10 Best Non-Superhero Comic Books Of The 2020s (So Far)
During the height of the pandemic, there seemed to be a rise in new comic readers. With film production being put on hold at the time, fans were eager to read about some of their favorite characters and even discover new ones. And with that rise in comic book readership, there was also arguably an increase in the quality of the stories.
Marvel and DC may have had some of the greatest superhero stories in recent memory, with titles such as Chip Zdarsky's Daredevil and Tom Taylor's Nightwing. Still, there are plenty of non-superhero comics that have kept readers engaged from the first issue.
James Tynion IV is perhaps most well known for his work at DC Comics (particularly with Batman) or the indie smash-hit, Something Is Killing The Children. However, in September 2020, Tynion's Department Of Truth was released from Image Comics.
The series was a critical hit, telling a uniquely intriguing story about a man who discovers a secret organization that hides all the vital information surrounding the various well-known conspiracy theories (flat Earth, JFK assassination, etc.). Tynion creates the perfect blend of horror and noir, and artist Martin Simmonds' gritty artwork manages to fit perfectly for the incredible story.
September 2020 also saw the release of Daredevil scribe Chip Zdarsky's horror comic Stillwater from Image's Skybound imprint. It is not just the great writing fans who have come to expect from Zdarsky in recent years, but Ramon K Perez's art, paired with Mike Spicer's colors, makes this comic special.
The series revolves around a man named Daniel, who is summoned to the town of Stillwater to receive an inheritance from an unknown relative. Without revealing too much of the events in the first issue, it is evident something is eerie about the town, and Daniel plans to find out what that is. The series recently began its final story arc and is set to conclude in June 2022 (or so Zdarsky says).
In June 2009, John Layman and Rob Guillory released the indie smash-hit Chew. Layman's hilarious scripts, combined with Guillory's unique style of artwork, made it like no other comic on the stands. The series concluded with its 60th issue in November 2016. In March 2020, Layman announced the series would continue with a brand new series with artist Dan Boultwood.
Chu follows Tony Chu's sister, Saffron Chu, a brand new character in Layman's "Chew-niverse." Like her brother, she also possesses special food-related powers, which she uses for her criminal activities. The series manages to maintain the same zany tone as the original series before it but also welcomes a new generation of readers by giving a brand new story. The series is currently on hiatus, but the first two trades are available for purchase now.
For the past few years, Tom Taylor has established himself as one of the best writers in the industry right now. With recent titles like Marvel's Dark Ages or DC's Dark Knights of Steel, Taylor shows he knows how to write a fun, engaging series. Seven Secrets is no exception.
Taylor tapped Mighty Morphin Power Rangers artist Daniele di Nicuolo to create a beautiful scene for Taylor's upbeat, heartfelt, and sometimes dramatic scripts. The story focuses on a fictional organization known as The Order. The Order is tasked with guarding seven briefcases, each case holding a valuable secret that could cause world destruction if opened. The series is set to conclude with its 18th issue in June 2022.
Donny Cates has long been writing some of the most strange and horrifying comics on the market. However, he is perhaps most well-known for his run on Marvel's Venom and the creation of Knull, God of the Symbiotes. In July 2020, Cates retweeted a teaser that contained nothing more than the title and the Image comics logo. The following December, what would be released would possibly change comic book stories for years to come.
Donny Cates chose to reunite with Guardians of the Galaxy artist, Geoff Shaw, to help create this post-apocalyptic universe where a world-altering comic book event has come straight from the pages and into the real world. What follows is a fascinating story of the mysterious "comic book killer" that is taking the lives of comic book writers and artists and how a group of comic enthusiasts attempts to use their extensive comic book knowledge to find those responsible.
Another entry from James Tynion IV, The Nice House On The Lake is a horror comic from DC's Black Label imprint that serves as yet another reminder that Tynion may be the best writer in the horror genre today. Tynion reunites with his partner from his time writing Detective Comics, Álvaro Martínez Bueno, to craft an eerie environment that keeps readers gripped to the end.
The 12-issue series is currently on its eighth issue and has kept readers engaged and eager for answers since the beginning. With the previously mentioned Department of Truth along with Something Is Killing The Children, it should not come as a shock that this story is not only one of the best non-superhero comics of the 2020s but also one of the best DC Comics.
This may be one of the more outrageous entries on this list, but still, one that deserves some recognition. Rick Remender is most well known for his work on Deadly Class or Marvel's X-Force, but this title made a point not to take itself too seriously. Remender has always been a writer who has valued a fun story and '80s popular culture, something that shapes The Scumbag into something so entertaining.
The story follows Ernie Ray Clementine, a character who can most likely be described as vulgar, stupid, and downright disgusting, and he is the only one that can save the world by becoming a super-spy when he accidentally injects himself with a serum that gives him special powers. The series features a rotating cast of artists and remains one of the most satisfyingly ridiculous comics on the stands.
Dan Watters has been a rising star the past few years, gracing those hungry for a delightfully weird story with titles like DC's House of Whispers or Image's Coffin Bound. However, this time, Watters and artist Caspar Wijngaard decided he wanted to write a fun, punk rock horror-comedy with Home Sick Pilots.
Described as an amalgam of Power Rangers and The Shining, the series has been a fan favorite since its debut, serving as a refreshing change from the various darker stories published weekly. Watters' writing combined with Wijngaard's vibrant artwork makes this wild ride something that should be experienced by any horror fan.
After starting out his artistic career as the colorist for his brother's pencils on Ed Brubaker's Criminal, Jacob Phillips makes his solo artist debut with the neo-western crime series, That Texas Blood. It's penned by relatively new writer Chris Condon, who writes a gripping tale of a man who returns to his abandoned Texas home after the mysterious death of his brother Travis.
The series has remained one of the best crime stories on the stands and shows no sign of slowing down. For those who love the work of Ed Brubaker or Brian Michael Bendis, don't miss this story that is sure to become a classic in the crime genre.
One of the DCU's more unique characters, Christopher Chance is a target for hire, disguising himself as those who are in danger of being assassinated. While not an A-lister, the character has had two television shows and has even made appearances in seasons 5 and 6 of Arrow.
Tom King paired up with artist Greg Smallwood to create an amazing whodunnit story about who in the DCU attempted to assassinate Lex Luthor when Chance was tasked with disguising as Lex Luthor for his protection. This story is for those looking for an intriguing mystery paired with amazing artwork and is sure to go down as one of Kings' best.