Comics. They’ve been around for decades upon decades with individual issues numbering somewhere in the millions. However, amongst the crowd there are stories that stand out above the rest.
Of those millions of comics, there are obviously, like any storytelling medium, complete duds and those that stand out amongst the rest. Those stories will stand the test of time and, as such, deserve to be discussed and talked about at every and any occasion possible. With that said, what are the 10 best graphic novels of all-time?
Obviously, and this shouldn’t need to be said, but I will anyway, these are my opinions. This is not a definitive list by any stretch of the imagination. Because of that, there’s going to be a lot of DC Comics on this list. Sue me. The criteria for this list also was that the graphic novels needed to be individual stories, which have a beginning, middle, and end and there will be no extended runs that cannot be collected into one trade (Sorry Black Hammer and Hellboy). With that said, let’s get into the list.
Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
What can be said about Watchmen that hasn’t been said thousands of times over by now? Watchmen is a masterpiece of deconstruction of superheroes that pushes many questions and themes among the 12-issue series. For me though, the book has always been about corruption, no matter the character. From the conspiracy driven Rorschach to the omniscient god Dr. Manhattan, every character in the series has been corrupted in some shape or form. A lot of the wrong lessons have been taken from Watchmen over the years, but the masterpiece of a graphic novel has never changed.
Harleen by Stjepan Sejic
The most recent release that will appear on this list, Harleen is a masterpiece of a Harley Quinn origin story. Completely character-driven, Stjepan Sejic makes a horrific tragedy out of Harleen Quinzel’s descent into madness. The series takes the broad story beats from other Harley origins stories, such as Mad Love, but expands on everything in the best ways possible. If you are ever going to read one Harley Quinn story, Harleen should be your only choice in the matter.
Punk Rock Jesus by Sean Murphy
What do you get when you combine a clone of a messiah, reality TV, and punk rock? Well, you get Punk Rock Jesus of course. This book is a heart-wrenching tale of loss, fame, religion, and everything in between. Nearly every character in the book should be unlikeable and yet, by the end, the book will manage to tear your heart out when anything happens to them. With a name like Punk Rock Jesus, this book should be nowhere as good as it is and yet, it’s a masterpiece.
The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, and Mike Dringenberg
The first volume of The Sandman, apart from being the first issues of the best comic series of all-time, is a perfect stand-alone horror story by itself. Plus, this is the introduction of two of the most iconic characters in comics ever, Dream and Death of the Endless, with Death in particular being one of my favorites. This graphic novel has everything you could ever want from a horror/fantasy comic with issue #6, titled “24 Hours,” being particularly horrifying and great.
Mister Miracle by Tom King and Mitch Gerads
What is the one thing that an escape artist can’t escape from? Well, that’s the key premise of Mister Miracle by Tom King and Mitch Gerads. This series is a masterwork in character exploration and deftly traverses many thematic elements. From its depiction of depression, love, parenthood, trauma, and more. This is a brilliant series on every level and one that everyone needs to read at least once.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier by Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting, Michael Lark, and John Paul Leon
How does someone retcon a plot point that is decades old in an effective manner? Well, you’ll need to read Captain America: The Winter Soldier to find out. The first part of Ed Brubaker’s run on the correct, you can read it completely by itself and it will still stand as one of the most emotional Marvel stories ever put to page. A story about grief, abuse, and loss masquerading as a superhero story, The Winter Soldier still stands as one of the best Captain America, no, best Marvel stories of all-time, even when separated completely from the rest of Ed Brubaker’s run on the character.
All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
If you ever want to read the perfect version of Superman, All-Star Superman is absolutely the book you should pick up. In just 12 issues, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely manage to do things with Superman that no other team would manage to think of over a 100-issue run. It perfectly embodies who Superman is. He’s not just a big guy with powers who can punch well. He’s so much more than that. Plus, this book probably has the best single page in the comic book medium (pictured below).
Green Arrow: War of the Clans by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino
There are plenty of great Green Arrow stories out there, but none of them quite hit the way that War of the Clans does. It did something special to the Green Arrow mythos that hadn’t been done since The Longbow Hunters in the 80s and it expanded the mythos drastically. By introducing the different Weapon Clans, it made Green Arrow’s world feel so much bigger and rewarding to be a part of. The art in nearly every issue is mind-blowing amazing as well.
DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke
Take nearly everything that was said about All-Star Superman and you can apply that to Darwyn Cooke’s magnum opus DC: The New Frontier. An origin story for the Silver Age versions of the Justice League, this book reaffirms everything that makes these superheroes heroes in the first place. From Superman to Batman to Wonder Woman to Martian Manhunter, The New Frontier contains some of the best versions of these characters ever put to page or screen. It’s genuinely a perfect story and one I always go back to.
Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli
A “Top 10” comics list would feel empty without any Batman stories on it, so why not put the best Batman origin ever on here. It’s been over thirty years since it was released and Year One still holds up impeccably well. An exciting story that is just as much Batman’s as it is Jim Gordon’s, Year One is the quintessential story to read for any Batman or comic fan. And yes, I think it’s better than The Dark Knight Returns.
