2024 has come and gone and another chapter ofDC Comicshistory has come to a close. It seems just like yesterday that the DCU went wildduring the “Beast World” crossoverand that the heroes wereunder attack by Amanda Waller.
2024 was a year full of amazing ongoing series, ambitious storylines, and initiatives that went above and beyond the publisher’s usual output.DC Comics released a lotof stories in 2024, but only a few truly embody the creativity that delighted fans everywhere. Read on to see which 10 DC Comics series stand out from the pack and define the publisher’s fantastic year.
By Juni Ba
The Boy Wonderwas a book of a lot of firsts. Not only was it the first Black Label book starring Robin, it was also the first full-length DC series by Juni Ba. The series is a retelling of Damian Wayne’s earliest days as Robin and the struggles he faced with his conflicting legacies. ButRobin’s difficulty finding his place within the Bat-Family is exacerbated when a demon begins abducting peoplein Gotham City.
Juni Ba wrote and drewThe Boy Wonder, and he absolutely delivered on both fronts. Not only does he give fans the Robin they know and love, buthe explores Damian and the rest of the Bat-Family with care. Ba’s art is also quite pleasant to look at, finding a style that’s unique, charming, and full of energy during its many fight scenes.
By Mark Waid and Dan Mora
Since the end ofDark Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC had teased a war was about to be waged by Amanda Waller against the metahumans. And that prophecy became a reality over the summer inAbsolute Powerby Mark Waid and Dan Mora. Utilizing blackmailed heroes, new villains, and an army of improved Amazos,Waller stole the powers of almost every superhero on Earth. With the odds heavily stacked against them, the heroes were forced to go above and beyond to stop Waller and regain their abilities.
While the event was explored in numerous tie-in issues and side series,Absolute Power’sfour issues give fans everything they need to follow along. Not only does Waid write a captivating event full of twists and turns, but Mora excels with art that captures the harrowing nature of this story.
8Poison IvyContinued to Redefine Pamela Isley for a New Era
By G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, and Haining
Since 2022, G. Willow Wilson has been providing fans with the most thoughtful, in-depth examination of an iconic Batman rogue. In 2024, Wilson kept the energy up withPoison Ivy’snumerous story arcs, including “The Secret Origin of Pamela Isley”, which gave fansa new look at the humble origins of Poison Ivy. And with the arrival of the DC All In initiative, Poison Ivy embarked on a new mission to restore Gotham’s wetlands, only to run afoul of the mysterious Order of the Green Knight.
From the very beginning, G. Willow Wilson has consistently proven that she understands the complexities of Poison Ivy and provides the most eloquent characterization she’s ever had. Marcio and Haining’s had a lot to work with in 2024 andmadePoison Ivyone of the most beautiful books on the shelves.
By Tom King, Daniel Sampere, Guillem March, and Tony S Daniel
Tom King and Daniel Sampere’sWonder Womanhit the ground running in late 2023, but the series truly came into its own over 2024. Determined to end Wonder Woman, America’s secret king, the Sovereign, puts Diana through the ringer by unleashing her greatest adversaries and attempting to mind control her via his Lasso of Lies. But ever the fighter,Wonder Woman fights back and turns the tables on the Sovereignby rallying her allies to bring him down once and for all.
While the series does take a small break to tie into the events ofAbsolute Power, the series excels inits examination of Wonder Woman’s best qualities, from her boundless compassion to her relentless determination. This series has even added to Wonder Woman’s lore by introducing her and Steve Trevor’s daughter, Elizabeth Marston Prince, aka Trinity.
By Mariko Tamaki and Javier Rodríguez
While everyone’s favorite magician is set to get a new ongoing series in 2025,Zatanna: Bring Down the Housekept the titular magician in the limelight. Mariko Tamaki and Javier Rodríguez teamed up for Zatanna’s first Black Label series that portrayed a different kind of magician. Rather than conjuring magic with Justice League Dark, Zatanna is doing stage magic in Vegas. But when a monster is unleashed during a performance,Zatanna is forced to confront her reluctance to do genuine magic.
Tamaki does an amazing job with Zatanna in this book, portraying her as a multifaceted person, one who’s peppy and full of life while also struggling with self-doubt and inner confidence. And that’s nothing to say of Rodríguez’s art who pulls out every trick in his bag to give readers a colorful and magical adventure.
5SupermanNever Stopped Delivering Action
By Joshua Williamson, Bruno Redondo, Rafa Sandoval, David Baldeon, Jamal Campbell, and Dan Mora
Supermanwas one of the first titles to lead the “Dawn of DC” initiative, and it kept going strong into 2024 with stories that took the Man of Steel all over the place. The first part of the year ended the series’ initial storyline dealing with the strange Lex Luthor Revenge Squad. Then the series crossed over with Action Comics for the “House of Brainiac” crossover. Right after, Superman teamed up with Zatanna to find a magical solution to their problems inAbsolute Powerbefore heading homefor a new storyline that introduced Lois Lane as Superwoman.
This book simply doesn’t slow down and every month, it treated its readers to a brand-new adventure full of action, charm, and humor. The Man of Tomorrow was certainly busy in 2024,but this series always made sure Superman’s stories were of the highest quality.
4Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. KongWas an Ambitious and Hard-Hitting Crossover
By Brian Buccellato, Christian Duce, and Tom Derenick
It was hard to believe when DC Comics revealed it was teaming up with Legendary Comics to bring the DCU and the MonsterVerse together. But Brian Buccellato, Christian Duce, and Tom Derenick took that opportunity to create one of the most fun series put out by the publisher in 2024. The MonsterVerse’s Titans are brought to the DC Universe and start running amok, forcing the Justice League to respond to the chaos andeven engage in combat with iconic monsters like Godzilla and Kong.
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kongdoesn’t take itself too seriously with the concept and just has fun with the idea of DC’s heroes fighting monsters. It’s even got a number of surprising team-ups between heroes and Titans (including one Kong moment that needs to be seen to be believed). It’s an ambitious story that is certain to please fans of either franchise.
By Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta
When DC Comics launched its All In initiative, it introduced a new line of ‘Absolute’ titles, stories set in a world where heroes faced greater odds than their counterparts. Leading the pack wasAbsolute Batmanby Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, which showcased a Dark Knight that lacked the Wayne Family Fortune, making his one-man crusade against crime more difficult than ever. Snyder is no stranger to Batman, but he dug deep to createone of the most engaging Batman stories in years.
While the entire Absolute line has been a breath of fresh air for many, Absolute Batman is hard-hitting action that simply doesn’t stop. Snyder and Dragotta make an excellent pair with their overhauled Batman, who’s debut in the first issue demonstrates just how innovative their character really is. DC Comics put out a lot of great Batman comics in 2024,but few greater thanAbsolute Batman.
By Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Montos
Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Montos’Green Lantern: War Journalput fan-favorite Lantern John Stewart into the spotlight for a story that really built on the cosmic promotion John received in his previous series. Stewart is more powerful than ever and a powerful force known as the Radiant Dead is after him to claim that power for their own. Aided by newbie Caolán Shepherd,Green Lantern is thrust into a battle that has huge implications for the rest of the DC Universe.
Neither Johnson nor Montos sleepwalk through this 12-issue miniseries. Montos crafts some of the most beautifully-designed constructs seen in theGreen Lanternfranchise. And those who followed Johnson’s run onAction Comicsarecertainly going to want to see howGreen Lantern: War Journalfits in with the grand, cosmic epic Johnson has been building.
1Detective ComicsGave FanstheBatman Story of the Decade
By Ram V, Guillen March, Stefano Raffaele, Ricardo Federeci, andJavier Fernandez
It was over two years ago that renowned writer Ram V took overDetective Comicsfor a grand story involving Batman and his struggles against the Orgham family, a powerful, influential family who helped build Gotham centuries ago. The final year ofDetective Comicswas filled with twists and turns that explored the Dark Knight’s history, his role as a hero, and what he means as an icon.
With every issue, Ram V and artists such as Stefano Raffaele or Ricardo Federeci gave readers another gripping Batman adventure while also giving fans a more contemplative that thoughtfully examined the Dark Knight in a way that other creative teams simply haven’t. While this era ofDC Comics’namesake title is over and another has begun, it’s safe to say that “Gotham Nocture” ended on an absolute high note.
