A Ranking Of The Best Comic Books Of All Time

We’re not quite sure when or why it happened, but at some point, it became cool to be into superheroes. Stuff that might once have gotten you picked on in school is now considered “in.” Well, better late than never, right? Of course, if your interest in this genre and those of a similar vein is pretty new, you might not be that familiar with a lot of what many call the “essentials.”

We’re referring to comic books. These are the things you used to have to rely on for superheroes and other stuff of that ilk because Disney wasn’t dropping new movies and TV shows at every opportunity. If you’ve never picked one up before, now would be a great time to do so. However, a ranking of the best comic books of all time could help you get familiar with the best of the best.

5. Watchmen offers plenty of depth and narrative intrigue in its critically-acclaimed series

The 2009 superhero film ‘Watchmen’ was a decent take on the comic book series of the 1980s. However, it doesn’t really do justice to the depth that you get from reading the story. Alan Moore’s work does a wonderful job of covering moral struggles and political commentary in a world where superheroes have changed the course of history. There’s a very rich narrative weaved throughout the series that offers a compelling read while also satirizing the very thing it's focused around. Both a critical and commercial success, it’s one of the few comic books to appear on the New York Times Best Seller list, so it’s definitely worth your time.

4. V for Vendetta is a dark, gripping tale that’s very difficult to put down

It seems we have Alan Moore to thank for several of the best comic books of all time. Another of his works that stands as one of the greatest ever made is ‘V for Vendetta.’ You may be familiar with the 2005 dystopian film starring Natalie Portman and written by the Wachowskis, but you may not have known it started as a comic book. Released in the 1980s, it’s a dark tale that follows a character's efforts to overthrow the government and drive people to embrace anarchy in the face of fascism. It hardly makes for the most comforting read, especially if you’re after something light to relax with. However, it’s still an incredible story that deserves its stellar reputation.

3. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is the pinnacle of Batman comics

It’s hard to believe that Batman has been around since 1939. A ton of comic books about the hero have come out since then, but the one that always stands out to us is ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ from 1986. Featuring some classic villains, it sees Batman go up against the police and the government, culminating in an epic confrontation with Superman. This is hailed as one of the most influential Batman stories ever made and paved the way for Bruce Wayne and other heroes to be seen in a darker, more mature light. A very gripping tale that may well have you on the edge of your seat, this is definitely one you don’t want to miss out on.

2. Batman: Year One offers one of the most engrossing origin stories out there

While ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ might be the biggest standout in the series, we have to highlight ‘Batman: Year One’ as well. By now, most people are familiar with how the man came to be the hero of Gotham City. However, this story from 1987 gives a real insight into how he became the man he is today. As the name suggests, it reveals what happened during his first year as a crime fighter, and it doesn’t only cover Batman’s story. It also gives plenty of attention to Commissioner Gordon, building up to their first meeting and how they came to build their alliance. Origin stories aren’t hard to come by in comic books, but this is easily one of the best.

1. The Sandman blends horror and mythology in a captivating way

Neil Gaiman has repeatedly proven himself to be a creative, compelling writer, and that’s never been clearer than in the comic book series ‘The Sandman.’ Running from the late ‘80s to the mid-’90s, this title demonstrated that DC comics can give you more than just superheroes. Blending history, mythology, and horror, it creates a wonderful story about accepting change through a dark and mystifying narrative. Like most of these other titles, it appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list and has been a huge influence on fantasy works in the years since. If you haven’t watched the Netflix adaptation yet, it’s definitely worth reading this version first.

There are plenty of comic books that deserve a lot of love. Still, a ranking of the best comic books of all time is a great place to start for newbies and oldies alike. They’re excellent examples of how captivating they can be and will hopefully get you hooked enough to keep reading for years to come.