When people think of comic books, Marvel and DC Comics are the first ones people mention. The big two have been the comic book leaders in movies, TV shows, toys, and more for years. Part of this is because they had a decade's head start in the industry. Thanks to the internet and hungry creators, new companies have arisen and created stories that rival Marvel and DC. That's where Image Comics comes in.
This year, Image Comics may not have made as much money as the big two, but they were the best comic book company of the year. Superman, Batman, and the Absolute Universe are always among the top sellers of the month. For example, a title starring Batman was in four of the five best sellers in November 2025 (DC / Marvel - Batman / Deadpool #1 (One-Shot), Batman No. 3, Absolute Batman No. 14, and DC K.O. Knightfight No. 1). Nevertheless, you can’t discount the impact titles from the Energon Universe have made in 2025. It was so good that the universe is getting an adult animated series.
One of the many things to love about Image Comics is the way they give the creative team freedom to tell stories. It’s not that Marvel and DC don’t have the same privilege, but it’s easy to tell that the writers and artists have the ability to tell stories and create characters the way they want to. Plus, unless it’s a title like Geiger or the Transformers (and hopefully, We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us), they aren’t beholden to a connecting universe.
Of course, comic book fans want stories with characters using unfathomable abilities to defeat overpowered villains. Image Comics doesn’t deprive readers of stories like that. Titles like Ludo Lullabi’s Ghost Pepper, along with Benito Cereno and E. J. Su's Blood and Thunder, are two comics that provide the sci-fi adventures you may crave. However, they also publish more “grounded” comics like Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard’s I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer. There are still fantasy tales, but without having a hero flying or breaking steel with their hands.
Another thing to love is how Image Comics uses its social media. Image doesn’t just promote the comics. They make sure to show real people who have read and reviewed the comics. The best part is that the reviews are genuine. You can tell they mean what they say instead of doing it to get a paycheck. It’s easy to see those videos and be drawn into what they’re highlighting because it’s coming from an actual comic book fan.
So, while some comic book companies spend time focusing on movies and shows rather than the source material that brought them to the dance, Image Comics does both equally. It’s brilliantly done. And, if this writer can be honest, it’s helped him maintain the Bam Smack Pow Instagram page by adapting some of their ideas into games.
Lastly, I can’t end this article without talking about the depth of their stories. Comics like Bug Wars, Skinbreaker, and The Power Fantasy all have thought-provoking stories within the madness and chaos of the tale. It makes the reader more interested in the titles instead of relying on nothing but action and brightly colored costumes.
After adding all of this together, it was easy to pick Image Comics as the Bam Smack Pow Comic Book Company Of The Year. This writer expects them to get better in 2026 with deeper stories, more incredible art, and a social media team that pays attention to what the readers like.
2025 Image Comics to check out
- The Power Fantasy
- Assorted Crisis Events
- Geiger
- I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer
- The Energon Universe (Transformers, G.I. Joe, Void Rivals)
- We're Taking Everyone Down With Us
- Blood and Thunder
- Invincible Universe: Battle Beast
- Exquisite Corpses
Thanks for reading. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow’s social media sites, Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter for more comic book, TV, and movie news, opinions, and rumors as they come out.