Comic book properties absolutely conquered the media landscape of the 2010s.
The newly founded MCU was thriving with projects like The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy and even ventured into television with award-winning shows like “Daredevil”. Shortly after, DC followed suit with its own litany of superhero projects, and although they fluctuated in quality, audiences continuously came to theaters to see each installment.
Unfortunately, this era hit some major roadblocks, which affected audience turnout for years. After Avengers: Endgame, many casual fans felt that it served as a satisfying ending to the MCU and didn’t feel the urge to return for projects in the near future. Alternatively, the DCEU was undergoing some major restructuring, which led to a strange string of projects, none of which were good enough to maintain the audience it once had. All of this occurring simultaneously during a worldwide pandemic prompted a cultural shift away from comic book media.
Audiences were no longer satisfied with lackluster films like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania or Thor: Love and Thunder. A comic book film could no longer succeed solely off of its relation to Marvel and DC. Instead, comic book films had to tell compelling stories with immersive visuals and interesting conflicts. Films like The Batman and Thunderbolts* received extremely positive reviews, not because of their respective intellectual properties but due to the quality content of each film. We are finally at a place where these major studios are intent on producing excellent projects because they need to in order to win back general audiences.
As we enter this golden age of comic book media, what better way to celebrate than by returning to theart styles and narrative structures, so it can be tricky to determine which one might be right for you. We have meticulously selected 5 different graphic novels and paired each one with a popular superhero film or show. Here are our picks for the best comics to start with!
If You Liked Superman (2025), Read All-Star Superman
It seems obvious, but this specific Superman story is one of his most iconic runs of all time. Written by Grant Morrisonwith art done by Frank Quitley, All-Star Superman is centered around a very specific premise that allows for Clark Kent to become the true embodiment of hope that he is meant to be. Early on in the story, Superman is told that he has contracted some sun-induced sickness that will kill him in a matter of months. The interesting twist is that the solar radiation which gave him this sickness also supercharged his powers to unprecedented levels. The ticking clock forces Clark to become the best hero he can be with the time he has left, and his new power boost allows him to do just that.
This story excels at showing why Clark is not only an amazing hero but also such a fascinating person. There are so many interactions within this story that endear the reader to Clark, especially knowing that he is essentially on his death bed. Clark decides to finally share his secret with Lois Lane, showing her the Fortress of Solitude, and even temporarily granting her Kryptonian powers so she can fly with him. There is an excellent sequence where Superman, as Clark Kent, interviews Lex Luthor, who is at his most arrogant. Luthor shares his admiration of Clark while simultaneously explaining his deep hatred for Superman.
James Gunn has been very open about the fact that All-Star Supermanwas a major inspiration for his film, and that is so evident through the theming. No story depicts Superman as the epitome of hope quite like All-Star Superman.This comic is beloved for good reason and it is an excellent read if you are in search for more of that Superman charm.
If You Liked Logan,Read Death of Wolverine
James Mangold’s Logan is one of the best comic book films of all time because it departs from the stereotypical narrative structure while focusing on the familial bond of the main characters. In turn, this creates the first real sense of stability that Logan has had since the X-Men, which makes his ultimate sacrifice all the more heartbreaking. People often attribute this film’s comic inspiration to Old Man Logan due to the barren, futuristic setting and Logan’s rugged appearance. However, Old Man Logan focuses far more on gore and bloodshed than the emotional core that can be found in Death of Wolverine.
The beautiful artistry depicts Logan as he searches the globe to face some of his greatest enemies, like Sabretooth, Cyber, Ogun, and, finally, Dr. Cornelius. We will not spoil how the final encounter plays out, but it is truly a love letter to Wolverine as a character. The final page pays homage to all of the eras Wolverine has lived through while looking forward to the legacy he would leave behind.
If You Liked The Guardians of the Galaxy Films,Read Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow utilizes a perfect blend of Tom King’s subversive writing and Bilquis Evely’s vibrant illustrations. The story follows Kara as she accompanies a young alien girl, Ruthye, who travels across the galaxy to avenge her father’s death at the hands of Krem of the Yellow Hills. The dynamic highlights everything that makes Supergirl different from Superman while still maintaining that heroic core. Many of these amazing qualities are missing from Supergirl (2026), which was supposed to be a loyal adaptation of the comic.
The book shares far more similarities with the Guardians of the Galaxy films, from the colorful depictions of outer space to themes of class exploitation. The fun, often comedic nature of both is balanced out by some truly heart-wrenching scenes. Guardians of the Galaxy was also one of the first MCU movies to fully delve into comic book wackiness. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow follows that same tone, utilizing absurd Superman lore in a way that feels natural and logical rather than shoehorned into the narrative.
Like Star-Lord, Supergirl is often underestimated by the foes she faces. Both characters begin their respective journeys with drunken, immature behavior because they haven’t yet found their calling in the world. Yet, through time spent with the right people, they both grow into true heroes.
If You Liked The Avengers,Read Astonishing X-Men
The connection here is fairly straightforward because the writer-director of The Avengers also wrote Astonishing X-Men. This writer simply understands the best method for introducing an audience to a cast of characters while also hinting at all of their relationships with one another. While The Avengers focuses on the team’s initial formation, Astonishing X-Men is about the reunion of the team after being disbanded for quite a while. This wrinkle adds some interesting dynamics, as there are established members of the team who must learn to mesh with newer members. Kitty Pryde is a particular standout character because she was once the bright-eyed newbie on the team, but now she is criticizing Emma Frost for not knowing how to behave heroically.
In the film, Nick Fury describes the Avengers as a “group of remarkable people” who could work together to become something more. The X-Men are coming back from a horrible disaster on Genosha that resulted in the deaths of millions of mutants. This is the story where they reunite to prove that, despite all the discrimination and hatred, they can still be true superheroes. They are faced with every possible obstacle they could encounter — aliens, government organizations, giant killer robots — and yet they persevere to prove to anyone watching that mutants can be heroes.
The story is so compelling, and most of that can be attributed to the amazing characters. Emma Frost, Wolverine, Beast, Cyclops, and Kitty Pryde make up the central team for this comic, and each one of them gets a moment to shine throughout the run. Most X-Men comics have to facilitate a large cast, but this smaller team allows for each character’s motivation to become far clearer and more relatable. With the new X-Men film just a couple years away, there is no better time to delve into this amazing team’s comic history.
If You Like “Invincible”, Read Invincible
Obviously, but this masterpiece could not be left off this list. The “Invincible” TV show is one of the best television adaptations of a comic series ever, but there are still some benefits to reading the original source. For one, the art is significantly better. “Invincible” simply does not match the level of detail found in the hand-drawn comics, which were gradually released over 15 years. Written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley, Invincible is such a beautifully drawn comic, and the story is equally as immersive.
While the show is spectacular, we do have to wait quite a while for it to be fully released, and clearly, the creators are taking some creative liberties with the animated series. The comic also does not have to deal with certain licensing issues, so they are able to pull off certain cameos that are simply absent in the show.
Invincible is such a uniquely special story, and if you are a fan, experiencing the story in its original form is absolutely worthwhile.
There is no better time to be a comic book fan than right now. If you have even the most passing interest in any superhero films or TV shows, it can be a valuable experience to explore those stories in their original form. Whether you are interested in Superman, the X-Men, or something completely different, there is almost certainly a comic out there that captures what you already love about these characters. Hopefully, you now have an idea of where to start.
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