Rounding up the top indie comics of 2022 was no easy task for the But Why Tho? team, because there were just so many amazing stories and pieces of art to choose from. Whether part of the ever-growing Massive-verse, penned by one of the greatest action stars, or self-published by one of the day’s most prolific comic authors, our Top Indie Comics of 2022 crosses genres and art styles to deliver an eclectic and fun set of recommendations.
There’s plenty from the old-reliable publishers like Image and Dark Horse, but our top indie comics of 2022 come from all kinds of smaller publishers and self-published endeavors. It represents a both rocky and creative year in comics publishing that’s underpinned, ultimately, by a resolve to share creative, compelling stories with the world.
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15. Public Domain
Creative Team: Chip Zdarsky
Publisher: Self-published, Image Comics (Print Edition)
“Public Domain tackles the major issue of creators’ rights in a funny yet heartfelt way and continues to cement Chip Zdarsky as one of the most interesting creators in the industry. If you’ve loved Zdarsky’s other creator-owned work or his Daredevil run, you’ll want to pick this book up.”
14. BRZRKR
Creative Team: Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, Ron Garney, Bill Crabtree, Clem Robbins
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
“A solid debut for Keanu Reeves’s comic book career, featuring an engaging yet well-worn premise and plenty of bloody battles. Fans of the John Wick series or The Old Guard will definitely want to check it out, and it’s definitely one of the more interesting celebrity-helmed comics on the stands.”
13. Barnstormers
Creative Team: Scott Snyder, Tula Lotay, Dee Cunniffe, Richard Starkings
Publisher: ComiXology
“Barnstormers is just so much fun and so pretty. This high-flying sci-fi mystery will have you completely hooked and completely strapped in the whole way through.”
12. Gordita: Built Like This
Creative Team: Daisy “Draizys” Ruiz
Publisher: Black Josei Press
“Gordita: Built Like This serves the autobiographical genre of comics well with a brilliant coming-of-age story of a teenage girl coming into her own in the early 2000s. Daisy “Draizys” Ruiz has created a necessary comic of girls saving the day and learning to not only stand up for themselves but for others in a narrative that centers on Friendship and body positivity.”
11. The Dead Lucky
Creative Team: Melissa Flores, French Carlomagno, Mattia Iacono, Becca Carey
Publisher: Image Comics
“The Dead Lucky expands the Massive-Verse with a science-fiction story that balances raw human emotion and cutting-edge technology. Flores, Carlomagno, Iacono, and See have put together something truly special.”
10. Real Hero Shit
Creative Team: Kendra Wells, Amanda Lafrenais, Abby Lerhke
Publisher: Iron Circus Comics
“Recommended for lovers of the fantasy genre, Dungeons & Dragons, and anything else related, Wells takes a concept of an adventuring party and transforms their story into one with characters I loved following and want more of. This is a refreshing take on a genre that hasn’t always been consistent on including “the other” this graphic novel is fun, has significant action, and has a big heart!”
9. Undiscovered Country
Creative Team: Charles Soule, Scott Snyder, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Leonardo Marcelo Grassi, Matt Wilson, Crank!
Publisher: Image Comics
“A brilliant foray into History, the comic’s use of hard sci-fi and dystopia to investigate themes that are prevalent now is remarkable. With every new arc comes a complete shift in what to expect, like unique stories in their own right.”
8. A Thing Called Truth
Creative Team: Iolanda Zanfardino, Elisa Romboli
Publisher: Image Comics
“A near-flawless story, it manages to create the emotional tension necessary for its big finale without hurting either of its starring characters. Mag and Dorian are wonderful, incredible characters, right up to the last perfect page.”
7. Flavor Girls
Creative Team: Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky, Eros de Santiago
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
“In this wonderful Sailor Moon pastiche with hints of other beloved magical girl stories like She-Ra, an alien city-ship has appeared above the planet and has wreaked havoc on Earth for 12 years. The book is lush with pastel greens, blues, and pinks, with black or dark line shading to fill in details and a consistently gorgeous blend.”
6. Rogue Sun
Creative Team: Ryan Parrott, Abel, Chris O’Halloran, Becca Carey
Publisher: Image Comics
“A blazing, bold entry into Image Comics’ new superhero Massive-verse, choosing to ground its supernatural adventures by focusing on the relationship between a father and his son.”
5. Lunar Room
Creative Team: Danny Lore, Gio Sposito, DJ Chavis, Andworld Design, Tim Daniel
Publisher: Vault Comics
“The underworld of Solar City is a fascinating one that introduces more faces and major players that paint this comic as one I want to read more of. Sin and Zero are exciting characters that you’ll continually want to know more about in the backdrop of identity, power, and consequences.”
4. It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth
Creative Team: Zoe Thorogood
Publisher: Image Comics
“The art or writing doesn’t adhere to rules, and actively mocks the rules it is meant to follow. The versatility makes you sob then laugh then feel guilty because you laughed.”
3. The Vertical Sea
Creative Team: Brian Freschi, Ilaria Urbinati, Officine Bolzoni, Carla Roncalli di Montorio
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics (English Edition)
“The Vertical Sea is a moving vision of life with anxiety. It’s visually beautiful, and its multiple story layers bring out a range of emotions from this small slice of a life.”
2. Monstress
Creative Team: Marjorie Liu, Sana Takeda, Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics
“Monstress continues its take full of haunting beauty and harsh pains. But this year’s entry adds a layer of psychological exploration into Maika’s mind that fits the book’s art style perfectly.”
1. Radiant Black
Creative Team: Kyle Higgins, Marcelo Costa, Carlos Eduardo, Becca Carey
Publisher: Image Comics
“Radiant Black isn’t just one of the best superhero comics on the stands, it’s one of the best comics on the stands period. Kyle Higgins and Marcelo Costa have launched a tale that will resonate with a generation and added a dose of cosmic chaos. Add it to your pull list as soon as possible!”
We cherish indie comics at But Why Tho? and the creators who make them possible. Some of our other top indie comics of 2022 included Vanish, Good Game, Well Played, Unnatural Blue Blood, Amongst Us, and RetroActive. What else did we miss on your list for this year? Let us know on social media @butwhythopc.
