Welcome back to a new edition of the Best Comic Books of the Month for 2024! This time around I will be highlighting the ten Best Comic Books for July. The latest summer month certainly did not make it easy to select just ten comic books. There were so many comic books that could’ve easily made it on the list. With that said, find out what ten releases made the Best Comic Books for the month by scrolling down.
ABSOLUTE POWER #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Colorist: Alejandro Sánchez
Letterer: Ariana Maher
When looking for examples of how to kick off a big event with an emphatic statement Absolute Power #1 is one to look at. Mark Waid and Dan Mora nailed making this start work as a culmination of all the storytelling with Amanda Waller since Dark Crisis On Infinite Earth #7’s epilogue while presenting all the necessary information for readers who haven’t followed everything. The presentation of what Waller and her Trinity of Evil accomplish makes you believe they can take down the superhero community in one fell swoop. Seeing the combination of turning the world against superheroes and removing the powers of all those that oppose the Trinity of Evil kicked things off at max speeds.
With the additional big surprises, the DCU heroes weren’t ready for we are left wondering how the Justice League can rally the heroes to overcome everything. Leaving the reader wondering what could happen next is the sign of a strong start to a big event.
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AIN’T NO GRAVE #3
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Skottie Young
Artist: Jorge Corona
Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Letterer: Nate Piekos
With each passing issue of Ain’t No Grave your connection to Ryder as a lead character grows even stronger. Ain’t No Grave #3 does an excellent job of keeping up the momentum for Ryder’s development. The character development is made even better by how artist Jorge Corona and colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu bring the fantastical world to life. The attention to detail to make sure the setting complements what is going on in each scene. It heightens what Skottie Young does with everything Ryder and other characters and the world around them enhances the tension of the story. In accomplishing that Ain’t No Grave #3 once again highlights how this is one the best new titles of the year.
HELLO DARKNESS #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Robert Hack, Dave Cook, Sarah Anderson, Steve Orlando, James Tynion IV, and Garth Ennis
Artist: Letizia Cadonici, Robert Hack, David Cousens, Sarah Anderson, A.L. Kaplan, Werther Dell’Edera, and Becky Cloonan
Colorist: Alessadro Santoro, Angel De Santiago, Marissa Louise, Miquel Muerto, and Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Becca Carey, Nathan Kempf, Jodie Troutman, Andworld Design, and Pat Brosseau
High-concept comic books like Hello Darkness aim to be an anthology series featuring short stories that hit horror, fantasy, and mystery genres is tough to tell. It is to the credit of all the creative teams involved that Hello Darkness hits on the anthology concept it is going for. Not only is each creative team successful to varying degrees, but the entire package is truly an immersive experience. The six stories told in Hello Darkness #1 each maximize their page count. Every story starts and ends in a spot where you feel a full story was told while hoping for more. That creates even greater excitement for what stories all the other creative teams involved in Hello Darkness will tell.
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MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: DARKEST HOUR #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Melissa Flores
Artist: Simona Di Gianfelice
Colorist: Raul Angulo and Jose Enrique Fernandez
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Darkest Hour #1 caps off the eight-year journey we were placed on with an extremely satisfying ending for long-time fans. Melissa Flores, Simona Di Gianfelice, and company fully tap into all of the magic that BOOM! Studios Power Rangers series has been known for. The final battle with Dark Specter felt appropriately epic. The deeper we got into the final battle the more the feeling that this was it for the story. It was either the Power Rangers could overcome the odds or Dark Specter would rule the entire Morphin Grid Multiverse. It all drove home how every creative team that has worked on BOOM! Studios Power Rangers’ comics are a must-read for all fans of the franchise.
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NIGHTWING #116
CREATVE TEAM
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Bruno Redondo
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Nightwing #116 does a fantastic job making the development of Heartless learning about Dick Grayson’s secret identity a game-changing development. The way Heartless used this against not just Nightwing but the entire superhero community elevated the villain to another level. It is the level Heartless needed to reach to fit the final boss label for the conclusion of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s run.
At the same time, the response by Dick Grayson to his family and friends willing to risk it all to help spoke volumes about how close Nightwing’s bond is with everyone. The way the issue ends with what Bruce Wayne decides to do to help his protégé highlights the importance of the “Fallen Grayson” storyline.
NO/ONE #10
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Kyle Higgins and Brian Buccellato
Artist: Geraldo Borges
Colorist: Mark Englert
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
No/One #10 delivers on paying off the unique experience this comic book was that had a complimentary podcast that expanded on its story. Kyle Higgins, Brian Buccellato, and Geraldo Borges blended a lot of the real world to create a visceral feeling with the revelations and resolution we get with this final issue. The ultimate payoff nails what this was accomplished in expanding the Massive-Verse storytelling opportunities with this superhero noir-thriller. The spot we are left on leaves you hoping this isn’t the last time we see the characters in No/One in the Massive-Verse.
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SCARLET WITCH #2
CREATVE TEAM
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Jacopo Camagni
Colorist: Frank William
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Scarlet Witch #2 was such a refreshing reading experience. The biggest reason for that is how Steve Orlando and Jacopo Camagni maximize tapping into the unlimited potential of Marvel’s magic realm. The way they use the Queen of Nevers and Moridun throughout this issue is an excellent example of that potential. The differences in how these two interactions go down for Scarlet Witch drive the interest in her character arc to yet another level. They also work to further put over the dangerous figure that Griever at the End of All Things is. The integration of Quicksilver and Polaris added to how engaging this entire comic book is as you get even more invested in Wanda Maximoff’s latest adventure.
TRANSFORMERS #10
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Jorge Corona
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Transformers #10 is a masterpiece of comic book storytelling from beginning to end. The emotional levels that Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona hit are only matched by the incredible action sequences that are also contained in this comic book. The storytelling immerses you so much that you can’t think of a time when the Autobots vs Decepticons war felt bigger than what you are experiencing while reading Transformers #10. It all creates greater excitement to find out what will happen next in this incredible series.
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ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #7
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Cory Petit
Ultimate Spider-Man #7 is all about world-building and you can’t help but be sucked into every little detail Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto have for us. The way Hickman connects this series to the greater Ultimate Universe is only matched by the wonderful detail in Checchetto’s artwork. They work so well as a creative team to elevate what is largely a comic book with characters discussing their next move.
Even the brief action we do get is still centered around developing Peter Parker and Harry Osborn’s character arcs rather than putting over their respective abilities. That way Peter and Harry’s progression is matched by the moves made by Kingpin Wilson Fisk leaves you on the edge of your seat. Then there is the unexpected ending that just leaves you wondering what the ramifications will be with how the interaction between Peter and Harry and the surprise character will go.
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X-MEN #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jed MacKay
Artist: Ryan Stegman
Inker: JP Mayer
Colorist: Marte Gracia
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegman balance creating a fresh start while respecting what came before them during the Krakoa Era with X-Men #1. That alone could’ve been all they needed to accomplish. But as creators, they showed this isn’t just about giving the X-Men a fresh start. It is about showing how the X-Men respond after yet another crisis completely changes their status quo. The way Cyclops and the team respond gives you hope that there will be a lot of great comic books that will be coming out of the “From The Ashes” direction for this franchise. It is the tone setter that was needed. And most importantly X-Men #1 reminds readers of the importance of the team in the Marvel Universe matches that of the Avengers and Fantastic Four. It is all presented in a way that welcomes fans, both new and old.
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