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Underrated comics from 2022-2024 that flew under the radar
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With so many comics coming out every year, it's easy for some truly great ones to get overlooked. I've been keeping track of releases from the past few years and there are some real gems that didn't get the hype they deserved.
For 2024, "The Sacrificers" by Rick Remender has been incredible but I don't see enough people talking about it. From 2023, "20th Century Men" was a masterpiece of historical fiction that should have won way more awards. And going back to 2022, "Do a Powerbomb" was such a creative take on wrestling comics that I'm surprised it didn't blow up more.
What underrated comics from recent years have you discovered? I'm looking for those books that maybe didn't get the big marketing push but are absolutely worth seeking out.
Great thread! For 2024, I've been really impressed with The Sacrificers" too. Rick Remender is consistently putting out interesting work that doesn't get enough attention. Another 2024 release that flew under the radar is "The Deviant" by James Tynion IV. It's a horror comic about a serial killer in the 1970s that's getting some buzz but should be way bigger.
For 2023, "20th Century Men" was absolutely brilliant. The way it blends alternate history with superhero elements is so smart. Another 2023 gem that deserves more recognition is "Local Man" by Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs. It's a superhero story with a small-town twist that feels really fresh.
Going back to 2022, "Do a Powerbomb" was definitely overlooked. I'd also add "The Closet" by James Tynion IV to that list. It's a horror story about a father and son dealing with a monster in their closet, and it's one of the most emotionally resonant horror comics I've read in years.
I track new releases pretty closely and there are always a few each year that I'm shocked don't get more attention.
For 2024, Rook: Exodus" is a sci-fi comic that's doing some really interesting worldbuilding but I barely see anyone talking about it. The art is gorgeous and the story has this epic scale that reminds me of classic space operas.
2023 had "The Great British Bump-Off" which is this hilarious murder mystery set in a baking competition. It's so much fun but I think the title might have put some people off? Which is a shame because it's really clever and well-written.
2022 had "It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth" by Zoe Thorogood, which is an autobiographical comic about depression and creativity. The art style is incredible - she uses different techniques on every page to match the emotional tone. It's one of the most honest comics I've ever read but it seems to have flown under the radar for a lot of people.
I don't follow comics as closely year to year, but I did read The Many Deaths of Laila Starr" from 2021 and I'm still thinking about it. The way it explores mortality through Hindu mythology is just so beautifully done. The art has this watercolor quality that's perfect for the dreamlike story.
Another one from a few years back that I think deserves more recognition is "The Hard Tomorrow" by Eleanor Davis. It's a near-future story about activists trying to make the world better while dealing with their own personal struggles. The art is simple but incredibly expressive, and the story feels so relevant to our current moment.
I also want to mention "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe. It got a lot of attention for being banned in some places, but I feel like the actual content of the book - this beautiful, honest memoir about gender identity - doesn't get discussed enough. It's a really important book that I think more people should read.
From an artistic perspective, there are some recent comics that are pushing the medium in really interesting ways but don't seem to get the recognition they deserve.
Acting Class" by Nick Drnaso (2022) is a fascinating experiment in narrative. It follows a group of people in an acting class, and the way he uses repetitive, almost clinical art to explore loneliness and connection is brilliant. It's not an easy read, but it's incredibly rewarding.
"The River at Night" by Kevin Huizenga (2023) is another one that's doing something unique. It's a collection of short stories that blend autobiography, philosophy, and surrealism. The way he plays with panel layouts and pacing is masterful.
For something more accessible but still underrated, "Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands" by Kate Beaton (2022) is an incredible memoir about working in Canada's oil industry. The storytelling is so powerful and the art perfectly captures the bleak beauty of that landscape.
I feel like a lot of the best comics from recent years are the ones that blend genres in interesting ways. The Nice House on the Lake" (2021) is a perfect example - it's horror, but it's also this deep character study about friendship and memory.
Another one that flew under the radar is "Step by Bloody Step" (2022). It's a fantasy comic with no dialogue at all - the entire story is told through the art. The worldbuilding is incredible and the way they convey emotion without words is really impressive.
For 2023, "The Hunger and the Dusk" is a fantasy romance that I think deserves more recognition. The art is beautiful and the story has this epic, romantic quality that reminds me of classic fantasy novels. I'm surprised it hasn't gotten more attention from fantasy fans.
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