Much like Liam Neeson, I’m always making lists. If you’re familiar with Comic Book Herald, you know these are typically massive reading order lists, with a primary focus on Marvel comics (and some DC!).
The below list is a very different breed, and is instead a collection of all my favorite comics and graphic novels I have ever read. Every time I read a new comic book series, I add it to the list, and rank it among the substantial competition of all the best comics ever.
There are two essential notes I’d like to add before you get to the list.
1 – I do not claim to have read all the greatest comics of all time. I am literally one man (at best, a half animal, part party machine). This list is an evolving organism that will take new shape as I pick up new books. If you have a personal favorite you don’t see included here, I’d love to hear about it in the comments, on Twitter, via email, on the street, from a disembodied voice floating through my attic… you get the idea.
2 – I have read many more Marvel comics than I’ve yet included on this list. This is changing all the time as I re-read Marvel series as part of My Marvelous Year and subsequently rank the titles. Again, if you’re looking for your Marvel comics fixin’s, I’d also check out my favorite 100 stories from 1998 to 2015, or the top 25 Marvel trade collections from 1961 to 1998.
Finally, the rankings you’ll see here are entirely comics I like a lot. The higher a comic is ranked, the more I like it. The full list is approaching 1,000 rankings, but this contains the top 500 good ones!
Let the superlative headlines begin, and enjoy the comics!
Last Updated: August 27, 2025
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1 2 3 … 6 Next »I began collecting Walt Disney's comics and stories when i was 10 (1947). By the time I left for the military (1955) I had a pristine collection of EVERY comics and stories since the initial publication (1939). I voraciously traded among my8 friends in San Diego and some in Los Angeles (by visiting comic book shops). The jewel in my crown was the issue published just after Pearl Harbor (Dec 7th, 1941). I must have traded at least 5 times before I got my perfect copy. When I looked up the index of the entire series, my issue WAS NOT included ! I will not be gaslighted. The cover was Mickey, Donald and Goofy marching shoulder to shoulder while playing a flute and drum while carrying the American Flag. Whatever happened to this rarest of rare comics books? Also, if you can do it, what was the estimated value of my collection. I am now 87 years old, but my memory of the collection is quite vivid
Was this list written by an American high-school student? It's like making a list of the best bands by writing down whatever is playing on classic-rock radio. Zero adventurousness, zero curiosity, zero exploration, zero experimentation. Just American babies with American tastes in American costumes. Sad. There is so much more in comics than is dreamt of in your philosophy.
Then can you give a list or at least some of your favorites? You’ve been unnecessarily rude.
If you followed comic book herald whatsoever outside of this list, you’d know that Dave is one of the most adventurous, prolific tastemakers in all of comics. It’s absolutely unreal how many off the beaten path comics he has championed while still having time to do a full podcast on marvel comics. I highly suggest you check out his monthly best comics newsletter, which every time without fail introduces me to super interesting books I had literally never heard of before, and I’m an extremely online comics fan so that’s saying something. Do at least a tiny bit of research before you savagely attack someone’s entire philosophy, and I agree with the other commenter, let’s see your list!
What is on your list? Generally curious.
Thank You for this amazing reading list.
I would add such writers and artists as:
Alejandro Jodorowsky (everything)
Jean Giraud aka Moebius aka THE GOD :) (everything)
Grzegorz Rosiński (Yans, Thorgal, Chninkel)
Andreas (Rork)
Enki Bilal (Monster tetralogy)
Shaun Tan (The Arrival)
Charles Schultz (Peanuts)
Didn't Moebius run a very popular strip joint? (just kidding...this from a very old scientist)
Ya' know "moebius strip" an endless surface
"A Möbius strip is a one-sided, non-orientable surface created by taking a strip of paper, giving it a half-twist, and joining the ends together. It has only one side and one edge, a concept that's counterintuitive to our everyday experience of three-dimensional objects."
And yes, I confess to being a mathematician
Also: Enki Bilal (Nikipol trilogy)
I know you published a spreadsheet on google sheets with every book, will you keep updating that or just this list? I prefer being able to see every entry on the list like on the sheet.
Berserk 209, Monster 332, HunterXHunter not in list, Billy Bat not in list...
I guess, there's at least one problem in this list :D
You mustn't have read Iron Man - Director of SHIELD complete collection by the Knaufs. GOATed series and the best Iron Man has to offer.
I cannot believe you don’t have the JMS Spider-Man run on here. Once one removes the last couple arcs (once editorial/Quesada’s fat fingers got all over it), you’re left with easily the greatest modern ASM run of all-time.
Release the full list
wow nice lists but I vote fo Akira.
My favorite Childhood comics were Tintin by Herge and Asterix
man i still tear u when i remember reading them as a kid 🥹 now im 20yrs old a
Hiya! Noticed that No 34 is missing from the list, phenomenal stuff otherwise.
Hi great list...it would be much appreciated if you can also provide a quick description for superhero comics of what to read before lots of stories reference older events that I have no idea about
Amazing list, really enoyed going and finding out about them all. I'm an artist and this is source supreme.
Only omission is Lone Sloane: Delirius by Philippe Druillet
Thanos Quest didn't make the list? Is it not long enough?
#154
Could be higher :)
It would be nice if there were any comments or explanation on why you thought these were the best comics of all time