So far, 2021 has been a great year to be a comics fan, and it looks like things are only going to get better based on the amazing indie books that are about to come out. While plenty of awesome stuff has been happening at Marvel and DC, the Big Two have brands they have to preserve which inevitably limits innovation. Meanwhile, indie comics continue to pioneer new groundbreaking stories that the Big Two never could.
Any reader should have plenty of time to pre-order these books online or from their local comic shop. Based on everything that has been teased or released in promotional material, these are the sorts of titles that make being a comics fan such a fulfilling experience.
10 White From Black Mask Studios Explores Black Superpowers & The Politics Of White Supremacy
A few years back, Black Mask Studios released the hit series Black, a book that examined how the world would respond if only Black people could get superpowers. Written by Kwanza Osajyefo with art by Jamal Igle, Tim Smith III, Derwin Roberson, and Robin Riggs, this series was an instant hit that was both empowering and unapologetic in its message.
Black had three sequels, each with Black AF in the title, but the new installment, White, will challenge white supremacy among political elites and their policy-making decisions. It releases on April 14th.
9 The Old Guard: Tales Through Time From Image Reveals The Past Of Immortal Heroes
One of the breakout hit movies of 2020 was the Netflix original film The Old Guard, based on the comic of the same name by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez about a group of people who are immortal and use their prolonged lives to help others.
Andrew Wheeler, Jacopo Camagni, and a handful of other talented creators will join Rucka and Fernandes in making The Old Guard: Tales Through Time, which will explore what these immortal characters have lived through. Andromeda is an Amazon from ancient Scythia. Nicolo and Yusuf are two lovers who met while fighting on opposite sides in the crusades. These tales and others will be explored in what is a perfect jumping-on point for new readers. It comes out on April 21st.
8 Chain From Best Jackett Press Is An End-of-the-World Mystery
Writer Scott Snyder made a name for himself working on DC titles like Batman and Dark Nights: Metal. Now, he is starting his own publishing imprint, Best Jackett Press. The first book to come out, Nocterra, will release in March, while the next title to look forward to is Chain.
Working alongside artist Ariela Kristantina (who has done amazing work penciling A Dark Interlude and some of 2015’s Wolverines series), Snyder has said Chain is unlike anything he has ever done, describing it to IGN as “a whodunit at the end of the world.” The official release date has not yet been revealed.
7 Becstar From Mad Cave Studios Is A Science Fantasy Adventure In Space
Joe Corello and Lornzo Colangeli’s upcoming series Becstar is an adventure starring a roguish protagonist who the Mad Cave Studios website describes as “a star hopping mercenary-gone-fulltime-gambler light years away from earth.”
Wielding a magic lucky dagger while navigating the oppressive organized crime networks, Becstar sets out on a quest that could determine the fate of the universe itself. This comic releases on May 5th.
6 Beasts Of Burden: Occupied Territory From Dark Horse Combines Western & Japanese Occultism
This is the newest installment in Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson's Beasts of Burden comic — which has already won eight Eisner Awards for earlier stories of the series. The story follows a group of animals who investigate paranormal events.
Now, Evan Dorkin returns with writer Sarah Dyer and artist Benjamin Dewey to tell a story set in US-occupied Japan during World War II. This weirdly comedic story looks to be taking a dark tone in its Occupied Territory. It will hit stores on April 7th.
5 Sunstone Vol 7 From Image Is A Journey Of Self-Discovery, Kink, & Heavy Metal
Stjepan Sejic’s Sunstone is a fan-favorite series about two women who meet online, form a friendship built around their shared passion for BDSM, and grow together as their feelings develop into a deep passionate romance.
The first five volumes of the series focused on the romance between these two women, Lisa and Ally. Volume 7 explores Ally’s past and her journey to self-discovery as a queer kink-positive metalhead coming into her own power. It will release on April 21st.
4 The Harbinger From Valiant Bears Witness To A Controversial Hero’s Return
The Valiant Universe is quickly becoming one of the biggest shared universes around and one of their biggest heroes is Peter Stanchek, a powerful telepath and telekinetic who can activate the latent powers in others.
Unfortunately, Peter has not always known how best to use his powers (especially when he was younger) and he has hurt others. Now, Peter returns after having removed himself from events on Earth. He will have to confront his past even as he works to face threats that might destroy the future. Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing with art by Robbi Rodriguez, The Harbinger is a deconstruction (and reconstruction) of the superhero genre that will redeem Peter as he goes from being one of the world's most feared people to one of its greatest champions. Its first issue will come out this summer.
3 Alice In Leatherland From Black Mask Studios Is A Comedy Fairytale Set In San Francisco’s Kink Scene
Black Mask Studios has consistently produced some of the smartest and most subversive comics of recent years. Created by Iolanda Zanfardino and Elisa Romboli (who are themselves a romantic couple), Alice in Leatherland is a Lewis Carroll-inspired romantic comedy about a writer who “leaves her small forest town and leaps into a new adventure to seek love (and find herself) in the fast life of San Francisco,” as the company’s website describes it.
As a “bawdy LGBTQIA+ sex comedy” this book celebrates love, lust, and growth without being afraid to laugh. Issue #1 hits stores on April 7th.
2 The Good Asian From Image Is A Gritty 1930s Noir Set In Chinatown
The Good Asian is a noir crime drama by writer Pornsak Pichetshote and artist Alexandre Tefenkgi that follows a Chinese-American detective named Edison Hark. Image's website calls it a "Chinatown noir starring the first generation of Americans to come of age under an immigration ban, the Chinese, as they’re besieged by rampant murders, abusive police, and a world that seemingly never changes."
This comic is already receiving amazing reviews from some of the biggest names in comics. James Tynion IV has compared protagonist Edison Hark to such noir heroes as Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade, while writer Cliff Chiang called it "a gripping and authentic crime story from an Asian-American POV. This is the book I've been waiting for!" The Good Asian is released on May 5th.
1 Djinn Hunter From Blackbox Comics Is An Anime-Esque Epic Fantasy About Magic
Written by Jay Sandlin with art by Fabrizio Cosentino, Djinn Hunter is a story about a magehound named Zara tasked with hunting a powerful djinn. Taking inspiration from stories like 1001 Nights, this beautifully illustrated book has a visual style reminiscent of anime that fans of Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic will be sure to enjoy. However, it is very much its own unique tale and this is the kind of epic fantasy story that can only be told through the medium of comics.
BlackBox Comics has been producing titles that tap into archetypal narrative motifs, updating them in interesting ways. Books like Devil's Dominion and Shi no Kage fit into the urban fantasy and samurai genres, and Djinn Hunter is looking to be one of their most exciting titles to date! It will come out in July.