Top 10 Best Comic Books 2023 Revealed!!

[@johnr.e.789]

Wes, I discovered Thinking Critical this year and appreciate how you best legacy media by keeping your ear to the ground - that's where the fans are. I tune in daily for your provocative illumination of pop culture which is spread out from movies to toys to "floppies." Your analysis always make sense. Your reporting is from a loving point of view about comics and the unfolding tragedy of an industry off the rails. In the end, I can never tell your politics - that's refreshing. Happy 2024, Wes! We look forward to your new offerings in the new year.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks 👊

[@notyouraverageharleyquinnstan]

Deadly Duo was so good👏

[@EvandroACruz]

Old scholl Harley.

[@notyouraverageharleyquinnstan]

@@EvandroACruz 👏

[@Theleaver5088]

Agree

[@abhilashmaddali7158]

The Titan comics Conan series is great so far.

[@Damackism]

Thanks for this list Wes! And thinks for still loving comics.

[@AL-ws5yi]

Tbh Transformers is the only title on that list I’ve read. Not really a big fan of the other titles. Just my preference, however. I do wish Zub and Millar success going forward into next year.

[@InfamyOrDeath-__-]

Love seeing Millar going to Dark Horse, they actually publish my number 1 & 2 favourite manga, Berserk & Gantz.

[@turtleanton6539]

And Gou Tanabe

[@turtleanton6539]

​@@kevinw374it is coming

[@InfamyOrDeath-__-]

@@turtleanton6539 Oh yea I’ve heard him mentioned a few times, I’ll have to get one of his manga soon.

[@oldmanbiscuit7518]

They have a problem with translating on time, I waited 6 months for them to contiue mob psycho, and it was already done in japan for 2 years.

[@InfamyOrDeath-__-]

@@oldmanbiscuit7518 Yea that’s nearly all manga, not just Dark Horse, we’re one to three years behind Japan in all the printed releases.

[@oldmandavid7944]

That was a great list ! Thanks for sharing

[@charlesharrison1907]

Greenlantern is cooking and I definitely want to see Jeremy Adams on a Justice League comic series.

[@rammisalami]

Yes please. He def showed he can write good comics no matter where they place him so he has earned a team title.

[@mattcarper9853]

I just bought all of the current issues. As a Johns run fan, this run is definitely pretty damn good.

[@clonedavenger]

I became a GL fan thanks to Geoff Johns incredible run, and I loved Venditti's Rebirth as well, but Jeremy Adams run is definitely the best since Rebirth for me.

[@YTLawnGnome]

2024 could possibly be a great year for comics specifically because of Millarworld and Mad Ghost. It could be the rennaisance that western comics need. If that movement is lead by Mark Millar and Geoff Johns I for one will be excited! The Sacrificers is definitely my #1 of the year. Every time I finish an issue I feel traumatized in all the right ways. Such brilliant writting. I also notices that I am tending towards books that are either horror themed or have anthropomorphic animals in it. Two of my honorable mentions for 2024 was Dan Abnetts's World's End vol. 4 and IDW's Beneath The Trees, Where Nobody Sees. However, I thought Big Game was such a blast and I had only read that and The Ambassadors when it comes to Millarworld. So, I am now diving deep into some Millarworld back isses. I have read both Nemesis volumes and both Chrononaughts volumes. I have Huck, Starlight, Kick-Ass and Superior on my to read list.

[@badmojo7825]

I love your Top 2 Wes. But I think I would put Conan the Barbarian at Number 1.

[@darthjarwood7943]

TMNT ,The Lost Days and the Massiveverse were definately in my top ten along with the Millarverse

[@comicalopinions]

The Madness from AWA Studios should be on that list.

[@O_G_HELLBOY]

Agree 1000%

[@rammisalami]

I missed that one, was that the JMS book?

[@comicalopinions]

@@rammisalami yes

[@rammisalami]

@@comicalopinionsThanks! I can’t seem to find it on google. Has that been collected in trade yet?

[@rammisalami]

@@comicalopinions found it

[@namelesswhocares8648]

If you make a list of worst comic books of 2023, it will evolve into a 3 hour livestream

[@rammisalami]

Yes please

[@FearMonarch]

Dok will somehow appear in the middle of it despite it not being a video with him lol

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

No, thanks. We don't need that!

[@johnf6861]

Batman & Joker was phenomenal. Really enjoyed that and 100% agree that he got the characters right. Conan was also a pleasant surprise...that last cover with the white negative space is a beauty.

[@benevolentremnant2949]

I've been reading half of these! Conan's my number 1. I'd also add Stargirl, Wesley Dodds: Sandman, Jay Garrick: Flash, Junkyard Joe, and JSA to round out my personal top 10 (with honorable mentions to Zawa and Sheena)

[@gnayr1305]

Thank you Wes, not only for the 2023 recap but for keeping it clean. In light of my previous comments, this was refreshing, fun and what originally drew me to your channel; you! Your page states Christian as one of your descriptors and this video expands on that moniker. Thank you so much for a great year. Here’s to blessings, joy & good reading in 2024! 🙏

[@ChrisP58]

Thank u for the Peter David Joe Fix It mention. Fun nostalgic mini series. Pleasantly surprised that he’s writing a new Spider-Man 2099 series! Hopefully, that means his health is doing better.

[@attieyag]

I love that you did this. I haven’t collected comics in 20 years and I’ve wanted to jump back in. After seeing all the stories and creatives, it’s been a turn off. I AM going to grab a majority of what’s suggested here. Thank you.

[@PapaMartyo4331]

Great video and hope you have a great new years Wes, thanks for being a real one in this time of awful comics/media. Oh and a side note to all those looking for great stuff outside of comics, read the manga 20th Century Boy, it’s amazing!

[@commonsense5199]

My best of Best Comics of 2023. 10.) Ghost Rider Danny Ketch by Howard Mackie 9.) Steelworks by Michael Dorn 8.) Arcade Kings by Dlyan Burnett 7.) Tenement by Jeff Lemire 6.) Stargirl and Lost Children By Geoff Johns 5.)Jay Garrick: The Flash by Jeremy Adams 4.) Blade by Bryan Hill 3.) Kroma by Lorenzo De Felici 2.) Superboy: Man of Tomorrow by Kenny Porter 1.) No/One by Kyle Higgins & Brian Bucellato

[@commonsense5199]

I gonna put an a Honorable Mentions: *Mosley by Rob Guillory*

[@devanbarrios9216]

My Top 10 comics of 2023: 10. Batman/Joker: Deadly Duo by Marc Silvestri 9. Incredible Hulk by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Nic Klein 8. Void Rivals by Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici 7. Magneto by J.M DeMatteis and Todd Nauck 6. Conan The Barbarian By Jim Zub and Roberto De La Torre 5. Action Comics by PKJ and Rafa Sandoval 4. Ultimate Invasion/Ultimate Universe by Jonathan Hickman, Bryan Hitch, and Stefano Caselli 3. Millarworld by Mark Millar and co. 2. Transformers by Daniel Warren Johnson 1. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 9: The JOJOLands by Hirihiko Araki

[@EvandroACruz]

Image The Last Barbarians and PKJ Action Comics run were my favorite readings of 2023. Every new year I feel that indie books are becoming very better than any modern DC and Marvel crap. I wanna to read The Ice Cream Man, Seem like a very good horror series.

[@kaspercole7]

There are 3 series on your list that I can't get behind as top 10 best of 2023: Ice Cream Man (don't really enjoy the art, not my kind of genre I guess), Enfield Gang Massacre (I read the first 3 issues and thought it was just okay; I guess I wanted a Western comic with more Quick and the Dead style shootout, quick draw gun play), and Batman and the Joker Deadly Duo (LOVED the art and some of the characterizations of Joker, Batman, Harley; but I couldn't really follow the logic in the plot, especially with the detective work). Here is my list: 1. Millarworld (Big Game, Nemesis Reloaded, The Ambassadors, Night Club, Magic Order Part 4) 2. Gunslinger Spawn (Brett Booth art, then Dexter Soy art; Gunslinger >> Al Simmons in cool factor) 3. Transformers (Daniel Warren Johnson drawing and writing my fave 80s cartoon for the win!) 4. Batman/Superman Worlds Finest (continues to be amazing with art and story w/ Silver Age feel) 5. Batman Santa Claus Silent Knight (great art, amazing Christmas book, adds to Santa Mythology in the coolest of ways, great one-liners, established DC characters feel like themselves) 6. Green Lantern (Jeremy Adams just gets Hal Jordan and the cast of characters around him) 7. King Spawn (this art, Spawn characterization, and horror feel is what I want the main Spawn title to be) 8. Minor Threats and Alternates (these are the sidekicks and the D-listers of a new superhero universe from Patton Oswald; very good in its own right) 9. Radiant Black (with the start of the war against the machines, this book has split off into 2 parallel paths depending on who gets the Radiant powers; superhero characters tend to be written as more classic, earlier generation characters wrt what is important to them; Radiant Black shows us superhero characters for Gen Z population) 10. Incredible Hulk/Action Comics (I love what PKJ has done with Hulk, but I have never liked Hulk as a character; that is saying a lot as I am thoroughly enjoying this Hulk run so far. Action is giving us a Super family which is how it should be since there are so many Superman-like characters helping to keep the peace; I wish they could somehow work this element into Spiderman or kill off every Spider person who is not named Peter Parker or Miles Morales; then Miles has to get his own name other than Spiderman and a much different crime-fighting/rogues identity).

[@StevieEvil666]

With the exception of The Sacrificers, I've collected everything on your list.

[@jk6919]

I don't have them in order, but my favorites have been: Rogue Sun Seven Years of Darkness Conan Silent Knight Wraith of God Blood Hunters Mythicals

[@ea_gaming]

Batman/Joker Deadly Duo was excellent, love Marc Silvestri’s art. I’m skeptical of GL still, I’ll need it to keep getting good reviews for at least another six issues before I hop in- nothing since Venditti’s run has been good IMO

[@akosilatyoloquez1376]

Millarworld, Mad Ghost, Giant Generator--Glad that I have all their titles (even Library edition). Now I'm looking forward to Mad Ghost stuffs and Millar's on Dark Horse . Hope there's more new titles from GG. I like consistency when it comes to Writer/Artist and that made me drop Conan. Ram V on short series. Waid on B/S World's finest (except fillers)--These are what excites me to stay and support local comics even though I have more mangas now.

[@TommyTwoSocks]

Great video Wes. I LOVE that Millar stole Quitely. Grant must be fuming haha

[@SheshyPetros]

Thank you for sharing, keep doing what you do!!!

[@joejunjulas7917]

Shout out to Batman Superman WF as its the only series on the list that was all year! It definitely was the best from the big two and its not even close

[@sidneyrivera3578]

Thanks for the video Wes. Agree with all of the Top 10. Your honorable mentions were solid also. I will check out Beast World now on your recommendation; was very hesitant to get on a DC event series. Cheers to a great 2024🥂

[@25kidd]

Great list Wes now I gotta catch up for 2024 cause I really missed out on green lantern.

[@GailNinnotti]

Amazing video!👍👏 I just began my comic book collection and found Toon Haven. They have an incredible range of digital comics for every genre, including the hard to find ones. Lifetime updates too!😁

[@thorodinson5520]

Conan the Barbarian Titan Comics is my number one book!

[@kapitolp7460]

Transformers has been an absolute blast and would possibly be my favorite if there maybe another three or four issues to go by. As it stands Conan is the best thing I have read all year in comics . Side note: have only read Night Club which was entertaining. I can’t really chime in on the rest of Millarworld yet

[@JorjaSinnett]

Wow, fantastic video. Thanks a lot!

[@WinonaBrazenor]

Super helpful, totally worth watching

[@choostopher5018]

Very much enjoying Transformers and Conan

[@GennaroManfrin]

That’s fantastic, thanks for sharing

[@WaseemDhakirBahar]

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing

[@brianbenjamin653]

Love the recs for Enfield and sacrificers. I bought them both based on your recommendations and loved them. I love mark Millar he's written my favorite comic but big game was kinda ass lol . Great video and i can't wait to read world's finest and the hulk based on this.

[@captainscomicsandcomments8079]

Glad you convinced me about Beast World, Wes. So far, so awesome. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

[@Wes_From_TC]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@RositaFallaci]

Cool series! Keep them coming

[@RashidHogsden]

Great video as always, keep up the great work

[@CarlotaLudowici]

wow, great video. thanks so much

[@SCWKorsgaard]

Conan the barbarian and Fire & Ice were both awesome

[@headlesshammerhead]

Conan the Barbarian is soooo good!

[@jeromemaida4933]

Wes I thank you for making me aware of books like "Big Game" and "Ice Cream Man". I truly feel "Red Sonja", with scripts by Torunn Gronbekk and fantastic art by Walter Geovani deserves some love as well.

[@raiderbear1]

Awesome work

[@kade82]

Like you, I'm a fan of Jeremy Adams. His Flash run was must-read for me and I followed him to Green Lantern. I'm thinking that DC should give Justice Society of America to Adams following Geoff Johns' run. He's shown a respect for DC history and his Jay Garrick: The Flash mini has allowed him to show off skill in writing both a story set in the past and the present.

[@chloe59k]

Agree with all those books maybe slit different order but same books but didn't read green lantern and I'm probably forgetting books that came out beginning of year but wouldn't have enough to fill out a top 10

[@murdock8694]

I gotta be honest...not a Mark Millar fan. I've read Kick-ass, both volumes of Nemesis, and Wanted. Didnt care for any of them. Do any of you have a particular Millar series you'd recommend that might get me on-board?

[@rammisalami]

What would you say is your current fav genre?

[@rammisalami]

His newer stuff is less subversive and edgy as the older Millarworld so I would say my personal favorite was King of Spies or Prodigy. But Night Club was straight forward vampire fun as well.

[@zemox2534]

​@@rammisalamiHuck was pretty good

[@rammisalami]

@@zemox2534 I haven’t been able to find that in person yet but I have it on my wishlist if I don’t find it soon!

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

To me, the best comics are the Indies (Image, Dynamite, Boom, etc....)

[@misterjackpots5005]

Jim Zub is a nice person. Check out his own fantasy title Skullkickers from 2011.

[@AstonMonks]

Mad respect for including World's Finest despite personal issues with Waid

[@Wes_From_TC]

If I read it and it was good it has to be at least considered for the list. World's Finest is too good to act like it didn't happen.

[@martinadams8877]

wes please don't let your hatred of waid stop you from reading a comic you love. There are so few good comics in the world and there is just so much pointless hatred. What's more the hatred never affects the hated only the haters. Take a breath, move on, enjoy your comics, try to ignore the rest. Enjoy, forgive, happy new year.

[@bobbymack3636]

I have really been enjoying that Conan run so far!

[@timwingers]

I agree with his list. For 2024 GI Joe Real American Hero, Void Rivals, and Cobra Commander could all make the list.

[@KGCMX]

I'll be looking out for that Enfield Gang Massacre trade paperback... looks like it's scheduled for an April 9th release... and maybe the Conan trade too.

[@SakimiEnomoto]

great content. ty

[@eduardodeleon4061]

Elric melinube by titan is also amazing

[@greendaleforever]

I just got all of Englehart's Lantern!

[@jonathansoko1085]

Jeremy Adams should have the KEYS to DC and he should be the man running the circus. I am a flash guy, thsts my thing. His run made me so happy again. Spurrier made me cry, he destroyed everytbing in 1 issue.

[@FCSchaefer]

Loved Night Club, really hope Millar continues that series at Dark Horse.

[@milestrombley1466]

I enjoyed MillarWorld Big Game. It would be cool if it got a cinematic universe. But it would be hard to sell.

[@PoloDavey]

Transformers is def good. I'm just getting back into comics after a multi year hiatus so it's nice having something like this to start back in on.

[@peterdee2761]

I think Jeff Lemire is doing a great job with Andrea Sorrentino on Image's Tenement. Lemire's Phantom Road is good too.

[@michaeltorre8170]

I could never just stop reading because of someone's political views or how much of moron they are. I read for my pleasure and love for the characters not the writers. If they are writen correctly like Superman is in Worlds Finest is all I care about. The writers are meaningless to me as long as they write the character I love correctly. I've always felt that way.

[@rammisalami]

Agreed. We have been shown that diminishing sales and boycotts were not enough to get them to tell good stories where the heroes are in character. And it would probably piss Mark off more to know we still read and enjoy his comics even though he called us names.

[@zemox2534]

​​@@rammisalamiSorry but I do not give a crap how good a writer Mark Waid is! I am not going to support someone who mocks another man after he just lost his wife or call a black person a white supremist! It is like people still supporting wwe after all thevBS they pulled. Because they provide "entertainment "? No. That is no excuse for exploiting other's personal problems for ratings!!!

[@michaeltorre8170]

@zemox2534 , Well, That is your prerogative and you are more then welcome to do whatever pleases you. I simply do not care for anyone's political views nor does it affect my life and what I enjoy.

[@jeromemaida4933]

​@@michaeltorre8170I usually feel that way, but when Waid constantly tells fans to fuck off, and would like to see the industry burn, then no "quality" will get me to read again.

[@rammisalami]

@@michaeltorre8170 couldn’t have said it better.

[@neotek8582]

I may be wrong, but I’m pretty sure Zub’s last name is pronounced as: Zoob. Which, means tooth in Russian.

[@ComicsForLife2023]

1. Superman/Batman World’s Finest 2. Transformers 3. Wolverine vs Predator 4. Shazam 5. Superman The Last Days of Lex Luthor 6. GI Joe 7. Justice League vs Godzilla 8. Conan The Barbarian 9. Green Lantern (Hal Jordan run) 10. The Incredible Hulk (Johnson run)

[@Bluegundam13]

Can you jump into Jeremy Adam's green lantern if you stopped after hal jordan and the glc?

[@Wes_From_TC]

100%

[@Bluegundam13]

@@Wes_From_TC Awesome thanks because ive collected all the trades up to the end of that run and dont have morrisons run since I heard it was kinda weird

[@dope_comix4455]

I loved Hulk, Superman, Dracula, Danger Street….

[@totomen666]

For me it was Rogue Sun, and then Millar comics, Green Lantern with unique ring (how long before they snap Hal from grace), didn't enjoyed so much monstro Hulk because it's just another "protect the child story", and maybe it's my fault but i love Dark X-men as long they not going too woke.

[@rickymcn1]

It's pretty obvious that Big Game would be number 1. I enjoyed it SO much. The sad thing is that other KZbinrs who do these lists will completely ignore it because the cancel pigs told them to.

[@David-xc5pg]

Big Conan fan, so when heard your take on new conan comics decided to get back into comics after quitting them in 2020 when DC was going full agenda mode

[@soldjer21]

Mark Millar isn't really my taste, he's very dark, if you like that. The kinsman is absolutely ridiculous.

[@Nadafingah]

Nice list. I totally forgot that Ice Cream Man put out 4 issues this year. So, it’s bye bye Shazam. My list’s turning out a lot like this one. Switching order of Conan and World’s Finest and moving Endfield and Deadly Duo above Transformers. Here’s a nice trend: 4 actual ongoing books. 6 if you include Transformers, which is switching teams, and Ice Cream Man, which is infrequent. I think I had mostly limited series last year,

[@stormshadowctf]

When isnt the hulk a vagabond

[@patrickmel8728]

Time for you to start reading Saga so you can put it at #1 like it deserves

[@attieyag]

QUESTION… When you are laying out your favorite books… Are these monthly buys… or are you talking about complete graphic novels?

[@Wes_From_TC]

These are floppy comics. But most are collected in trade by now.

[@Bav92]

I feel like comics are in the worst state they’ve ever been. I truly don’t think they want to publish physically any more

[@Saikotic]

Who are the top writers and artists to follow/be aware of?

[@rammisalami]

I would say Kenny Porter, Jeremy Adams and Phillip Kennedy Johnson are my current must buys as well as Waid. Nikolas Draper Ivy and Peach Momoko are some Marvel artists I have been enjoying. From DC Steve Beach, Daniel Sampere, Rafa Sandoval, and Mahmoud Asrar haven’t missed yet. Federici is my current favorite though.

[@norrisford1583]

DWJ also murdered Bumblebee. . .

[@captainwohop]

Transformers blew me away with every issue. First time in a while that I’m buying a comic on a monthly basis versus waiting for the tpb.

[@atigerforever1]

For ME...Conan #1!!!!

[@mattrex8599]

You forgot Wraith of God Blood Hunters!!

[@jimstoffel9243]

Mark Waid is a Genuis

[@lifegood3322]

I think the best way to send waid a message will be seeing the numbers go way down on world's finest! I didn't like him but for awhile I was willing to give him a pass! Not anymore!

[@1disciplemichael]

I'm on the Conan train I'm on the Millar train

[@edwardhipkiss281]

Was never a fan of Daniel Warren Johnson. Maybe he's always been a good writer, but his art style wasn't for me so never bothered picking up anything by him. Picked up Transformers #1 on your and Drew from Comics Elite's recommendation Wes, and this is, hands down, the best Transformers run since Simon Furman's original Marvel run in the 80s / early 90s. Issue 1 was great, I was hooked by issue 2. I'd completely forgotten what a genuinely brilliant, can't want for the next issue, comic looked like. Think The Kill Lock was the last time I felt that. Don't know how long DWJ is on the series for, but I hope Kirkman and Skybound can pin him down beyond 6 issues. Even if he's relegated to just the writer if he doesn't have the time to illustrate it too. Also made me realise how badly IDW dropped the ball when they had the property. Excited for Transformers again!

[@raulzavala9061]

Who would of thought a Transformers comic actually getting high praise? The old Marvel series never got any respect and the first #1 issues from Dreamwave and IDW when they had the license only sold record numbers because of the nostalgia factor.

[@MCUPW]

Conan will be here, and Worlds Finest, probably....

[@Nadafingah]

Wes might exclude it because of Waid’s baby rant a few weeks ago, which is kind of a pity. Now, does he do the Millarworld stuff individually or all as 1 big story?

[@Nadafingah]

I stand corrected

[@Wes_From_TC]

I can't ignore the comics I read.

[@YEARofTheCollector]

"This is the best Harley Quinn that I've read in 5 years" 😂😂😂😂😂 HQ had like 5 lines in the entire book please stop 😂😂😂😂

[@rammisalami]

I believe that was the point he was making 😅

[@YEARofTheCollector]

@rammisalami I'm sure it was, but that says more about him than the actual voice of the character. For one, Harley is not even with Joker since I don't know how long ago, and second, she was mostly a dance in distress. I read this book and every other that came out in 2023. It's not a bad portrayal, but it's definitely not where Harley Quinn is currently. Character grow/change, saying you don't like them how they are is totally fine. But don't say the one you like is the absolute version.

[@ChrisP58]

If the little girl is getting Hulk powers I hope it’s in the context of the story and not another attempt at replacing legacy characters. Weirdly, it seems similar as the apparent ghost rider replacement headed our way 😞 🤢

[@kzik6929]

Hey I'm a little out of the loop with Mark Waid. What's the drama there? I am uninformed.

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

He again ranted on social media and said that (HIS words, NOT mine) that he rather "see the comics industry burn to the ground"! And also calling out those who don't agree with his views as ALT-RIGHTS😅

[@wraith6776]

If you aren't putting independents on your worst list then they shouldn't be on your best list.

[@ricksanchezdeluniversoc1379]

Bro i think you are kinda biased on your number 1

[@rammisalami]

What would your number one have been?

[@MatthewLoh-ru1mw]

Then WHICH ones would you prefer?

[@magfedmichigan2251]

In continuity is overrated. Deadly duo is my #3

[@Rick-eo8vo]

😎👍

[@powermasterjazz]

Transformers is so frickin' good. Sorry, I'll never read anything by cancel pig Mark Waid