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24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics

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About this list

Independent comic books mean one thing: not Marvel or DC. This opens up a world of awesome indie content from various imprints. The indie comics on this list deserve more readers. While fans may know popular titles like Fables and Preacher, they might be missing out on gems like Lumberjanes and Scalped. Even die-hard Batman fans will fall in love with these underrated indie comics, thanks to their suspenseful writing, brilliant world-building, and dedicated creators. This list uncovers amazing indie comic books that are waiting to be read.

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  • 1
    Preacher

    Preacher is the comic that might be the most known on this list because it became a television series in 2016. Few fans have read the comics, which differ quite a bit from the show.Preacher might be the most well-known comic on this list; it got a TV series in 2016. Few fans read the comics, which differ substantially from the show.Preacher has a fantastic creative team: Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. The concept comes straight from hell:Preacher has a fantastic creative team: Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. The concept comes straight from hell:Preacher stars a Texan good ol’ boy who gets forced into a life of preaching.Preacher stars a Texan good ol’ boy forced into preaching.

    He gets god-like powers and seeks to kick God’s ass for mismanaging the world. His best friend is an Irish vampire.Preacher is a true gem.Preacher is a true gem.

  • 2
    Y: The Last Man

    Y: The Last Man is nothing less than an emotional rollercoaster. It is another high-concept creation by legendary writer Brian K. Vaughan.Y: The Last Man is an emotional rollercoaster. Brian K. Vaughan, a legendary writer, created this high-concept comic.Y: The Last Man.Y: The Last Man stars Yorick, the last man on Earth. A virus killed all male mammals except Yorick and his pet monkey, Ampersand. Civilization crumbles when half the population dies. Yorick must cross the country searching for his girlfriend, turning into a quest to save the world. This series asks and answers uncomfortable questions about society.

  • 3
    Fables

    The success of Bill Willingham’s work...Fables is on the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.Fables ran for 150 issues. This helped start a new wave of fairy tale re-imaginings.Fables appears in '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.Fables toys with classic children’s characters in adult situations, yielding spectacular results. Characters like Snow White, Boy Blue, and Bigby Wolf experience drama beyond what is right for preschool audiences. Their nostalgia gives the series instant depth and importance.

    The series inspired several great spin-offs. Fables finished its 13-year run in 2015.

  • 4
    Paper Girls

    Paper Girls is a comic that seems to have a metaphorical title, but it does not. It is about a group of paper girls. Brian K. Vaughan’s presence shows something much deeper at play. Vaughan always succeeds with his projects.Paper Girls seems to have a metaphorical title, but it does not. It follows a group of paper girls. Brian K. Vaughan’s presence shows something much deeper at play. Vaughan always hits his projects.Paper Girls is no exception. Nostalgia plays a large role in this comic set in the late 1980s. The series follows a group of well-rounded 12-year-olds who uncover a newsworthy story about themselves.Paper Girls follows a group of 12-year-olds in the late 1980s. Nostalgia is a big part of this groundbreaking comic. The series shows a group of well-rounded 12-year-olds uncovering their own newsworthy story.

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    🔥 111 up · 40 down
  • 5
    Southern Bastards

    The setting of Southern Bastards is...Southern Bastards is on the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.Southern Bastards sounds boring. It centers on a small Southern town that loves football and a dominating high school coach. Creators Jason Aaron and Jason Latour draw out the most from any concept, turning it into something else.Southern Bastards is in '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.Southern Bastards becomes a complex drama that keeps readers on edge.

    Every plot development in Southern Bastards is shocking. Reading each issue is exhilarating. Readers will want to check in to see what the characters do, whether they care about small football towns or not.

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    🔥 98 up · 33 down▲ 5 above editor
  • 6
    Chew

    Tony Chu, an FDA agent, stars in Chew.Chew is in '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.Chu solves crime by getting psychic impressions from his food. The story happens in a world where bird meat is illegal because of an avian flu outbreak, and a black market for chickens thrives. Chu meets Poyo, a cybernetic cockfighting champion, among other odd characters.

    Countless people have food-based superpowers. This makes the comic feel like a Food Network version of the X-Men.

  • 7
    Deadly Class

    Rick Remender wrote one of the best Marvel series of all time with his Uncanny X-Force run.Rick Remender wrote one of the best Marvel series of all time with his Uncanny X-Force run.Rick Remender wrote one of the best Marvel series of all time with his Uncanny X-Force run.Uncanny X-Force.The series moved to something called “Xavier’s School for Assassins.”Deadly Class.Deadly Class takes place at a high school for killers. Students are descendants of legendary hit-men. Set in the 1980s, none of the characters in Deadly Class are particularly good or honorable.The high-stakes high school drama in Deadly Class makes for interesting reading and extreme content.The high-stakes high school drama in Deadly Class makes for interesting reading and extreme content.Game of Thrones.It has a style tension.

    Comics
    🔥 91 up · 28 down▼ 1 below editor
  • 8
    East of West

    If you seek high concept comic books, Jonathan Hickman is the writer. Hickman always puts more effort into his plotting than other writers. This is true for East of West.East of West.East of West has run since 2013. It shows a dystopian future where the Civil War never ended. The United States splits into seven factions: the Union, the Confederates, Native Americans, former African slaves, Chinese exiles, and Texan separatists. This concept hooks readers, but Hickman’s long-term style ensures payoff as the series continues.

    Comics
    🔥 91 up · 29 down

    Also ranks #4 on Best Image Comic Book Series, Ranked

  • 9
    Transmetropolitan

    Transmetropolitan.Transmetropolitan is a staple of comic counterculture. Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson created it. It features Spider Jerusalem, a gonzo journalist in a cyberpunk American future. It is full of transhumanist ideas.Transmetropolitan.Transmetropolitan focuses on real-world conflict, like corruption and propaganda. Jerusalem even takes on several corrupt presidents.

  • 10
    The Wicked + The Divine

    The Wicked + The Divine.The Wicked + The Divine relies heavily on modern pop culture, like social media and celebrity fascination. Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie have strong industry reputations. They use these to create a story of reincarnated gods in our modern world.

    The gods in The Wicked + The Divine all have amazing powers. However, they only live for two years, giving the series intense urgency.

    Comics
    🔥 78 up · 25 down▲ 2 above editor
  • 11
    100 Bullets

    The series runs over 10 years and has 100 issues.100 Bullets.『100 Bullets』 is a masterpiece by writer Brian Azzarello. The series centers on Agent Graves, a mysterious figure who travels the country, giving people the chance for consequence-free revenge for terrible wrongs. This revenge starter pack includes a gun, target information, and exactly 100 untraceable bullets to help the vigilante exact payback. Each arc examines human nature and our drive for cold-blooded revenge.

  • 12
    Scalped

    Jason Aaron became a star writer for Marvel, but he first gained recognition with an innovative series called Scalped appears in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.The comic sets itself in a location in modern America that is very dramatic but often ignored: a Native American reservation. This series throws fans into an emotional ride with conflicts involving organized crime, poverty, addiction, and cultural identity—all real issues facing Native people today. Aaron makes these important life stories compelling.

    Comics
    🔥 74 up · 23 down▼ 1 below editor

    Also ranks #11 on The Best Vertigo Comic Book Series, Ranked

  • 13
    Sex Criminals

    Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky might be The funniest people appear in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.Sex Criminals appear in comics.Sex Criminals is in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.is their best work. The series idea is amazing: two lovers meet and share a strange superpower. Suzie and Jon stop time whenever they orgasm, allowing them to move freely in the frozen world afterward. Thinking they were alone, the couple uses their power for crimes, like bank robberies.

    When they meet a police force with sex-related superpowers, things get strange, and it gets weirder. If you like both mature and immature sex jokes, Sex Criminals is in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.Sex Criminals is for you.

    Comics
    🔥 83 up · 32 down▲ 1 above editor
  • 14
    Black Science

    Rick Remender builds stories with dramatic flair, well-made worlds, and long arcs. That skill shows in Black Science appears in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.The series features Grant McKay, a scientist who invents the pillar, technology that lets him travel through dimensions.Black Science appears in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.The story feels personal; the main character is deeply flawed, messing up everything he touches. Half the series explores strange sci-fi worlds, while the other half shows McKay fixing his mistakes and regaining his self-confidence.

    Comics
    🔥 69 up · 21 down▼ 1 below editor
  • 15
    Lazarus

    Lazarus appears in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'., an Image series by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark, can be described as The Hunger Games appears in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.This is for adults. Set in a future ruled by 16 rich families, Lazarus appears in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.stars Forever Carlyle, a young woman trained in fighting with guns and swords.

    Carlyle travels through a brutal feudal society that divides people into families, serfs, and waste. She finds much violence and intrigue keeping her busy.

    Comics
    🔥 54 up · 18 down
  • 16
    Revival

    Countless horror comics exist, but few are as disturbing as Revival appears in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.. Set in a cold, rural Wisconsin town,Revival features a cool twist on the "dead rising" trope. The dead return to life, not as brain-eating simpletons, but just like they were before death. Officer Dana Cypress solves a murder mystery amidst the chaos, showing the moral, religious, and societal issues.Revival features a cool twist on the classic “dead rising” trope. The dead return to life, not as brain-eating simpletons, but just like they were before death. Officer Dana Cypress solves a murder mystery amidst the chaos, showing the moral, religious, and societal issues.

    Comics
    🔥 44 up · 16 down
  • 17
    Lumberjanes

    Lumberjanes is a series that empowers young women. It gives them content usually not aimed at them. The series shows woodsy girls on summer camp adventures typically limited to boys. It features progressive characterization and positive messages.Lumberjanes is a series that empowers young women. It gives them content usually not aimed at them. The series shows woodsy girls on summer camp adventures typically limited to boys. It features progressive characterization and positive messages.Lumberjanes has enough supernatural content to keep comic book fans interested. It has gained a well-earned cult following.Lumberjanes has enough supernatural content to keep comic book fans interested. It has gained a well-earned cult following.

    Comics
    🔥 57 up · 35 down
  • 18
    The Invisibles

    Grant Morrison is a unique personality in comic books. The Scottish-born writer believes in magic and openly experiments with drugs. His bizarre ideas always appear in his work.The Invisibles features Morrison at his most unrestrained. The results are odd. The Invisibles are a team of former assassins, societal outsiders. Morrison uses his personal interests to create foes with metaphorical and metaphysical meaning.The Invisibles features Morrison at his most unrestrained. The results are odd. The Invisibles are a team of former assassins, societal outsiders. Morrison uses his personal interests to create foes with metaphorical and metaphysical meaning.

    Like most Morrison projects, you never know what is happening in The Invisibles.The Invisibles.The ride is thrilling and suspenseful as a result.

  • 19
    MIND MGMT

    As the title suggests, Mind MGMT...Mind MGMT.Mind MGMT is a high-concept comic book. Writer-artist Matt Kindt started it in 2012. It ended in 2015.Mind MGMT.Mind MGMT stars true crime writer Meru. She uncovers a world-wide conspiracy. A missing flight tips Meru off to a secret organization of psychic super-spies. Meru gets pulled into a crazy world of super-powered espionage.

    The plot thickens with layers of twists and turns. These twists keep the reader intrigued and disoriented.

    Comics
    🔥 33 up · 21 down

    Also ranks #28 on Best Dark Horse Comic Book Series, Ranked

  • 20
    Injection

    The three-man team of Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey, and Jordie Bellaire moved their act from Marvel’s...Moon Knight.They started up Injection.Injection at Image Comics.Injection appears at Image Comics. This follows the style of most Ellis projects.Injection has much happening at once. The basic idea is that the 21st century has been poisoned. It must be fixed so it can support human life again. It mixes science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and ghost story.Injection has much happening at once. The basic idea is that the 21st century has been poisoned. It must be fixed so it can support human life again. It mixes science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and ghost story.Injection lets its creators comment on the world's weirdness by making it look even weirder.Injection provides its creators an opportunity to comment on the world's weirdness by making it look even weirder.

    Comics
    🔥 34 up · 22 down
  • 21
    Rat Queens

    Rat Queens is part of the comics claiming new territory for female characters and readers.Rat Queens is part of the vanguard of comics claiming new territory for female characters and readers. Rat Queens... Rat Queens are like a fantastical version of the group from Bridesmaids.Rat Queens are like a fantastical version of the group from Bridesmaids.They are rude, crude, and independent women. This foul-mouthed, bawdy tale has familiar fantasy elements. The characterization makes everything in Rat Queens.Rat QueensThis series feels fresh and original. Most of all, this series is just plain fun to read.

    Comics
    🔥 46 up · 35 down

    Also ranks #30 on Best Image Comic Book Series, Ranked

  • 22
    Reborn

    Mark Millar and Greg Capullo write the best all-star creators teaming up.Reborn appears in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.An elderly woman dies. She finds herself reborn as a young woman in a magical land. She faces vicious conflict with monsters. She meets her dead father and dog. She cannot find her husband, leading her on a quest in this strange, dangerous afterlife.

    Comics
    🔥 36 up · 29 down
  • 23
    The Sheriff of Babylon

    The Sheriff of Babylon is in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.Tom King, a former CIA counterterrorism officer and rising star, writes The Sheriff of Babylon. This gives it real authenticity. A former police officer trains a new Iraqi police force in Baghdad. This leads into a murder mystery. Conflict, tension, and real-world relevance fill the story.The Sheriff of Babylon is in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.The Sheriff of Babylon feels much more authentic than average comic fare.

    Comics
    🔥 33 up · 27 down
  • 24
    The Other Dead

    The Other Dead is in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.The Other Dead has weaknesses. It includes one of the craziest concepts in fiction.The Other Dead is in the list '24 Criminally Underrated Indie Comics'.The Other Dead twists the zombie genre. Animals return from the dead instead of humans. An undead deer seeks revenge on former Vice President Dick Cheney. Barack Obama becomes a main character. He fights zombie animals in the deep south.

    Comics
    🔥 20 up · 27 down

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