The Best Comics of 2023

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The past year has had a lot of amazing comics, manga, bande dessinée, webtoons, and more. This is my year-end look at what made my best of comics list and is meant as recommendations. I would love to hear your recommendations.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:14 Fantastic Four
03:45 Miracleman
05:38 Animal Pound
07:37 The Human Target
09:32 Riddler Year One
11:30 Local Man
13:53 Wonder Woman
16:33 Where the Body Was
18:29 Transformers
20:55 Honorable Mentions
21:44 Monica

[@guillermodiaz2660]

Thank you very much for your videos. I am a 58 year old Doctor from México and I have been reading comics since I was 3 years old. Every wednesday is like Christmas. People like you remind me why I love reading comics. I know life can be hard. But your videos always make me feel better. Keep up the good work. Be happy. Have a nice day and a great day.

[@Nevermore941012]

By any chance are you the same doctor in Tijuana that buys in cómics Turi?

[@jonbodhi]

I’m 60, and I started at 11, so we’re neck-and-neck!

[@goku3535]

I'm 37 and I feel the same way as you both. Never stop reading!

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

Thank you, Chris. To be honest, I'm someone who briefly worked in comics thirty years ago (not as a creator, nobody famous) who lost his passion for the medium. You manage to breathe a little life into the cold, dead embers of my comic book heart.

[@davidlloren]

Same here

[@onibarubary]

The reason, I keep coming back to this channel (besides the very obviously good historical and contextual knowledge you have in discussing comics and your complete uniqueness in a space fraught with man-children whining about not being the only audience comics appeal to anymore) is because despite my general avoidance and dislike of cape comics and Marvel/DC in general, we had the same number 1 comic of the year and I continuously find new comics to read through you or find you loving and respecting a lot of the comics I often have on my list. There is a genuineness to you that is hard to find in this space, an openness and love of comics that I honestly wish more people would follow. It is not a slavish devotion to tradition or staunch idolization of unchanging childhood tastes, but an evolution of the artform of comics and acceptance of so much potential of what this artform can be and is for so many people. Honestly, I even watch videos on subjects I don't much care for just because hearing you talk about them can be so interesting.

[@juniorjames7076]

Strange Brain Parts is another good channel you might like.

[@TechnicolorGhosts]

@@juniorjames7076 Seconded. Strange Brain Parts is one of the best comic channels.

[@harrylane4]

Comics, even superhero comics, have always had a subversive, often progressive bent to them, and it’s been really strange to watch a bunch of emotionally stunted Internet personalities ignore that and pretend that it’s some kind of new, unprecedented change. Nostalgia has blinded them to the truth.

[@bixbite2]

This dude is the avgn of comics that didnt sellout

[@erdood3235]

​@@bixbite2comics trope? But he's not angry

[@sergioruiz733]

I honestly really have loved Ryan North's FF, it hits all the notes on why the FF is my favourite Marvel title.

[@TAKTAK_Toys]

I really liked Walt Simonson’s era of Fantastic Four but then I’m an 80s Baby Chris and that was my Jam - also his Eric Masterson Thor run was one of my 90s favourites

[@MeltdownwithNeoplasmic]

This is a FANTASTIC list! Loving your work, Chris! Thank you for putting these books on my radar! And Happy New Year!

[@majestyzx9081]

I can't believe it took me this long to notice that the opening animation for Comic Tropes was done by none other than Harry Partridge! He does some great work and his cameo as Mip on Smiling Friends is one of the best things I've ever seen.

[@tonyfleecs]

Hey! Thanks for the LOCAL MAN love. We really appreciate it.

[@ComicTropes]

Yeah, I picked up an issue from you at the Washington Summer Con and was just blown away by the levels it was working on for me.

[@tonyfleecs]

@@ComicTropes ❤️we’re going way deep in arc 3. Hope you dig where we take it.

[@bshafer8676]

I need to check out FF and Transformers. The book I'm loving the most right now is Conan.

[@ComicTropes]

The current Conan run by Zub and De la Torre is so good, I completely agree.

[@harrylane4]

Ryan North, for a guy who got his start writing webcomics about dinosaurs where the art never changes, is really proving himself to be one of my favorite mainstream writers of the last decade. First squirrel girl, now fantastic four. That’s not even touching his slaughterhouse five graphic novel, which is one of my favorite GN adaptations

[@Guspool33]

Chris, you should do a full video breakdown of Monica later in the future, and go full in-depth with all the details and story beats and artwork in the story.

[@puertoriconnect4611]

This is the best part about the new year. All these wonderful best of lists.

[@Johnnycam1]

Thanks Chris! Happy New Year!!!!

[@zclark1994]

Thanks for being such an amazing guide through the world of comics!

[@grandeisern]

Happy New Year. Chris. Thanks for a awesome year of comic book reviews.

[@rafterman1701007]

Great list! Love hearing your recommendations! Happy new year!

[@Investigate-311]

Nice recommendations, have a Happy new year Chris! ❤

[@msmith2033]

Thanks for the recommendations. This is one of my favorite videos at this time of year. Have a wonderful new year.

[@RichardFong]

Thanks for your channel and love of all things comics. I truly enjoy your channel and content and make me love comics more.

[@Sam-uz3ov]

I've been looking forward to this episode all year

Happy New year from Brazil. Thank you for your work, that always pulls me off my daily struggles and makes me breath for a while. I wish I could tell u how much good u do by simply talking about comics with such passion and truth.

[@Kevin_Street]

First of all, THANK YOU for this video, and for all the other Comic Tropes videos over the past year. You're both an inspiration and a delight. Secondly, that's an interesting list. I haven't read anything by Daniel Clowes, but you make "Monica" sound very interesting. It's wonderful that people like Clowes (and Brukbaker and Phillips) are still free to explore the potential of sequential art, making stories that are personal to them and not something intended to appeal to a niche market somewhere. That's real art, in the classic sense of the term. It's also interesting that "Monica" is a hardcover, and only a hardcover. From your description it sounds like it could never be reproduced in digital form without losing an essential part of the storytelling. A very intriguing choice by Mr. Clowes.

[@stevecontreras417]

Happy New Year Chris. Love you and love this channel 🎉

[@chambersstevens3135]

Love your energy and enthusiasm.

[@wettoaster.]

I just wanna say thanks, Chris! This has been my first year as a comic book reader, and you've led me to a few of my favorites and I even enjoy listening about comics I don't have a big interest in reading through.

[@vincentgear]

Thanks Chris for the great recommendations and happy new year!

[@TevyaSmolka]

Great list man and as for me here’s my list of my top 10 best comics of 2023 10. / Superman world finest by mark waid 9. The Incredible Hulk by PKJ 8. Transformers by Daniel Warren Johnson 7. Shazam! By mark waid 6. Green lantern by Jeremy adams 5. Jay Garrick flash by Jeremy adams 4. Superman by Joshua Williamson 3. Dceased war of the undead gods 2. Action comics by PKJ and Dan jurgans 1. The flash by Jeremy Adams.

[@nickdirienzo2849]

Happy New Year to all my fellow Tropes! Hopefully we see enough changes in the comics industry to save American comics. Because as bad as things have gotten, I don't want to see the medium die or the people who really care lose heart...

[@alexmanrique2280]

Definitely I started reading comics thanks to your Chanel. I really enjoyed watching your deep analysis on the media I admire. I hope the next year is even better for you and your channel

[@maxpower4757]

Highly appreciate the recommendations! Happy new year! I liked Hellboy in Love this year :)

[@Silver-rx1mh]

Really enjoyed that. Happy new year to you too. :)

[@smajet5640]

As someone who doesn't have much experience with comic books, I thought the recent Watership Down graphic novel was a great adaptation of my favorite story, and it makes me consider reading more of them.

[@DementedDistraction]

What I've enjoyed the most about Transformers is the artwork, each drawing is imbued with so much kinetic energy, and there's a balance between selective visual detail, morphing of character proportion and models, and implied motion which really brings the action to life.

[@randy_stone]

Great video and I love the last bit. I look forward to you getting creative when you're ready! :D

[@belgiumcomics2537]

Happy new year Chris

[@paulbruno4894]

Just picked up Where The Body Was and Monica last week. Haven't read them yet but seeing both on your best of list has assured me I made a wise purchase!

[@alejoparedes2388]

Happy New Year, Chris!

[@vincentimbesi3947]

This is a great list of books. Thanks for turning me on to some books I haven’t heard of. 👍🏼

[@jg5966]

Happy New Year Chris !!!!!

[@themangochannel]

Always appreciate your enthusiasm for comics as well as your deep knowledge. Thank you for your continuing efforts!

[@DavidH1]

Happy new year! Always appreciate your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@haystacks6181]

Saved to watch later, but gotta check in real quick, like, and comment! Excited to watch this one

[@TechnicolorGhosts]

Thanks for the all the excellent reccomendations! Now to the add them to my ever expanding backlog.

[@kalyanroy8712]

Great list

[@davidmoran2296]

Great video as always. My top ten. 10) Dr. Strange 9) Wonder Woman 8)Danger Street 7)Rogue Sun 6)Ghost Rider 5)Vampirella: Dead Flowers 4)Worlds Finest 3) Fantastic Four 2)Action Comics 1)Parker Girls

[@RichardFong]

Thanks for the year end video with top ten list for 2023.

[@aaronellis3215]

Happy New Year, Chris! Keep reading comics :)

[@contempocomics]

Excellent list and an excellent year for both your channels. Keep up the great work (including all those corrections in the video. Funny and honest!) Your list usually has a few titles I've read and this year is no exception ( Miracleman, Transformers and Local Man). But I don't know if they would all make my personal top 10, which isn't a thing anyway. Books I enjoyed that didn't get mentioned: Traveling to Mars, Kaya, Maple Terrace, Stranger Things meets TMNT, Dwellings, Peepee PooPoo, Arcade Kings, Spine-Tingling Spider-Man, Danger Street, Xcellent. If anyone is complaining about a lack of quality comics today, DISREGARD THEM. They're self exposed posers who probably can't read.

[@Nono-hk3is]

Lol hell yeah

[@patrickhouchard5532]

Happy new year!

[@phrancklynbillsonmc2581]

Happy new year ! ❤

[@pendantblade6361]

Happy New Year!

[@Nono-hk3is]

Happy New Year Chris!

[@patfixler7949]

Great video! Love the recommendations! I just finish Monica after seeing your video and really enjoy it, it grip me through the whole way and I pretty much finish it in one sitting (Though I don't know if I agree with loving the ending, Dan Clowes has that same energy with Vladimir Nabokov where when you finally arrive at the ending and are at task to crack the code, it makes you (or maybe just me) feel like I just had a punch in the gut. On the one hand I'm impressed someone could beat me half to death with a single punch, on the other I'm annoyed I'm dying (Alright maybe this wasn't the best metaphor)) I guess it makes sense considering Clowes is a fan of Nabokov, but still frustrating. I was also expecting a lot of more comments listing off their own favorite comics, and there's barely any of it! I checked the previous year list video and saw there were barely any in that one either! (Though I swear there were a lot more, maybe I'm misremembering) But then I when I started writing my own list, I realized I also barely have any comic I want to mention (So maybe it was just a rough year for all of us?), well whatever, here's (In no particular order) my own list, maybe someone out there will enjoy what I have to say :D 5. Sneeze by Naoki Urasawa:A collection of short stories by Urasawa. They're not as dense with characters and plot points as his long running comic, but I place this here just because of the autobiography that he drew here. (Chapter 3 and 6 specifically) There's a certain charm to the line work and sketchiness of the comic. I remember one of the Kayfabe (I don't remember if it was Ed Piskor or Jim Rugg) commented on one of Robert Crumb panels as very human. I feel the same way with these 2 Urasawa pieces. You can tell he drew them quickly, and there's something I appreciate about that. You can't fickle with the drawing as much when you have time restraint, and a certain honesty does come out when you don't think about every line you put down and just let your pen do the talking (It also helps if you are as good as a draftsman as Urasawa) 4. Akagi: This was the year I got really into Fukumoto Nobuyuki's work. I pretty much read all of Kaiji and Akagi. I'm placing Akagi above just because I thought the first 70 or so chapters were boring. Everything before the part about Washizu makes me want to pull my hair out in frustration. 3. Breakfast at the vivarium: ...Huh? (This series has caterpillar that is name Hemmingway) 2. Kaiji: part 1-5: And speaking of Kaiji. Kaiji part 1-5 are definitely some of my favorite comics I read this year. I pretty much finished the whole thing in half or so a month. Part 4 is kinda boring, but still readable. Part 1,2, 3 and 5 were my favorites. Nobuyuki Fukumoto's writing, though in some parts slow, does make me want to keep reading. And his artwork (My God, what other artist in the manga industry even draws like him?), the character's expression, the way he uses abstract background to push the emotion of the character. The fact that the story is just about some guy that keeps losing money and somehow succeeds anyway. And the background (Fukumoto didn't do the background, I'm pretty sure it's the assistant, but my god are they beautiful!) It's pretty good. I recommend it. 1. Reimu: Alright this is just Narcissism considering I made this comic. ̶1̶.̶ ̶R̶e̶i̶m̶u̶:̶ ̶A̶l̶r̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶N̶a̶r̶c̶i̶s̶s̶i̶s̶m̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶s̶i̶d̶e̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶I̶ ̶m̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶b̶o̶o̶k̶ ̶ Actual number one: One piece, an obvious answer, but I think it’s appropriate. Out of 5 of the 40ish chapters released this year, we finally got the backstory of Kuma and Bonney, and Jesus Christ. Even if I were to just count up the 5 chapters that they were actually about, I would still put it at number one. There is a panel (Spoiler for chapter 1095) Where Kuma’s father was shot in just one panel and it cuts to just a guard saying “Pipe down”. That is one of the most brutal panels I have read in comics this year, no lamenting that he’s dead, no commenting, just a bang and a picture of Kuma with blood on the side of his face. Portraying just how savage the celestial dragons are. Those chapters from 1095 forward made me cry. The best comic I read in 2023. Highly recommend. Honorable mention: Katsuhiro Otomo's Domu (Recommended by the Kayfabe guys, like it, but didn't leave an impact), Charles Schwultz's Peanuts vol 1 (I was going to read the entirety of Peanuts this year but never got around to it. I finish the first volume but never got around to two U_U), Inio Asano's Downfall (This is a book by a very depressed person), Will Eisner's Contract with God (This is a very well made comic that I kept forgetting),Batman and Robin adventure chapter 7, alongside Batman Gotham adventure chapter 2 (Very scatterbrain answer, but two excellent comic that tell the two stories of batman’s villain that gave them a lot of humanity, not in the list because technically it’s a part of a run and I haven’t all of those), Dick Tracy (read the story arc with Flattop returning and blackmailing a bunch gangster, really love it, but should probably read the entire thing if I want to place it on the list) Conclusion: This year I was more obsessed with literature than comics (Though I guess comics could be considered literature), I read In Search of Lost Time, Life and Fate, The Iliad, Joyce’s Ulysses. Hell, I even read the entirety of the King James’ Bible. But not much comic looking back. This doesn’t help with the fact that I’ve been writing and drawing my own comic since the middle of last year. Well, hopefully next year I’ll read more comics. Oh well, sorry for the long ramble, again thanks for the recommendation Chris, hopefully 2024 will be a better experience for all of us :D

[@Eisenwulf666]

Happy new year! Thanks for the great tips, i will definetely check some of them out! One thing i find fascinating is the way you interpreted Orwell's "Animal farm" as a cautionary tale against the dangers of communism, which is correct, but Orwell by all accounts intended it as a satire of all dictatorial regimes. Every nation has seen it as a warning against the regime they find more abhorrent, which is the beauty and irony of that masterpiece.

[@keshabchandra6884]

Man binging your videos is one of the best part of my life. ❤❤

[@rocketsteps]

Happy New year Chris.

[@criticalhit009]

Great video! Loving getting good recommendations for comics.

[@LeviChurch]

Best top 10 video I've seen all year

[@archmage7813]

I've never gone wrong listening to your recommendations for comic books so excellent list

[@loganthomas2421]

Great list Chris. I definitely plan on reading DWJ Transformers and FF. Favs of 2023 in no particular order were world’s finest, where the body was, Superman and action comics, Hulk, Daredevil, dceased war of undead gods

[@BrianLCS]

Great list and happy new year! I’ll have to give Monica a read.

[@josenataliogonzalez3807]

Thank You!

[@stephenvelez9710]

Chris, you very succinctly and astutely describe the themes of Daniel Clowes, who I always connect with while feeling challenged and uncomfortable. Great list! My bank account thanks you😉

[@Hy93Ri0n]

I always look forward to this video every year

[@golem2866]

Appreciate the review. I haven’t been into comics since the mid to late 90s and just gained a new found interest because of my kids. Picked up an issue of transformers recently and loved it.

[@ricknuzzy]

Thank you for the recommendations, you turned me onto Barry Windsor-Smith's 'Monsters' a couple years ago so I hold your opinion in high regard. I really haven't done much this year besides Tom King and James Tynion (and a revisit to Punisher MAX) so I can't wait to check some of these out. Thanks again.

[@tommyakesson8858]

Same with Monster. It was genuinley mindblowing how good it was. Probably top 3, or atleast top 5 comics I have ever read

[@superquad7]

I've been getting Transformers, but haven't gotten to read it yet. That said, some of these have really peaked my interest. Thank you for this list! Wish uou all the best hor 2024!

[@owensreviews625]

Very great list, Chris. Now you’ve given me fantastic suggestions for books I didn’t get to reading this year. Hope to see you in the new year!

[@o.g.comicsreview4555]

Glad to see F.F. getting some Props. This is what the First Family is supposed to be about, Love for each other, then Science and Exploration. I love that Dr. Sue Storm is going to work with Johnny to expand on his powers. This has always been the problem with Johnny's powers, it's either flame balls or he goes super nova and kills everybody.

[@OldManPiccolo]

Happy New Year 🥳

[@locoparodi]

Have a great one Chris! Another year of great content, as always. PS: About that bit in the end, on being more interested in authors than in characters, I think it´s comparable to when you start to pay more attention to movie directors, instead of stars or franchises. It's about appreciating art and storytelling.

[@jonbodhi]

It’s totally true, too! You’ll be MUCH happier following creators instead of characters, because, if you follow characters, the next writer will undo everything the LAST writer did, but if you like what a writer/artist did before, you’re likely to enjoy their next project.

[@eq6528]

My recommendation would be NOT picking up a Tom King book. His writing has just been dreadful going back to his Batman run to his current output.

[@billyhaney5117]

Seven of the top 10 comics of 2023 you have chosen are ones that I have also read and loved this year. Like you, I follow writers and artists rather than characters. Neil Gaiman once said that he would read a CARE BEARS book if Alan Moore wrote it, because Alan would find some way to make it interesting and compelling. I agree with you about Tom King; for my money, he's the best writer in comics today. Haven't read Ryan North's FF or Local Man; maybe I should. And thanks for reminding me I need to pick a copy of MONICA. Happy new year, Chris.

[@shondubxv]

Haven’t kept up with Fantastic Four but I need to check it out!

[@yaboi3441]

Here we go for 2024! Hope you have a great year

[@pjbrown4736]

Local Man was great. I want more of that.

[@PeculiarNotions]

A good list for the year, as always. I know they didn't come out this year, but the best comics I read were Cruel Summer and Reckless by Brubaker and Phillips.

[@ComicTropes]

Fantastic books, I agree.

[@s.craigzahler6797]

Cool video. Baby Boom was my favorite and an all-time great manga/use of the medium. This might have come out very late 2022 in some markets. The Gull Yettin, Monica, Life Under Tension, I Wish I Was Stupid, Michael Mouse, Three Rocks, and Night of the Ghoul are also special.

[@ace15Nura]

I love your videos because they introduce me to great comics that I probably would never heard of. Thanks!

[@joe3019772008]

happy new year, bro.

[@dawolf856]

You're not lying about Brubaker and Phillips. I don't think I've read anything by them i didn't like. The 'Reckless' series is great !

[@thomasgurburger7580]

Amazing!

[@breckwarren6142]

You convinced me on The Riddler Year One. I recently saw it pop up on Hoopla and I was scrolling past it, but I'm going to rent it after I get down watching this video.

[@Spyderist]

good list, will go through it

[@franciscobello1519]

"Blood of the Virgin" is very good.

[@crono92]

Great video Chris! Many books I am now aware thanks to you. If I could make a recommendation, it would be for the manga Dandadan. The creator was an assistant of Tatsuki Fujimoto, the author of Chainsaw Man. Dandadan has an interesting setting in which aliens and spirits are real, but this is unknown for almost everyone. It has both male and female protagonist which are very relatable. It is a good mash up of action, comedy, horror, even romance. And the art is gorgeous.

[@earlgrey862]

Thanks for your Number one... totally agree!

[@cyclone927]

Im trying to get back to comics, havent read anything since 2019. Im gonna check this books out! ✌🏽

[@nemesiscomix]

Thanks for bringing up Walter Simonson's run on Fantastic Four, that man's ability to lay down such energetic pencils and inks never fails to astound.

[@ComicBookPhil]

Glad Local Man made your list.

[@TheBeowulf]

2023 is the year I finally finished Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol run and I loved every page, for stuff from this year DWJ has absolutely rocked Transformers and the rebooted GI Joe has been an absolute treat

[@cthulhupthagn5771]

The writing has been decent - but the art is atrocious across the board, and Void Rivals (the original property in the Energon universe) is one of the most derivative and boilerplate things I have ever read. I am giving things another couple of months to see if things improve, but I already noticed in GIJoe Cobra Commander talks normally, but his 1 shot he hisses, so at the start the quality control takes a hit

[@TheDan14]

some really great ongoing manga from this year, Undead Unluck, Dandadan, Drifting Dragons, Witch Hat Atelier

[@keatonmiller9885]

Excellent list, always great to see what you reccomend! Monica is a truly special book, its Clowes playing the hits of his career and making a truly unique book that reminds me of all his best works wrapped into one!! Also glad you brought up Local Man, I missed this by Fleecs is a hometown hero for me and I'm intrigued by the premise!! If you havent yet checked them out, I highly reccomend the comics of Nate Garcia and Caroline Cash. Small press had a great year in 2023 and these two creators pumped out a plethora of entertaining books!! Heres to many more comics and videos in 2024!!

[@mrwasi99]

Really happy Human Target is on the list. I read it in 1 sitting, couldn't put it down. Thanks for all your video content! All the best to Comic Tropes in the new year.

[@bit427]

Green lantern war journal gotta be one of the biggest surprises this year

[@kevinbarry6441]

Big YES to Monica at #1

[@nicholasfalasco8539]

thanks

[@michaellombardi1620]

Totally agree with the ones I’ve also read that are on this list; fantastic four, human target and transformers!!

[@DeathAlchemist]

Gaiman's Miracleman is amazing. I was also quite found of Jed Mackay's Moon Knight

[@wesreleases6346]

I’ve been loving the current Moon Knight run. The art is beautiful and not quite like anything else out there right now.

[@justicerice3589]

My favorites of the year- Indie-Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees Marvel- Incredible Hulk DC-Worlds Finest