The world of comics is a vast and wondrous place, filled with iconic characters, epic storylines, and memorable moments that have captivated readers for generations. From the Golden Age of comics to the present day, there have been countless amazing comics that have left an indelible mark on popular culture. In this article, we'll be counting down the top 100 comics of all time, showcasing the most influential, groundbreaking, and beloved comics that have shaped the medium into what it is today.
Comics have come a long way since their humble beginnings as pulp magazines and newspaper strips. Over the years, they've evolved into a sophisticated and diverse art form, tackling complex themes, exploring new genres, and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just discovering the world of comics, this list is the perfect starting point for exploring the best that the medium has to offer.
So, without further ado, let's dive into the top 100 comics of all time!
100-91: The Golden Age of Comics
The Golden Age of comics, which spanned from the late 1930s to the early 1950s, saw the birth of some of the most iconic superheroes in history, including Superman, Batman, and Captain America. This era was marked by a sense of wonder, excitement, and idealism, as comics began to explore the possibilities of the superhero genre.
- Detective Comics #27 (1939) - The first appearance of Batman
- Action Comics #1 (1938) - The first appearance of Superman
- Captain America Comics #1 (1941) - The first appearance of Captain America
- Marvel Comics #1 (1939) - The first appearance of the Human Torch
- All-Star Comics #3 (1940) - The first appearance of the Justice Society of America
90-81: The Silver Age of Comics
The Silver Age of comics, which spanned from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, saw a resurgence of interest in superheroes, as well as the introduction of new characters and teams, such as the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and the X-Men.
- Showcase #4 (1956) - The first appearance of the Flash
- Fantastic Four #1 (1961) - The first appearance of the Fantastic Four
- Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) - The first appearance of Spider-Man
- The X-Men #1 (1963) - The first appearance of the X-Men
- Avengers #1 (1963) - The first appearance of the Avengers
80-71: The Bronze Age of Comics
The Bronze Age of comics, which spanned from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s, saw a greater emphasis on social commentary, as well as the introduction of new characters and teams, such as Howard the Duck, Luke Cage, and the New Teen Titans.
- Howard the Duck #1 (1976) - The first appearance of Howard the Duck
- Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (1972) - The first appearance of Luke Cage
- The New Teen Titans #1 (1980) - The first appearance of the New Teen Titans
- Swamp Thing #1 (1972) - The first appearance of Swamp Thing
- Conan the Barbarian #1 (1970) - The first appearance of Conan the Barbarian
70-61: The Modern Age of Comics
The Modern Age of comics, which spanned from the mid-1980s to the present day, has seen a greater emphasis on complex storytelling, as well as the introduction of new characters and teams, such as Watchmen, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and the Image Universe.
- Watchmen #1 (1986) - The first appearance of the Watchmen
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986) - The first appearance of the Dark Knight
- Spider-Man #1 (1990) - The first appearance of the Todd McFarlane Spider-Man
- The Sandman #1 (1989) - The first appearance of the Sandman
- Spawn #1 (1992) - The first appearance of Spawn
60-51: The Indie Comics Movement
The Indie Comics Movement, which emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, saw a proliferation of independent publishers and creators, who sought to challenge the mainstream comic book industry with innovative and often experimental works.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984) - The first appearance of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Love and Rockets #1 (1982) - The first appearance of the Hernandez brothers' iconic characters
- Dark Horse Presents #1 (1986) - The first appearance of the anthology series
- Sin City #1 (1991) - The first appearance of Frank Miller's gritty noir universe
- Hellboy #1 (1993) - The first appearance of Mike Mignola's iconic character
50-41: The Digital Age of Comics
The Digital Age of comics, which emerged in the 2000s, has seen a shift towards digital publishing, as well as the rise of webcomics and online platforms.
- Scott Pilgrim #1 (2004) - The first appearance of Bryan Lee O'Malley's iconic character
- Invincible #1 (2003) - The first appearance of Robert Kirkman's superhero series
- The Walking Dead #1 (2003) - The first appearance of Robert Kirkman's zombie apocalypse series
- Fables #1 (2002) - The first appearance of Bill Willingham's fairy tale noir series
- Y: The Last Man #1 (2002) - The first appearance of Brian K. Vaughan's post-apocalyptic series
40-31: The Contemporary Comics Scene
The contemporary comics scene is characterized by a diverse range of genres, styles, and themes, as well as a growing recognition of the medium as a legitimate art form.
- Saga #1 (2012) - The first appearance of Brian K. Vaughan's sci-fi epic
- Ms. Marvel #1 (2014) - The first appearance of G. Willow Wilson's Muslim superheroine
- Black Panther #1 (2016) - The first appearance of Ta-Nehisi Coates' critically-acclaimed series
- The Wicked + The Divine #1 (2014) - The first appearance of Kieron Gillen's fantasy epic
- Monstress #1 (2015) - The first appearance of Marjorie Liu's fantasy epic
30-21: The Best of the Big Two
The Big Two, Marvel and DC Comics, have been the dominant forces in the comic book industry for decades, producing some of the most iconic and beloved characters and stories of all time.
- The Avengers #1 (1963) - The first appearance of the Avengers
- The X-Men #1 (1963) - The first appearance of the X-Men
- Batman: Year One #1 (1987) - The first appearance of Frank Miller's Batman
- Spider-Man #1 (1963) - The first appearance of the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko Spider-Man
- Wonder Woman #1 (1942) - The first appearance of the iconic superheroine
20-11: The Classics
These classic comics have stood the test of time, continuing to captivate readers with their timeless themes, memorable characters, and iconic storylines.
- Action Comics #1000 (2018) - A milestone issue celebrating 80 years of Superman
- Detective Comics #1000 (2019) - A milestone issue celebrating 80 years of Batman
- The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986) - Frank Miller's iconic Batman series
- Watchmen #1 (1986) - Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' groundbreaking deconstruction of the superhero genre
- Batman: The Long Halloween #1 (1996) - Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's critically-acclaimed Batman series
10-1: The Top 10 Comics of All Time
And finally, we come to the top 10 comics of all time, a list that represents the best of the best, the crème de la crème of the comic book world.
- Batman: Year One #1 (1987) - Frank Miller's gritty Batman reboot
- The Sandman #1 (1989) - Neil Gaiman's critically-acclaimed fantasy epic
- Saga #1 (2012) - Brian K. Vaughan's sci-fi epic
- The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986) - Frank Miller's iconic Batman series
- Watchmen #1 (1986) - Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' groundbreaking deconstruction of the superhero genre
- Batman: The Long Halloween #1 (1996) - Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's critically-acclaimed Batman series
- The X-Men #1 (1963) - The first appearance of the X-Men
- Spider-Man #1 (1963) - The first appearance of the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko Spider-Man
- The Avengers #1 (1963) - The first appearance of the Avengers
- Action Comics #1 (1938) - The first appearance of Superman
We hope you've enjoyed this countdown of the top 100 comics of all time. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just discovering the world of comics, there's something on this list for everyone. So, what are you waiting for? Start reading, and discover the magic of comics for yourself!
The world of comics is a vast and wondrous place, filled with iconic characters, epic storylines, and memorable moments that have captivated readers for generations. From the Golden Age of comics to the present day, there have been countless amazing comics that have left an indelible mark on popular culture.
As we conclude this list of the top 100 comics of all time, we invite you to share your thoughts and opinions on the world of comics. What are your favorite comics? Which characters do you love the most? Let us know in the comments below!
And if you're new to the world of comics, we hope this list has inspired you to start reading. With so many amazing comics out there, you're sure to find something that resonates with you. Happy reading!
What is the most iconic comic book character of all time?
+Superman is often considered the most iconic comic book character of all time, having been created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. He has since become a cultural icon, symbolizing truth, justice, and the American way.
What is the best comic book series of all time?
+This is a subjective question, as opinions on the best comic book series vary widely. However, some of the most highly-regarded comic book series of all time include Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, and Batman: The Long Halloween.
What is the most influential comic book of all time?
+Watchmen, written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, is often considered the most influential comic book of all time. Published in 1986, it deconstructed the superhero genre and redefined the medium of comics.
Gallery of Top 100 Comics Of All Time
