Adult
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Watchmen
Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons
A twelve-part story that remains a go-to starting point for non-superhero fans.
Ranked picks
Best comics
There is no single best comic, but there are reliable places to start. These guides point you to complete, well-regarded stories for your taste.
“Best” depends on what you want from a comic. A reader who loves superheroes needs a different first book than someone who wants a memoir, a fantasy epic or a funny story for a seven-year-old. So this hub is organised by taste, not by a single ranking that pretends everyone agrees.
Our guides favour complete stories you can pick up without knowing decades of history: standalone graphic novels, self-contained arcs and first volumes of series that are easy to follow. When a book is famous, we say why it is famous and who it suits. When it is not for everyone, such as books with adult content, we say that too.
New to all of this? Start with the all-time list, then branch into the character guides for Batman, Spider-Man or Superman. If you are choosing for a child, go to Kids. If you want manga, go to Manga. You can also use the Comic Finder to filter by age, style and genre.
Tip
Pick a book that is finished in one volume for your first try. If you like it, then move on to a series.
A few widely recommended starting points
See more in the Finder
Adult
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Maus: A Survivor's Tale
Art Spiegelman
A graphic memoir about the Holocaust, told with animal characters.
Adult
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Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Marjane Satrapi
A memoir of growing up in Iran during and after the revolution.
Adult
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The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes
Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth
The first collected volume of the dark-fantasy series about Morpheus, Lord of Dreams.
Adult
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Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
Scott McCloud
An explanation of how comics work, told as a comic.
Teen
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Batman: Year One
Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli
A grounded origin of Batman and Jim Gordon in a noir Gotham.
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Guides in this hub
All guides
Guide
Best Comic Books of All Time
A ranked list of ten comics that shaped the medium and still earn new readers, with a plain reason for each.
GuideBest Graphic Novels for New and Experienced Readers
A path through graphic novels that hold up as complete stories, sorted by the kind of reading experience you want, with picks for adults and newcomers.
GuideBest Indie Comics to Read
Creator-owned comics from Image, Dark Horse, IDW and self-publishers: original worlds, no decades of continuity, and plenty that are finished.
Questions people ask
What is the best comic book of all time?
There is no single answer. Critics’ lists often include Watchmen, Maus, The Dark Knight Returns and The Sandman, but each suits a different reader. Our all-time guide explains what each book is and who it is for, so you can pick the one that matches your taste rather than a ranking.
Where should a new reader start?
Begin with a complete story in one bound book, or with the first collected volume of a series. Skip long-running monthly issues at first, since they assume you know years of history. A library copy is a low-risk way to try a title before you buy.
Is there a difference between a comic, a graphic novel and a trade paperback?
A comic (or single issue) is a thin, stapled booklet. A trade paperback collects several issues of a story into one bound book. A graphic novel is a longer bound book, either an original story or a collection. In practice, bookstores shelve trades and graphic novels together.
Are comics only for superhero fans?
No. Comics cover memoir, history, science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, crime and humor. Maus, Persepolis and March are non-superhero books that are widely taught and read. Superheroes are one genre, and a large one in American comics, but not the only one.
Do these pages contain affiliate links?
Yes. When a book has a View on Amazon button, it is an affiliate link, and we may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. We show no prices or star ratings, and picks are not paid for. See our affiliate disclosure for details.