Naming the best comic books of all time is no easy task, with each new decade delivering an instant-classic from Marvel, DC Comics, Image, Dark Horse, and many more. But a handful of famous comic books and graphic novels stand out above all the rest.
The medium has been growing exponentially since its early days in the 20th century. Gradually evolving mainstream culture and artistic approaches changed how comics and their characters are written, with each ing decade seeing more great comic stories published. DC and Marvel have unsurprisingly created some of the most famous comics ever, but the likes of Dark Horse, Image, and more have all earned their spots among the greatest comic books of all time.
20 Batman: The Long Halloween (1996)
Created by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale (DC Comics)
Even a cursory look into the most acclaimed stories starring Batman will reveal that Batman: The Long Halloween from Loeb and Sale ranks among the very best. With the story taking place over an entire calendar year (to begin with), the case gives a different impression to Bruce Wayne's standard crime-by-crime rhythm, not to mention multiple twists and turns taking place throughout his investigation. Rewriting several different keystone pieces of Batman lore, the book seems guaranteed to be an all-time classic.
"The Long Halloween is an emotional and pivotal Batman tale which has brought fans into Gotham for decades. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale give readers a heartbreaking look at the way The Caped Crusader transforms his city even as he defends it from the evolving threats of new villains and old friends." - Gabrielle Robbins, Comics Writer
19 The Walking Dead (2003)
Created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard (Image Comics)
The television adaptation may have made The Walking Dead a household name, but the comic book series was in a league of its own before the first episode was ever filmed. A singular exploration of the human drama (and horror) at the heart of our obsession with zombies, the series' shocking ending only cemented its place in comic book history.
"Walking Dead understands to its core that the zombies in zombie stories are just an excuse to force desperate people into close proximity. In love with the practicalities of how people would cope or break in a world of constant danger, Walking Dead is one of the most satisfying episodic reads you'll find in comics." - Robert Wood, Comics Editor
18 Sin City (1991)
Created by Frank Miller (Dark Horse Comics)
His work with Batman and Daredevil is typically first to come to mind as writer and artist Frank Miller's best comics, but he's also written some classic non-superhero stories. One of the genre's best black-and-white comics, Dark Horse's Sin City is an acclaimed neo-noir story set in a bleak, authoritarian-run town in the United States. The comic was revered for its approach and heavy inspiration from pulp and crime-noir TV, movie, and magazine stories.
Likewise, it presented an engrossing change of pace by Miller, writing Sin City more like a serialized TV/movie crime-drama in a comic book format. Though the second movie adaptation was poorly received, the initial 2005 movie received generally positive reviews.
17 Preacher (1995)
Created by Garth Ennis & Steve Dillon (Vertigo, DC Comics)
As one of the comic book industry's "big two" publishers, DC Comics is primarily known for its superheroes. However, their Vertigo imprint of comics spawned some timeless non-superhero classics. Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's Preacher was one such cult-hit, with the story centered around a grim supernatural/religious disaster plaguing a small Texas town.
Jesse Custer, the titular preacher, becomes possessed by a supernatural entity comprised of pure goodness and pure evil, possibly becoming the most powerful entity in the universe. The story takes its small scope and eventually branches out across the country, meeting a bizarre cast of characters.
16 Kingdom Come (1996)
Created by Mark Waid & Alex Ross (DC Comics)
Expanding to the greater Justice League, Kingdom Come is a landmark comic in DC's pantheon of stories. This alternate-canon comic was a sort of meta deconstruction of "superheroes" as a concept. Veteran writer Mark Waid and iconic artist Alex Ross put together a miniseries that detailed the fall in prominence of the outdated "traditional" heroes and the rise of dangerous copycats.
The traditional superheroes fall out of touch with the changing times and new threats, with Batman's team trying to stop Lex Luthor and the impending conflict. It's a fascinating alternate tale that stands as one of the best DC Elseworlds comics in history.
15 V For Vendetta (1982)
Created by Alan Moore, David Lloyd & Tony Weare (Vertigo, DC Comics)
Alan Moore's most iconic comic stories may feature DC's superheroes, but V for Vendetta was another DC Vertigo comic that went in an excitingly different direction. It's a dark political-dystopia story, where a fictional political party has successfully converted the United Kingdom into a gruesome neo-fascist police state.
The main character is the titular V, sporting the classic Guy Fawkes mask, leading an anarchistic revolution against the ruling oppressors. Given the intense premise, V for Vendetta tackles a variety of heavy political themes in a dense, elaborate story full of moral grays and extremes.
14 Batman: Year One (1987)
Created by Frank Miller & David Mazzucchelli (DC Comics)
Origin stories can occasionally feel like a dime a dozen and have understandably worn out fans' patience over the years. However, Miller and David Mazzucchelli's Year One is among the most definitive comic book origins. The late Dennis O'Neil started Batman's exceptional noir reinvention, and Year One was one of the comics that brought this evolution to a crescendo.
Down to the pulp-inspired artwork, it's a rich and atmospheric crime drama that shows fans how Bruce Wayne came to be Gotham City's watchful protector. Likewise, it served as a great parallel origin story for soon-to-be Commissioner Gordon alongside Batman, depicting the two as flawed characters that are ultimately trying to do the best they can to bring justice to Gotham's systematic corruption.
13 Green Lantern: Rebirth (2004)
Created by Geoff Johns & Ethan Van Sciver (DC Comics)
With history settled on Hal Jordan's descent into villainy as one of the most shocking villain twists in modern comics, Geoff Johns took it upon himself to restore Hal's glory, and change the course of the DC Universe in the process. Impossible to overstate, the success of Green Lantern: Rebirth made the Lanterns a core piece of the publisher's universe for decades to come.
"This was more than just pressing the ‘undo’ button to absolve Hal from his actions in “Emerald Twilight”. This was a crucial shot in the arm that the Green Lantern franchise desperately needed. Everything that fans loved about Green Lantern in the mid-to-late 00s, “Sinestro Corps War”, “Blackest Night”, it all starts here with the ionate opening chapter of Green Latern’s boldest era." - Justin Epps, Comics Writer
12 Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2021)
Created by Tom King,Bilquis Evely & Matheus Lopes (DC Comics)
It's hard to discuss Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow without immediately taking note of the breathtaking artwork, delivering jaw-dropping visuals from literally the first cover art and preview pages. The work of artist Bilquis Evely and colorist Matheus Lopes doesn't disappoint in the story itself, taking its heroine across the DC Universe, through countless cosmic backdrops, fantastical worlds, and stunning future-classic-poster art. The term "masterpiece" is earned, which means the staggeringly beautiful script only adds to the power of the story.
Writer Tom King has earned a reputation as a storyteller always capable of turning in an instant classic, and Woman of Tomorrow is no exception. With the stated goal of distilling a "pure" Supergirl narrative, readers are given a standlone adventure showing everything that makes Kara Zor-El worthy of her 'Super' moniker (and everything that makes her unique from her famous cousin, as well). Poignantly tackling the trauma and burden of a lost homeworld, revenge, the unsolvable morality of violent heroics, and so much more, it's likely Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will come to be known as 'the' Supergirl story, for those looking to understand the power of her character.
A Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow feature film is in development with Milly Alcock starring as Kara, and DC's James Gunn directly praising King and Evely's graphic novel as source material for the adaptation.
11 The Mighty Thor (2015)
Created by Jason Aaron & Russell Dauterman (Marvel Comics)
The fall of the 'Unworthy' Thor was one bombshell after another, first finding the Odinson unable to life Mjolnir, and soon revealing an unknown woman who had been called to replace him. Eventually the truth came out, and Jane Foster claiming Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor sent shockwaves through the comic book world. But fans weren't ready for the heartbreaking story Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman still had left to tell.
"The world of comics sends world-shattering villains coming and going each year, so it's rare for a story, let alone a mystery to stand the test of time. But even if Jane Foster's legacy as Thor hadn't led to her ultimate sacrifice, or saw her take on a new role as Valkyrie, her time wielding Mjolnir was already carved in the stone of Marvel history from the first . Literally." - Andrew Dyce, Comics Editor
