Lists

Recently launched comic series worth checking out - new ongoing and limited series that started within the last few months.

The most exciting series and launches of 2026, spanning DC's Absolute Universe expansion, Marvel's biggest new starts, and the indie books everyone's watching.

Great comics that require zero prior knowledge, perfect entry points for new readers or anyone who wants a complete, self-contained story.

Every essential story arc from Spider-Man's Brand New Day era, the comic run that inspired the 2026 film starring Tom Holland. The best place to start before seeing the movie.

Groups dedicated to fighting things that go bump in the night.

Ranked by their collective raw power and their record of defeating cosmic threats.

Hidden gems and overlooked masterpieces that deserve more recognition. These series flew under the radar despite their quality, and they're waiting to be discovered by readers looking for something beyond the usual recommendations.

Every San Diego Comic-Con 2026 exclusive comic cover, in one place. The show ran July 23 to 26, with Preview Night on Wednesday, July 22. This list holds 546 show-only covers across 192 issues. DC, Marvel, Image, IDW, Dark Horse and BOOM! all had one, and so did dozens of small presses. Shops and booths had their own too, from Torpedo Comics, Big Time Collectibles, Trinity Comics and more. Look for foil, virgin, glow-in-the-dark, spot UV and signed covers, with print runs from 2,000 down to 20. The ones to watch this year were Absolute Batman #22, Absolute Superman #21, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #20, Lady Death, and Something is Killing the Children. Track what you own, build a want list, and check print runs and prices on every SDCC 2026 cover.

Essential comic series from Japan, France, Belgium, and beyond that defined global comics.

Jonathan Hickman's Avengers and New Avengers run, through Infinity and Secret Wars (2015), in reading order. All 92 issues, from the first incursion to Battleworld, ahead of Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026.

The essential modern key issues every collector should know: first appearances, landmark debuts, and milestone publications from 2010 to 2026.

The next generation of heroes learning the ropes and finding their way.

The free comics shops gave away on Free Comic Book Day 2025, held Saturday, May 3, at more than 2,300 participating stores worldwide.

Teams that call the stars their home and protect the galaxy.

The six ongoing titles nominated for Best Continuing Series at the 2026 Eisner Awards, the category for series still running with no set end in sight.

First issues from the horror boom of 1948 to 1954, before the Comics Code tamed the genre. ACG, Ace, Avon and Harvey all rushed out anthologies of ghosts, curses and creeping dread, and these opened the door.

The six debuts nominated for Best New Series at the 2026 Eisner Awards, the category that singles out the strongest first-year titles on the shelf.

International groups and squads from the world of manga and non-US comics.

Criminals and rogues given a second chance, or forced to take one.

Essential issues from the dawn of the medium that introduced iconic archetypes and established the industry.

First appearances that nailed it immediately issues where a character walked in and you knew they were special from page one.

Ranked by how much they shifted the industry away from the Marvel/DC duopoly.

The greatest horror comics series, from EC Comics golden age through modern masters of the genre, showcasing the unique power of sequential art to unsettle and disturb.