That time of the year again: The top ten comic books of 2018!

Image by Dynamite Entertainment

5. Nancy Drew No. 1-5

It was a tough choice between this or Ghostbusters: Answer The Call as the second Kelly Thompson title to showcase on this list. And while Ghostbusters may have had a better ending, ultimately this recreation of an internationally recognized heroine who literally predates Lois Lane  earned its spot by being exceptionally imaginative as well as compelling. Much like what Mark Waid did with Archie, Thompson took a franchise frozen in time and modernized it without losing its spirit.

As a kid, Nancy Drew and her pals George, Bess, and the Hardy Boys solved mysteries around their small town. That all changed when her mother died, and she moved to the big city for high school. Yet when a letter teases about the true cause of her mom’s death, Nancy is forced to go home again. What awaits is a new, young man named Pete and a mystery involving murder, drugs, a local lobster joint and pop-up nightclubs. The stakes get high, but Nancy is always a step ahead!

Alongside artist Jenn St-Onge, the entire cast of Nancy Drew is recreated for the 21st century. Their designs and fashion sense are very contemporary, and as always, Thompson is adept at compelling dialogue and juggling large ensemble casts. In fact, the only flaw is the abrupt ending. Due perhaps to contractual circumstance, this feels like a run cut off in its prime. It, frankly, is better than Mr. & Mrs. X. Yet regardless of whether it is truly the end or not, it made its mark in 2018.