Indie Comics: Beyond Marvel and DC’s Super-Realm

Discovering the Best Non-Mainstream Comic Books

Comic book fans know Marvel and DC. But a vibrant universe of indie comics offers fresh stories and creative freedom, untouched by corporate influence. This list explores standout titles that broke the mold, delivering unique narratives and influencing pop culture with diverse stories.

Unveiling the Top Titles

The indie comic world showcases creativity outside the mainstream. It’s a place where artists can explore their imaginations, free from corporate restraints. Finding the best requires considering popularity, personal taste, and a title’s impact on pop culture, including film and video game adaptations. Let’s explore the best the indie world offers.

2000 AD: British Sci-Fi Pioneer

Since 1977, the British anthology comic “2000 AD” has been a launchpad for sci-fi talent. It hosted Alan Moore and Alan Grant, while also including contributions from Grant Morrison and Steve Dillon. The magazine is celebrated as the home of “Judge Dredd,” a dystopian satire that became board and video games, along with two live-action films.

The “Judge Dredd” movie starring Sylvester Stallone is perhaps the stupidest science fiction film to predict our terrifying present while “Dredd” starring Karl Urban is one of the most underrated comic book movies. It isn’t only “Judge Dredd” that makes this magazine a worthwhile read, since it has published other phenomenal series — or what it refers to as “progs” — such as “Rogue Trooper” and “Nemesis the Warlock.”

The Darkness: A Dark Superhero Tale

“The Darkness,” created by Marc Silvestri, Garth Ennis, and David Wohl for Top Cow Productions, is set in the “Witchblade” universe. The story follows hitman Jackie Estacado, who possesses the entity known as the Darkness, granting him supernatural abilities and dominion over demons. The series blends mobster and superhero genres.

Barbaric: Action and Humor Unleashed

“Barbaric” from Vault Comics, created by Michael Moreci, Nathan C. Gooden, Addison Duke, and Jim Campbell, is one of the most original indie comics available. It centers on Owen the Barbarian, who is fated to do good. His talking weapon, Axe, loves action, as they go on bloody adventures.

The series has caught Michael Bay’s attention, who’s directing a Netflix show, starring Patrick Stewart as the demonic talking Axe. Its blend of action and humor has garnered critical acclaim, quickly becoming a modern classic.

Bone: A Timeless Adventure

Jeff Smith’s “Bone” is a series described as having the style of a Disney movie but the storytelling breadth of “The Lord of the Rings.” Launched in 1991 and running for 55 issues, the series follows the Bone cousins, Fone, Phoney, and Smiley, as they navigate a fantasy world. Its cartoon style appeals to all ages.

Netflix’s attempt to adapt “Bone” into an animated series was ultimately unsuccessful. The comic’s humor and adventure, reminiscent of “Asterix,” have made it a beloved classic. The humor and adventure hold hands tightly for an all-encompassing story that often defies genre classification and convention.

Criminal: Crime Genre Excellence

“Criminal,” though initially published under Marvel’s Icon Comics imprint, now belongs to Image Comics. This series, a collaboration between Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, showcases the crime genre. Each arc typically focuses on different characters while still intersecting with previous storylines.

The series’ stories are gritty and morally ambiguous. The adaptation of “Criminal” into a television show at Prime Video, with Charlie Hunnam playing Leo, is currently in development. The pairing of Brubaker and Phillips is synonymous with crime stories in the medium.

Saga: A Space Opera

“Saga,” by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, is an epic saga about Alana and Marko, from warring alien races. The tale explores themes of love and family. Their relationship begins in the middle of a galactic conflict. Their story is like a modern “Romeo and Juliet” set in space with worldbuilding akin to “Star Wars.”

“Saga” delves into varied and relevant themes, with Vaughan having developed the story since his teenage years. The creators prefer the series to remain a comic book, not a movie or TV show. According to a recent report, the comic book industry generated over $2 billion in revenue in 2022, with independent publishers contributing significantly to this figure (Statista, 2022).

Sin City: Noir’s Visual Triumph

In the 1990s, Frank Miller created “Sin City” in Basin City. The story presents a tribute to film noir. The visual style and narrative create an unforgiving city with blurred lines between hero and villain. The black-and-white art highlights Miller’s strengths, using minimalism for storytelling.

The “Sin City” movie was an anthology film directed by Miller and Robert Rodriquez in 2005. Its visual style and narrative choices caught immediate attention. The film’s unique style paved the way for other adaptations.

Invincible: A Superhero Tale

“Invincible,” created by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, debuted in 2003. This story offers a deep and layered take on the superhero genre. The comic explores darker themes beyond traditional superhero stories. The story of Mark Grayson, similar to Spider-Man and Superman, balances power with responsibility.

Kirkman created both “Invincible” and “The Walking Dead” simultaneously. The series explores characters, worlds, and themes. The animated series has embraced its source material. “Invincible” blends traditional superhero elements with darker storytelling.

Hellboy: A Genre-Bending Masterpiece

Mike Mignola’s “Hellboy” is a combination of fantasy, horror, and historical fiction. It’s a superhero story where Hellboy confronts monsters and Nazis. Hellboy, with companions like Abe Sapien, Johann Kraus, and Liz Sherman, has crossed over into video games, animated films, and live-action movies.

The best adaptations are those touched by Guillermo del Toro. Ron Perlman’s voice is essential for the character. “Hellboy’s” unique blend of genres has made it a must-read.

Spawn: The Longest-Running Superhero Title

Todd McFarlane co-created “Spawn” after his work on “The Amazing Spider-Man.” The dark superhero story features Al Simmons, a mercenary in Hell, reborn as a hellspawn. In 2021, it became the longest-running independent superhero title. McFarlane continues to expand the “Spawn” Universe.

The franchise has expanded into toys, video games, and an HBO animated series. A 1997 live-action film starred Michael Jai White. McFarlane seeks to create a “Spawn” cinematic universe.

The Walking Dead: A Zombie Apocalypse

“The Walking Dead” comic book, by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore, gained attention in the early 2000s. It’s known for its unpredictability. No character is safe. The comic book series is distinct from the television show, with many altered fates and plotlines.

The comic book series’s advantage is that it furthers the story. It’s a must-read for fans of the show.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Comic Book Titans

The “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, began as a gag drawing. The series, a homage to Frank Miller’s “Daredevil,” transformed into a global franchise. The series continues to be imaginative and refreshing, over forty years later.

The franchise has evolved and taken many turns throughout the years. Whether it be through the introduction of new characters, the evolution of old heads, or even seeing the roles reversed like Splinter taking over the Foot Clan and Shredder training the Turtles, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” remains the G.O.A.T. of comic book series.