There were so many great comic books that came out throughout 2021. The sheer number of comics that brought so much enjoyment made this such a fun year to enjoy comic books. There are certain single issues that came out in 2021 that stood above the pack for me. So with that said I’ve put together the Best Comic Book Single Issues that were released in 2021. See what made the Best Comic Book Single Issues of 2021 below.
BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS #6
Creative Team
Writers: Chip Zdarsky, Matthew Rosenberg, Meghan Fitzmartin, and Joshua Williamson
Artists: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Scot Eaton, Julio Ferreira, Oclair Albert, Marcus To, Chris Sprouse, Belen Ortega, Trevor Hairsine
Inker: Karl Story
Colorists: Adriano Lucas, Pete Pantazis, Alejandro Sanchez, and Rain Beredo
Batman: Urban Legends #6 is a great example of how to make anthology series work in comic books. Each story in this issue had importance to the different characters involved in each story done by the creative team. We had a strong end to the big 6-part storyline that explored Bruce Wayne and Jason Todd’s current relationship, a continuation of WildC.A.T.s Zealot’s plotline, Tim Drake saving his friend and making a major life decision, and Black Canary on a secret mission assigned to her by Oracle. It all goes to showcase how there are so many different corners to the Batman Universe that are equally fascinating. Every character involved shined in their own way and is a must have for Batman fans.
FULL REVIEW: Batman: Urban Legends #6
BLACK CAT #7
Creative Team
Writer: Jed MacKay
Artist: Michael Dowling
Colorist: Brian Reber
Jed MacKay’s Black Cat has been a hidden gem for Marvel and Black Cat #7, which concludes the big ongoing storyline involving Felicia Hardy’s mentor Black Fox, showcases why. With this issue we see how Black Cat understands that while her mentor made a decision that benefits both of them they just doomed the world. Stepping up to be the hero of the story we got to see Felicia Hardy use all her skills as an the best thief in the Marvel Universe to use. Every action she takes in saving the day was well done. Even as she saves the world you understand how tough of decision this was when you realize what it means for Black Fox and the heartbreak it brings Felicia. All of that made the progress in Felicia’s relationship with Odessa Drake, the leader of the Thieves Guild, a strong conclusion to end Black Cat #7 with.
FULL REVIEW: Black Cat #7
DARK NIGHTS: DEATH METAL #7
Creative Team
Writer: Scott “Skull Crusher” Snyder
Artists: Greg “Constrictor” Capullo, Yanick “Yell Master” Paquette, and Bryan “Hatchet Man” Hitch
Inkers: Jonathan “Gut Punch” Glapion
Colorists: FCO “Plastique” Plascencia, Nathan “Fist Of Steel” Fairbairn, Alex “Slicer” Sinclair
After a decade of storytelling the New 52 and DC Rebirth era came to an end with the Dark Nights: Death Metal event led by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. The conclusion of the event, Dark Nights: Death Metal #7, did a fantastic job at capturing how this was all truly an end of one era and the start of a brand new one. This brand new era brought back all of the continuity of the DC Universe back into play. The huge party with all of the DCU heroes assembled at the Hall of Justice to celebrate Wonder Woman leading them to victory was such a cathartic visual to see. Transitioning into how the DC Multiverse has become an Omniverse created a whole new feeling of new adventures ahead for all the characters in the universe.
FULL REVIEW: Dark Nights: Death Metal #7
DEMON DAYS: X-MEN #1
Creative Team
Writer & Artist: Peach Momoko
Demon Days: X-Men #1 is a perfect example of just letting your imagination go wild with comic book storytelling. Peach Momoko does such a great job tapping into Japanese mythology to create her Demon Days Marvel Universe. The tale with Psylocke, a ronin who goes by the name of Sai, journey as she faces off against a demon version of Venom who is cursing the town such a fun story. The fairytale way the entire story is told just showed Momoko’s talent as both a writer and artist. The artwork alone tells such a rich story that the writing just adds to when there is dialogue.
FULL REVIEW: Demon Days: X-Men #1
NIGHTWING #87
Creative Team
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Bruno Redondo
Colorist: Adrian Lucas
One of the most ambitious comics of 2021 was Nightwing #87. Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, and Adrian Lucas set out to tell a story all in one extended splash page that started with the first page and went on until the final page of the issue. And they absolutely knocked it out of the park. The story itself did a great job bringing the focus back to Bludhaven and Dick Grayson after Nightwing helped save Gotham City from Fear State. Then Redondo’s artwork along with Lucas coloring just took things to another level as they went all out with the way every single aspect of how the story progressed that shined a spotlight on the fluid way Nightwing moves.
FULL REVIEW: Nightwing #87
PLANET-SIZE X-MEN #1
Creative Team
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Pepe Larraz
Colorist: Marte Gracia
If you ever wanted to know what the Omega Mutants of the Marvel Universe are capable of then look no further than Planet-Size X-Men #1. This issue is a pure showcase of how powerful the current Omega-Level Mutants are as we see them all work together to terraform Mars and make it into a new planet that is now the center of the Solar System. There is such an awestruck nature to the issue as you see Magneto, Hope Summers, Vulcan, Proteus, Iceman, Storm, Exodus, Jean Grey, Kid Omega, Elixir, and Jamie Braddock go all out with using their powers.
FULL REVIEW: Planet-Size X-Men #1
POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED: HEIR TO DARKNESS #1
Creative Team
Writer: L.L. McKinney
Artist: Simone Ragazzoni
Colorists: Igor Monti and Sabrina Del Grosso
When it comes to the Power Rangers Astronema is arguably the best, most layered villain in the history of the franchise. Which made Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir To Darkness such an intriguing read. Because for everything we know about Karone we never got a deep dive into how she became Astronema: The Princess of Evil. That is where Heir To Darkness stepped in as we found out what training Karone went through to become Astronema and claim the title of Princess of Evil. How that connected to the rest of the Power Rangers history, including the first ever adaptation of the Choushinsei Flashman Super Sentai team as the Prism Rangers that pre-dated the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, was all excellently done.
FULL REVIEW: Power Rangers Unlimited: Heir To Darkness #1
SPIDER-MAN: LIFE STORY ANNUAL #1
Creative Team
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Mark Bagley
Inker: Andrew Hennessy
Colorist: Matt Milla
Spider-Man: Life Story is one of my all time favorite Spider-Man series so when I heard Chip Zdarsky and Mark Bagley were returning for a new one-shot spotlighting J. Jonah Jameson I immediately added the annual to my pull list. Zdarsky and Bagley did not disappoint as they were able to tell a complete narrative of what J. Jonah Jameson was doing during all the decades explored in Spider-Man: Life Story. Much like the mini-series we got to see Jameson actually deal with the ramifications for allowing his hatred of Spider-Man guide many of his decisions. It all led to a strong end to what Jameson’s story turned out to be with Peter Parker and a surprising character making a big impact on the way Spider-Man: Life Story Annual went.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE LAST RONIN #2
Creative Team
Story Writers: Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, and Tom Waltz
Script Writers: Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman
Artists: Kevin Eastman, Esau & Isaac Escorza, and Ben Bishop
Colorists: Luis Antonio Delgado and Samuel Planta
The balance between flashback and present day storytelling is at its best with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #2. The beauty of the storytelling was that you never feel overwhelmed by all information thrown at you as the reader. Everything has a purpose to shape the characters and the world of The Last Ronin. You get more into the stakes at hand that go beyond how Michelangelo became final surviving Turtle. It all worked to get you further invested in the story that is being told in The Last Ronin.
FULL REVIEW: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #2
WONDER WOMAN HISTORIA: THE AMAZONS #1
Creative Team
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Artist: Phil Jimenez
Inker: Hi-Fi, Arif Prianto, and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Colorist: Calyton Cowles
The way Greek and other forms of mythology are used has always been my favorite aspect of the Wonder Woman franchise. Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons goes all in on that in spectacular fashion. Kelly Sue DeConnick fully taps into the rich mythos that is Greek mythology and the Gods that exist in it. It is all brought to life wonderfully by Phil Jimenez who presents each of the Greek Gods as the larger than life characters they should always be portrayed as. The way the designs are for all the characters in Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons makes me hope these are the versions used in the main Wonder Woman comic books moving forward.
To comment on this article and other Comic Book Revolution content visit our Facebook page, Twitter feed and Instagram. You can catch up with all of Kevin’s thoughts about comics, anime, TV shows, movies and more over on Twitter. You can also watch the fun and silly videos Kevin is making over on his TikTok.