By Freddie Coles
Following a recent resurgence, physical comics are more popular than ever. Communities on social media have encouraged a wave of new readers to engage with graphic novels and comic books.
However, it can be harder than you might think to get into comic reading because of the multiple reboots and long-running storylines associated with the medium. Well look no further than this list, as I’ve put together a list of my personal picks for the best beginner titles that are sure to encourage further reading. Along the way, I’ll be adding some recommendations from Andy Wheatley, the owner of Secret Identity Comics in Chester, who I interviewed for some niche recommendations.
Number 8: Invincible by Robert Kirkman (2003-2018)
For those of you familiar with the Prime Video series of the same name, this is a no brainer. The show directly adapts the comic run, and unlike most comic runs nowadays, it has a distinct beginning and end. Spanning 144 issues, the comic follows teenager Mark Grayson, whose superhero alter ego is the book’s namesake. Full of brutal battles and dark humour, this comic is one for people who want something a bit more adult than the average DC or Marvel fare.
Number 7: Saga by Brian K. Vaughan (2012-present)
The first comic recommended by Andy is a space opera/fantasy story called Saga.
“I love Saga. Some people don’t know comics very well, But everybody knows Star Wars. Everyone knows Romeo and Juliet, and Saga is easy to pitch for that reason. It’s a story about 2 lovers who are fleeing from a war. She’s pregnant and the whole story is told through the eyes of the child, and so we don’t know how old the child is when she’s narrating the story of her parents sort of fleeing. So, it’s got loads of politics in it, if you want it to be, the main characters are refugees. Or it’s just a cool sci-fi romp, up to you.”
Number 6: Transformers by Daniel Warren Johnson and Robert Kirkman (2023-present)
Far from the cartoon robots you know, Skybound Comics’ Transformers is a mature retelling of the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons. The stakes are high compared to past adaptations, characters die and stay dead, and there’s a surprising amount of violence thanks to Daniel Warren Johnson’s stunningly brutal art during his stint as the comic’s writer and artist.
Number 5: Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis (2000-2009)
For a fantastic stepping-on point into Spider-Man, I’d highly recommend the original Ultimate Spider-Man run. A modern re-telling of Peter Parker’s origins, this comic has been foundational for most adaptations of the Webhead. With creative re-imaginings of classic Spidey villains, it’s a must-read for anyone who doesn’t know where to begin with the character’s sixty-four years of comics.
Number 4: If Destruction Be Our Lot by Matthew Rosenberg and Mark Elijah Rosenberg (2026-present)
Another niche comic that Andy recommended to me is a brand-new ongoing comic called If Destruction Be Our Lot.
“I recommend this because it is really unusual. It’s a story of humanity’s ended. But all the robots and all the tech we built up over the decades is still there. And it carries on regardless. You have a whole city being run by robots, you have trains and buses going on their usual routes, carrying no one, and society just carries on without us. And the robots basically make their own society. And our main protagonist is an android of Abraham Lincoln, who was a tour guide in the museum, but there’s no longer any people to tour the museum. So he’s just walking around this city, just talking about American history to any other robot that will listen. So even the toaster is just like “Dude, shut up about American independence.””
Number 3: Planet Hulk by Greg Pak (2006-2007)
The Hulk has always been one of Marvel’s most famous heroes, with a consistent track-record of great comic stories. However, the one I’d push most for a new reader is Planet Hulk. Part Gladiator, part Dune, all awesome, the story follows the Green Goliath’s exile on the planet Sakaar after he was deemed too dangerous to stay on Earth. In a contrast to other Hulk stories that revolve around his brutality, this arc instead focuses on his humanity as he leads an uprising against the planet’s tyrannical emperor.
Number 2: Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson (2024-present)
Despite being one of DC’s holy hero trinity, Wonder Woman is a character that has been criminally underutilised for years. However, with the launch of DC Absolute, set in a universe where the iconic heroes are born with the odds against them, the warrior princess is currently on a legendary run. The comic is darker than your average Wonder Woman story, but Kelly Thompson understands the character in a way few previous writers have. She wields giant mythical swords and axes, but her main weapon is her compassion toward her enemies. Hayden Sherman’s art and creative use of panelling is absolute eye-candy, using an art style which is intentionally reminiscent of Ancient pottery art. Fans of Greek mythology and fantasy will love this one.
Number 1: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb (1996-1997)
Of course the final spot was going to go to a Batman comic, it’s basically a law. And this story is one of the all-time greats, being the main inspiration behind Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece The Dark Knight and Matt Reeves’ upcoming The Batman Part II. The 13-issue mini-series follows the Caped Crusader as he attempts to solve a string of Mafia murders that each take place on a different holiday. It’s intelligent, moody and a little bit spooky, with plenty of Mafia drama in the background of the main story. However, the best part of the comic is the origin story given to Harvey Dent, who later becomes known as Two-Face. It’s a tragedy at its core, as Dent tries to fight crime within the law, only to be punished for it. The Long Halloween is a gripping detective drama and my personal top pick for a gateway comic.
