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Independent comic books are a great genre for experimental and out-of-the-box storytelling. Marvel and DC are notorious for relying on traditional superhero comics to make money. This over-reliance on superheroes has become worse in the age of the billion-dollar superhero film. For example, Marvel and DC comics resemble their film counterparts and only serve as advertisements for these films. Modern superhero comics rarely tell new or groundbreaking stories anymore.
Independent Comic Books
If you tire of the same-old, same-old from Marvel and DC, then you are not alone. Independent comic books are usually the best place to find new, fresh, experimental, and sometimes new but retroactive takes on older IPs. Here is a list of 10 of the hottest independent comic books out there now.
1. Flash Gordon Vol. 1: Escape from Planet Death! (2024)
Flash Gordon made his debut in 1934 as a space-faring adventurer in daily comic strips in newspapers. The character was commissioned to directly compete with Buck Rogers. Flash Gordon was a legendary IP throughout the 20th century inspiring radio shows, cartoons, and films. However, this character is very old-school and appeals mostly to older comic fans.
Mad Cave is now publishing independent comic books, licensing Flash Gordon to change that mindset. In this 21st century relaunch of the IP, Flash Gordon wakes up on a prison planet. He must escape, rescue his missing girlfriend, and get to the bottom of an international conspiracy.
Get this 160-page hardcover now for $29.99 at Amazon.
2. Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre (2024)
Independent comic books are not always just an alternative to traditional superhero comics; they can also be experimental, thought-provoking, silly, or a little bit of all three. Take Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre, for example. While publisher IDW licenses Godzilla for use in its comics, 1925’s The Great Gatsby became public domain and fair use for anyone back in 2021.
Millionaire hedonist Jay Gatsby is desperate to win back an old flame, but a Godzilla attack overruns his Long Island estate party! Gatsby teams up with Sherlock Holmes to find a way to stop the monster. Because..why not? Don’t take it too seriously.
The 152-page paperback is only $21.99 at Amazon.
3. Aliens vs. Avengers (2024)
Yes, I know, there is nothing “independent” about corporate Marvel, a subsidiary of Disney. Even 20th Century Fox is now a subsidiary of Disney. Still, 20th Century Fox’s prominent corner box on this comic should make it count among the independent comic books out there, so I will count it.
The xenomorphs arrive on Earth and start infecting and exterminating the population. The superheroes and villains of Earth pose no real threat to the characters. The only heroes standing between Earth and a successful xenomorph invasion are the Avengers, but even they are struggling.
This 152-page paperback collects the 4-issue series. Get it at Amazon for $18.59 now.
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto (2024)
I’m getting old; when did “x” become shorthand for “&” or a collaboration between two different entities? Anyway, April O’Neal secures a secret meeting with Tsunade in the Hidden Leaf Village, which arouses interest from Naruto and his associates.
Meanwhile, the Foot Clan suspects that O’Neal might be nosing in on some of their illegal activities and begins tracking her. Because of this, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles find out and want to help her.
Viz Media and IDW unite their IPs in one of the most interesting independent comic books in recent years. Get this 96-page paperback for $15.80 at Amazon now.
5. Power Rangers Prime (2024)
If you are in the Generation X age range or younger, then you probably know all about the Power Rangers phenomenon. What you might not know is that there has been an independent comic books boom in Power Rangers licensing for years now. Boom Studios currently has the licensing, and Power Rangers comics have been popular for years.
Power Rangers Prime is a reboot of the previous comic iterations of the characters. Five new young adults find themselves chosen to become Power Rangers and defend the world from burgeoning threats.
This 112-page paperback collects the first 4 issues of the red-hot series. Get it at Amazon for $18.99.
6. Judge Dredd: A Better World (2024)
Judge Dredd is the most infamous Judge in the dystopian hellscape of Mega City One. In this world, cities are the size of continents, crime is rampant, and authoritarian Judges have the legal right to arrest, charge, judge, and execute suspects on the spot.
In “A Better World,” a new progressive Judge wants to implement societal advances in education and rehabilitation to ease crime and improve society. However, such measures could make Judges like Dredd obsolete. Because of this, conflict arises in the authoritarian system.
Buy the 144-page paperback at Amazon now for only $19.55.
7. The Terminator Vol. 1 (2024)
Dynamite Comics is a notorious publisher of independent comic books that licenses public domain and well-known IPs. The company currently has the license to publish The Terminator IP, and they are doing interesting things with it.
In this recent series, the Skynet IP of the future switches up its game plan to win in the future. Instead of focusing on only Sarah Connor or her son, John, Skynet widens its target scope. Because of this, the AI begins to target various ancestors of future resistance members. This comic takes place after the events of the 1984 film; an elderly couple finds themselves the target of a Terminator.
This 128-page hardcover collects the first 5 issues of the current ongoing series. Pre-order the July 1, 2025, release of this hardcover now on Amazon for only $24.99.
8. ThunderCats Vol. 1: Omens (2024)
The Thundercats are now selling a lot of independent comic books for Dynamite Comics due to 1980s cartoon nostalgia. The Thundercats are anthropomorphic cats that crash land on a new world after their home world dies out. Their new home, Third Earth, is full of new threats and enemies that they must fight against in order to survive.
Buy the 136-page hardcover for $22.49 at Amazon now.
9. Redcoat Volume 1: Einstein & The Immortal (2024)
In 1776, Richard Pure, a British soldier, tried and failed to assassinate George Washington. Pure stumbles upon a secretive group performing an ancient ritual and accidentally becomes immortal. He now resurrects after death, fights with famous historical figures, and tries to find out who or what is responsible for his immortality.
This 240-page paperback collects the first seven issues of the series. Buy it now for $14.16 at Amazon.
10. Jonny Quest Vol. 1: Time Flies (2024)
In 1964, Jonny Quest was balancing children’s entertainment with adult action and drama. Jonny is the child of a famous scientist; along with his bodyguard, Race, and adopted brother Hadji, the Quest family goes on amazing adventures. The show would depict bloodless death scenes and serious adventure themes, which were forward-thinking for its era.
This comic is a continuation of the classic 1964 cartoon. This 136-page paperback collects the first five issues of the series. Get it now at Amazon for $19.99.
Independent Comic Books Are Sometimes the Better Option
When I was a kid, independent comic books literally had no attention. The Big 2, Marvel and DC, were household names then as they are now, and owned a large share of the market. Now, independent comic publishers like Image, IDW, Boom, Dynamite, Dark Horse, and more command just as much attention. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that Marvel or DC are the only places for comic book entertainment; try reading some independent comic books today.
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