Throughout the history of comic books, there have been countless examples of long-running, never-ending titles that have continued uninterrupted for decades. From Batman to Spider-Man, the medium is filled with enduring characters who have formed the backbone of the industry and define what many readers think of when they pick up a comic. However, some creatives are more content to break away from tradition and tell their own, self-contained stories outside the realm of established characters.
It can often be refreshing to pick up a comic book title and know that it has a predetermined beginning, middle, and end. For readers who may be overwhelmed by the amount of backstory needed to get involved with certain long-running comics, there are some titles that are more suited to a person who wants to read a complete story.
7 Cerebus Is A Colossal Love-Letter To The Medium
Dave Sim and Gerhard's ground-breaking comic series, Cerebus ran for a whopping 300 issues over the span of almost 30 years. While the long lifespan of the title may suggest otherwise, it always had an ending in mind and feels like a complete, focused story from beginning to end.
Fiercely independent from day one, Dave Sim and Gerhard never lost the DIY ethos that drove the title and helped it to secure such a loyal following. A journey through the medium, it features parodies, homages, and references to the industry. It's an enduring story that's important to the medium, and it's a delight to read.
6 Elfquest Was One Of The First Comic Books With A Planned Ending
Running for an incredible 40 years, Wendy and Richard Pini's, Elfquest was unique when it first debuted. It was one of the very first comic books to have a planned conclusion. Captivating readers for decades, the title is a crafted, wondrous fantasy realm filled with unforgettable characters and high adventure, which cemented a legacy for itself that spanned generations.
Much loved among its fanbase, it's a high benchmark for all fantasy comic books to aspire to. While the main series may have ended, its legacy lives on in subsequent spin-off comics and audio movies. Always staying true to their independent roots, Wendy and Richard Pini offer many issues for free online, meaning there has never been a better time to delve into the series.
5 The Invisibles Is Grant Morrison's Esoteric Magnum Opus
Arguably the best work of Grant Morrison's career, The Invisibles is a mind-bending, cosmic trip through the mind of the much-celebrated writer. Morrison's fascination with magic and the occult is on full display within the pages of this title. It crafts a unique and bizarre world that's easy to disappear into, and it's fantastically binge-able.
This eye-opening, semi-autobiographical tale is as much a story about fighting oppression as it is a roadmap to broadening the reader's mind to new ideas of reality. There are few comic books that manage to mix great storytelling with such interesting and out-there ideas. Consequently, it's an essential read for anybody interested in Grant Morrison's work. The fact that it manages to tell such a complete and well-paced story within its 59 issues does a lot to cement the idea that Morrison is one of the best comic writers of the modern era.
4 American Vampire Takes Readers On A Journey Through The History Of America
Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque's American Vampire is the story of Pearl Jones and Skinner Sweet – two vampires whose stories are told across the changing landscape of America as it enters and comes to terms with the 20th century. The greatest vampire tale ever told in comic books, this is an engaging title that will quench any reader's thirst for engaging, well-crafted stories.
Taking its characters from the Wild West to the 1970s, this title has an extremely focused pace and grips its readers to the very end. It's a joy to see the different ways in which the protagonists attempt to function in the changing country. Coupled with Snyder's fantastic dialogue and Albuquerque's sublime artwork, it keeps this series a real page-turner from start to finish.
3 Sex Criminals Is As Flawlessly Paced As It Is Hilarious
Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky's 31 issue series, Sex Criminals, is the outrageous tale of a couple who find out that they stop time every time they have sex. Filled with the side-splitting humor that readers have come to expect from Fraction and Zdarsky over the years, it also manages to have a gripping plot with a deep emotional pull.
Perfectly structured, masterfully written, and filled with brilliant artwork, the creative duo manages to tell an explicit story filled with innuendo and NSFW humor that never outstays its welcome (despite how shocking it can be at times). Definitely not one for the faint of heart, this is nonetheless one of the most unique and hilarious comic books out there.
2 The Walking Dead Went Out On Top
Surprising his many fans across the globe, Robert Kirkman ended The Walking Dead with issue #193 in a move that seemed completely out of the blue. Both the comic and the TV adaptation were still at the height of their popularity, so for the title to end so abruptly was shocking (to say the least).
In hindsight, this was a genius move that was as much in line with the tone of the comic as it was done to cement the comic book's legacy as one of the all-time greats. In a series where a character can die at any time without warning, it seems rather apt that the comic itself would end in much the same way. Ending before it became stale – as the TV show was beginning to show signs of becoming – The Walking Dead went out in the best way possible, bowing out and leaving its audience begging for more.
1 Preacher Left Behind A Legacy Few Have Come Close To Since
As one of the defining comic books of the 1990s, Preacher is a powerhouse title within the medium. Spawning countless imitators but never being bested, Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's tale helped to shape the landscape of comic books going forward. A violent, foul-mouthed epic that featured a roster of unforgettable characters and a plot dealing with a battle between heaven and Earth, it is rightfully considered one of the best comic books of all time.
Running for 66 main issues from 1995-2000, Preacher told a highly engrossing, wild story that never overstayed its welcome. Filled with many twists and turns, explosive action scenes, and razor-sharp dialogue, there are few titles as easy to binge on as this one.