My favorite comic books of 2026 so far
Let's talk comic books
I read comic books off and on. But this year I’ve been on the longest comic-reading streak I’ve ever had. I will put my complete list at the end, but here’s what I’ve enjoyed most this year.
The highlights
Astro-City, Vol. 1. This is the 1990s book by Kurt Busiek from the library that got me back into comics this year. Each story is a standalone character study of an individual who lives in Astro-City, in a world where superheroes exist. As the stories progress, the world gets filled in, and we see it from many different perspectives. I’m a sucker for these kinds of slow-build, interlinked, worldbuilding projects.
Rogue Sun. Rogue Sun is my favorite ongoing comic book series. I’ve read all the back issues, and I look forward to it when it comes out each month. It’s part of the Kyle Higgin’s Radiant Black “Massive-verse,” but IMHO, it eclipses RB. I like all the main and supporting characters, the monsters, the arch-villain, the artwork, the setting (mainly New Orleans). Ryan Parrott’s writing consistently makes me laugh. The world keeps getting bigger, and I love every minute of it.
The Absolute DC Universe. The “Absolute” reboot of the DC Universe is currently the new hotness in the comic world. Each of the classic characters, such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, have been reimagined in a more contemporary setting, often as more “underdog” characters, it seems like. I’ve enjoyed just about everything I’ve read. (Except maybe Absolute Green Lantern?) My one minor dislike is that sometimes the colors in some of the comics seem very dark and muddy or low-contrast. Like a very narrow palette of colors on the dark end of things. More than once I’ve looked at a panel and wondered if something was wrong with my eyes. It was just hard to see. Maybe it’s a DC thing. But overall, enjoyable and solid reads.
Zorro #1. I grabbed this one on a whim at the comic shop, and I’m interested to see where this one goes. The original Zorro was an inspiration for Batman. (He’s rich, he wears all black, he has no super powers, he protects the weak against the corrupt and powerful. He leaves his enemies alive, just leaves them with his mark. He’s basically a detective/vigilante. His name is an animal.) The best part about Zorro is his wit, and this comic by Howard Chaykin captures that well. I’m in.
Reckless. I didn’t know how much I needed some noir in my life. Ed Brubaker’s 2020-22 Reckless series is set in 1980s Los Angeles. Ethan Reckless is a great private-eye/fixer character who lives on the edge of society. Whenever there’s nothing going on, he goes surfing. The tone of the books is remarkably consistent throughout. It’s a whole mood—a vibe, if you will—that once you get into, you forget you’re reading a comic book. You’re just there. (Definitely an R-rated series, be forewarned.)
Monstress #61. I’ve only read one issue of Monstress, a series by writer Marjorie Liu that has been around for a long time now. But the artwork by Sana Takeda was head and shoulders above the average comic book. I found myself wanting to linger on every page just to soak it all in. Definitely going to read more of this one.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Wow. This book by Tom King was incredible. It was also bursting with color in a way I appreciate. Halfway through I thought to myself, I never want this to end. I wish this book was ten times longer. It’s kind of crazy that the TPB came out in 2022, and there’s already going to be a movie version next week. From the trailer it looks like it’s going to follow the the book in some ways but definitely not in others. As I’ve written before, I don’t think movies need to match books they are based on. They never can.
