The Best Indie Comic Book Series of 2021
Independent publishers are the life-blood of the comics industry. They’re its heart and soul, forever dedicated to providing readers with something truly special.
Contrasting Marvel and DC, indie publishers are unencumbered by decades of shared-universe continuity or the negative influence of shareholder expectations on creative output, allowing them to regularly release original and innovative stories that comic book fans genuinely connect with.
2021 delivered a vast number of exceptionally memorable indie comics that touched readers' emotions and helped develop and evolve the comic book as a form.
Please enjoy our Top Thirty Best Indie Comic Book Series of 2021.
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1. We Live
Writer: Roy Miranda and Inaki Miranda
Artist: Inaki Miranda
Publisher: Aftershock Comics
This book is heartbreaking.
Countless comic books centre on the lead character’s triumph over adversity, a successful hero’s journey where they draw upon previously unknown strength to overcome the evil plot of one sinister villain. It’s the comfort fantasy of ‘Good vs. Evil’, which is so easy for readers to happily sink into, enjoy, and be inspired by.
‘We Live’ is not this. A key reason why it works so well is how impressively it rings true to real life. Real adversity is generally not something to triumph over; rather it’s something to push through and endure, coming out the otherside scathed and weaker than you were. It’s not something to engage out of a sense of altruism or glory, but to face out of necessity, caused by hard or unforeseen circumstances. Adversity can be incredibly complicated to resolve, and it’s rarely as tangible as one wicked person and their nefarious actions.
‘We Live’ follows Tala, a young girl amidst the apocalypse, and her treacherous trek to get her younger brother Hototo off-planet before the imminent destruction of the world. Hototo is one of only five thousand lucky children selected to leave earth, with the rest of humanity doomed to die with the planet. Tala’s journey to deliver her brother to safety in the face of her own demise is crushingly sad, as they’re overwhelmed by mutated monsters, death cults, attempts to steal Hototo’s chance at a new life, and the tragic sacrifices of new friends. Most devastating is Hototo’s resentment towards Tala, in the face of what he perceives to be another cruel familial abandonment.
What drives home the tragedy is consistently beautiful art. Inaki Miranda has created an awe-inspiring world and emotionally engaging characters that will transfix any comic book reader, hardcore or casual. The book climaxes in an unexpected but satisfying manner, immediately begging for a repeat reading from the beginning.
‘We Live’ is the must read comic book of 2021.
2. Karmen
Writer: Guillem March
Artist: Guillem March
Publisher: Image Comics
One of the most original concepts featured in a comic book in 2021, ‘Karmen’ is an unflinching expression of the selfishness and inaccuracy of personal despair and its effects on those around us.
‘Karmen’ manages to be simultaneously light and dream-like and painfully tense. It causes readers to reflect on the possibilities of an afterlife or the dread of nothingness, and their own individual turmoils and flaws.
The art is striking, consistently attractive and graceful, while visceral and graphic in the book’s harshest moments. It carries much of the story-telling weight, something Guillem March has also managed throughout 2021 with his ‘Batman’ visuals.
‘Karmen’ isn’t for everyone, especially those who could find the plot’s subject matter triggering. Readers that do love it will find it to be a new favourite book, one certain to stand the test of time.
3. Home Sick Pilots
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Caspar Wijngaard
Publisher: Image Comics
Home Sick Pilots offers readers so much.
Caspar Wijngaard’s art is something to behold. It’s wholly original, sharp, focused, loud, and energetic. Most notably, the colour palette used throughout ‘Pilots’ is superb, and does so much to define the comic. It champions a swathe of strong pinks and purples, supported ably by a range of blues, using darker shades for linework, lighter shades for shadows, and blinding white to cut through and accentuate the reader's focal choice.
The overall visual design of the comic is also something to behold, and Wingaard’s art is lifted by and shines thanks to Aditya Bidikar’s lettering, Tom Muller’s design work, and Erika Schnatz as production artist. Each aesthetic panel contains so much for readers to settle on and get lost in, while the repeated use of defined rectangular panels allows for a clear focus that drives the action forward. It’s very easy to imagine the panels being adapted straight into a movie storyboard, particularly with how well they would already translate as framed camera shots.
All of this wouldn’t mean much without Dan Watters hugely enjoyable ghost-punk tale, which delivers whether reading individual issues month-to-month or smashing through a ‘Pilots’ trade paperback in one sitting.
Horror and Punk Rock are both genres that revel in exploring new creative horizons, while being endlessly scrutinised and criticised by supposed die-hard fans for attempting to stray from what they believe to be their genre’s core characteristics. Possibly helped by nostalgia for ‘Home Sick Pilots’ early nineties setting, it’s highly unlikely to be chastised by the punk police or horror family, and instead could be regarded by hardcore purists as the one new title that “gets it.”
4. Man-Eaters: The Cursed
Writer: Chelsea Cain
Artist: Lia Miternique, Kate Niemczyk
Publisher: Image Comics
‘Man-Eaters’ (2018) was a hugely successful title, easily accessible for new comic book fans and offering so much for seasoned readers. It struck a perfect balance between light-hearted silly horror fun and the perils of puberty and necessity of feminism.
Humorously funny and beautifully drawn and coloured, the action moved at a clip and delivered tight storylines that begged for repeat readings. Where ‘Man-Eaters’ really shone was in the graphic design of the comic. It featured new techniques and creative elements interspersed throughout the standard text-and-image of a comic, doing so in such a way that it evolved the comic book as a form.
If you enjoyed ‘Man-Eaters’, then pick up ‘The Cursed’ immediately. The driving creative combination of Chelsea Cain and Lia Miternique - hot off the back of 2020’s incredible ‘Spy Island’ - pair once again with Kate Niemczyk to deliver something above-and-beyond the quality of nearly all comics released in 2021.
Niemczyk’s highly emotive character expressions are delightful, and her excellent line definition is something to behold, whether capturing the nature of people and animals, or creating fantastical environments.
The story that ‘The Cursed’ tells lands effectively, simultaneously a breezy pleasure and dramatic tension. Miternique’s design work once again lifts the whole of the book into something incredible, whether supporting the core artwork and narrative, telling the story itself, or through supplemental design elements that deliver intriguing depth for the ‘Man-Eaters’ world.
All of this quality is supported by Joe Caramagna’s perfect letter work (showing why he’s one of the best in the world), beautiful colouring by Rachelle Rosenberg, and an ensemble of helpers offering additional creative material.
There’s not a cape in sight, so this book might not land for some more close-minded big-two diehards. For champions of ‘Man-Eaters’, it’s very likely to be their favourite book of the year, and rightly so. It’s also an immensely worthwhile read for any comic book fan excited to see the medium pushed further.
5. Specter Inspectors
Writer: Bowen McCurdy and Kaitlyn Musto
Artist: Bowen McCurdy
Publisher: Boom Studios
Boom Studios ‘BOOM! Box’ imprint is a market leader in all-ages comics, their superb output in recent years exemplified by the excellent quality of much-loved titles like ‘Lumberjanes’ and ‘Giant Days’.
It’s always exciting to give a new ‘BOOM! Box’ title a run, and forever disappointing to know that some comic readers wholly dismiss all-ages comics as being just for tweens and comic book newcomers.
‘Specter Inspectors’ is accessible for audiences of all ages, but it’s not immature by any means, especially as part of an industry whose creative output is full of Michael Bay-esque explosion-heavy plotless wonders, and whose idea of maturity often equates solely to grim stories featuring countless graphic murders.
Its demon-driven horror-mystery is true to the tropes of both genres, while never feeling stale or predictable. It moves at a brisk pace, but has no qualms about devoting a full page to set a scene. The art is clear, straightforward and comical, yet captivatingly intelligent in its use of well defined facial expressions to tell the story through visuals alone.
Arguably ‘Specter Inspectors’ greatest strength is its charismatic, well rounded characters. They ring true as real personalities, while also bringing the required level of excitement and energy needed by a burgeoning team of ghost-hunters who find that they’ve bitten off more than they can chew in trying to catch their first big break. They also offer much-needed representation for comic book readers that may struggle to relate to the overabundance of stories about straight, white, middle-aged men named Bruce or Steve.
If you pick ‘Specter Inspectors’ up in your local comic book shop, half an hour later you’ll find yourself halfway through the book and being asked to purchase it. And given its calling for repeat-readings - especially before easily foreseeable sequels - it’ll be one of your best purchases of 2021.
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6. Orphan and the Five Beasts
Writer: James Stokoe
Artist: James Stokoe
Publisher: Dark Horse
James Stokoe is a creator who embodies the phrase “quality over quantity”.
A cursory glance at his output shows a creator loved by critics and fans alike, someone who delivers no matter what he’s working on.
Nearly always pulling double-duties, the additional time he devotes to his output shows a writer and artist willing to take the time necessary to deliver excellent calibre comic books. It’s refreshing in the world of comics, where some writers have multiple titles on-the-go and are outputting new issues every week (spelling mistakes and all), and publishers have no hesitation in switching out artists and destroying the artistic cohesion of a book, so long as this ensures that they’ll stay on publishing schedule.
Not so for James Stokoe and Dark Horse, with over six months passing between the second and third issues of ‘Orphan and the Five Beasts’. A kung-fu epic that is constantly captivating, crazy, and, at times, a bit creepy, on page after page ‘Beasts’ offers the beautiful detail and care that Stokoe is known for.
With the fourth and final issue not set to be released until February 23rd next year, it will be a long-coming and well earned conclusion for readers and author alike. When ‘Orphan and the Five Beasts’ is finally released in full as a trade paperback next April, it's a certainty to find a devoted and enamoured audience, cementing James Stokoe as a must purchase for comic book devotees.
7. Mamo
Writer: Sas Milledge
Artist: Sas Milledge
Publisher: Boom Studios
There’s a huge skill in creating a new and original story, and having the nerve to let it unfold at the pace that it needs to be told.
Popular entertainment is plagued by narrative works beginning in medias res, opening in the midst of a plot in an attempt to capture an audience’s attention with an ultra high-impact occurrence, yet failing to understand that without any context that this merely evokes initial audience confusion, and then a lack of substantial climax when the story later reaches this point.
‘Mamo’ is superbly paced, happy to open with a bike-ride and a conversation-slash-argument between its two lead characters, both completely new to the reader. It takes the time to establish its world and its characters, and their journey - from strangers, to reluctant team-up, to friends, to even more - pays off for the reader because it has made the effort to tell their full story, and allowed readers to invest emotionally in the pairing, and to buy into the stakes and struggles that they face.
Arguably most vital to what makes ‘Mamo’ so special is its artwork, whose style feels tangible and pure, as though you’re viewing drawings fresh from the artist’s hand. It’s what allows the reader to be drawn into its charm, and escape into a joyous world of wonder.
8. Inkblot
Writer: Emma Kubert and Rusty Gladd
Artist: Emma Kubert and Rusty Gladd
Publisher: Image Comics
‘Inkblot’ is a joy to read. You can choose to get lost in the incredible detail of its high concept fantasy, or cruise through it leisurely as merely a fun story about a mischievous cat. Or both, as it begs for repeat readings.
In a year of superb comics, ‘Inkblot’ would always be the first title we’d read any week it was released. It’s cute, fun, and silly, while understanding the core tenets of the Fantasy genre, and managing to deliver the epic-scale battles and tense stakes required to satisfy hardcore fans.
It’s the best type of all ages title, including being fit for a huge range of people that may not usually read comics. It’s a worthy starting point for a younger child you’re looking to introduce to comics, and will certainly inspire any that love to draw. It would also make for a great Christmas gift for any fans of Tolkien or Pratchett, or really anyone that has a cat.
9. Six Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton
Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Chris Schweizer
Publisher: Image Comics
Something that is regularly frustrating about Marvel and DC comic books are how beholden each title is to their wider universe.
Even worse is when they realise a limited series is a success, and decide to commission additional issues, or even turn the limited series into an ongoing title.
Story structures are stretched, superfluous material gets added, pacing gets destroyed, additional creators are needed, and excellent quality work quickly devolves into mediocrity.
Thankfully, Indie publishers avoid this pitfall by consistently creating stories that adhere to basic story structure (crazy, right!). Even their ongoing series tend to break for a couple of months, factoring in time to allow creators to be able to plan their work, before putting their heads down to write and draw.
It’s a wise sales strategy, as you can be confident when picking up an indie trade that it’s going to tell a story with a beginning, a middle, and an ending, and that the quality isn’t going to radically dissipate after the first two issues of a ten issue book.
‘Six Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton’ is a mystery, the exact type of story that requires meticulous planning to steadily reveal its story, and keep readers intrigued while they ponder the possibilities in-step with the characters.
And it’s funny. As a mystery, ‘Six Sidekicks’ is focused on a murder with countless suspects, with no one really genuinely caring whether or not it’s solved. It successfully introduces a fun ensemble of characters with little in common apart from their respective work as TV sidekicks with the murder victim. They’re the only ones willing to attempt to solve the murder (written off as a suicide by police) due to, really, a lack of anything better to do.
Their lack of genuine care for the solution to the murder is explored through flashbacks to the abuse and mistreatment they each received from Trigger Keaton, the titular victim. As wild action and dangerous hijinks ensue, the strangers bond and become friends, and readers will find themselves hoping that they just forget about the case and head out for a beer and pizza.
Without spoilers, the story does have a satisfying conclusion, a deserved reward for any reader willing to take a chance on it. Highly recommended.
10. I Walk With Monsters
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist: Sally Cantirino
Publisher: Vault Comics
Potentially flying under the radar for some, ‘I Walk With Monsters’ is one of 2021’s comic book gems. It explores the always-there nature of childhood trauma, the questionable trust of a found family, and desperation to fit into imperfect circumstances.
It shows how unhealthy it can be to fixate on one goal, especially without any thought to what comes next. It delights with characters who despite their past are committed to a path of personal growth, while facing down the hard truth that improvement isn’t linear, and that they will still face some hardship in their future, possibly always.
‘I Walk With Monsters’ is a superbly plotted story, which maintains a singular focus on the journey of its core characters and their relationship, never feeling the need to bring in superfluous material or muddying the waters by aiming for multiple pay-offs. It knows when to pause completely, when to lull in the moment, when to raise the tempo, and when to bring everything to a head, resulting in a climax that has no obvious conclusion.
It’s a beautifully drawn book as well, with the artwork doing so much to tell the story and carry the overall emotional weight of the book. With the full series of six issues now released in trade paperback, pick this up as soon as you get a chance - just be prepared not to put it down until you’ve finished reading.
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11. Fishkill
Writer: Dan Fogler and Laurence Blum
Artist: Ben Templesmith
Publisher: Heavy Metal
‘Fishkill’ isn’t neat or clean, both in its narrative material and its artistic choices. It's gritty and grimy, and consistently bloody. Fishkill (the character) spends much of the story in the sewer, and at times the flecked ink and brown watercolour backgrounds make it feel like ‘Fishkill’ (the book) has as well.
Detective Fishkill isn’t an easy protagonist, his lumbering physicality, mental health difficulties, and often monosyllabic dialogue making him as challenging for readers to engage with as he is for the other characters.
He heavily contrasts with the book’s often overwhelming paragraphs of establishing copy, its cavalcade of often barely tangentially-related supporting characters, and the sinister intricacies of the wider world driving the plot.
If this sounds like a mess, that’s because it is. ‘Fishkill’ is a challenge to read, but one that’s overwhelmingly worthwhile for dedicated comic book fans. It’s not a book that does readers any favours, but once locked in to what it actually is rather than what it isn’t, it’s utterly captivating and incredibly satisfying.
12. The Picture of Everything Else
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Kishore Mohan
Publisher: Vault Comics
Placed upon shelves amongst scores of caped crusaders, ‘The Picture of Everything Else’ stands out like a sore thumb. And thankfully so, as it’s a title that is rich and rewarding to anyone curious enough to pick it up.
It’s bloody and grim, as a rash of impossible killings sweep through nineteenth century Paris, literally tearing the rich and beautiful apart in their beds. Two art thieves stumble upon portraits of the victims damaged in the exact same manner they died, and it appears the man who once painted the immortal portrait of Dorian Gray has returned with darker plans for future works.
Dan Watters is one of contemporary comics’ best writers. ‘Picture’ more than lives up to his other excellent work, such as ‘Lucifer’, ‘Coffin Bound’ and ‘Home Sick Pilots’.
It’s tense and depressing, pushing readers to turn page after page thanks to its captivating story, authentic characters, and fear that something terrible is about to happen at any moment. It lives and loves the art world that it occupies, with a veracity and earnestness that add significant depth to proceedings.
This book would have been up there with the very best of 2021, were it not for a spotty and then halted release schedule that has no doubt left every reader on tenterhooks. Thankfully, the remaining two issues are finally scheduled for release in 2022, with the fifth and final issue set for April 27th, more than sixteen months after issue one. Make sure to pick ‘The Picture of Everything Else’ up once it’s finally collected in full.
13. Eniac
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Doug Braithwaite
Publisher: Bad Idea
If you thought you saw Matt Kindt’s name pop up a lot in 2021, you’re not the only one. In addition to co-authoring the blockbuster ‘BRZRKR’ with Keanu Reeves, he released not one but two well received Dark Horse books (‘Fear Case’ and ‘Crimson Flower’), as well as other great material for Bad Idea, 2021’s best new comic book publisher.
‘ENIAC’ was the cream of the crop for Kindt, a tight blockbuster that backed up its non-stop action with a solid plot and intriguing characters. Following special ops members tasked with taking down a supercomputer bent on world destruction, it’s not a subtle book, but it’s not stupid either. Its ability to go large on base instincts of shoot-em-up-brutality and mega-explosions are anchored in reality (at least somewhat) by a grounded understanding of modern geopolitics and real life world history.
The quality of Kindt’s sharp writing is met in kind by Doug Braithwaite’s brutally graphic artwork, brought to life by Diego Rodriguez’s superb colours.
Indicative of its quality, the first run of ‘ENIAC’ #1 sold out ridiculously quick, and copies are still selling on eBay for comfortably more than $100USD. If you slept on this title because you missed it when it first went on sale, do what you can to pick it up as soon as possible.
14. Stray Dogs
Writer: Tony Fleecs
Artist: Trish Forstner
Publisher: Image Comics
The ‘Stray Dogs’ pre-release pitch was “Lady and the Tramp meets Silence of the Lambs”, a lamb-and-tuna-fish calibre combination that no one was asking for. The Disney-derivative preliminary pages had the look and feel of furry-art, perhaps unsurprising given the creators’ work on ‘My Little Pony’, and the partial fandom crossover.
In short, my hopes couldn’t have been lower for this book, readying myself for the worst title of 2021. Thankfully, I was extremely wrong. The book immediately landed successfully with critics and fans alike, and I was delighted to read every issue.
‘Stray Dogs’ plays well with an ensemble of canine characters who are hampered by their poor memories and unsure of, or even oblivious to, the danger they’re currently in. The warmth of the found-family of dogs is constantly shattered by violent flashbacks and grim foreboding, borne out of heinous human actions that some readers may find triggering.
It’s easy to buy into ‘Stray Dogs’ characters, and even easier to buy into their harrowing journey towards safety, especially if you’re the type that regularly asks worriedly “Does the Dog Die?”.
15. The Many Deaths of Laila Starr
Writer: Ram V
Artist: Filipe Andrade
Publisher: Boom Studios
This book was one of the most rewarding journeys of 2021.
At first, ‘The Many Deaths of Laila Starr’ feels like a lot - possibly even too much - as it takes time to lay out and define its complex world and bold ideas. Mortality, immortality, Gods’, the afterlife, magic, reality… it’s a lot to take in.
Thankfully, with the groundwork laid, the book settles into its compelling narrative. The recently fired God of Death is determined to stop the person set to crack the code for immortality, as they’re destined to forever change the course of humanity and leave Death as a redundant antique. Both journeys are partly comical and mostly heartbreaking, exploring what life and loss truly are, before coming to a head.
Elevating the big ideas and sharp plot is some truly exceptional art by Filipe Andrade (colour assists by Inês Amaro), the book’s penchant for pastel pinks and purples perfectly suiting the ethereal subject matter.
Overall, reading ‘The Many Deaths of Laila Starr’ is like having a big cry; somewhat draining, certain to make you sad, but afterwards you'll feel glad that you did.
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16. Big Girls
Writer: Jason Howard
Artist: Jason Howard
Publisher: Image Comics
There’s presently no shortage of entertainment options if you’re a fan of oversized mega-beasts battling it out in the centre of a city.
2021 saw the highly anticipated release of ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’. A popcorn blockbuster, it delivered the best outing for either character in decades, as long as you were willing to completely ignore the nonsensical plot.
There were also a host of giants hitting comic book racks this year, including ‘Kaiju Score’, ‘Jenny Zero’, and ‘Ultramega’. All three are worthwhile reads for fans of the Kaiju genre, each adding an original twist on the formula.
Dwarfing those titles was ‘Big Girls’ by Jason Howard, the critically acclaimed artist of ‘Trees’, written by the legendary Warren Ellis.
As both artist and writer of ‘Big Girls’, Howard manages to create a story that successfully intrigues as it works through the ‘Why?’ behind the titular big girls, before it unleashes the imminently necessary destruction.
When critiquing a movie like ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ it can be difficult to choose specifically what to criticise, when the sad answer is “the entire plot.” It’s hugely valuable to have creations like ‘Big Girls’ that can be pointed to as examples of how to do the genre right.
Sony Pictures are currently working on a ‘Kaiju Score’ film, with Brian and Mark Gunn (brother and cousin respectively to "Guardians of the Galaxy" director, James Gunn) announced as initial writers of the movie. Given the superiority of the source material, it would be very surprising not to see a ‘Big Girls’ movie come to screens in the near future as well.
17. Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death Tales
Writer: Gerard Way and Shaun Simon
Artist: I.N.J. Culbard
Publisher: Dark Horse
Who doesn’t love a spin-off? Well, most people, given the often dramatic decrease in quality from the source material. Thankfully, ‘Tales from the Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death’ is far more ‘Frasier’ or ‘Daria’ than it is ‘Mrs. Columbo’ or ‘Baywatch Nights’.
Klaus finds himself kicked out of the Umbrella Academy, and with his allowance discontinued by the senior Hargreeves, he finds himself in Hollywood on a quest for recognition and glory, coupled with countless side-quests to get as loose as humanly possible.
The focus on Klaus allows for a much lighter tone than the ‘Umbrella Academy’ books, and it’s comparatively a far more breezy and humorous read. Sure the stakes are lower, but they’re stakes that readers will invest in all the same. He’s the kind of character for whom things are always going wrong and then quickly going right, loved by nearly all, except the unpleasant antagonists he unwittingly crosses.
I.N.J. Culbard’s art is fantastic throughout, somewhat characteristic of Gabriel Bá’s ‘Umbrella Academy’ work while feeling original to itself and to the story it’s telling. Gerard Way’s writing is on point as always, combining superbly again with Shaun Simon, his ‘The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys’ writing partner.
‘You Look Like Death’ is a fantastic read, even if it doesn’t scream for more tales about Klaus, at least not immediately. It does highlight a notable opportunity for more ‘Tales from the Umbrella Academy’, as well as an overall need for more ‘Umbrella Academy’. Fingers crossed.
18. The Department Of Truth
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Martin Simmonds
Publisher: Image Comics
"Never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn." - Mark Brandon 'Chopper' Read (Australia's most infamous ex-criminal)
When it comes to creative endeavours, conspiracy theories are an undeniably rich source of material. Regardless of your opinions of the individual theories, the people that believe them, the psychology behind them, and their effects on present day society, they’re pure gold when measured against the majority of movie and television plots. It’s no wonder that Hollywood has long drawn from conspiracy theories for their creative output, including Oliver Stone’s ‘J.F.K.’ (1991), Richard Donner’s ‘Conspiracy Theory’ (1997), or ‘The X-Files’ (1998) movies and television series.
It makes complete creative sense. The mystery genre is one of the best there is. A reveal that there’s an even more powerful villain behind an initial villain is a plot bombshell, which opens a piece of work up for sequels.
‘The Department Of Truth’ has much in common with its conspiracy theory subject matter. It’s a strange book, at least when focusing purely on its story. It continually breaks off on tangents, only ever revealing part of the picture, and is guilty of raising far more questions than it ever answers. It’s a mental scramble for readers to recall what occurred in previous issues, these vague and fragmented perfectly acting as a perfect compliment to the partial truths and manufactured fictions that it explores.
What makes ‘The Department Of Truth’ something special is the overall art and visual design. Much like the writing, it seems determined to give as little as possible away to readers, with blurred faces, constant shadow, and poor framing of subjects its bread-and-butter. It effectively combines images to deliver the feeling that something is always operating under the surface, and its superfluous addition of scratchy linework throughout its settings and backgrounds echoes the creations of a serial killer, ensuring readers remain extremely on edge.
‘The Department Of Truth’ feels like the kind of series that could easily run for many years, bubbling under the surface with sporadic series releases. While it might not be the first title you read when you get home with your new comics, it's a treat when you’re in the mood for it.
19. The Devil’s Red Bride
Writer: Sebastian Girner
Artist: John Bivens
Publisher: Vault Comics
Forever popular in its native Japan, Samurai fiction also has a long history in Western popular culture, particularly movies. ‘The Magnificent Seven’ (1960) is a much loved Wild West–style remake of Akira Kurosawa's Japanese classic ‘Seven Samurai’ (1954). Kurosawa’s work also influenced George Lucas and his creation of the first ‘Star Wars’ films. And for better or worse (worse), ‘The Last Samurai’ (2003) starring Tom Cruise grossed a very tidy $456 million.
Americans Sebastian Girner and John Bivens follow in the footsteps of Hollywood with ‘The Devil’s Red Bride’, their bloody love letter to the genre. They nail its core tenets admirably, as the fierce Ketsuko, daughter of the Lord of the Aragami Clan, carries the burden of restoring honour to her family at whatever the cost.
Driven by guilt and vengeance, Ketsuko literally cuts through the harsh gender-restrictions of 16th century Japan, fearlessly taking on her family’s savage enemies and other-worldly threats that are far more sinister, all while trying not to lose her humanity in the process.
Bivens’ art is something to behold, his sharp, angular linework and costumes and weaponry delivering a seemingly very true and accurate representation of the time period. His bloody violence is graphic and delivers the impact required in key moments, potentially too gruesome for some, but certain to land with Samurai diehards.
Now available in trade paperback, ‘The Devil’s Red Bride’ is a must purchase for any fans of the genre. Anyone worried that they missed out on this title on its initial five issue release will be more than satisfied by being able to read the full book in one sitting.
20. A Man Among Ye
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Craig Cermak, Josh George
Publisher: Image Comics
2021 has been a breakthrough year for Stephanie Phillips, possibly more so than any other comic book writer. ‘The Butcher of Paris’, ‘Artemis and the Assassin’ and ‘Descendent’ were all highly deserving of the critical acclaim they received, and the positive reception from in-the-know fans.
Taking on the refreshed ‘Harley Quinn’ title was a big-enough task, given the high quality delivered by its previous long-running creators. Phillips not only met that challenge head-on, but throughout the year also managed to write basically all of DC Comics biggest characters, including Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Batman, along with some of the worst villains Gotham City and Arkham have to offer.
About as far removed from DC as a story could be, ‘A Man Among Ye’ is a pirate period piece that’s as exciting as it is fun. Phillips seemingly has a ball playing with the tales of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, two of the most famed female pirates of all time. True to the early eighteenth century time period, limited definitive truths are known about the pair, and Phillips deftly weaves her plot around their lives and myths, including their interactions with the famed pirate, Calico Jack Rackham.
Pirates in the arts and popular culture have a rich history that’s centuries long, dating back to when actual pirates still sailed the seven seas, and delivering long-standing classics like ‘The Pirates of Penzance’, ‘Treasure Island’, and ‘Peter Pan’. Twenty first century audiences may primarily relate pirates to the long-running ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie series, impossible to get away from, and increasingly wearing out their welcome with their ongoing decrease in quality.
‘A Man Among Ye’ delivers the best of the adventurous genre. Its grubby violence, ever-present dangers and journey towards glory at any cost are delivered with crisp humour, a frenzy of emotional betrayal, and thrilling action, certain to satisfy any reader.
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Honourable mentions
21. Snow Angels
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Jock
Publisher: Comixology Originals
The book is beautifully designed throughout and the action and drama are both perfect. This is what happens when you get two creators who are totally in sync with each other. The results are astounding.
Learn more about ‘Snow Angels’ here.
22. Crossover
Writer: Donny Cates
Artist: Geoff Shaw
Publisher: Image Comics
The best way to experience it is to pick it up for yourself. Wildly ambitious and relentlessly creative, ‘Crossover’ may end up being the coolest thing Cates and Shaw have ever done, which is certainly saying something.
Find out about ‘Crossover’ here.
23. A Comic Book History Of Animation
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Ryan Dunlavey
Publisher: IDW Publishing
If you want to know how it all began, I recommend ‘The Comic Book History of Animation’. The history is fascinating on its own, and the art makes it downright entertaining. Plus you get to learn some cool things along the way.
Learn more about ‘A Comic Book History Of Animation’ here.
24. Savage
Writer: Max Bemis
Artist: Nathan Stockman
Publisher: Valiant Comics
‘Savage’ puts a new spin on the fish-out-of-water scenario by going into how inauthentic internet influencer life can be. All of this really brings out the desire to be wild and free.
Find out about ‘Savage’ here.
25. Frontiersman
Writer: Patrick Kindlon
Artist: Marco Ferrari
Publisher: Image Comics
Perhaps the revolution will not be televised but, instead will be in the many growing independent or talent owned comics and creators who still wish to use comics as a mirror to society while still writing an entertaining and fresh plot.
Learn more about ‘Frontiersman’ here.
26. BRZRKR
Writer: Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt
Artist: Ron Garney
Publisher: Boom Studios
BRZRKR is breathtaking. It feels like the beginning of a Keanu Reeves movie, which is fitting since he helped write it. He and Kindt’s working relationship seems to be very good. There are so many secrets in this comic, and the visual storytelling is strong, thanks to veteran artist Ron Garney.
Find out about ‘BRZRKR’ here.
27. The Good Asian
Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote
Artist: Alexandre Tefenkgi
Publisher: Image Comics
This is a fantastic mystery story and even more fantastic examination of Chinese-American life in the late 1930's. This is a book that swings for the fences and has managed to land in the stars because of its ambition and the clear amount of work that went into it.
Learn more about ‘The Good Asian’ here.
28. Nottingham
Writer: David Hazan
Artist: Shane Connery Volk
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
This is obviously not one for the kiddies, and it's probably going to piss some folks off. ‘Nottingham’ challenges idol worship and the long held practice of canonizing atrocious human beings in stories and song. It's well written, beautifully drawn, and engages the reader from the very first sequence. Well worth the price of admission.
Find out about ‘Nottingham’ here.
29. The House of Lost Horizons - A Sarah Jewell Mystery
Writer: Chris Roberson
Artist: Leila Del Duca
Publisher: Dark Horse
Fans of both cosmic horror and cozy mysteries will find a lot to enjoy in The House of Lost Horizons. Even readers whose tastes don't gravitate towards one genre or the other may find this one interesting enough to be worth a read. And it goes without saying that Hellboy fans will love this one.
Learn more about ‘The House of Lost Horizons’ here.
30. American Ronin
Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist: ACO
Publisher: Artists Writers & Artisans Inc
An intelligent, cerebral thriller, you get so much jam-packed into each issue: an engrossing story, stunning visuals, an espionage feel, and high-quality work all around.
Find out about ‘American Ronin’ here.
Head here for our Top Ten Best Comic Books of 2021.
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