When people think comic books, their mind usually goes straight for super-heroes. Characters like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four are staples of comics, but what about the characters that aren’t published by the “big two” companies of Marvel and DC? I decided to pick out a sampling of some of my favorite Independent Heroes for you to check out if you feel like you want to branch out from the standard fare that most people know.
SCUD The Disposable Assassin by Rob Schrab
“Super-Hero” is a pretty loose term when it comes to comic characters. People like the Punisher and Deadpool are considered anti-heroes, but still fall in the super-hero genre. That’s the same niche that SCUD fills in. SCUD The Disposable Assassin is a funny, fast paced ride that’s filled with crazy characters. SCUD follows a robot designed to self-destruct after the desired target is terminated. Realizing this, our intrepid little bot decides to put his target on life support and continue to live while working as a freelancer. With dynamic art, great humor, and some early writing by Dan Harmon (of Rick and Morty fame), this is an amazing comic to check out if you want a laugh.
Umbrella Academy by Gerard Way & Gabriel Ba
With the success of the Netflix show, you’ve probably heard of the Umbrella Academy by now. A group of super-powered kids are adopted by a millionaire inventor and trained to fight crime; they eventually go their separate ways until the world is threatened again by one of their own. Bringing the found family super-team vibe of X-Men and Doom Patrol, but with much more drama, Umbrella Academy is a great chance to delve into the darker world of independent comics. The books share similar stories to the show, but don’t worry because they go in much different directions.
Black Hammer by Jeff Lemire & Various
Jeff Lemire is an amazing storyteller, and the world of Black Hammer is a unique and expansive collection of many different heroes and villains. The original Black Hammer series follows a group of heroes that save the world from an extra-dimensional evil, but at the cost of being trapped in a pocket dimension (in the form of a midwestern farm town). It follows their efforts to get back home, as well as their own personal struggles while dealing with the normal life that has been forced upon them in the meantime. The series doesn’t just stop there however, as there have been tons of spin-offs following various other characters from the Black Hammer universe. All of the stories are loosely connected, so feel free to jump around to find which character you like best.
Hack Slash by Tim Seeley & Various
Horror super-heroes are (in my opinion) a wildly underused genre, especially when it comes to Marvel and DC. Sure, there’s characters like Swamp Thing and Doctor Strange that deal with spooky situations, but what about a hero that exclusively goes after the things that go bump in the night? That’s where Cassie Hack comes in. After surviving an encounter with a “slasher”, Cassie decides she doesn’t want to just sit by as innocent people are brutally murdered by monsters. With the help of a friendly slasher named Vlad, Cassie travels the country, hunting monsters and saving people with her trusty baseball bat. Equal parts cheesy and scary, Hack Slash captures the feel of B-Movie horror while still presenting some serious undertones.
Madman by Michael & Laura Allred
Madman is the character that made me fall in love with comics all over again. The story follows a recently reanimated Frank Einstein (aka Madman), as he fights villainous street beatniks, aliens, and robots, all while trying to uncover the truth about his past life. The entire series, including the Allred’s signature style, is a love letter to the pop-art comics of the 60’s. Every panel of the various Madman comics ooze style and heart, and Frank’s character is just so endearing. If you ever wanted a fun, off-beat super-hero, this is the book for you!
While I tried to highlight some lesser-known heroes of independent comics, there is still a plethora of books that you can check out if none of these heroes fit your fancy. From more traditional hero books, to weird and wild characters that you might hesitate to call “super”, there’s always a comic for everyone.