There are a lot of alternatives to Marvel and DC Comics out there for comic book readers. For example, Skybound/Image Comics have created the Energon Universe (G.I. Joe, Transformers, Void Rivals, and more) and it’s been one of the best runs of comics in the last couple of years. The best part is it looks like things are just getting started in this universe and there's no sign that they will slow down.
If you have found yourself looking for stories that don't necessarily involve the characters of Marvel and DC Comics, then the Energon Universe might be for you. But if it isn't and you'd prefer something different altogether, these nine comic books are what you’re looking for.
The creative teams and companies on this list tell compelling tales with amazing artwork. Best of all, these are stories Marvel and DC probably couldn’t tell.
Let’s start with a series that could end up being the greatest comic book story ever told.
Saga
- Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
- Artist: Fiona Staples
- Company: Image Comics
As of writing, Image Comics has published 71 issues of Saga and all of them have been perfect. That’s not even an exaggeration; everything from the story to the art has been flawless. And that shows no signs of stopping as we head into the next year.
Since the creative team takes a break every year, now is the time to binge it if you haven’t started the series. Get caught up on it, you won't regret doing it!
FML
- Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
- Artist: David López
- Company: Dark Horse Comics
Iconic writer Kelly Sue DeConnick brings us a story that could be looked at as the future of the world but with a hint of magic. Within the sad and sometimes heavy series, you'll smile, laugh, and have your heart warmed. There's also a mystery that was just revealed in issue three.
Red Before Black
- Writer: Stephanie Phillips
- Artist: Goran Sudžuka
- Company: BOOM! Studios
This writer has raved about this series since he started. It’s violent, snarky, and has a lot of deep moments. But we shouldn’t expect anything less than brilliance from writer Stephanie Phillips.
If you enjoy buddy action comedies with emotional scenes, and two kick-ass women, this is the comic book for you.
Universal Monsters: The Mummy
- Writer: Faith Erin Hicks
- Artists: Faith Erin Hicks and Lee Loughridge
- Company: Image/Skybound Comics
Image/Skybound Comics has published three The Universal Monsters mini-series and they’ve all rocked. Each story stayed true to the source material without being stuck in the old ways. Writer and artist Faith Erin Hicks (Buffy: The High School Years) will undoubtedly continue the trend.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Writer: Jason Aaron
- Artist: Juan Ferreyra
- Company: IDW Publishing
This is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to get into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic books. The turtle brothers are coming together after living different lives to fight a Foot Clan that’s infiltrated New York’s government and trying to kill them. If that isn’t bad enough, there’s a lot of internal fighting and no Master Splinter to guide them.
First cover of the year done 👍 pic.twitter.com/aUceOAxan5
— Declan Shalvey: OLD DOG/THUNDER CAT (@declanshalvey) January 5, 2025
The Terminator
- Writer: Declan Shalvey
- Artist: Various
- Company: Dynamite Entertainment
You don’t need to be a fan of the Terminator movie franchise to enjoy this series. The story of a robot apocalypse is the same, but the encounters with the Terminator robots are told by brand-new characters throughout time. Three issues in and writer Declan Shalvey has already created some brutal and heartbreaking moments.
Grim
- Writer: Stephanie Phillips
- Artist: Flaviano Armentaro
- Company: BOOM! Studios
This is one of my favorite comic books. The art by Flaviano Armentaro is enough to get me to buy the series. Add Stephanie Phillps' thought-provoking writing and you get a must-read story. It also helps that it’s a dark tale following Reapers, the daughter of the Grim Reaper himself, and so many more mythical beings.
Something is Killing the Children
- Writer: James Tynion IV
- Artist: Werther Dell'Edera
- Company: BOOM! Studios
Something is Killing the Children is the epitome of a horror comic book. It’s terrifying to know that monsters exist, you can’t see them if you're an adult, but they can still kill you. However, is it worse to be a kid who can create and see them? Plus (as this writer has said a bunch) the protagonist Erica Slaughter is one of the best new characters of the last twenty years.
The Power Fantasy
- Writer: Kieron Gillen
- Artist: Caspar Wijngaard
- Company: Image Comics
Kieron Gillen and Casper Wijngaard are a match made in Heaven bringing you a story about a world on its way to Hell. Every time I think I know what’s going on and who the heroes are, I’m wrong. However, that’s the best part. It shows the reality of how power can corrupt even the gentlest of souls and not always intentionally.
What independent comic books are you reading? Is there one that should've made the list but didn't? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter.