002-2008)
  4. Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller (DC, 1986)
  5. Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan (Image, 2015-2019)
  6. Invincible by Robert Kirkman (Image, 2003-2018)
  7. Walking Dead Compendium Three(Review) by Robert Kirkman (Image, The Walking Dead #97-144, 2003-2008)
  8. Sandman by Neil Gaiman (DC Vertigo, 1989-1996)
  9. The Amazing Spider-Man by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko (Marvel, Amazing Spider-Man #1-38, 1963-1966)
  10. Maus by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon, 1991)
  11. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (Pantheon, 2000 & 2004)
  12. Walking Dead Compendium Two(Review) by Robert Kirkman (Image, The Walking Dead #49-96, 2003-2008)
  13. Walking Dead Compendium One(Review) by Robert Kirkman (Image, The Walking Dead #1-48, 2003-2008)
  14. V for Vendetta(Review) by Alan Moore (DC Vertigo, 1982-1985)
  15. The Last Ronin(Review) by Kevin B. Eastman & Peter Laird (IDW, 2020-2022)
  16. Walking Dead Compendium Four(Review) by Robert Kirkman (Image, The Walking Dead #145-193, 2003-2008)
  17. Long Halloween + Dark Victory by Jeff Loeb & Tim Sale (DC, 1996-1997, 1999-2000)

Marvel Favorites

I love Marvel because of the light-hearted tone and character development they have built since the beginning. Additionally, I love the continuity (for the most part) and that they have not needed to do universe-changing events to fix them. I am still working through the back catalog, which is slow going, as I tend to start from the beginning and am somewhat of a completionist. Check back here as I add my favorite comics of the Marvel Universe.

Favorite Marvel Characters

Favorite Marvel Story Arcs

  • Daredevil by Frank Miller (Daredevil #158-161, #163-191, 1979-1983)
  • The Amazing Spider-Man by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko (Amazing Spider-Man #1-38, 1963-1966)
  • Kraven’s Last Hunt by JM DeMatteis (Web of Spider-Man #31–32, Amazing Spider-Man #293–294, and Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #131–132, 1987)
  • Marvels by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross (1994)
  • Venom by Various (1984-1994)
  • Death of Stacys by Stan Lee, Gerry Conway (Amazing Spider-Man #88-92, #121-122, 1970 & 1973)
  • The Death of Jean DeWolff by Peter David (Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #107-110 & #134-136, 1985-1986, 1987)
  • Origin of the Hobgoblin by Roger Stern (Amazing Spider-Man #238-239, #244-245 & #249-251, and Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #43, #47-48 and #85, 1980-1984)
  • The Amazing Spider-Man by Stan Lee w/Jon Romita & Gil Kane (Amazing Spider-Man #39-100, 1966-1971)
  • The Clone Saga by Gerry Conway, Terry Kavanagh (Web of Spider-Man #117–129, Amazing Spider-Man #139-150 & #394-418, Spider-Man #51-75, and Spectacular Spider-Man #25-31, #149, #162-163 & #217–241, 1973 & 1994-1996)
  • Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman (2003)
  • Secret Wars by Jim Shooter (1984-1985)

DC Favorites

Interestingly, I like DC for the opposite reasons that I like Marvel. I like that it has a darker tone (starting in the ’80s, where I decided to begin). The main characters may not have the depth and nuance of some Marvel characters, but many of the stories are more profound and richer. Many of my favorite comics tend to be the grittier DC crime stories.

Favorite DC Characters

Favorite DC Story Arcs

DC Vertigo/Black Label

Non-DC/Marvel Comics

Several of my favorite comics have come from outside the Marvel/DC universes:

Feature Image by Dev on Unsplash

Brett

In my mid-30s, I ventured into the mesmerizing world of comic books, and since then, they've captured my heart as one of my cherished pastimes. With a delightful dance between Marvel and DC, sprinkled with the occasional indie gem, I've immersed myself in this enchanting universe. As a true completionist at heart, my passion for collecting has birthed an abundance of reading lists that I'm thrilled to share with all of you, bringing us together on this thrilling comic journey.

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