- last update 05 May 2024 -
I used to read a lot of superhero stuff when I was a kid. Loved X-Men, but it was those edgy and gritty comics from Image that I found the coolest thing ever, until later I got a hold of some V for Vendetta, Transmetropolitan, Tank Girl, The Invisibles and random Heavy Metal issues and it completely blew my mind. Now we were really talking!
So I've been posting my favorite comics here, and here is the comprehensive list (keep in mind that I'm always posting more stuff):
• Damn cool comics
• The superhero stuff
• Books, Movie and TV series franchises
• Video Game franchises
• Webcomics and Comic Strips
• Damn cool comics •
The damn best thing that ever happened to comics!
Originally named Metal Hurlant, Heavy Metal (the English name) is a French magazine that so many great writers and illustrators have worked on that I couldn't even begin to name them (well, I can try some: Mœbius, Philippe Druillete, Juan Gimenéz, Nicole Claveloux, Enki Bilal, Philippe Caza, H.R. Giger...). It delves primarily into science fiction and fantasy, but ended up going through all genres possible, with some heavily experimental and original stories. The 70s got too many epics and heroic adventures for my taste, despite already having some great alternative and psychedelic stuff, but for me, it really peaked in the 80s.
I commented on the movies here.
The birth place of Judge Dredd and way more gritty and violent than mainstream comics of the time... I feel like it took awhile for it to develop beyond action adventure cliché tropes, but stories got increasingly crazy and satirical through the 80s, and from there it only got better.
In the 90s they started a parent publication called Judge Dredd Megazine, it also follows the anthology format and got some great original stuff.
With names like John Wagner, Alan Moore, Peter Milligan, Jamie Hewlett, Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis and Mark Millar working on it, you know you are in for a good time.
Eisner winner and my personal favorite Frank Miller's work with just stunning art from Geof Darrow. Hard Boiled is about a tax collector who stops for nothing... a three-part story like you won't believe!
In 1997 it got a quite good Playstation arcade shooter game, but it's just driving around your flying taxi and blowing shit up.
Grant Morrison at his peak of countercultural psychedelic storytelling in a complex narrative mixing everything from esoteric to science fiction and a big punch to mainstream aesthetics and philosophy.
The Invisibles actually got divided into three series, and in the last part the issues are on a countdown.
Grant Morrison again, with his unique and complex narratives, subverting tropes and expectations and always taking a shit on mainstream morals and philosophy. The Filth is a crazy ride that every page screams with small details that comment on society and the comic book medium itself.
By Warren Ellis. The future is a clusterfuck of technology and regardless of whatever new philosophical challenges it presents, some things never change... Transmetropolitan is a crazy cyberpunk story following Spider Jerusalen, a grumpy reporter very tired of demagogues.
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (2013-2014)
By Gerard Way and Shaun Simon. A mix of post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk with heavy doses of counterculture and psychedelia... well, it got everything I love.
Years later we got a prequel called The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem (2020-2021), that is a complete another level when it comes to art.
By Jamie Hewlett. A comic figurehead of counterculture of its time. Impolite and ungovernable, violent and full of humor, the post-apocalyptic setting is just a background of choice for the wild adventures.
Tank Girl hit big the alternative comic scene in the 90's and got shit tons of sequels, spin-offs, one-shots and other adventures - I won't list, but I've been posting a bunch of them, so go check it out.
[I will comment on the movie when the section is ready]
A Texas preacher possessed by a powerful entity is on a quest to find God, but a lot of people have other plans for him.
A Garth Ennis' satirical pitch black humor wicked and twisted ride.
I commented on the series here.
Frank Miller pays a huge homage to the film noir genre while elevating its tropes to a whole new level of grittiness and brutality.
Sin City got several stories published and I won't be listing them here either, but I'm posting a lot of them so go check them out.
[I will comment on the movie when the section is ready]
Alan Moore's absolute classic that created a pop culture icon. V is a mysterious anarchist plotting the downfall of a fascist regime.
[I will comment on the movie when the section is ready]
Multiple award-winning Neil Gaiman's masterpiece, a story full of little stories and fantastical tales and very intimate take on its characters. It follows Dream, who got imprisoned and it had consequences everywhere.
I watched a few episodes of the 2022 TV series and so far so good, but I can't comment further because I wasn't really engaged.
Judge Dredd Megazine (1990-????)
By John Wagner. A gritty and violent comic that became an icon of authoritarian dystopian future and a bootlicker wetdream. A bit of cyberpunk, a bit of post-apocalyptic, a lot of action.
Dredd got shit tons of spin-offs and alternative takes with several titles. I'm also not listing, but you can go check what I post here.
[I will comment on the movies and games when the sections are ready]
The End of the Fucking World (2011-2013)
By Charles Forsman and with some very nice minimalist art, The End of the Fucking World is a thrilling and emotional dark comedy that follows two runaways.
I commented on the series here.
[PLACE HOLDER] I still haven't posted the comics, but the tag is already here because I posted the movie.
A one-shot by Frank Miller. Little Jason discovers his life is not what it looks like. A full edgy boomer Heavy Metal inspired tale with the rebellious anti-hero on dystopian society and big tittied girls that serve no other purpose than being big tittied... but hey, still loads of fun.
By Harvery Pekar. One of the most iconic underground comics, American Splendor is a down-home genuine look at modern life. The so-called "Slice of Life" genre has much to learn from it.
It also got a lot of publications under other titles that I won't list, but I may post.
[I will comment on the movie when the section is ready]
666: The Mark of the Beast (1992-1993)
An horror comics anthology published by Fleetway with a lot of guys from 2000 AD working on it, including some great writers like Alan Moore and Peter Milligan.
• The superhero stuff •
Alan Moore's masterpiece. The best superhero story ever written!
It has a few prequel spin-offs that the grumpy wizard doesn't approve of, but you can view them as some cool fanfic.
It also got a game in 2009, called The End Is Nigh, but it's a very mediocre beat 'em up. I mean, there is nothing wrong with it, it's just very basic.
[I will comment on the movie when the section is ready]
A dark and cynical satire of the superhero genre, exposing the corruption and depravity of powerful people left unchecked.
Another Garth Ennis pitch dark black comedy with a powerful social commentary. Say what you will, The Boys is the best superhero story written after Watchmen.
I commented on the series here.
The Man of Muscle Mystery is investigating the mysterious The Fact, a terrorist terrorizing the population. Just Grant Morrison and his full blown psychedelic, surreal and reality bending story-telling in a great four issues mini-series that is not like your common DC stuff.
By Mark Millar. One of the most brutal and interesting Wolverine stories. Taking place in an alternative reality where the villains united and pulled an all out attack killing almost every hero in one go about 50 years ago, the world has changed beyond recognition and Logan is tormented by the memories of what happened that day. It was the inspiration for the movie Logan but the stories differ wildly - and like all Marvel storylines the reading order is a mess, but if you are up for a treat, then:
Wolverine Vol.3 (2003-2009) #66-72
Wolverine Giant-Size: Old Man Logan (2009)
That's the original story, but if you want more: Old Man Logan returns in an event that fucked up several different Marvel universes. The story gets increasingly crazy in Secret Wars, and then very sidetracked during the 50 issues series, but ties up for a nice conclusion:
Secret Wars: Old Man Logan #1-5 (2015)
Old Man Logan #1-50 (2016-2018)
Old Man Logan Annual (2018)
Dead Man Logan #1-12 (2018-2019)
And you can also read as a cool prequel to the original series and a goodbye to this awesome story:
Old Man Hawkeye #1-12 (2018)
[I will comment on the movie when the section is ready]
[PLACE HOLDER] I still haven't posted the comics.
I commented on the cartoon here.
[PLACE HOLDER] I still haven't posted the comics, but the tag is already here because I posted the movie.
[PLACE HOLDER] I still haven't posted any of the comics, but the tag is already here because I posted the movie.
I'm probably just posting The Killing Joke because I find Batman the most boring comic character ever - next to Superman. That's the only Joker story I really know (because of Alan Moore), but I'm accepting suggestions of others.
[PLACE HOLDER] I still haven't posted any of the comics, but the tag is already here because I posted the series.
The Umbrella Academy (2007-????)
By Gerard Way. A Eisner winner comics about a dysfunctional superhero family brought together by the death of their adoptive father. A mix of black humor, quirky characters and pulp action. Not your conventional superhero story.
I commented on the series here.
By Gail Simone. She was already working in Deadpool with UDON when she got into Agent X. It's a very underrated 15 issues superantihero black comedy series following Alex Hayden, an amnesiac guy that decided to become a mercenary.
As aforementioned, I've read a lot of X-Men when I was a kid, and I met Deadpool back when he was just another guy fighting Cable. I never really cared about the character, most probably because of how dull Rob Liefeld’s writing is and how ugly his drawings are. Then Deadpool got his own series by Nicieza and without Liefeld's hands on it, and what a blast! (although, I think it was Joe Kelly that really got it.)
I was really frustrated I would tell everyone about Deadpool and nobody had ever heard about him. I distanced myself from comic books in my teenage years, and it wasn't until the movie was out that I discovered how popular the character had become, and I went back to read his "newer" stuff.
Deadpool got shit tons of volumes, spin-offs and side stories that I won't list, but I really like Deadpool MAX (2010-2012).
[I will comment on the movies and game when the sections are ready]
[PLACE HOLDER] I still haven't posted the comics.
I commented on the cartoon here.
[PLACE HOLDER] I still haven't posted the comics.
I commented on the cartoon here, and the series here.
• Books, Movie and TV series franchises •
Of all adaptations I had seen over the years, none manages to capture the absolute horror and dense atmosphere like this gorgeous work by Fido Nesti.
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
By Tom de Haven. A very nice adaptation of the Willian Gibson's novel that defined the cyberpunk genre, but unfortunately it covers only the first two chapters.
Blade Runner has a few comics around. First, a Marvel direct adaptation of the movie in 1982 that is quite ok - there are some awkward misquotes in the comics, but the art is cool, and you can't go wrong adapting such great material. There are Blade Runner Origins (2021-2022) and Blade Runner: Black Lotus (2022), neither of which I cared much about - Black Lotus is sequel to a Blade Runner anime series by the same name. But what I really want to talk about about is Blade Runner 2019!
By Michael Green (writer of the awesome Blade Runner 2049 movie, as well as Logan, Alien: Covenant, and many others) and Mike Johnson. Blade Runner 2019 (2019-2020) is a fantastic miniseries that continued in Blade Runner 2029 (2020-2022) and then Blade Runner 2039 (2022-2024) - as of this moment, still being released, but I suspect it will tie in with the movie. It’s a really good addition to the franchise!
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
The Matrix Comics Series is a series of stories based on The Matrix (bet you didn't see that coming!). I believe they were posted online before being compiled for printing. Several different writers and illustrators worked on it (Neil Gaiman, Geof Darrow and Ted McKeever would be my highlights). There are some really nice pieces in the middle, and I consider the comics way better than all the Re-stuff (you know, Reloaded, Revolutions, Resurrections...).
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
Space horror doesn't get any better than Alien, and it got an absurd amount of comic miniseries (maybe even more than Star Wars), most of which are really good. From direct adaptations to no-longer-canon sequels and completely alternative takes on the universe, there are too many for me to even start listing (but, to mention one, Aliens: Sacrifice (1993) is one of my favorites). It's a damn great, and terrifying, world to dive into.
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
Terminator keeps getting awful movies and a lot of bad games, but in the comics it fares very well. The Alex Ross' debut in the great Terminator: The Burning Earth (1990), that perfectly follows the original concept of the first movie, and the very nice prequel Terminator: All My Futures Past (1990), would be my highlights. But you will see more stuff in the posts.
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
RoboCop is another one that hasn’t fared very well in later movies and games, but got some nice comics. I’d say some focus too much on heroic police action and forget the awesome absurdly dystopic background, but series like RoboCop: Road Trip (2011-2012), a sequel to the RoboCop (2010) series, perfectly captures it, with high doses of subtle black humor. Also a nod to RoboCop: Last Stand (2013-2014), with Frank Miller’s vision for the final chapter of the original movie series.
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
It's a damn crime this universe wasn't explored in comics! All we got are some Fury Road prequels adding background to Max, Furiosa, Immortan Joe and Nux. They are some very nice comics though.
But we need more!
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
They made a comic with short stories in the universe, named I Am Legend: Awakening (2017), that is quite ok, but what is really amazing is Steve Niles' Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend (1991) superb and faithful adaptation.
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
Planet of the Apes also got shit tons of comics. Direct adaptations, sequels, prequels, alternative settings, extra adventures... from long series in the 70s, some manga in the late 60s, to modern stuff being released every year. I really don't recommend most of them, as I'm really just a fan of the first two movies, but I will be posting what I like. One highlight of mine would be Planet of the Apes: Ursus (2018), taking place before and during the first two original movies and adding so much to it.
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
The biggest sci-fi franchise after Star Trek, obviously got an absurd amount of comics too. I haven't touched the oldest stuff, but there are some very cool later entries. My highlights are the Star Wars: Purge (2005-2013) and especially its sequel Star Wars: Dark Times (2006-2013) series.
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
For Altered Carbon fans, there are a few other Takeshi Kovacs adventures that expands the creative horrors this universe can deliver. Altered Carbon: Download Blues (2019) and Altered Carbon: One Life, One Death (2021).
I commented on the series here.
Another fantastic book series made famous by a TV adaptation, the comics are all supplementary to the show, and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth (2023-2024) is to work as its last season.
I commented on the series here.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1976-1977)
Written and drawn by Jack Kirby, the movie adaptation and the original ten issue series mark the return of the legendary artist to Marvel. Honestly the adaptation is pretty poor, and the series is just ok - too many sword wielding heroes for my taste, but the first part, that takes place in space, is quite cool.
I guess this is here more as curiosity piece.
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
Another universe that they could explore so much but they did so little, although the game is top notch. The Warriors got a very nice official adaptation, and at the same time the cool little sequel The Warriors: Jailbreak (2009-2011). Because no Warrior gets left behind.
[I will comment on the movie when the section is ready]
Most people don't know, but Chuck Palahniuk actually made two comic sequels for [redacted]. They get increasingly weird, absurd and abstract, and honestly the fourth wall breaks were kinda cringy... [redacted] 2 goes very well, it's an interesting read. The [redacted] 3 kinda derailed in my opinion. Not an essential read, more of a curiosity piece for the [redacted] fans.
[I will comment on the movie when the section is ready]
A miniseries showing the events of the movie through the antagonist's perspective.
Very cool art all around.
[I will comment on the movie when the section is ready]
A nice DC straight movie adaptation.
On another note: There is a very little known comic sequel made in 2011 by Dynamite. I don't think I'm going to be posting it though... it kinda sucks. Just mentioning for movie fans that would like to see a "what if" of the next day.
[I will comment on the movies when the section is ready]
Another DC straight adaptation, the art is kinda dull to me, though... another curiosity piece.
[I will comment on the movie when the section is ready]
Avatar also got a bunch of comics. Prequels, sequels, extra adventures, background to adventures... they are all very enjoyable if you are really into the universe, but so far I feel like the only must-read for the fans is Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Search (2013).
I commented on the cartoons here.
Adventure Time might have finished on TV, but the comics... they seem to be endless - and as psychedelic as always.
I commented on the cartoon here.
A four issues original story released to promote the live action adaptation... and, honestly, way more entertaining.
[I will comment on the anime when the section is ready]
For how recent this series is, you are going to be surprised by how many comic spin-offs it has. A lot of adventures mentioned in the show are actually here, and it has a lot of different writers, but the downside is that they are notoriously Rated G... yeah, most of the comics are pretty lame, but you will see me posting a few that I like.
I commented on the cartoon here.
There is not much I can say, I won't even make separate entries for them. They both got a lot of comics, and a couple of crossovers, and it's more of Simpsons and Futurama. If you like the shows, odds are you gonna like the comics too. I will be posting panels from my favorites.
I commented on the cartoon here and here.
[PLACE HOLDER] I still haven't posted the comics.
I commented on the cartoon here.
• Video Game franchises •
Cyberpunk 2077 is getting a lot of comic miniseries and they are all fantastic! Cyberpunkish to the core, beautiful art, great writers, from revenge stories with surprising characters, introspective psychological thrillers to heist comedy, there isn't a single comic that I can't recommend. I love it all!
[I will comment on the game when the section is ready]
Starcraft has developed a great universe and there is so much to tell in it. It has quite a few miniseries, some of which are very good and you will see around. I particularly like StarCraft: Scavengers (2018) and its sequel StarCraft: Survivors (2019).
[I will comment on the game when the section is ready]
Taking place one year after the events of the original game and continuing from one of the possible endings, the Life is Strange comics span twenty-two issues. Although they are nowhere near as thrilling, and are more focused on drama, they’re a very cool read if you also felt empty after beating the game.
[I will comment on the game when the section is ready]
"When you ask the point of our brothers dying, you ask the point of war itself. You ask for some great unifying purpose. You ask for a story. One where every event, choice, and turn of fate leads to revelation. But this is not the nature of war. War simply is. Eternal and unending."
The most brutal space sci-fi franchise also has a lot of comics expanding its rich and complex mythos.
inb4 someone says Warhammer 40,000 is not a video game franchise.
[I will comment on the game when the section is ready]
The Last of Us: American Dreams (2013)
A four issues miniseries that is a prequel to the instant cult classic game.
[I will comment on the game when the section is ready]
The Division is an awesome game about a post-apocalyptic world swept by a pandemic. They made two comics that work as a prequel to the second game: Tom Clancy's The Division: Extremis Malis (2019) and Tom Clancy's The Division: Remission (2022), both quite nice.
[I will comment on the game when the section is ready]
From the best nazi-killing video game franchise ever, this miniseries is a prequel to the game Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. It kicks nazi ass.
[I will comment on the game when the section is ready]
From one of the best cyberpunk game series, it has quite a few novels but sadly very few comics.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (2011) is a side story for the game of the same name, and then there are Deus Ex Universe: Children's Crusade (2016) and Deus Ex Universe: The Dawning Darkness (2016), that are prequels to the game Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.
[I will comment on the game when the section is ready]
A comic made as an introduction to the forgotten 90’s game gem, Quarantine II. A post-apocalyptic Taxi Driver.
[I will comment on the game when the section is ready]
I'm actually posting those because they are two games I really love and they got some miniseries in Sonic The Comic magazine.
Kid Chameleon ran in 1993 from issues #07 to #12, and got another run in 1995 from issues #54 to #59.
Streets of Rage also ran in 1993 from issues #07 to #12, got another run in 1994 from issues #25 to #30, and then another from 1994 to 1995 from issues #41 to #46.
• Webcomics and Comic Strips •
Romantically Apocalyptic (2010-????)
By Vitaly S. Alexius. Following the adventures of Zee Captain and his ragtag group through the radioactive wastelands, Romantically Apocalyptic is an absurd sci-fi horror drama parody that out of nowhere strikes you with very deep stories and abstract philosophical concepts. One of my favorite graphic novels ever, and I recommend for Douglas Adams and Lewis Carroll fans.
Gone With The Blastwave (2005-????)
By Kimmo Lemetti. One of the most classic webcomics series, Gone With the Blastwave is a post-apocalyptic black humor blast. A lot of people think Romantically Apocalyptic was copying it, but in fact, it had a few concept arts and gags released even before Gone With the Blastwave. No one was copying anyone, they are just two great post-apocalyptic series.
From the twisted minds of Kamagurka and Herr Seele, an absurd and surreal comic strip that has been running since 1981 and was collected in several books. Sadly, too few have been translated from Dutch.
Wait, I said those guys were twisted? Wait till you meet Joan Cornellà!
Here are some other webcomics I find great:
• Berkeley Mews • • Brad Jonas • • Channelate • • Dogmo • • Extra Fabulous • • Good Bear • • Hot Paper Comics • • Jeroom • • Jesse McGibney • • Mr. Lovenstein • • Rory Blank • • The Perry Bible Fellowship • • Toothy Bj •
