Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2023: A Year of Genre-Bending Adventures and Bold Storytelling
2023 was a year where graphic novels pushed boundaries, explored innovative narratives, and delivered some solid A+ entertainment. This chart should not to be confused with our usual TOP 50 chart which reflects the BEST SELLING Graphic Novels throughout our chain of shops, these 10 gems are simply Graham Crackers Comics managers FAVORITE graphic novels of the past year!
10. DCeased War on the Undead Gods (DC Comics): Tom Taylor (DCeased, Nightwing) and Trevor Hairsine’s (Ultimate Six) zombie apocalypse continues with an epic showdown as the Anti-Life equation spreads into the cosmos with a reborn, undead Darkseid setting the stage. Heroes from across the DC multiverse join forces in a last-ditch battle for survival in this action-packed finale to the critically acclaimed DCeased saga.
9. Superman Space Age (DC Comics): Mark Russell (Flintstones) and Mike Allred (X-Statix, Madman) take the Man of Steel on a retro rocket ride through the 1960s to the 80s, with Crisis on Infinite Earths as the final climax as Superman tries to find a way to save his world from the Anti-Monitor. Best Superman Elseworlds story in a long while.
8. Barbariac Vol. 1 Murderable Offenses (Vault Comics): Michael Moreci and Nathan Gooden introduce us to Owen the Barbarian and his bloodthirsty enchanted companion Axe. Conan with just the right amount of humor mixed it. One of the BEST new Independent titles we’ve seen in years and a bargain at $9.99 for this book.
7. Batman Superman Worlds Finest (DC Comics): Mark Waid (Kingdom Come) and Dan Mora (Once & Fture) reunite the World’s Finest in a classic-style adventure that celebrates their enduring friendship. Facing a cosmic threat that forces them to work together, this retro-inspired series captures the joy and spirit of their legendary partnership, and the feel of classic comic storytelling.
6. Dark Knights of Steel (DC Comics): Tom Taylor and Yasmine Putri forge a unique Elseworlds tale where a medieval Earth hosts dark and twisted versions of DC’s iconic heroes. Superman reigns as a tyrannical king, while Batman operates from the shadows, leading a rebellion in this epic clash of good and evil. A surprisingly refreshing high fantasy reimagining of the DC Universe.
5. W0rldtr33 (Image Comics): Writer James Tynion (Department of Truth) crafts a mind-bending sci-fi adventure exploring a secret architecture to the Internet. Exploring a message board called W0RLDTR33, Abriel and friends try and seal off the Undernet only to find once found it can’t be shut down. A conceptually ambitious series.
4. The Human Target (DC Comics): Tom King (Vision, Batman, Mister Miracle) and Greg Smallwood (Moon Knight, Vamperonica) reimagine the classic Vertigo series with a haunting exploration of mortality and obsession. Christopher Chance, the world’s greatest bodyguard, faces his own mortality crisis, blurring the lines between client and target in this atmospheric noir masterpiece.
3. Do a Powerbomb (Image Comics): Written & Drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson (Wonder Woman Dead Earth, Transformers). Lona Steelrose wants to be a pro wrestler, but she’s living under the shadow of her mother, the best to ever do it. Everything changes when a wrestling-obsessed necromancer asks her to join the grandest pro wrestling tournament of all time, which is also the most dangerous. It’s The Wrestler meets Dragonball Z in a tale where the competitors get more than they ever bargained for.
2. Nice House on the Lake (DC Comics): A group of mutual friends reunite years later at an idyllic lake house in Wisconsin, only to discover a dark secret lurking beneath the surface. All invited by the same mutual friend, where is the host, and more importantly what’s going on outside the remote Lake House? James Tynion (Something is Killing the Children) and Álvaro Martínez Bueno weave a chilling mystery full of psychological twists and emotional depth.
1. Eight Billion Genies (Image Comics): What if everyone on Earth suddenly received a wish-granting genie? This brilliant self-containted maxi-series by Charles Soule (Darth Vader) and Ryan Browne (Curse Words) explores the chaos and hilarity of mass wish fulfillment, questioning desire and the fragility of reality. A satisfying read that landed the number one spot on our highly recommended chart.
As always, when it’s something we recommend – you can try it risk free! Pick up a copy at any of the 13 GRAHAM CRACKERS COMICS locations and if you’re not happy with any of the above books, return them for a full refund from the location you picked it up at. We want you to be able to TRUST our recommendations – and also want you to enjoy the best of what’s being produced out there without risking your entertainment dollars on a dud! We truly hope you find something on here that you haven’t already tried! Why miss out on the best of what 2023 had to offer – when you can do so risk free at your favorite Graham Crackers Comics location!