Comic books aren’t just about the kind of superheroes found in DC or Marvel. They're another way to tell stories, just like television, films, or video games do. As such, there are plenty of comics from genres that aren’t based on superheroes.
For example, fantasy comics have a long history that dates back to the beginning of indie comics in the ’70s. With comics having no “budget” to limit them, they're arguably the best place to showcase the fantasy genre. It’s difficult to narrow down which of the dozens of fantasy classics people should be reading, but there are a few good places to start.
10 Dragonlance Presents A Look At A Classic D&D Setting
DC Comics acquired the D&D license in the late '80s and ran with it, creating several books set in different environments. Dragonlance was set in the Dragonlance setting from the early '80s and explored the relatively new world in detail. Every new arc hopped to a different place and introduced characters that were both familiar to fans of the Dragonlance setting and added new characters to shake things up. The book had solid storytelling and even better art, although it only ran for thirty-four issues before coming to an end in 1991.
9 Mage Is A Modern Fantasy About A Reincarnated King Arthur
Not all fantasy has to take place in the distant past. The Mage series is a classic run that began in the mid-'80s and was released as three separate mini-series. In them, writer-artist Matt Wagner tells the story of Kevin Matchstick, the reincarnation of King Arthur. This reincarnation, Kevin, has special powers that include a magic baseball bat that can shoot lightning. His job is to face off against supernatural threats hidden in modern society. Along the way, he meets other heroes that were reborn in this era, which makes things feel like a less ridiculous Fate/Stay Night. Still, Mage sees Kevin grow from an angry young man to an experienced dad who takes care of his family.
8 Arrowsmith Is Fantasy Crossed With World War I
By the 2000s, everyone was tired of Tolkien rip-offs and wanted different kinds of fantasy settings. Well, it doesn’t get more different than Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco’s Arrowsmith series. Set during the first world war in a world where magic is real and used to fight battles, the series has a vibe unlike anything else that was out at the time. If there’s one drawback, it’s that the series only ran for six issues. There are multiple versions of Arrowsmith Vol. 1: So Smart In Their Fine Uniforms available for people who want a quality read for an afternoon.
7 Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Is Dungeons & Dragons Through A '90s Lens
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons is one of several Dungeons & Dragons series that DC Comics launched in the late '80s. This version was set in the Forgotten Realms – another well-known setting for the role-playing game. The series is as "classic fantasy" as anyone might want, with solid work from Dan Mishkin and Jan Duursema. Much like Dragonlance, the series was split into arcs. However, most of them involved the same group of adventurers as they solved problems both for peace and money. The series ran about as long as the others, topping out at thirty-six issues.
6 Elfquest Is One Of The Oldest Classic Fantasy Comics
Written by wife-husband team Wendy and Richard Pini, Elfquest began in the late '70s. It hopped from multiple studios including Marvel, DC Comics, and Dark Horse (something that’s almost unheard of for most comics), which is a sign of how long it ran for. The series follows Cutter and his fellow elves – the Wolf-Riders – while they try to survive on an ever-changing planet after being burned out of their own homes. It’s a massive epic, and the best part is that a lot of the storyline exists on Elfquest's main website.
5 Bone Is A Great Sweeping Fantasy With Cute Cartoon Protagonists
Bone is a classic series that everyone should read at least once, even if they’re not fans of fantasy series. Writer-artist Jeff Smith created an award-winning classic that’s a breezy read even at fifty-five issues. The story starts with Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone getting kicked out of their hometown after Phoney suffers a failed mayoral campaign.
Although this sounds like the makings of a comedy, it’s actually the beginning of a sweeping epic that involves chosen ones and giant rat monsters. These days, the series can be found in one massive volume, and it’s even in color now. It’s best to check it out ahead of the announced Netflix cartoon.
4 Monstress Tells The Story Of A Young Woman With A Strange Power Inside Her
Monstress has been one of a handful of must-read books at Image for several years now, all thanks to creators Sana Takeda and Marjorie Liu. The series is set in a fantastical version of Asia and follows an orphaned teenager named Maika. Maika is special for a ton of reasons, but most specifically because she’s sharing her body with a monster that wields incredible power. Monstress offers a massive, expansive world that’s filled with the sort of world-building people might expect from a fantasy series.
3 Saga Is One Of The Best Modern Comics Being Published Today
Saga is as much science fiction as it is fantasy, but it still belongs on any list that says “best.” Fiona Staples and Brian K. Vaughn have created a true classic comic with this series, which is why people have still been excited for it despite it being on hiatus for four years.
The series follows a husband and wife who are trying to look after their child, Hazel. However, they’re on the run from authorities from both their home planets due to the races being at war with each another. The series has recently returned from hiatus, so there’s no better time to start reading one of the best comics of the last decade.
2 Klaus Turns Santa Claus Into A Superhero
Grant Morrison has some true classics under their belt, such as JLA, New X-Men, and All-Star Superman. But one of their greatest (yet unfortunately relatively-unknown) books transforms Santa Claus into a fantasy superhero. After the character’s origin story in 2015, Morrison and artist Dan Mora released several annual expansions to the story during Christmas. Each new one-shot expanded Klaus’ powers and legend until he was an immortal version of Superman, complete with a base located on the Moon and a sleigh that let him travel the stars themselves.
1 Red Sonja Makes An Iconic Hero Awesome To A New Group Of Fans
Gail Simone and Walter Geovani’s run on Red Sonja is a sword-and-sorcery tale worthy of the iconic character. Each story arc is a tale from her incredible life: stories that make her compassionate, wise, or terrifying as needed. The Complete Gail Simone Red Sonja Oversized Edition manages to collect all of Gail’s stories about the character and give her a brand-new origin – one that’s more befitting of the modern era. Simone’s stories were so good she made the character relevant again, and Red Sonja has had pretty consistent comics written about her ever since.