10 Memorable Comic Books

© DC Comics. Art by Cameron Stewart.

It is quite normal for a book to switch writers/artist every so often — and this is a soft reboot I genuinely hated when it was first announced. The idea of making Barbara Gordon, cartoony and over-the-top girly does not suit the character at all (at least based on how Gail Simone is writing Batgirl at that time). For me, Barbara is a character that embodies strength and persistence. She was in a wheelchair for two decades! So, she should be always shown as strong. Seeing her taking a selfie in a barbie-like costume is simply unappealing.

However, as soon as the first story wraps up, I simply loved it. During it’s release, it was such a great contrast to other comic books out there. It’s lighthearted, it got a great mystery, it’s feels like watching a saturday morning cartoon, and it’s fresh.

Most memorable moment: When Barbara asked Dinah to scream in a specific pitch to disarm drones is such an experience to read.

© DC Comics. Art by Babs Tarr, Written by Cameron Stewart and Brendan Fletcher.

© DC Comics. Art by Jim Lee.

Studying art back in college, there’s always a few household names synonymous with a certain medium. There’s Beethoven for music, Leonardo in art, Hitchcock in film, etc. I wasn’t deep into reading comics yet but Batman: Hush is the book I always hear people talk about and I can understand why.

The story can be a bit convoluted and it’s certainly wasn’t meant for new readers but it features many villains in Batman’s rogues gallery: Riddler, Penguin, Clayface, Joker and more are present in at least one issue. More importantly, — and for an art student, this is a must-have knowledge/reference — how Jim Lee illustrates the flashback scenes using watercolor. His art is simply recognizable in the comic book community and anyone would want to read this.

Most memorable moment: When Batman sucker punched Superman with a kryptonite ring to wake him up is every kid’s imagination manifested.

© DC Comics. Art by Jim Lee, Written by Jeph Leob.

© Marvel Comics. Art by Alex Ross.

Secret Wars is a culmination of Hickman’s 3-year run for Avengers. It is a comic book event unlike any other, it features a story of scale so grand, almost all heroes and villains are present.

Released during the height of Game of Thrones’ popularity, the story structure can be seen quite similar. From a group of heroes trying to overthrow a government, an unexpected death, a big wall separating a horde of zombies to the civilization, etc. Secret Wars has all the ingredients of a compelling modern story.

What makes Secret Wars a modern masterpiece is Hickman’s storytelling. His writing is always complex but comprehensive, he knows when to slow things down, the tension and conflict fluctuates throughout the 9-issue, and the character build-up and payoffs are all so satisfying. There are aspect of the story that requires backreading but Secret Wars works as a story in its own

Most memorable moment: When the Thing stood up after Thanos’ gruesome provocation — literal chills.

© Marvel Comics. Art by Esad Ribic.

© DC Comics. Art by Leinil Francis Yu.

In comics, there’s always a few stories associated with the character. There’s the Killing Joke and Hush for Batman, Dark Phoenix Saga and Age of Apocalpyse for X-Men, Kraven’s Last Hunt and Spider-Verse for Spider-Man to name a few. For me, Birthright is definitely one for Superman’s.

It’s essentially a retelling of Superman’s origins for experienced and new readers alike — a perfect entry-level story for me when I was starting to read comics. Birthright has all the well-known characters in the Superman mythos: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Lex Luthor and it tells you the story of why Clark became the Superman he is now, and how the world reacts.

Most memorable moment: The double spread of Superman saving Lois and Jimmy in the helicopter is worthy to be framed.

© DC Comics. Art by Leinil Francis Yu.

© DC Comics. Art by Jim Lee.

Getting into comics is not an easy task. Luckily, when I did, it was the time when The New 52 kicked-off and I picked up the best book to start. Justice League: Origins is digestible, and Jim Lee’s art is simply phenomenal.

This story shows the formation of the Justice League, and it features the perfect villain to unite the world’s greatest heroes: Darkseid. Each member comes in the story one at a time and the addition of Cyborg, ties it all together. I loved how Geoff Johns crafted the lore for The New 52, and that is evident of how key details of the this origin still echoes years later.

Most memorable moment: When Batman talks to Green Lantern about being human is the reason why he’s everyone’s favorite character.

© DC Comics. Art by Jim Lee, Written by Geoff Johns.

© Marvel Comics. Art by Pepe Larraz.

Being an X-Men fan who lived thru the relaunch-after-relaunch decade of 2010s, the news of Jonathan Hickman stepping in as the head of X and writing the era-defining House of X/Powers of X is a breath of fresh air.

Hox/PoX is technically two books showcased as one, and will always be tied to each other. Hickman presents the story of Moira McTaggert being a mutant with the power of reincarnation through non-linear narrative. It can be hard to comprehend, but for me, partnered with art from industry juggernauts, Pepe Larraz and RB Silva, it is perfect.

We are treated with mind-boggling ideas such as the establishment of the sovereign nation of Krakoa, mutants beating death using “The Five”, the Quiet Council, and so much more.

Most memorable moment: Professor X monologue about the new mutant-world order. The line “While you slept, the world changed.” perfectly sums up HoX/PoX.

© Marvel Comics. Art by Pepe Larraz, Written by Jonathan Hickman.

© Marvel Comics. Art by Steve McNiven.

This is the first of two Millar-McNiven you’ll see on this list and you probably have an idea of the second one. When I first read Old Man Logan, it was a rare instance of a great art, great story — all you need to know is who Wolverine is. That’s it.

Old Man Logan is a well-paced story, there’s a great mystery behind Logan’s exile and motivation, side characters get their own spotlight, and once you pick it up, you’ll most likely finish the book in one-sitting.

Most memorable moment: Logan bursting out of the Hulk’s body is gross as it is expected. It’s a scene that you’ll be rooting for.

© Marvel Comics. Art by Steve McNiven.

© DC Comics. Art by Ivan Reis.

Of all the comic books in this list, Sinestro Corps War might be the longest, the most epic and the most exhausting to read. It is crazy good.

This is not by any means, meant to be read by new readers. Sinestro Corps War happened in the middle, arguably the peak of Geoff Johns’ run on Green Lantern. There’s a lot of story elements that is tied on events prior and plot points that are still being planted.

The reading experience is very much like watching Avengers: Endgame the first time. Yes, that good. Sinestro Corps War features the four Green Lanterns from Earth (Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, and Kyle Rayner), the stakes are at the highest, the tide of battle is continuously switched around, major players come to join the fight, and the way it ended in such a cathartic fashion. This might be the greatest Green Lantern story ever written.

Most memorable moment: When every citizen in Coast City lights up green lights to show support, giving Hal Jordan extra willpower is reminiscent of Goku’s Genki Dama and it is satisfying.

© DC Comics. Art by Ivan Reis, Written by Geoff Johns

© Marvel Comics. Art by John Cassaday

The whole Astonishing X-Men run was one of the first books I have read when I started getting into comics. The whole run feels like one book to me but for this list, I am featuring the book that started it all, Gifted. It is perfect and quite special for me for a couple of reasons:

1. It is one, if not, the most consistent comic book in terms of art and writing. I’m sure during its publication, it was hell, but for someone reading this book years later, it was a reading-experience that set my benchmark. Cassaday and Martin’s art perfectly compliments Whedon’s sharply-written dialogue, compelling plot line and straightforward story structure.
2. Growing up, Shadowcat is my favorite character of all and Gifted has Kitty Pryde in the center stage. Sure, it’s an X-Men story to it’s core but you can clearly see Whedon’s bias on Kitty Pryde as a character, and I am all for it.

Most memorable moment: When Kitty Pryde found out that Colossus is alive. The emotion on those pages are felt.

© Marvel Comics. Art by John Cassaday

© Marvel Comics. Art by Steve McNiven

I started pretty late getting into comics. Before college, I didn’t even know there was Marvel or DC, all I know is Batman and Spider-Man is cool and Superman is kinda lame. Civil War is memorable to me for one reason: One of my classmates back in college, Dwayne, lent a trade paperback copy to me for a week. It didn’t really resonate with me when I first read it, but, it is the first comic book I ever held and read.

Civil War is not the best story for me as a reader but it is one of the most important stories in the Marvel universe and the main conflict is downright compelling.

Most memorable moment: When Spider-Man announced that he is Peter Parker still is a shocker for me today.

© DC Comics. Art by Steve McNiven, Written by Mark Millar