We've told you the best Marvel and DC comics you should be reading, but now we've diving into the best comic books not from the Big Two publishers. Whether you're a comics veteran familiar with the likes of IDW Publishing and Image Comics, or you're just checking this list out to see what the world of comics has to offer, we just want to you to know about our favorite indie books because, well, they're awesome!
A huge perceived hurdle of getting into comics is that "There are too many different stories to follow." or "I don't know where to start." Those problems are mostly unique to superhero comics that live in Marvel and DC's enormous, interconnected universes. You don't have that problem here. You can pick up any of these comics and start from the beginning. They're all new reader friendly.
As far as this list is concerned, it only includes comics not from Marvel and DC. By considering all comics from the numerous independent publishers, you can imagine how many great comics didn't make it onto this list. That's where you come in.
If you've got some favorites that you think shouldn't be missed, then let us know in the comments!
By Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa & Francesco Francavilla | Archie Comics
What it’s about: A zombie infection spreads throughout Riverdale. When Jughead, the man known for his eating prowess, is the first person to be infected, you know Archie and the gang are in trouble.
Why it’s awesome: There’s something about the destruction of American purity that is both fascinating and depressing. What’s more purely American than Archie? With the masterful Francesco Francavilla doing homages to classic horror films in his style absolutely dripping with darkness, this comic is as disturbing as they come. Archie Comics is known for doing all sorts of silly parodies, but this is not that. It’s played straight, with sparing use of humor, fully dragging you down into its unsettling premise of a town full of friendly faces who are about to be eaten by zombies.
By Gail Simone & Walter Geovani | Dynamite Entertainment
What it’s about: Red Sonja is known as the She-Devil with a Sword, and for good reason. In a medieval/high-fantasy setting, she is unmatched in armed combat and is rarely seen without red on her sword or booze in her belly. She has few ties, but when the King who once saved her life asks her to save his plagued kingdom, she returns to train their women in the ways of war. Of course, once the battle begins, a figure from her past flips her world upside down, making the massive battle now an intimate personal affair.
Why it’s awesome: If you know who Red Sonja is, get ready to see a take that distills all of her best qualities into one kick-ass story. If you don’t, then worry not, because this comic tells you everything you need to know. Writer Gail Simone is known for her sense of humor, and Red Sonja does not disappoint on that front. When a pack of bandits try to rob her, she warns them that they ought to surrender because even though she’s too drunk to fight, she’s still prepared to take her best shot with her trusty throwing dagger if she has to.
By Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz & Dan Duncan | IDW Publishing
What it’s about: This take on the Turtles goes back to the beginning. You’ll see how they wound up being doused in that glowing green ooze, how they were mentored by Splinter, and what Shredder and the Foot Clan all have to do with it. In this take, Raphael got separated from the group when they first transformed, so there’s a real sense of why he's the loner of the group. Also, the Turtles all start out in their original red headbands before graduating to the different colored ones we’re used to seeing. This story of the Turtles has been meticulously planned out so that everything has a meaningful purpose.
Why it’s awesome: Instead of just being funny Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with different weapons and personality quirks, this story builds them up in front of your eyes with a dark edge. A mystery around their origin builds an overarching plot that is slowly unfolded as you read. Plus, there’s hard-hitting action with deadly weapons and a dash of blood to let you know that these aren’t the silly Turtles from that 1980s Saturday morning cartoon. Don’t get us wrong, that cartoon was awesome, but this is a return to form, letting us enjoy them as they were originally conceived by TMNT creator Kevin Eastman, who is personally involved with this series. Our favorite storyline from this series has to be when Leonardo is corrupted by Shredder and joins the Foot Clan (as depicted on the cover above). Yeah, it’s as awesome as it sounds.
By Robert Venditti, Cary Nord, & Various Artists | Valiant Comics
What it’s about: A Visigoth warrior named Aric from the year 402 A.D. and his people are kidnapped by aliens, and while on their ship he dons a mysterious armor that seems to have a mind of its own. He uses its immense power to blast his way out and return to Earth, but he finds himself in our present day. He has trouble adapting to modern times, mostly because the military, a notorious ninja assassin, and the aliens want him dead so they can take the X-O Manowar armor for themselves. Not if Aric has anything to say about it.
Why it’s awesome: Writer Robert Venditti never forgets to pack each issue with an explosive action scene that shows off just what the armor can do (which is a lot of destruction!). But that would mean nothing without exploring the pain and sorrow that Aric goes through from losing his people. Just as his soldiers once followed him into battle, you are inspired to keep reading as he fights to uncover the master plan of the aliens who captured him. It’s the tragedy of Captain America mixed with the suit of Iron Man and the rage of Hulk, but no one avenges like X-O Manowar.
By Greg Rucka & Michael Lark | Image Comics
What it’s about: This series takes place in a dystopian future where the US is ruled by several powerful families, each of which have a Lazarus: a human/machine hybrid that is very hard to kill and is genetically programmed to follow family orders. When another family’s people are caught stealing from the Carlyle’s, Forever’s investigation not only tests her humanity but throws her into a conspiracy between her own kin that could spark a war between the ruling families.
Why it’s awesome: Creators Greg Rucka and Michael Lark are known for their critically acclaimed run on Gotham, and now they have re-teamed to tell the story of a cyborg enforcer you can’t help but love. The world Forever lives in is built up with a fascinating amount of care, and as it grows, the mysteries behind her family’s plot and her own true identity only get deeper and more surprising. This is masterful storytelling that sucks you in with its eff’d up world and then stuns you with its hardcore action and Shakespearean twists.
Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com
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