2023 was a great time to be a comic book reader, and 2024 is shaping up to be at least as strong. Now that we’ve officially crowned the winner of IGN’s Best Comic Book Series or Original Graphic Novel of 2023 award, it’s time to look ahead to all the great stories hitting the stands in the next 12 months.
From the epic climax to the X-Men’s Krakoan era to Joker’s big origin story to the return of fan favorites like Sin City and the Ultimate Universe, these are the comics you should be keeping on your radar in 2024.
The End of the X-Men’s Krakoa Era
Marvel’s X-Men line is still riding high on the momentum generated by 2019’s House of X and Powers of X, even if things have been looking pretty bleak for the mutant race in recent months. Sadly, the Krakoan era can’t last forever, and things are rapidly winding down as 2024 begins.
The end of this long-running storyline is playing out much as it started five years ago, with the climax of the Krakoan era unfolding in two parallel series - Fall of the House of X (by Gerry Duggan and Lucas Werneck) and Rise of the Powers of X (by Kieron Gillen and RB Silva). Can the X-Men ultimately triumph over Orchis? Are machines destined to consume the world? These and many other questions will be answered over the next several months.
That’s not to say Marvel won’t still be publishing plenty of other new X-Men content alongside those two titles. Wolverine is finally having a rematch with his greatest nemesis in Wolverine: The Sabretooth War (by Benjamin Percy, Victor LaValle, Geoff Shaw and Cory Smith). Meanwhile, Gillen will be following up the recently concluded Immortal X-Men with a four-part epilogue series called X-Men Forever. All of this paves the way for a brand new era for the X-Men in summer 2024. But we’ll get to what that entails in a little while.
Titans: Beast World Finale
DC ended 2023 by kicking off one of its biggest storylines in years, the epic Titans: Beast World crossover. A clash with the undead Necrostar has resulted in DC’s heroes and villains being transformed into beasts, and only the Titans can save the world… if Amanda Waller lets them.
Expect Beast World to continue consuming the DCU for the early weeks of 2024. And when the dust settles, we should have a much better idea of the direction in which DC is headed this year. Will the Titans still be filling the void left by the Justice League? Will Waller succeed in turning the world against its heroes? Expect some big changes by the end of Beast World.
The Return of Sin City
Daredevil: Born Again and The Dark Knight Returns’ Frank Miller launched his own publishing company in 2022 called Frank Miller Presents. The FMP line promised both original creations and sequels to some of Miller’s existing books like Ronin. That includes new books in Miller’s iconic hard-boiled universe of Sin City.
So far, two new Sin City comics have been confirmed. Miller is collaborating with legendary Italian artist Milo Manara on a new one-shot special called Sin City in Color. Miller will also write and draw a new Wild West-era story called Sin City: Blood and Dust. We’re hopeful both projects will see the light of day in 2024.
Marvel’s Blood Hunt Crossover
Blade’s stock is on the rise in the Marvel Universe, with the character currently headlining a monthly series from writer Bryan Edward Hill. And he’s going to be at the center of Marvel’s next big summer crossover, appropriately titled Blood Hunt. When the world is consumed by darkness and the various vampire houses seize on the ensuing chaos, it’s up to Blade to rally the Avengers against the undead.
As usual, expect plenty of tie-in stories and new series that use Blood Hunt as a launching point. But even if you’re suffering from crossover fatigue, the fact that the main series is written by Jed MacKay (Moon Knight) and drawn by Pepe Larraz (X-Men) should be reason enough to give this story a look.
Joker’s Origin Revealed
Even after all these decades, Joker’s origin story remains shrouded in mystery. That may change starting in Batman #142, as DC kicks off a new storyline called Joker: Year One. Echoing Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s iconic Batman: Year One storyline, Joker: Year One traces the Clown Prince of Crime’s chaotic first steps after emerging from the vat of chemicals in Batman: The Killing Joke. How did he become the terrifying force of nature he is today? And how will these revelations about Joker’s early months impact Batman in the present day?
The best part is that we don’t have to wait long for answers. All three chapters of Joker: Year One will be published weekly in February 2024.
Skybound’s Energon Universe
Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici’s Void Rivals #1 contained one of the biggest plot twists of 2023, as it turned out that seemingly standalone series was actually the launching pad for a new Transformers/G.I. Joe shared universe. We’ve already started to see the seeds of that reveal bear fruit, with Daniel Warren Johnson helming a new monthly Transformers series and Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly launching the miniseries G.I. Joe: Duke in late 2023.
As the new year dawns, fans can also look forward to G.I. Joe: Cobra Commander from Williamson and Andrea Milana in January. From there, who knows? We’ll no doubt see new links forged between the various books, as this fledgling Energon Universe really starts to take shape. We doubt Cobra Commander is the only new title in the works for 2024.
The Amazing Spider-Man’s Big Milestone
It’s always a big deal when Marvel’s flagship Amazing Spider-Man comic hits issue #50, a tradition dating all the way back to “Spider-Man No More!” in 1967’s The Amazing Spider-Man #50. It just so happens the latest volume is reaching that milestone in 2024, and it looks like dark days are once again looming for poor Peter.
As teased in the solicitation for Marvel’s FCBD 2024 special, The Amazing Spider-Man #50 looks to revolve around Norman Osborn’s return as the Green Goblin. Norman has been an unlikely ally to Peter in recent years, but a recent storyline laid the groundwork for a return to villainy. Can Peter handle the return of his deadliest nemesis with everything else going on in his chaotic life?
Nicole Maines Revisits Dreamer
While we’re still waiting to see exactly how Beast World transforms the DCU, we do know of one big development coming up in 2024. Amanda Waller will be spearheading a new incarnation of Task Force X, though one anchored by a very surprising new member.
The latest Suicide Squad features Dreamer fighting alongside more traditional recruits like Harley Quinn, Bizarro and Black Alice. Even more intriguing is the fact that the series is written by Supergirl actress Nicole Maines, who played Dreamer over the course of multiple seasons.
Maines will be charting Dreamer’s story on multiple fronts in 2024. This year also sees the release of the YA graphic novel Bad Dream, which reveals the full origin story of this powerful but troubled heroine.
My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Sequel
Emil Ferris’ My Favorite Thing Is Monsters won IGN’s Best Original Graphic Novel of 2017 award. Finally, at long last, that book is getting a sequel in April 2024. My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book 2 continues the story of young Karen Reyes as she investigates the murder of her upstairs neighbor and navigates the politically and racially charged landscape of Chicago in 1968. If the first book is any indication, this one will be an easy contender for the best comic of 2024.
Meet the New Moon Knight
Writer Jed MacKay recently ended his Moon Knight series with the death of Marc Spector, who heroically sacrificed himself to stop his nemesis Black Spectre. But even after Marc’s death, those who travel by night are still in need of protection… and that means a new hero must take up the Moon Knight mantle.
That’s where Marvel’s new series Vengeance of the Moon Knight comes in. The mission is the same, but the man underneath the mask has changed. Fortunately, MacKay is still at the helm of the new series, which is a very good thing considering that Moon Knight has long been one of Marvel’s best monthly comics. We don’t see that changing just because the main character is different.
Epic TMNT Adventures
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans have at least two big storylines to look forward to in 2024. On one hand, the long-awaited sequel to TMNT: The Last Ronin is finally debuting in February, revealing what happens when a new generation of Turtles rise up to defend a futuristic New York City.
On the other hand, the core monthly TMNT series is marching toward its 150th issue. We know TMNT #150 will serve as the climax of writer Sophie Campbell’s run on the series, so expect some major developments in this long-running universe and some big shoes for Campbell’s replacement to fill.
The Ultimate Universe Reborn
Marvel’s Ultimate Universe line used to be one of the hottest things in comics back in the early ‘00s. Can history repeat itself? We’re about to find out this year as Marvel launches a brand-new version of the Ultimate Universe. This isn’t a continuation of the original, but rather a new universe that builds on the foundation of 2023’s Ultimate Invasion.
Look for three monthly titles in the initial Ultimate lineup. Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto’s Ultimate Spider-Man features an older, married Peter Parker just becoming Spidey for the first time. Bryan Edward Hill and Stefano Caselli’s Ultimate Black Panther pits T’Challa against the twin gods Ra and Khonshu. And Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men features a Japanese manga and body horror-influenced take on mutants. It’s a promising lineup indeed.
Action Comics’ New Direction
Action Comics writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson just wrapped up his excellent run on Action Comics in December, so what’s next for DC’s longest-running series? DC is kicking off a new year-long initiative dubbed “Superman Superstars,” with a rotating cast of creators introducing new stories with major ramifications for the franchise.
The biggest news here is that former Marvel mainstay Jason Aaron is writing a three-part storyline called “I, Bizarro.” After that, Superman writer Joshua Williamson will pen an arc featuring the Superman family and Lobo battling Brainiac. And that’s just the first half of DC’s ambitious plans for Action Comics this year.
Garth Ennis’ James Bond
2024 marks the 70th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, and Dynamite Entertainment is celebrating the occasion with the debut of a major new series. Their latest Bond book is written by none other than Punisher MAX and Preacher’s Garth Ennis.
James Bond: A Cold, Cold Heart pairs Ennis with veteran 007 artist Rapha Lobosco. Taking its cues from Ian Fleming’s Bond novels rather than the films, the series puts Agent 007 on the hunt for a top-secret new chemical weapon that can kill targets without leaving a physical trace.
Star Wars in 2024
Marvel will continue to put plenty of muscle behind the Star Wars line in 2024. Though at this early stage, we don’t have a clear idea of the publisher’s 2024 plans. For now, expect the various monthly titles to move forward from the events of the Dark Droids crossover, while Marvel continues publishing adaptations of TV shows like The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi and novels like Thrawn: Alliances.
We can only assume Marvel has some major new titles waiting in the wings for later in 2024. Will we see the core Star Wars library move beyond the Original Trilogy era and into the time period of the sequels? What new stories are planned for the High Republic line? These are questions we hope to see answers to in 2024.
The Return of John Constantine, Hellblazer
Si Spurrier and Aaron Campbell’s John Constantine, Hellblazer was a criminally underappreciated series that deserved to last far longer than 12 issues. We even voted it the Best Comic Book Series of 2020. Thankfully, justice has prevailed, as Spurrier and Campbell are reuniting for a belated follow-up called John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America.
Debuting in January, this eight-issue series also happens to feature a direct crossover with The Sandman. Someone is abusing the power of Dream’s sand in the US, and only Constantine (currently languishing as a decaying, undead corpse) can get to the bottom of this mystery. With rumors swirling that DC is looking to restart the beloved Vertigo imprint, we’re very excited to see how this series shapes the future of John Constantine and other Vertigo favorites.
A Lost Holocaust-Era Play
Speaking of Vertigo, Dark Horse’s Berger Books imprint may be the closest thing we have to a successor these days, and we’re eagerly awaiting one upcoming release in particular. Death Strikes: The Emperor of Atlantis is a graphic novel adaptation of a lost opera from the Holocaust. This book sees Dave Maass and Patrick Lay adapt Der Kaiser von Atlantis oder Die Tod-Verweigerung, a satire originally created by librettist Peter Kien and composer Viktor Ullmann while they were imprisoned in the Terezín concentration camp in Czechoslovakia.
Death Strikes takes place in a world where the kingdom of Atlantis never sank, and where the mad Emperor Overall instigates a neverending war that causes even Death itself to go on strike. It’s a concept that’s intriguing in its own right, but knowing the tragic, real-world history behind this story makes this premise all the more gripping. Look for Death Strikes to hit stores in January.
The X-Men’s Big Relaunch
We’ve already covered the climax of the X-Men’s Krakoan era, but what comes next? That’s a question Marvel has only begun to answer. We know that editor Tom Brevoort is leaving the Avengers line to spearhead a line-wide X-Men relaunch in mid-2024. It remains to be seen whether this relaunch will involve a return to a more traditional status quo, with the X-Men back in the mansion, or something as groundbreaking as House of X. But either way, the result will be a fresh jumping-on point for the franchise that comes just as the X-Men are beginning to make themselves known in the MCU.
We’ll get our first taste of the new X-Men line with May’s FCBD 2024: Blood Hunt/X-Men #1, which features a Jubilee-focused preview story from Gail Simone and David Marquez. It’s probably safe to assume that Simone and Marquez will be one of the new creative teams tapped for the relaunched X-Men line.
Rise of the Sinister Sons
Peter Tomasi’s Super Sons comic was easily one of the best things to come out of the DC Rebirth initiative. Sadly, DC’s decision to age up Jonathan Kent marked the end of an era for Superboy and Robin, even if the two heroes do still team up from time to time. But now there’s a new tag-team duo ready to carry on the Super Sons legacy, albeit with a more villainous spin.
Cue Sinister Sons, a new series from Tomasi and David Lafuente. This book focuses on General Zod’s son Lor-Zod and Sinestro’s son Sinson. They aren’t exactly a crimefighting Dynamic Duo, but we’re excited to see what mischief these two super-powered miscreants can conjure up when Sinister Sons launches in February.
Building the Ghost Machine
The creation of Image Comics shook up the industry in the early ‘90s, with some of the biggest names at Marvel all jumping ship to focus on creator-owned comics. History seems to be repeating itself with the emergence of Ghost Machine, a new publishing imprint at Image spearheaded by none other than Geoff Johns. Johns is bringing a true murderer’s row of creative talent to build what they describe as “a first-of-its-kind creator-owned and operated media company.” That lineup includes Jason Fabok, Gary Frank, Bryan Hitch, Lamont Magee, Francis Manapul, Brad Meltzer, Peter J. Tomasi, and Maytal Zchut.
Johns fans have already gotten a taste of what’s in store through his and Frank’s existing series Geiger, which is slated to return in April. But readers will get a proper introduction to this new comic book line in January’s Ghost Machine #1, which introduces the four different shared universes in which these creators will be telling stories.
For more on what's coming in the new year, check out what to expect from DC in 2024, what to expect from Marvel in 2024 and what to expect from Star Wars in 2024.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
