Another year, another great time to be a comic fan! As I get older, I feel myself reading less and less (I just don’t seem to have the time). However, what I do read seems to be increasing in quality. With another year under my belt, here are my top 5 (Ish) comics (in no particular order) of 2025!
DC’s Absolutes (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Flash) by Various
DC technically kicked off their Absolute line in 2024, but the collected editions of all six titles released this year so it counts! Have you ever wondered what your favorite DC heroes would be like without their greatest support? Batman without money, Superman without Smallville, Wonder Woman without the Amazons, Green Lantern without the Corps, Flash without the Speedforce; all great questions (and great stories). But the one Absolute title that grabbed me out of the gate and kept me hooked was Absolute Martian Manhunter by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez. Unlike the other heroes, Martian Manhunter doesn’t really have something taken away from him. Instead, John Jones (a regular human detective) is chosen by the psychedelic Green Martian to help fight a mind war against the living nightmare that is the White Martian. The art is phenomenal, perfectly capturing the frantic and cerebral feeling conveyed through the deepening madness of the main character. The first volumes of these series are out now, with plenty more on the way!
Supergirl by Sophie CampbellSupergirl is a hard character to get right. Oftentimes, it seems like she just gets turned into a female version of her more famous cousin Superman. But when you get her right, she is deep, complex, and as interesting (if not more so) than Superman. This series does a great job at further defining Supergirl as her own character with her own unique problems. In the story, Kara is back from space, and she’s headed home to Midvale! But something strange is happening in the sleepy American hamlet Linda Danvers (aka Kara Zor-El) called home for so long, and her and Krypto need to find out what. Writer/artist Sophie Campbell is amazing, and her sense of style and storytelling feel right at home with Supergirl. Blending action, slice of life drama, and mystery, Supergirl is a great read for long-time fans of the character and new readers alike!
Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes And Rivals by Various
It’s been 30 years since the last Marvel Swimsuit Special, and this issue feels like the perfect modernization of an old classic! Not only does this have the classic pinups the Marvel Swimsuit Specials were known for, but this one actually has a story! The Roxxon corporation has used evil A.I. to make an unauthorized (and anatomically incorrect) swimsuit calendar featuring all of your favorite Marvel characters. In order to fight back (and make some extra cash) the Avengers and friends decide to make a swimsuit calendar of their own! Gratuitous posing, plenty of pin-ups, and even a Spidey-Speedo! This book is as fun as it is cheesy, and hopefully the start of a new tradition!
The Future Is by Fred Van Lente, Ennio Bufi, Mario D’Alessandro
I’ve sang the praises of this series in many different articles and reviews, but it is just so good! The Future Is is a dystopian cyberpunk story focusing on “freebooting” hackers, hell-bent on taking down the corrupt corporations and billionaires that are ruining the planet and their lives. From high-tech moon bases, to independent island nations, our intrepid hackers go where they’re needed to help those that can’t help themselves. On top of a great story and art, each issue has hidden CTF (capture the flag) exercises. Using hints found throughout the issue, as well as a website (linked in the comic), you can learn about ethical hacking, as well as improve your software skills! A truly unique comic with a fantastic story to boot, The Future Is just keeps getting better with every issue!
Adventure Time by Nick Winn, Derek M Ballard, Asia Simone, Jorge Monlongo, Brenda Hickey
Adventure Time is one of my all-time favorite TV shows, and the comics are a great extension of that universe! The original Adventure Time comics were phenomenal, and this new series keeps up the quality. The series features a rotating cast of killer artists whose styles fit the heart and soul of Adventure Time while keeping a unique look with each new story arc. Along with the main series, an amazing one-shot titled Bubbline College Special by writer/artist Caroline Cash also came out this year. It’s a fun little alternate universe story focusing on the college years of the coolest couple in Ooo, and definitely worth the read. These books are great for long time fans, or someone just getting into the wide world of Adventure Time!
There were so many good comics that came out this year, it’s hard to list them all. Hopefully this list of five (Ish) comics helped you find something you may have missed! So, get nice and cozy with some cocoa and a blanket, and curl up to some comics before another stellar year of fantastic stories.