Whether you're a fan of Marvel, DC, or another company, 2023 was a fun year for comic book fans. It seemed like something major was going on every week. In Marvel Comics, the Avengers prevented Mephisto from destroying the Multiverse. DC Comics changed their premiere superhero team. Instead of the Justice League, the Titans are charged with protecting Earth. Meanwhile, Image Comics has brought in writer Robert Kirkman to start the Energon Universe (more on that later).
Coming up, this writer will break down the best of comic books in 2023. Categories will include the best comics, writers, heroes, villains, artists, and more. With that will come an explanation of what made them great. Let’s begin.
Best Ongoing Comic Book: Batman/Superman: World’s Finest
Writer: Mark Waid
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest has everything you’d want from a comic book. Action, adventure, and two of the greatest heroes ever created. The best part is this series takes place in the past. That means things don't have to connect to the current timeline. Also, seeing a young Dick Grayson fan over Superman is great. What’s even better is Batman’s reaction to it. He was obviously jealous.
Underrated Comic Book of the Year: She-Hulk
Writer: Rainbow Rowell
Rainbow Rowell gave comic book readers a different kind of series. Think of Sex and the City but with a better story and more punching. As cliche as it sounds, Jennifer was trying to have it all. Along the way, she falls in love with an unlikely partner, joins a fight club, and saves New York City. In short, She-Hulk is the most fun series of the year.
Emotional Comic Book of the Year: Saga
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Saga always impresses. Every issue gave readers an emotional moment. A lot of the time, it’s heartbreaking. Characters die, relationships end, and people are beaten. Thankfully, it’s not all doom and gloom. There's a plethora of happy moments as well. For example, Squire and Hazel’s relationship growth always makes this writer smile.
Most Promising Comic Book: Void Rivals
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Void Rivals is only six issues in and shows a lot of potential. This was the first Image Comic to introduce the Energon Universe. While the series has introduced a few familiar Transformers characters, this series is about breaking down the wall of oppression and prejudice. It’s a heavy topic but done without being overbearing.
Best New Comic Book: Wonder Woman
Writer: Tom King
Wonder Woman by Tim King is special. Normally, a series with so few issues wouldn’t make a best-of list. However, this series has to be mentioned. Diana is taking on the world by herself and doing it with style. That includes when she hit a tank with another tank. Only Diana Prince could make that look smooth.
Independent Comic Book of the Year: Something is Killing the Children
Writer: James Tynion IV
James Tynion IV wrote an emotional and violent 12 issues of Something is Killing the Children. It isn’t just the kids getting killed. Erica Slaughter’s story has been tragic and keeps getting worse. The Order of St. George is hunting her, can't see monsters anymore, and keeps failing to protect kids.
Don't be shocked when this comic book is on the list again next year.
Biggest Mistake in a Comic Book: Amanda Waller Dr. Hate
Comic book: Titans: Beast World
Amanda Waller truly believes that metahumans shouldn't be allowed to exist. The irony is she uses them for her own needs. In Titans: Beast World No. 1, one of Amanda Waller’s workers (Dr. Hate) puts the world in danger. In the next issue, she realizes she may have gone too far.
If you're a fan of DC Comics, you know this won't stop her from trying to complete her mission. Amanda Waller is among the most stubborn characters in comics.
Comic Book Fight of the Year: Batman vs. The Bat Family
Comic books: Batman No. 137 and 138
During DC Comics' Gotham War, Batman had two intense fights with his family. During the first, Batman was holding his own until the numbers became overwhelming. If Damian didn’t step in, Bruce would have been captured. In the next issue, Nightwing and Tim Drake put a beating on Bruce. Again, Batman was lucky he escaped.
Biggest Reveal in a Comic Book: Nightcrawler’s father
Comic books: X-Men Blue: Origins
For years, comic book fans believed Azazel was Nightcrawler’s father. X-Men Blue: Origins set the record straight. Mystique isn't Kurt's mother. She impregnated Destiny. This proved that Mystique does more than shape-shift. Now she's stronger and more dangerous than ever.
Comic Book Couple of the Year: Deadpool and Valentine Vuong
Comic book: Deadpool
Deadpool finally found someone who understood him. Valentine loved everything about Wade from his true face to his jokes and murderous ways. When things got bad, they didn’t break up. They fought for each other and remained a couple. Hopefully, their relationship lasts.
Best Secondary Character: Lex Luthor in Superman
Writer: Joshua Williamson
This is the best Superman comic book out. This isn’t just about the Man of Steel. The past and present Metropolis are on display. In the middle of it is Lex Luthor. Fans are learning that he has been a menace long before Clark Kent moved to Metropolis. All of which are coming back to bite him.
Underrated Comic Book Hero of the Year: Nightwing
Writer: Tom Taylor
There aren’t enough people talking about Nightwing. This has been Dick Grayson's biggest year in a long career. He helped prevent the destruction of the multiverse without the Justice League (Dark Crisis). He did this by leading the younger heroes of Earth. This is why his Titans have replaced the Justice League. That’s on top of him making Bludhaven a better city.
Comic book Writer of the Year: Jed MacKay
Jed MacKay wrote twelve flawless issues of Moon Knight. In that series, the Avatar of Khonshu became a better hero and well-rounded person. Marc Spector's death capped off the year. However, it's also the beginning of a new series.
Recently, he’s taken over as the head writer of Avengers. This is a job reserved for the elite. In eight issues, MacKay has shown why he was given the job. Among those reasons is creating new characters. Instead of using well-known antagonists, MacKay has created new ones for the Avengers to battle.
Entertaining Comic Book of the Year: Deadpool
Writer: Alyssa Wong
A lot of people have written Deadpool comics and this was one of the best. Alyssa Wong created a fun series with interesting characters. Among them is the debut of Valentine Vuong and their symbiote dog, Princess. There’s also Lady Deathstrike who plays a protagonist role. Each of them helped make this the entertaining comic book of the year.
Villain of the Year: Orchis
Orchis came in, killed mutants, and forced them to leave Earth. That was just the beginning. They framed Krakoans for the murder of human diplomats. All over the world, mutants were outlaws. If you didn’t leave Earth, your punishment was severe. Orchis effectively ruined an entire group of people in one issue.
Comic Book of the Year: Hellfire Gala
Writer: Gerry Duggan
There wasn’t a more shocking moment in comics than the Hellfire Gala. Being a horrifying moment will always be remembered, but there was more to this story. This comic book was the beginning of the end of the Krakoan Era.
Comic Book character of the Year: Storm
During X-Men Red, Storm kept the mutants of Arakko safe from Genesis and her forces. This was a fight she should have lost. Her team was outnumbered and way overpowered. Storm had the option to end the war, but it would mean compromising her morals. Shocking to no one, Storm said no. She stood tall and won her way.
Another great moment came during Storm and the Brotherhood of Mutants No. 2. She survived for over a century and died defending people well beyond her years. It showed that Storm would fight and protect people until her last breath.
Surprise of the Year: Batman is getting worse
This writer assumed that Bruce Wayne’s luck would have improved by now. It’s been a couple of years and he’s still broke and Alfred hasn’t returned. Unfortunately for Batman, neither happened. In fact, things have gotten worse.
Batman’s hand was cut off, he alienated his family (Gotham War), his actions were influenced by Zur-En-Arrh, his house is owned by a villain, and a henchman learned his secret identity. Things are only going to get worse in 2024.