2022 proved to be an interesting year for comics as the world continued to recover from a global pandemic. A sense of normalcy returned to the medium, perhaps most recognizably in the form of in-person comic book conventions finally opening up their doors again (including the vaunted San Diego Comic Con) and a massive flocking to theatres across the country to once again view popular comic book feature films such as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Thor: Love and Thunder. The year proved to be equally as exciting for the printed medium with the return of massive crossovers that came with serious consequences for their respective universes in the form of events such as DC's Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and Marvel's Judgment Day.
The Comic Features editors at CBR put their collective heads together to produce a list of the best comics of the year, which was no easy task considering the mass amount of great content that was produced by not only the Big Two but a number of smaller publishers. Nevertheless, the valiant editors trudged through and were able to produce a list of not only our 10 favorite comics of the year, but also two honorable mentions.
Honorable Mention: Creepshow
In the midst of a year filled with epic battles, dark forces, and dramatic fallouts within comics, Creepshow was a breath of fresh air in the industry. Creepshow is the reboot of a 1982 graphic novel by Stephen King based on a film of the same name. The series brought the fun and campy nature of ‘80s horror films back to the modern day.
Creepshow is an anthology series, with every issue featuring several ambitious short scary stories. The versatility of this revival made it a great read for any given audience. It provided nostalgia for an older audience and introduced the younger generation to the charm of old-timey ghost stories. - Jenny C.
Honorable Mention: Flashpoint Beyond
In 2022, DC returned to the universe inadvertently created years earlier by the Flash in the seven issue mini-series Flashpoint Beyond. While the series focused largely on one of the breakout characters of the original Flashpoint, Thomas Wayne's ultra-violent version of Batman, the series also introduced new elements to the alternate universe that included a new Robin (partially trained by the Penguin, no less) and a tragic version of the classic Bat-Villain Two-Face.
In addition to being an all-around fun ride with numerous twists and turns, the series also served as an introduction to the new era of DC Comics. The final issue of Flashpoint Beyond was a segue into the New Golden Age, which has not only brought in all-new characters but has also refreshed and reinvigorated a number of classic heroes. The biggest beneficiaries of this initiative so far has been the Justice Society, which has now experienced a massive resurgence in interest and popularity among comic book readers. - D. R. Bickham
10. Radiant Red
2022 brought with it the expansion of the Massive-Verse of Image Comics in the form of Radiant Red by Cherish Chen and David Lafuente with colors by Miquel Muerto. The story picked up where fans last left off with the main character Satomi Sone, in the aftermath of her time as an antagonist in Radiant Black. The full-time teacher and part-time superpowered robber and her husband are still in financial trouble as a result of his gambling addiction. All the while Satomi is being forced to make a decision about what kind of person she really wants to be with her powers.
Radiant Red takes the greatest strengths of the Massive-Verse so far and shines a spotlight on them. Satomi is presented as a grounded character with real problems while also trying to navigate the complex morality of having superpowers. Cherish Chen delivers in showing readers a woman trying to put her life back together after making mistakes and the result is genuine self-discovery. Featuring amazing art rendered by Lafuente and Muerto, Radiant Red is a welcome addition to one of the fastest-growing comic hero universes currently in publication. - Xavier J.
9. We Have Demons
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo team up once again for the supernatural thriller We Have Demons. The story centers around a long-time atheist turned demon hunter, Lam Lyle. Pushed away from religion and driven straight into the arms of science by Cash, her estranged father, Lam finds herself in an odd predicament. Upon learning of her father’s death Lam goes home for his funeral – and to say that things escalated would be a severe understatement.
From finding out that her father was a demon hunter, to being attacked by two demons in disguise and meeting Cash’s demon hunting partner Gus, her whole world was turned upside down. Everything she once believed to be untrue was thrown right in her face. Snyder’s inspirational storytelling and Capullo’s unrestrained art bring this story to life in a horrifically fantastic way. - Jenny C.
8. Dark Knights of Steel
Highly acclaimed and bestselling author Tom Taylor is no stranger to creating incredibly fascinating alternate universes, and 2022's Dark Knights of Steel is no exception. This instant classic tells a riviting story that focuses on Superman's entire family escaping to Earth from Krypton during the Middle Ages and establishing a kingdom that becomes home to alliances and betrayals that would feel right at home in an episode of HBO's Game of Thrones.
The brilliant artwork of the phenomenal Yasmine Putri complements the series further, as familiar characters are placed in situations that are as intriguing as they are unusual. The surprises are abundant in this series, as the origins of classic characters are reimagined and nothing is ever quite as it seems. Amidst the bloodshed and tyranny is a mystery that ultimately holds answers that no one would expect, and the recent confirmation of this world being a part of DC's new Multiverse makes this series a definite must-read. - D. R. Bickham
7. Nightwing
Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo's Nightwing series received the most Eisner nominations this year, and for good reason - the series is quite possibly at its absolute best. Although it was ultimately denied the prestiguous award, Nightwing continues to impress, as it takes Batman's first Robin on a journey that is just as much about Dick Grayson as it is about his costumed alter ego.
As it currently stands, this series has nearly done it all, and it just keeps getting better. The creative team does an excellent job of presenting Nightwing as a self-sufficient and complete character, with not only his own supporting cast but also villains who are sometimes even deadlier (and more interesting) than the ones his mentor faces in Gotham City. And then there's Dick's adopted dog Haley, aka Bitewing, who is arguably the single most adorable pet companion in comics. - D. R. Bickham
6. Immortal X-Men
Kieron Gillen and Lucas Werneck's Immortal X-Men does something that very few comics are able to do with any degree of consistency: it allows readers an in-depth look into the minds of the various characters featured in the book. Each issue is uniquely told from the viewpoint of one of the mutants inhabiting the island (such as Hope or Shadowcat), and it provides insight to some of the weirdness going on in the X-Men's new mutant nation.
Immortal X-Men is at its best when highlighting one of the worst of the mutants, the vile Mister Sinister. A longtime foe of the heroic mutants, Sinister is a villain through and through - and he absolutely loves it. His arrogance, treachery, and downright dastardly nature are in full display in the series from the beginning, as the first issue is told from his perspective - and it quickly becomes apparent that he is by far the most interesting inhabitant of Krakoa. Fans can't exactly root for Sinister, but they also can't wait to see what he does next. - D. R. Bickham
5. Detective Comics
In 2022, Detective Comics got a fresh start with the primary creative team of Ram V and Rafael Albuquerque. The long-running series gave readers plenty of varied material. Gothic horror, Lovecraftian elements, noir, macabre mysticism, and traditional superheroics are all used to great effect. The story uses a grand arch narrative with plenty of time for organic detours. New and iconic villains show up throughout the year. In particular, Two-Face's return offers a chance for a truly fascinating, bizarre psychological study.
That's not all though. Many issues also feature back-up stories that contextualize and flesh out Gotham City. Batman's various side characters and villains truly shine with the extra narrative spotlight. The art remains consistent throughout and really compliments the narrative pacing. Despite the book's many offerings, Detective Comics never forgets that Batman is the World's Greatest Detective for a reason. - Sebastian M.
4. Devil's Reign
Comic book readers who were fatigued by the multiverse and cosmic MacGuffins got a bit of a reprieve from Marvel in 2022. Devil's Reign once again focuses on a back to basics battle between superheroes and supervillains. The crossover manages to rope in both Marvel's street-level heroes and the Avengers into a tale in which Daredevil villain Kingpin is elevated to mayor of New York City - with deadly consequences. The creative team of Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto provide plenty of artistic thrills and dramatic plot twists.
Even though the narrative is presented as a sprawling crossover, Devil's Reign never loses sight of its main characters. Daredevil and Elektra are given plenty of space to process Wilson Fisk's new position of power. Supporting characters such as Luke Cage, the Purple Man, and Doctor Octopus are used in a way that compliments their internal motivations and unique powersets. There's even a creative use of the Thunderbolts concept. Fans of Marvel's street-level heroes will no doubt find this story very much to their liking. - Sebastian M.
3. Batman
After penning a phenomenal run on Marvel's Daredevil, writer Chip Zdarsky took on the original street-level vigilante, Batman, and introduced an all-new take on DC's iconic hero. Alongside legendary artist Jorge Jimenez, Zdarsky built upon concepts previously introduced in prior tales of the Dark Knight, playing on his insecurities and need for control to create the villain Failsafe, a robotic entity dedicated to protecting Gotham City from its worse problem - the Caped Crusader himself.
Zdarsky introduced a Batman far removed from the "Bat-God" persona made famous by Grant Morrison, opting instead to present a vulnerable and fallible Dark Knight. This fresh perspective made the Caped Crusader much more accessible, painting him as a person dealing with a grueling tragedy the best way he knew how. This creative team also brought back Batman's often forgotten second personality, "Zurr En Arrh" and made it an integral (and overly violent) part of his character. In short, this is a kickass run that gives Batman fans substantial bang for their buck. - D. R. Bickham
2. Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man
Spider-Man trades Hell’s Kitchen for the City of Angels in the five-issue mini-series, Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and the results are wonderfully odd. The story follows Peter Parker traveling to Los Angeles to work on a science experiment. When he arrives, he begins to have terrifying hallucinations that only get worse as the story progresses.
While it may be a bit of a slow burn for some, Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man still takes readers on a fun, mind-bending journey. The mini-series is filled with science, the supernatural, and even features the X-Men villain, Demon Bear. This new Spider-Man adventure breathes new life into the classic hero not only through its narrative but also with its breathtaking artwork. - Jenny C.
1. X-Men Red
Following Jonathan Hickman's departure from Marvel's X-Men titles came the era of "Destiny of X". One of the most interesting books to come as a result was the follow-up to S.W.O.R.D, the more space-focused X-title. X-Men Red debuted under writer Al Ewing and Penciler Stefano Caselli and followed the latest Brotherhood of Mutants on the newly established planet of Arakko, formerly known as Mars. Although mostly focusing on X-Men veteran Storm and her new place as the Regent of Arakko and Voice of Sol, the series featured several iconic characters such as Magneto, Sunspot, and the newly introduced Fisher King.
Despite a star-studded cast of characters, X-Men Red's strength lies fully in the decisions of its creative team. Al Ewing succinctly fleshed out plot points begun in S.W.O.R.D leading to the Judgment Day event while still expanding the relatively new culture of Arakki mutants. This was complimented by talented collaborators Stefano Castelli, Madibek Musbekov, and Jacopo Camagni whose pencils brought the new planet and its struggles to life. Their work combined with that of colorist Federico Blee and Dono Sanchez-Almara is what truly made X-Men Red such a special read in 2022. - Xavier J.