2025 has been a fantastic year for comic book fans. DC Comics' Absolute Universe continues to be must-read content. Image Comics' Energon Universe is in its third year of brilliant stories. Marvel has remained consistent with One World Under Doom. And I can't forget Dynamite Entertainment's Captain Planet and IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin.
In short, there are tons of comics to check out. Out of the dozens of comics you should be reading, these 15 are the best ongoing series. It wasn't easy to pick only 15, but you won't be disappointed with the ones selected. Before we dive in, however, let's take a look at some honorable mentions.
Honorable mentions
- Void Rivals
- X-Men
- Fantastic Four
- Detective Comics
- Bitter Root
Absolute Wonder Woman (best of DC Comics)
- Writer: Kelly Thompson
- Artists: Hayden Sherman and Mattia De Iulis
It was easy to think of Absolute Wonder Woman as one of the best comic books of the year because of how Kelly Thompson is writing Diana. Wonder Woman is a different kind of hero who uses incredible powers she didn't have on Earth Prime. However, the heart and compassion of Wonder Woman remain.
If that’s not enough, readers are getting a new look at the Gods of Olympus. As expected, they’re deplorable tyrants. The good news is that Diana is already showing that she’s more than up for the challenge.
The Power Fantasy (Best of the year)
- Writer: Kieron Gillen
- Artist: Caspar Wijngaard
Whenever I have to explain what makes The Power Fantasy so amazing, I say “Come for the artwork and stay for the story." That is a simple explanation, but nothing about this series is.
Kieron Gillen is telling a tale with a lot of twists and turns without things feeling forced or overly dramatic. He's also showing how different people react to powers depending on their personalities. It's something The Boys and other comics have done before, but this has been executed so differently - so much so that people will undoubtedly model their stories on this universe.
Plus, there's the story of what makes someone evil, because even the people who do bad things are trying to keep the world spinning. You'll find yourself loving a character one minute, hating them the next, and then being impressed by their actions. Then, you'll slowly start to see that things aren't what they seem with something that was right in your face.
While Kieron Gillen is breaking your heart and mind, Caspar Wijngaard makes the comic beautiful. You see catastrophic things like a Summer of Love leading to the destruction of a continent, and you can't help but smile despite what just happened.
Exceptional X-Men
- Writer: Eve Ewing
- Artist: Carmen Carnero
- Colors: Nolan Woodard
Exceptional X-Men was a title I was anticipating, and it exceeded my expectations. As a huge Kitty Pryde fan, it was interesting to see where she would go after saying she’d never be an X-Man again (this happens in X-Men: Fall of X). Having her be a teacher and mentor to the new generation is perfect for her because it's something she's always excelled at. Adding Iceman and Emma Frost to the mix is icing on the cake.
As for the newest mutants, Axo, Bronze, and Melee, they’re a great addition to Marvel Comics. They’re all new, all different, and exactly what the X-Men have been missing: A new set of cool mutants to usher in a new future.
Green Lantern
- Writer: Jeremy Adams
- Artist: Xermanico
- Colors: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Jeremy Adams' Green Lantern was this writer’s full jump into the world of the Green Lanterns, and he wasn’t disappointed. Hal Jordan has shown why he’s looked at as one of the greatest of the Green Lanterns and among the most iconic DC Comics characters.
It isn’t just his creativity with his constructs that makes this series fun and exciting (even though it's awesome). You have to love his confidence (or arrogance) when approaching seemingly unwinnable situations. For example, when fighting beings like the Spectre (Green Lantern No. 23), especially now with the light spectrum being all over the place.
Thundercats
- Writer: Declan Shalvey
- Artist: Drew Moss
- Colors: Martina Pignedoli'
This has been a fun ride with a lot of action. Every fan of the Thundercats cartoons or comics in general should check this series out. 11 issues in and readers are still learning more about the past of the Thundercats, who they’re fighting, and the strange new planet they’re on.
The best part is how the heroes and villains are getting character development without things feeling jumbled. This way, you’ll have a legitimate reason to hate or love the characters. Hopefully, this series goes on for a long time. There’s a lot of potential, and it’s already great.
Storm (best X-Title)
- Writer: Murewa Ayodele
- Artist: Lucas Werneck
- Colors: Alex Gomes
It’s rare that the perfect combination of writer and artist comes together, but it’s happening now with Murewa Ayodele and Lucas Werneck’s Storm. In this year alone, Ororo Munroe (Storm) has kept a cosmic being from killing Doctor Doom (issue No. 4), helped Charles Xavier get offworld during X-Manhunt, and avoided getting killed by various Thunder Gods (issue No. 7).
And guess what? The year is only at the halfway mark. I fully expect Ayodele and Werneck to take Storm to even greater heights before 2025 ends.
Ultimate Wolverine
- Writer: Christopher Condon
- Artists: Alessandro Cappuccio and Alex Lins
- Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Ultimate Wolverine has been more than an action comic book. Logan returning to himself (Ultimate Wolverine No. 6), seeing the different versions of classic X-Men characters, and the lore at the end all add to this series’ greatness. On top of all that, it also has very poetic momentsthat make it a much more emotional read.
If this trend continues, Ultimate Wolverine will be one of the best of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe comics. That's including the series that came before 2015's Secret Wars.
Immortal Thor
- Writer: Al Ewing
- Artists: Jan Bazaldua
- Colors: Matt Hollingsworth
Al Ewing took Thor and turned him into more than an Avenger and God of Thunder. The All-Father has solved puzzles that assisted him with killing elder gods that predate him and that helped create the universe. Yes, we’ve seen him achieve feats that exceed even his mighty limits, but this is different. He’s doing it with style, skills, and intelligence. The latter is something that people forget that Thor has in abundance.
An underrated part about this series has been the other Asgardians we’ve seen. Thor comics will always feature Lady Sif and the Warriors Three. But we’re also seeing Hermod, Tyr, and a better version of Skurge the Executioner. It's a nice addition to the lore since they've been around for years.
Ultimates
- Writer: Deniz Camp
- Artist: Juan Frigeri
- Colors: Federico Blee
Every issue of Ultimates has been deep and sometimes heartbreaking. People have been betrayed, new heroes are born despite the unfortunate circumstances, and some of them have almost died. However, with everything that’s happened to them personally and the world around them, they keep fighting.
Another thing that makes this book great is that the writer, Deniz Camp, keeps readers guessing. Just when you think you know what’s going on, something else happens to throw you off. And, after the last issue with the team starting Ultimates V.3.0, you know more changes and tragic moments are coming.
Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
- Writer: Jed MacKay
- Artists: Alessandro Cappuccio and Devmalya Pramanik
- Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
Jed MacKay’s runs (plural) starring Moon Knight have all been fantastic. While fans of Marc Spector know how great of a character he is, his supporting cast is holding it down and making this series epic.
Along with Marc Spector (and his other personalities) are Reese, Hunter's Moon, the House of Shadows, Tigra, Soldier, and 8-Ball. Some of these characters are new and have made an impact, and it’s not shocking. However, it takes a special type of creative team to make anyone care about 8-Ball, and they’ve done it with ease.
Absolute Superman
- Writer: Jason Aaron
- Artists: Rafa Sandoval and Carmine Di Giandomenico
- Colors: Ulises Arreola Palomera
Jason Aaron’s take on the Man of Steel has been darker than Absolute Batman. Sure, people in Gotham City are dying by the dozen, but there’s something about seeing Kal-El lost and losing hope that makes this writer’s heart drop.
Within this universe is a new, weird, and disturbing version of Brainiac. He’s likely still one of the smartest beings on Earth, but he’s also sadistic and insane. His first encounter with Superman should be a classic.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Writer: Jason Aaron
- Artist: Juan Ferreyra
The Ninja Turtles are arguing amongst each other while their city burns around them. If that's not bad enough, New York is controlled by a corrupt mayor who's also running the Foot Clan. Yes, our heroes are fighting back, but they’re not doing it as a team or a family.
To make matters worse, they think Donatello is losing his mind because he's been talking to a dead rat that he says is their dead mentor and father, Splinter. Fun fact: Donny is the only one keeping it together. Also, he's not crazy. Donatello is speaking to Splinter. How that’s happening remains to be seen, but that’s part of the greatness of this series. Nothing is given away too quickly. You have to keep reading to see the entire puzzle.
Transformers (best of the Energon Universe)
- Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
- Artists: Jorge Corona and Ludo Lullabi
- Colors: Mike Spicer
Transformers has been a nearly flawless series since the first issue in 2023, but this year has been even better because Daniel Warren Johnson made this story deeper. For example, in issue No. 19, readers see part of what made Megatron evil. This storyline may have made readers sympathetic to the Decepticons' leader. That is, until the story returns to the present and he starts mentally torturing Starscream again.
Now, if you're looking for action, Transformers isn't short of that. You get to see artists Jorge Corona and Ludo Lullabi draw the alien robots doing hard-hitting moves and wrestling holds. At one point, Devastator gives Bruticus an RKO/Diamond Cutter off the top of a building. It was a crazy moment that this writer won't forget.
Birds of Prey
- Writer: Kelly Thompson
- Artists: Sami Basri and Juann Cabal
- Colors: Adriano Lucas
In each issue of Birds of Prey, readers are gifted a tale where the true villain isn't revealed until the right time. In between the team figuring out what's going on, you get random comedic banter from Birds of Prey members like Big Barda, Black Canary, and even Cassandra Cain. And, in the middle of all of that, you're seeing flawless character development.
Simply put, Kelly Thompson’s Birds of Prey is the perfect combination of action, storytelling, un-seriousness, and mystery. This series has been your one-stop shop for everything you want from a comic book. I hope this series never ends.
Uncanny X-Men
- Writer: Gail Simone
- Artists: David Marquez and Andrei Bressan
- Colors: Matthew Wilson
Last, but certainly not least, is the best team comic book on the market. Yes, that’s a hill this writer is willing to die on. Why is that? It's partly because Gail Simone is among the greatest writers to ever put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards).
First, she understands classic characters better than most and makes sure everyone gets equal time to shine. For instance, while Wolverine is among the most popular comic book characters, he isn't stealing the spotlight. He's a welcome addition who's been more of a mentor and brother than a superstar. That spot belongs to Rogue and Gambit, who've absolutely slayed since the first issue.
I can't end this section without talking about the Outliers. Gail Simone and artists David Marquez and Andrei Bressan have brought the newest mutants to life by making them unlike anything we've seen. It's easy to understand why they're going to be the future of mutant heroes. Just remember, it started with this run of Uncanny X-Men.
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