The best comics of the 2010s are, at the top, Saga by Brian K. Vaughan, Hawkeye by Matt Fraction, The Vision by Tom King and Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson. This tier list ranks the major series of the decade according to their quality and influence, between flourishing indie and reinvented superheroes. Facts (authors, publishers, dates) checked, no invented ratings.
The 2010s saw the explosion of independent comics (Image in head) and the renewal of superheroes by a new generation of authors. This tier list ranks the flagship series of the decade according to their quality and their impact. Most are still published in collections, therefore easy to discover.
Editorial Ranks, Facts verified. Each entry refers to a site file when it exists.
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Start my trial →Tier S: the flagships of the decade
Saga is the great indie success of the 2010s, multi-awarded. Hawkeye reinvents the intimate superhero comic. The Vision is a chilling suburban tragedy, and Ms. Marvel creates an immediately cult heroine, reflecting a new generation of readers.
Tier A: superheroes reinvented
Immortal Hulk transforms the character into metaphysical horror. Mister Miracle meditate on depression, Batman by Snyder relaunches the New 52, and East of West unfolds its apocalyptic western.
Tier B: the daring indie
Sex Criminals, Paper Girls, The Wicked + The Divine and Bitch Planet embody the inventiveness of the Image of the 2010s.
Tier C: cult series
Deadly Class , Southern Bastards , Go down and Monster complete the selection with strong universes and a great diversity of tones.
Tier D: SF nuggets
Injection , Trees and Black Science by Rick Remender closes this tier list: demanding and inventive SF, a notch below the peaks.
To remember
- Brian K. Vaughan and the Image stable dominate the indie of the decade.
- Tom King, Al Ewing and Matt Fraction reinvent the superhero.
- Most are still published in collections, ideal for discovering.
- Each entry refers to a site file when it exists.
Where to start: four reading paths
A tier list gives a ranking, not a user manual. Here is how to build your reading of the 2010s depending on what you are after, relying only on the titles ranked above.
If you do not usually read comics
Start with Saga or Ms. Marvel, which the tier list names as excellent entry points. These series start a new cycle and can be read without prerequisites, in collected editions that are still in print. Saga is published by Image, the publisher that dominates the decade's indie scene, while Ms. Marvel, drawn by Adrian Alphona on scripts by G. Willow Wilson, launched an instantly cult heroine in 2014.
If you like reinvented superheroes
Chain Hawkeye (Fraction and Aja, 2012), The Vision (King and Walta, 2015) and Immortal Hulk (Ewing and Bennett, 2018). These are three very different approaches: a hero's intimate daily life, a suburban tragedy and metaphysical horror. Tom King also wrote Mister Miracle (2017), which meditates on depression: reading both series back to back shows the author's range.
If you want bold indie
After Saga, try the B-tier series: Sex Criminals, Paper Girls, The Wicked + The Divine and Bitch Planet. Brian K. Vaughan, already the author of Saga, also wrote Paper Girls with Cliff Chiang. For more demanding science fiction, turn to Rick Remender (Black Science, Deadly Class) or Warren Ellis (Injection, Trees).
How to collect this decade
Most of these series are recent and heavily printed: scarcity is not guaranteed. A few first issues, such as Saga #1 and Ms. Marvel #1, are sought after, but the main interest of these titles remains reading. A few useful habits:
- Favor collected editions for reading, and keep single issues for the first issues you really want to own.
- For an author-driven series, read the first volume before committing: each cycle can be read without prerequisites.
- For a first issue, check the printing mention (first printing or reprint) and the condition before buying.
- Always rely on real recent sales rather than on an editorial ranking.
Finally, remember that this tier list ranks reading, not value. A D-tier title such as Injection, Trees or Black Science is still demanding and inventive science fiction: it simply sits one notch below the peaks.
Frequently asked questions
Saga is unanimous on the indie side. For superheroes, Hawkeye , The Vision and Immortal Hulk dominate the decade.
Yes. Most start a new cycle and can be read without prerequisites, in collections still published. Ms. Marvel and Saga are excellent entry points.
Some #1s (Saga #1, Ms. Marvel #1) are sought after, but many recent series are very well printed: rarity is not guaranteed. Always check the actual rating.
Do you own a Saga #1 or another sought-after #1 from the 2010s? Estimate its value for free with our tool based on current eBay listings.