The best humor and comedy comics are, at the top,Dead Pool,The Unbeatable Squirrel Girlby Ryan North,Justice Leagueby Giffen and DeMatteis (“Bwahaha”) andHoward the Duck. This tier list classifies comic strips according to their inventiveness and effectiveness, from satire to pure gag. Facts (authors, publishers, dates) checked, no invented ratings.
Humor is a demanding register of comics: it requires rhythm, audacity and a real look. This tier list brings together the series that make you laugh the most intelligently — parody, meta, satire, absurd. Criterion: comic success combined with quality writing.
Editorial Ranks, Factsverified. Each entry refers to a site file when it exists.
Tier S: the kings of laughter
Dead Poolimposed fourth-wall-breaking meta-humor.The Unbeatable Squirrel Girlby Ryan North is a brilliant and optimistic superhero comedy. ThereJustice Leagueby Giffen and DeMatteis (the famous “Bwahaha”) invented the super-team comedy, andHoward the Duckby Steve Gerber remains a cult satire.
Tier A: the assumed comedy
Harley Quinndeploys anarchic humor,The Tickparodies the superhero,Ambush Bugbreaks the fourth wall before Deadpool, andSex Criminalsmixes comedy and intimacy.
Tier B: the comic classics
Groo the Wandererby Sergio Aragonés, thePlastic Manby Jack Cole, theShe-Hulkby Dan Slott andNot Brand Echo(Marvel's self-parody) are references of the genre.
Tier C: offbeat humor
'Mazing Man, THEGreat Lakes Avengers,Hitman(black comedy by Garth Ennis) andNextwaveby Warren Ellis complete the selection.
Tier D: the curiosities
Forbush Man,HerbieetBug!close this tier list: more confidential but very real comedy series.
To remember
- Dead Poolpopularized meta-humor in the mainstream.
- Giffen and DeMatteisinvented super-team comedy.
- Humor crosses all eras, from Plastic Man (1941) to Squirrel Girl.
- Each entry refers to a site file when it exists.
Frequently asked questions
Dead PooletThe Unbeatable Squirrel Girlare the modern references of comedy. Giffen/DeMatteis' Justice League remains a timeless classic of the genre.
Yes, with its codes (meta, parody, absurd). Some series, like Deadpool or Harley Quinn, have made humor their main identity.
ByThe Unbeatable Squirrel Girl(accessible and hilarious) or theJustice Leagueby Giffen/DeMatteis. Both exist in collections.
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