2025 has been a dream year for comic book fans thanks to the brilliant writers. They’ve created phenomenal new characters and elevated classic ones to new heights.
This article will highlight the writers who’ve had an amazing 2025 and will likely have an even better 2026. Let’s begin with someone who I believe had the best year as a writer.
Stephanie Phillips
Comics: Phoenix, Planet She-Hulk, All-New Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider, Red Before Black, Grim
Stephanie Phillips is first on the list because no one had a better year than her. Each of her series was amazing, thanks to the brilliantly written lead characters. Furthermore, it was announced that Stephanie Phillips’ Grim was greenlit by Netflix and that she will be writing Daredevil in 2026.
Stephanie Phillips’ legend continues to grow every year, and there’s no chance it stops in 2026. In fact, it won’t be surprising when she becomes one of the most well-known comic book creators. Her stories crossover various companies, and she has a character and story for everyone.
Scott Snyder
Comics: Absolute Batman, DC K.O., DC K.O.: Red Hood vs. Joker,
The mystery of Absolute Joker began in the first issue of Absolute Batman. Fourteen issues later, readers weren’t disappointed in the reveal of his origin. Not only were a lot of things exposed, but you’re seeing a Joker who’s more evil than his Prime Universe counterpart, and that says a lot. With Joker came Absolute Bane, who was the most destructive force we’ve seen in years.
James Tynion IV
Comics: Exquisite Corpses, Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man, Something is Killing the Children, W0rldtr33
James Tynion IV’s decision to leave the world of superheroes behind may have seemed risky, but turned out to be genius. His stories have more representation, the tales are interesting and have shocking turns, and the characters are always cool, devious, and/or dangerous. It’s no wonder that Something is Killing the Children and W0rldtr33 were greenlit for projects outside of comics.
Deniz Camp
Comics: Ultimates, Assorted Crisis Events, Absolute Martian Manhunter, Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion
Deniz Camp brilliantly uses comic books to tell deep stories. For example, Assorted Crisis Events discusses racism, xenophobia, and mental health with time travel as the plot device. But it isn’t just the depth. The storytelling leaves the readers wanting more, thanks to the characters he’s brought to life, like Absolute Martian Manhunter.
Saladin Ahmed
Comics: Daredevil, Wolverine, Justice League Red, The Last Wolverine
Saladin Ahmed is becoming one of my favorite comic book writers because he thinks outside the box. Daredevil didn’t battle just anyone. He went up against the seven deadly sins. During his run of Wolverine, Logan wasn’t just fighting Romulus. He was up against his worst enemy, who got an upgrade from something godly. That’s with him trying to help a teenager overcome the curse of the Wendigo.
I can't discuss Saldin Ahemd without mentioning Justice League Red. This may be shocking, but I'm enjoying this more than Justice League Unlimited. The team has a Brian Michael Bendis New Avengers vibe that will make all the heroes look better in the eyes of comic book fans.
Dan Watters
Comics: Nightwing, Batman: Dark Patterns, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder
There’s an art to telling dark stories. Somehow, Dan Watters makes it look easy. Even with characters like Nightwing, who are normally all smiles and brightness, have been brought into the shadows. Thankfully, Watters never takes away from what makes the heroes and villains great.
David Pepose
Comics: Speed Racer, Space Ghost, and Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion
The reemergence of older cartoons becoming comics has been a joy, but David Pepose may be doing it the best. Everything you love about characters you love remains, but they’ve all gotten updates in personalities and powers. For example, the Planeteers went from being kind of corny to bad-a$$es, and Jan from Space Ghost may be better than the man himself.
Erica Schultz
Comics: Laura Kinney: Wolverine, Laura Kinney: Sabretooth, Rogue (2026)
The world needed Laura Kinney to spread her wings and become Wolverine by herself again, and Erica Schultz was more than up for the job. It was nice seeing Laura as a staple on the X-Men during the Krakoa Era, but she needed to be on her own so readers could see why Bucky said she's the best Wolverine.
After reading Laura in 2025, it's no wonder Erica Schultz is writing Rogue in 2026. There's no way it's not a banger.
Cody Ziglar
Comics: Deadpool, Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion, Wolverines and Deadpools, Miles Morales: Spider-Man
Does anyone have more fun with their titles than Cody Ziglar? It’s doubtful. He’s made Miles Morales cooler than he’s ever been with believable dialogue and tougher villains. Meanwhile, Ziglar turned Ellie Camacho into a fun new character with hints of her dad Deadpool's personality, while keeping her as her own person. Thanks to him, Marvel Comics has another great, young character.
Charles Soule
Comics: Daredevil: Cold Day In Hell, Eddie Brock: Carnage, Lucky Devils
I’m sure a lot of people rolled their eyes when they heard Eddie Brock was going to be Carnage (I know I did). Then they certainly read the series and fell in love. It’s a shame that it only went ten issues. There was so much potential.
Beyond the fun titles like Eddie Brock: Carnage and Lucky Devils, this year, he wrote a dark story of Matt Murdock’s last days in Daredevil: Cold Day In Hell. A story that had a bleak ending, but one that should give readers a sense of hopefulness.
Kelly Thompson
Comics: Birds of Prey, Absolute Wonder Woman, Jeff the Land Shark
Kelly Thompson won the 2025 Eisner Award for Best New Series for Absolute Wonder Woman. Anybody who’s read the series will tell you that it’s well deserved. But her greatness in 2025 doesn’t stop there. She wrote a year of flawless issues of Birds of Prey and will be writing a new Buffy the Vampire comic book series in 2026.
Jonathan Hickman
Ultimate Spider-Man, Imperial (and tie-ins),
Ask any comic book fan, and they’ll tell you that Hickman rarely misses. Even if it isn’t a bullseye, the shot is barely off. It's why Marvel leaves important projects in his hands.
Beyond his accomplishment of making the happiest Peter Parker in the multiverse in Ultimate Spider-Man, he made the Inhumans interesting in Imperial. Both are things comic book fans have been waiting years to see.
Ryan North
Comics: One World Under Doom, Fantastic Four
I’ve talked about Ryan North’s Fantastic Four being perfect from the beginning, but what he did in One World Under Doom was phenomenal. Many people have wanted to see what it would look like if Victor Von Doom were used at his full potential, and we found out he’d be unbeatable. Make sure you thank Ryan North for showing us how dangerous Doom can be.
Ashley Allen
Comics: Magik, Magik and Colossus (2026), Moonstar (2026)
When Ashley Allen wrote a one-shot of a Magik leading story during Blood Hunt, I was pumped that she’d continue writing Illyana in 2025. Unfortunately, the ten-issue series (Magik) is over, but Allen is returning in 2026 in Magik and Colossus and in Moonstar.
After seeing how great Ashley Allen wrote Illyana Rasputin and Dani in Magik, trust me when I say that Moonstar will be a must-read. I expect more magical creativity and wonder from her in both comics.
Jason Aaron
Comics: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Absolute Superman, Bug Wars
Jason Aaron had the challenge of writing two “rebirths” of beloved franchises with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Superman. Granted, the latter was an alternate reality version of the Man of Steel, but the pressure was still on. However, after seeing how amazing both series are, it’s doubtful Jason Aaron felt any pressure.
To top it off, Jason Aaron wrote a chapter of a comic book titled Bug Wars. The premise that seemed silly, but ended up having some of the deepest dialogues in comics. Who would have thought that a story about insects could be used to discuss systemic oppression and overcoming social norms, and more? Answer: Jason Aaron, that's who.
Jed MacKay
Comics: X-Men, Age of Revelation, Moon Knight, Nova: Centurion
Jed MacKay started his run of Moon Knight in 2021, with each issue being a 10/10. Everything you love about the Lunar Legionnaire is there, but characters like Reese, Hunter’s Moon, and even 8-Ball have been entertaining. Coming up in 2026, those characters will be further highlighted with the search for Marc Spector. Look for each of the Midnight Mission to become more interesting as they look for their leader. Maybe this leads to Reese getting her own title.
Al Ewing
Absolute Evil, Absolute Green Lantern, Marvel/DC Deadpool/Batman, Thor, All-New Venom (and Venom)
It always seems that Al Ewing has a new comic book releasing weekly. The good news is that they’re always full of substance. For example, Absolute Green Lantern challenges everything about the emotional spectrum on a level never seen. In many ways, it feels like the search for nirvana.
In his runs of Thor, I find myself loving Loki more than the God of Thunder (who’s currently Sigurd Jarlson). It isn’t just the mischief from them (Loki is now non-binary). It’s seeing the God of Stories trying to rewrite how they're perceived, along with their brother.
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