So the time has come for another GeekZenith List of Awesomeness and this list will be on a much-debated subject in which I have been thinking over for quite sometime – The Top 5 Comic Book Series of All Time.

Firstly, I should make the criteria for the selection process clear. This is the best Comic Book Series, not the best Graphic Novel’s of all time. What do I mean by this? I mean the obvious classics such as The Watchment, V for Vendetta or indeed The Dark Knight Strikes Back will not be considered (I am aware there was more than one of these books, but the restrictions still stand).

Secondly, I want to make it clear that some reading this might not necessarily agree with my list AND THAT’S OKAY. I encourage debate on this topic, so please, let your feelings on the matter be known in the comments section below this post.

Now, let’s get right on down to it.

Honourable Mentions

It would be remiss of me not to mention some of the comic book runs that I just loved, but sadly didn’t make the final cut.

• Joss Whedon’s run on Astonishing X-Men
• Bendis Run on New X-Men
• Bendis Run on Daredevil
• Grant Morrison’s run on Batman
• Sin City
• The Invisibles
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
• Waid and Kitso’s run on Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes
• Deus Ex Machina
• Morrison, Quitely & Tan’s run on Batman & Robin
• Hellblazer
• X-Men Age of Apocalypse
• Onslaught Saga

The Winning Top 5

And now, here’s the list:

5. Kick-Ass

Our Take

Kick-Ass came along and pretty much kicked the ass out of my expectations of a comic book. The concept for the story was so new and fresh to me, it was hard to ignore. But that’s not the only reason it appealled. The violence and the cursing to this degree was also something that opened my eyes.

I think the story fit it well with the more realistic tendencies that comic books have been heading towards for some time and adapting the comic book dynamic to more mature audiences effortlessly.

The Details

• Written by Mark Millar
• Penciled by John Romita Jr.
• Inked by Tom Palmer
• First Volume contained 8 issues and was one whole story arc. The second volume has only just been released.
• Published by Icon Comics
• Run: 2006-onwards

4. The Boys

Our Take

The Boys is Garth Ennis’ indictment of the standard superhero comic books, with a strong underlying story that has demonstrated diversity and consistency. In essence, this isn’t just a shot at super heroes (as perhaps The Pro was) that’s just a helpful by product of a well thoughtout concept of what superheroes might really be like if they ever existed.

Much like Kick Ass, The Boys takes violence to a whole new level (in fact it was so offensive that Wildstorm had to drop the title, but it as quickly picked up by Dynamite Entertainment) demonstrating the effects super human abilities might have on the average human (or indeed each other).

The Details

• Written By Garth Ennis
• Penciled By Darrick Robertson
• 49 issues as of Dec 2010. All issues up to issue 47 have been published as Graphic Novels
  • The Boys Vol. 1 (Wildstorm run)
  • The Boys Volume 2: Get Some
  • The Boys Volume 3: Good For The Soul
  • The Boys Volume 4: We Gotta Go Now
  • The Boys Volume 5: Herogasm
  • The Boys Volume 6 SC
  • The Boys, Vol. 7: The Innocents
• Published By: Dynamite Entertainment
• Run: October 2006-onwards

3. The Walking Dead

Our Take

The Walking Dead is just a gorgeously written tale of survival in a zombie filled world. I’m not a huge horror fan by any means and that’s why I only really became aware of the comic book series last year, however, upon reading one volume of the comic book I was instantly hooked.

The comic book is just so readable with real people living in a surreal world. The sharp twists in storyline had an extra realism to the world the survivors find themselves in, with more and more main characters succumbing to their dangerous surroundings. The comic book also documents well the human condition under extreme circumstances and the lengths normal people will go to to survive.

The Details

• Written By: Robert Kirkman
• Penciled By: Charlie Adlard
• Published By: Image Comics
• Is currently on issue 79, with issues 1 to 78 composed to graphic novel
• The Walking Dead Book 1 (issues 1-12)
• The Walking Dead Book 2 (issues 13-24)
• The Walking Dead Book 3 (issues 25-36)
• The Walking Dead Book 4 (issues 37-48)
• The Walking Dead Book 5 (issues 49-60)
• The Walking Dead Book 6 (issues 61-72)
• Published By: Image Comics
• Run: October 2003-onwards

2. Preacher

Our Take

Preacher was a compelling story of the somewhat supernatural and whilst I don’t necessarily believe in some of the concepts portrayed in the series, Ennis made it entirely engaging and entertaining. The series explored a number of farsical and disgusting topics, along with more extreme violence (I see a trend emerging here…) and entirely disturbing situations.

I think the main drawing point for this seires for me was the vast array of interesting characters the series portrayed in its time. From Jesse Custer to the Killer of Saints, Ennis opened my eyes to perfect characterisation and the true meaning of grit and baddassery.

The Details

• Written By: Garth Ennis
• Penciled By: Steve Dillon
• There were a total of 66 issues published over 9 graphic novels
  • Preacher Vol. 1: Gone to Texas
  • Preacher Vol. 2: Until the End of the World
  • Preacher Vol. 3: Proud Americans
  • Preacher Vol. 4: Ancient History
  • Preacher Vol. 5: Dixie Fried
  • Preacher Vol. 6: War in the Sun
  • Preacher Vol. 7: Salvation
  • Preacher Vol. 8: All Hell’s A-Coming
  • Preacher Vol. 9: Alamo
• Published By: Vertigo
• Run: 1995-2000

1. Transmetropolitan

Our Take

Transmetropolitan was one of the first non-superhero comic books I ever read. At first I was dubious to even give it a chance, after all the concept of a politcal journalist protagonist, on face value, was exactly something that struck a chord with me or sufficiently grabbed my interest. However, I did give it a chance and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Much to my shame, it was also my first knowing encounter with the work of the entirely fantastical Warren Ellis.

Transmetropolitan has it all; it’s unbearably funny when it wants to be, it’s sadistically cruel at the top of the hat and in places it can tag at the heart strings of even the hardened comic book geek. It also had a spectacular ending that left feeling satisfied, if a little saddened, that Spider Jeruselem’s journey is over.

The world Warren Ellis conjures and then explores is magical. It’s cyberpunk right down to the core which resonates well with me because before I was a comic book geek, I was just a plain old sci-fi geek. I love the whole feel of the series and love how the entire entire storyline plays out.

The Details

• Written By: Warren Ellis
• Penciled By: Darick Robertson
• Had a total of 60 issues split over 10 graphic novels
• Transmetropolitan Vol. 01: Back on the Street
• Transmetropolitan Vol. 2: Lust For Life
• Transmetropolitan Vol. 3: Year of the Bastard
• Transmetropolitan Vol. 4: The New Scum
• Transmetropolitan Vol. 5: Lonely City
• Transmetropolitan Vol. 6: Gouge Away
• Transmetropolitan Vol. 7: Spiders Thrash
• Transmetropolitan Vol. 8: Dirge
• Transmetropolitan Vol. 9: The Cure
• Transmetropolitan Vol. 10: One More Time
• Published By: Vertigo
• Run: 1997-2002

So there we have it. GeekZenith’s Top 5 Comic Book Series of all time…what say you? Like? Dislike? What’s on your list? Feel free to leave your thoughts and feelings in the comments below!

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