With 2024 now on clock, it’s time to reflect on the best comics released in 2023. With an abundance of great titles and series this past year, it was quite a daunting task to pick the best ones. Plus, with so much great content out there, many fan favorites may have escaped my notice. However, just like in previous years, it is almost impossible to catch up with and read everything available for public consumption.
As always, I mainly focused on indie titles, but I read many books that I didn’t review. Most of them were indie, but some were not. Therefore, I will focus on titles that I reviewed, but I will also include some books that I read but didn’t get the chance to write about. I always believe that a good book deserves recognition, regardless of whether I wrote about it or not.
In light of that, I present to you our 3rd annual “Best of” list. These series and one-shot titles are not ranked in any order and as always, are just a small sample of the books that were available throughout the year.
Mad Cave Studios ‘Hunt. Kill. Repeat.’ by Mark London and Francesco Archidiacono
When finalizing my review of this magnificent series, I made my position clear: “A series worthy of the Gods and a strong contender in our year end best of series.” Thus, it should come as no surprise that our “best of” leads off with this Mad Cave beauty. A tragic tale of Gods vs. Gods and how even the mightiest of them suffers the same weaknesses as us mere mortals. Brilliantly captured by the team of writer Mark London, artist Francesco Archidiacono, Inker Marc Deering, Colorist Lee Loughridge and Letterer Rus Wooton. This tale is praying for a second volume to tie up the loose ends that London has left to hang like bait for a starving wolf…or reader. Hunt. Kill. Repeat. was a no brainer for inclusion in this year’s best of.
Dark Horse Comics ‘White Savior’ by Eric Nguyen and Scott Burman
I had said at the onset of our issue 1 review that the creative team of Eric Nguyen and Scott Burman had set a high standard. Mainly for their willingness to interject as many pop culture references as possible while also performing satirical surgery on the whole “White Savior” mythos. By the end of the series, they had taken that challenge and met it head on. Almost nothing was left off the table or deemed too silly to reference. And while it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it certainly was mine. A combination of Mel Brooks and Monty Python with no comedic opportunity left unsampled. Most of all, it was just plain fun, and a worthy addition to the 2023 “Best of.”
Ahoy Comics ‘Black’s Myth: The Key to His Heart’ by Eric Palicki and Wendell Cavalcanti
This is a follow-up to Palicki and Calvacanti’s first Black’s Myth volume, which was released in 2021. In the first volume, they established the winning combination of a werewolf detective and a half-Djinn partner. In “The Key to His Heart,” they added more to the story and brought back their volume one antagonist, Rainsford Black. They mixed in some romantic entanglements, demons, witches, and a speakeasy inside a refrigerator. The book ends with an open ending, leaving room for more. Overall, this is a worthy successor to the Black’s Myth narrative and one of the best books of the year.
Source Point Press ‘Etheres’ by Anas Abdulhak and Dennis Menheere
Anas Abdulhak and Dennis Menheere have created a beautiful and moving story that explores one possible journey into the afterlife. Through poetic prose, they delve into what makes a life and the pain and suffering that can shape it. The main character, Valerie, is depicted as a girl who struggled with self-acceptance and allowing others into her life. It is only after her passing that the reality of her loved ones’ grief becomes apparent. Abdulhak’s prose is both haunting and beautiful, while Menheere’s artwork brilliantly supports the story with a beautiful color wash. All of these elements combine to make this one of the best stories of 2023.
Mad Cave Studios ‘Tales from Nottingham’ by David Hazan, Shane Connery Volk, Anna Everts, Gabriel Serra, Sabs Cooper, Federico Bertoni, Dylan Essex, Miguel Puerta, Damien Becton, Rafael Romeo Magat, Magdalene Visaggio and Victor Santos
For the last two years, David Hazan and Shane Connery Volk have graced our best of lists with Nottingham and Nottingham: King’s Ransom. For 2023, the creative team decided to use some of Mad Cave’s new and upcoming talents to tell some background tales of Nottingham. All in preparation for Volume 3. Through six issues, fans learned more about the Sheriff, Marian, Aya the Hashashin and others as the stories primed the well and their interests for the upcoming series. While at the same time, giving exposure to the numerous creative talents that will be driving the new titles for Mad Cave in the future. If these 6 issues are any indication, we have a lot to look forward to and their efforts made Tales from Nottingham a member our best of list.
Image Comics ‘Klik Klik Boom’ by Doug Wagner and Doug Dabbs
This was one of those books that I didn’t have the opportunity to write about. But this series by Doug Wagner and Doug Dabbs was both exciting and addictive. Meet the mysterious but deadly young lady known as Sprout. A mute assassin who communicates exclusively through Polaroid pictures. After being raised and drilled by her military trained grandfather in the rolling hills of Idaho, Sprout grew up with little exposure to other people. Nor to TV, or female fashion short of Army fatigues. However, she had grown to be a lethal weapon. But after she witnesses the death of her grandfather, she’s headed to the lights of the city to avenge his murder. Sprout will enact her revenge, one victim and snapshot at a time. KLIK!! This was another series that was high early on as a best of for 2023.
Ahoy Comics ‘The Gimmick’ by Joanne Starer and Elena Gogou, and Lee Loughridge
In the world of professional wrestling, every performer is looking for a “gimmick.” One that will make them stand out from the rest. This concept is explored in the hard-hitting action/drama written by rising star Joanne Starer and drawn by Elena Gogou. The story revolves around pro wrestling champion Shane Bryant, whose ring persona is forgettable and boring – he’s just a “nice guy”. However, he has a secret that makes him more interesting – he has super strength. This all comes out when he “accidentally” punches a hole in his opponent’s brain, killing him. In front of a national TV audience. This incident makes it hard for him to get booked for future matches, so he needs to come up with a new gimmick and start a new life. Starer and Gogou capture the energy and heart of this story, making it one of our best.
Mad Cave Studios ‘Exorcists Never Die’ by Steve Orlando and Sebastián Píriz
Personal relationships gone wrong can make for a difficult work environment. But when combined with fighting hell spawn demons, it leads to even more drama. This is the reality for Combat Exorcists Syd and Ellen, who must stop an upcoming soul auction, battle the seven deadly sins, and try to figure out what went wrong in their relationship. Just another day in the Hell Scraper for these two. Battling monsters and learning about themselves and each other along the way as depicted in the stylish and engaging series “Exorcists Never Die” by Steve Orlando and Sebastián Píriz. Combining an excellent narrative with Píriz’s captivating interpretation of hell on earth, this “sinful” pleasure of a read was one of the best of 2023.
Image Comics ‘Plush’ by Doug Wagner and Dan Hillyard
This was the third in a series I was looking forward to. Image Comics Plush is the final installment in Wagner and Hillyard’s textile trilogy, following Plastic and Vinyl. The story begins with Devin, a young man who discovers that his fiancée has been unfaithful and is now pregnant with another man’s child. To take his mind off things, Devin is convinced by a friend to attend a furry convention. However, things take a dark turn when he witnesses a group of furries consuming one of their own. This event marks the beginning of a horrifying and troubling journey for Devin. Which invites the question of whether the furries want Devin “for dinner” or for something much more sinister. With more fascinating characters and situations, Image Comics Plush is a fitting conclusion to Wagner and Hillyard’s worlds of serial killers, lost souls, and mayhem. No doubt it deserves a spot among the best books of 2023.
Best Bang for the Buck from Kickstarter – ‘Haunthology’ by Jeremy Haun
This was one of those cases where patience was a virtue. Anyone who has supported a Kickstarter Campaign realizes that after the campaign ends, the waiting begins. Especially during the tail end of the pandemic. Supply Chain and Shipping Issues, along with Printing Issues all combine for test of perseverance. As much for the creator as those who are anticipating their goodies. In the case of Jeremy Hauns Haunthology, the campaign ended August 5th, 2021. However, due to the aforementioned obstacles, I didn’t receive it until February 13th, 2023. Which is why it qualifies for this category. And the excellent quality of the printed book, the additional stickers, bookmark and Hauns great stories made the wait worth it. Thus it “haunted” its way into our best of 2023.
There we have it. As I looked back, I found so many stories worthy of this list. Many that have started in 2023 but cross over into 2024. More than likely, THEY will find their way for this year’s consideration. As always, we invite you to explore ALL the great comics out there for your entertainment. We at GVN hope you all have a great 2024 and drop in from time to time to check out the best of coverage of what we call “Geek.”
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
