mike
|
25 Issues
|
Apr 7, 2026
Staff
Ranked
Modern Indie Breakouts
Non-Big-Two issues from the last 20 years that proved creator-owned stories could rule the market.
#1
#1
Issue #1
Manifest Destiny (2013)
Nov 13, 2013
2
A supernatural reimagining of Lewis and Clark's expedition across America.
#1
Welcome To Black Hammer
Black Hammer (2016)
Jul 20, 2016
3
Jeff Lemire's love letter to superhero history through a deconstructive lens.
#1
Issue #1
Oblivion Song (2018)
Mar 07, 2018
4
Robert Kirkman's sci-fi follow-up to The Walking Dead and Invincible.
#1
Issue #1
BRZRKR (2021)
Jun 26, 2021
5
The Keanu Reeves-led hit that broke Kickstarter and sales records.
#1
The Look of Love
Stray Bullets (1995)
6
David Lapham's gritty noir masterpiece that defined indie crime comics.
#1
Chapter One: The End of the World
The Department of Truth (2020)
Sep 30, 2020
★ 5.0
7
A chilling exploration of conspiracy theories that became a modern classic.
#1
Book One: Family
Lazarus (Trade Paperback, 2013)
Oct 09, 2013
8
Greg Rucka's grounded dystopian future led by the warrior Forever Carlyle.
#1
Chapter One: There Will Be Blood
Nailbiter (2014)
May 07, 2014
9
A gripping serial killer mystery set in a town that breeds monsters.
#1
Days Gone Bye, Pt. 1
The Walking Dead (2003)
Oct 08, 2003
★ 5.0
10
Launched the zombie phenomenon that dominated pop culture for a decade.
#1
1: The Party (Fantasy Heartbreaker, Part One)
Die (2018)
Dec 05, 2018
11
Described as 'Goth Jumanji,' it explored the trauma of tabletop RPGs.
#1
Chapter One
Saga (2012)
Mar 14, 2012
★ 5.0
12
A sci-fi fantasy epic that brought thousands of new readers to comics.
#1
Book ONE
The Nice House on the Lake (2021)
Jun 01, 2021
13
A masterclass in modern psychological horror and suspense.
#1
Issue #1
Invincible (2003)
Jan 22, 2003
★ 5.0
14
The start of the most successful superhero universe outside of Marvel and DC.
#1
Issue #1
Eight Billion Genies (2022)
May 11, 2022
15
A massive high-concept hit from Charles Soule and Ryan Browne.
#1
The Angel of Archer's Peak Part One
Something is Killing the Children (2019)
Sep 04, 2019
16
A modern horror sensation that became an instant collector's key.
#1
Vol. 1: Rainbow Sprinkles
Ice Cream Man (2018)
Jun 20, 2018
17
An anthology horror series that used an unsettling mascot to tell dark tales.
#1
Issue #1
Monstress (2015)
Nov 04, 2015
★ 4.5
18
Marjorie Liu's lushly illustrated epic that redefined modern fantasy world-building.
#1
Volume 1: Heartland
Local Man (2023)
Feb 22, 2023
★ 4.5
19
A meta-look at 90s superhero tropes and the aftermath of being a 'hero'.
#1
Taster's Choice, Part 1 of 5
Chew (2009)
Jun 03, 2009
20
A quirky, high-concept hit that proved how diverse indie stories could be.
#1
Issue #1
Love and Rockets (1982)
Dec 31, 1982
21
The cornerstone of alternative comics that continues to influence today.
Once Again; 1-2-3-4
The Wicked + The Divine (2014)
Jun 18, 2014
22
Blended pop stardom with mythology in a visually stunning series.
#1
Suzie Down in the Quiet
Sex Criminals (2013)
Sep 25, 2013
23
An adult comedy-drama that used its wild premise to tell a human story.
#1
One: Out of the Wasteland
East of West (2013)
Mar 27, 2013
24
A sprawling sci-fi western that showcased Jonathan Hickman's world-building.
#1
Issue #1
Birthright (2014)
Oct 08, 2014
25
A fantasy series that explores what happens *after* the hero returns home.
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