10 Best Comic Books of All Time
Remember cracking open your first comic book as a kid? That magical moment when ink and paper transported you to extraordinary worlds? All of your comics felt like the best comic books of all time back then, each a treasure in its own right.
What truly makes a comic the best is highly subjective. While there's no definitive answer, specific titles have earned widespread acclaim for their revolutionary storytelling, groundbreaking artwork, and enduring legacy.
Let’s explore the comics that have consistently earned their place in the pantheon of greatness, shaping comic book collections and forever changing visual storytelling.
#10. Daredevil: Born Again
Every superhero comic fan has at least heard of Daredevil, but this particular series serves as a landmark for the genre. The story follows Matt Murdock as his nemesis, Kingpin, destroys his life, stripping him of his identity and pushing him to the breaking point.
Frank Miller's unflinching narrative tackles subjects that were often considered taboo for comics in the 80s, such as addiction and mental illness.
The ultimate draw of this comic is in its hope. Daredevil undergoes a powerful redemption arc, proving that no matter how low one may go, they can always come back from the brink of hell.
#9. Saga
One of the best comic books from the past decade, this cosmic take on Romeo and Juliet follows star-crossed lovers from different species as they flee across the galaxy with their newborn daughter.
With extraordinarily deep characters, Fiona Staples' breathtaking art, and a narrative by Bryan K. Vaughn that's both cosmic and personal, Saga reveals everything magnificent about comics without coming across as pretentious.
#8. The Killing Joke
Alan Moore's controversial Batman story explores the duality between sanity and madness through Batman and the Joker's eternal struggle.
While some fans revere it as gospel and others dismiss it as overrated, its lasting cultural resonance proves its worth. Moore's exploration of Batman’s central themes continues to inspire creators decades later, cementing its place among the greatest comic books of all time.
#7. Scott Pilgrim
This subversive tale about a flawed protagonist fighting his girlfriend's seven evil exes has profoundly influenced modern pop culture. Bryan Lee O'Malley created characters that felt authentically twenty-something while placing them in increasingly absurd scenarios riddled with video game logic.
These key elements make Scott Pilgrim stand out:
Unique art style blending Eastern and Western influences
A story that doesn’t take itself too seriously yet continuously raises the stakes
Brilliant visual storytelling drawing inspiration from classic video games
Scott Pilgrim resonates because it balances fantastical themes with relatable elements that span generations.
#6. V for Vendetta
V for Vendetta is a dystopian tale that follows an enigmatic, masked vigilante on a quest to dismantle a totalitarian government. V is an inherently unreliable narrator, keeping readers on their toes as they grapple with the truth.
This comic is lauded not only for its compelling story but also for its modern political influence. Even for those who don’t know the comic, its iconic Guy Fawkes mask has transcended fiction to become a worldwide symbol of resistance against oppression.
#5. Maus
Maus is a graphic memoir depicting Art Spiegelman’s interviews with his father about surviving the Holocaust, rendering Jews as mice and Nazis as cats. The comic ingeniously weaves two narratives—Vladek's wartime experiences and Art's complex relationship with his traumatized father decades later.
This comic made history as the first and only graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize, legitimizing comics as a serious literary medium capable of profound artistic expression.
#4. The Walking Dead 2003
The Walking Dead chronicles survivors navigating a zombie apocalypse, focusing on how humans adapt and often destroy each other when society collapses.
The character-driven narrative proved a non-superhero title could achieve mainstream success while asking the ultimate question: When civilization falls, does our humanity follow?
#3. Doom Patrol
Doom Patrol in itself is classic, but it's Grant Morrison's revolutionary run that truly redefines the team comic. The characters are underdogs in the purest sense, and they explore themes of identity and found family so vividly that they practically leap off the page.
While psychologically complex like many great comics, Morrison's work remains refreshingly fun, capturing that magical feeling of picking up a comic for the first time and making it one of the best comic books ever.
#2. The Sandman
The Sandman is a surreal masterpiece that follows Dream, ruler of the dream realm, through a narrative that transcends conventional storytelling. Neil Gaiman’s love letter to mythology weaves themes of destiny and desire into a metaphysical tapestry that's impossible to forget.
With poetic dialogue that lingers in readers' minds and rotating artists whose distinctive styles enhance each arc's themes, The Sandman is widely regarded as a pinnacle of comic artistry.
#1. Watchmen
This revolutionary work deconstructs superhero mythology through a murder mystery that unravels into a complex exploration of morality and power.
Watchmen transformed comics through groundbreaking narrative techniques that turn every page into a multilayered reading experience:
Strategic nine-panel grid
Symbolic color progression
Meticulous visual metaphors
By tackling complex philosophies while offering a satirical take on Cold War politics, Watchmen transcends its medium and proves graphic storytelling can achieve literary sophistication.
Find Your Own Comic Book Treasures at ShopGoodwill.com
These ten iconic comics represent the pinnacle of graphic storytelling, each pushing boundaries and expanding what the medium could accomplish. But this list is subjective—everyone has a favorite.
If you’re unsure what your “best” comic is, it never hurts to pick up something new and start reading. ShopGoodwill.com features a constantly changing selection of donated modern and vintage comic books. You might discover a childhood favorite, a rare comic book, or even one of these legendary titles at a fraction of typical prices. Best of all, every purchase supports Goodwill's mission of providing job training and employment opportunities in your community.
Sources:
The Streamr. ‘Daredevil: Born Again’: Comic’s Greatest Masterpiece. https://thestreamr.com/2023/01/09/daredevil-born-again-comics-greatest-masterpiece/
Book Riot. Why SAGA Is Such An Effective Gateway Comic. https://bookriot.com/saga-gateway-comic/
Nothing But Comics. The Killing Joke’s Lasting Resonance. https://nothingbutcomics.wordpress.com/2014/05/05/the-killing-jokes-lasting-resonance/
Digital Trends. Is Scott Pilgrim the best comic book story ever? https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/scott-pilgrim-best-comic-ever-scott-pilgrim-takes-off/
CBR. How 40 Years of Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta Has Changed Comics—And the World. https://www.cbr.com/v-for-vendetta-at-40/
The Gutter Review. Art Spiegelman’s ‘Maus’: More Than Just “The Holocaust Comic.” https://www.thegutterreview.com/art-spiegelmans-maus-more-than-just-the-holocaust-comic/
The Daily Beacon. ‘The Walking Dead’ comic offers a compelling insight into the human experience. https://www.utdailybeacon.com/city_news/entertainment/the-walking-dead-comic-offers-a-compelling-insight-into-the-human-experience/article_12989be8-000d-11ea-8836-eb42c3aa977a.html
You Don’t Read Comics. Let’s Talk About Grant Morrison’s Doom Patrol. https://www.youdontreadcomics.com/articles/2019/11/20/lets-talk-about-grant-morrisons-doom-patrol
Adobo Magazine. 3 Reasons The Sandman is one of the best comic books ever. https://www.adobomagazine.com/featured/comics-4-reasons-the-sandman-is-one-of-the-best-comic-books-ever/
GQ. The Sandman: A Beginner’s Guide. https://www.gq.com/story/the-sandman-a-beginners-guide
Business Insider. How “Watchmen” changed the history of comic books forever.https://www.businessinsider.com/watchmen-best-comic-series-hbo-alan-moore-2019-11