Best Comics of 2021 (So Far): Marvel Comics
By Zack Quaintance — Now that we’re roughly 1/4 of the way through 2021, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the best comics of 2021 (so far), doing so today with a look at the best books being put out by Marvel Comics. Marvel, as has become industry standard, is the most prolific publisher, and so we’ve picked a list of the best 2021 comics they’ve put out that numbers about eight overall, with extra attention paid to whether a series is easy to access for new and lapsed readers to hop onto, pick up from its start, or just generally understand.
So yes, the list of best comics of 2021 Marvel is below. In the weeks to come we’ll be rolling out similar lists for DC Comics, Image Comics, and indie comics in general…enjoy!
Best Comics of 2021 (So Far) Marvel Comics
1. X-Men
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Primary Artist: Mahmud Asrar
Most Recent Issue: X-Men #18
Next Issue: X-Men #19 is out March 31, 2021
Why This Is So Good: The X-Men have re-ascended to their rightful place as the hottest comics property in the Marvel Universe since 2019’s House of X/Powers of X relaunch. Throughout 2021 so far, the X-Men line of comics has retained the title as the most interesting group of shared storyline books in all of superhero storytelling at present. And leading the way has been the X-Men main title, written by Jonathan Hickman and artist Mahmud Asrar. This title has an interesting long-game structure, wherein it seeds large concepts that bloom into events or major plot points that reverberate through the line.
Simply put, the majority of the X-Men comics are strong, but if you want to read just one to keep up with what’s happening with Marvel’s mutants in 2021, you’ll want to read X-Men. Personally, I would also recommend keeping up with both Hellions (just a wacky good time, trust me) and X-Factor, an interesting take on mutant social dynamics that consistently surprises. But really all these books are Very Good, and there is more Very Good stuff planned for later in the year.
Relevant Trades: No matter what you do, you’ll need to read House of X / Powers of X HC to gain a base understanding of the new X-Men status quo. Past that, you will probably also want to read the first major linewide event within that status quo, X of Swords…although be warned that it is not nearly as accessible to X-Men neophytes. After those two big books, there are two ways you can go. You can read the Dawn of X trades, which serve essentially as anthologies of every X-Book released in a given month, or you can cherry pick your favorite titles and read individual collections that way. It’s nice to have both options.
Special Note: While the X-Men flagship title is the truest must read and the main event here, basically all of the auxiliary titles have been strong too (with one exception). We already mentioned Hellions and X-Factor, but the solo titles for Wolverine and Cable both exceeded my expectations. Past that, Marauders is a really well done mutants-at-sea (hear me out!) comic that tackles the geopolitical economic implications of the new status quo, while X-Force is very good too and does the same for national security. Also, don’t be afraid of the Giant-Sized X-Men one-off stories, which feature showcases on individual characters. And later in the year, you can hop onboard new X-Men books like Children of the Atom (a teenaged mutant book with new characters), X-Corps (a look at the new status quo’s financial elements), and Way of X (a look at the new status quo’s religious elements).
2. Iron Man
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Cafu
Most Recent Issue: Iron Man #7
Next Issue: Iron Man #8 is out April 14, 2021
Why Is This So Good: While the X-Men comics as a whole are the hottest group at Marvel, Iron Man ranks as the best stand-alone title. Writer Christopher Cantwell (of Halt and Catch Fire fame) does some of the most complex character work in all of superhero comics, and he’s taking a deep dive here into the psyche of Tony Stark. This is not your MCU Iron Man, unleashing a torrent of stylish quips. No, in this run Tony Stark is the troubled futurist of the comics, battling himself and his foes in equal parts.
The book also looks fantastic courtesy of Cafu, who never lets an issue go by without finding the exact right place for a giant bolt of lightning or other big superhero set piece. In addition, the book has pulled together a ragtag side cast from deep Marvel Comics continuity, ranging from its co-lead Patsy Walker Hellcat to the Peter Parker clone, Scarlet Spider. There are also high-concept sci-fi elements involved here that are evocative of the original series Star Trek. It sounds like a lot, but it’s perhaps the best current example of many of the elements that have long-made superhero comics so engrossing, from the mythic scope to the vast bench of complicated backstory concepts. I love this book.
Relevant Trades: Iron Man Vol. 1 is all you need here, available digitally or in physical trade paperback
3. Daredevil
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Primary Artist: Marco Checchetto
Most Recent Issue: Daredevil #28
Next Issue: Daredevil #29 is out April 14, 2021
Why This Is So Good: There is just something about Daredevil and his alter-ego Matt Murdock that seems to bring out the best in comics creators, from Frank Miller to Anne Nocenti to Brian Bendis to Mark Waid. The title’s current creative team — writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Marco Checchetto — are no exception. They are currently telling a complex tale about heroes who try to do good without burning everything down even when some of the troubles they’re confronting are deeply ingrained within justice systems. Sound familiar? It should. Of all the comics Marvel is publishing in 2021, this one is perhaps the sharpest take on ongoing troubles in our real world society.
Relevant Trades: So far, this run has been collected in Daredevil by Chip Zdarsky Vol. 1 to Vol. 5 trades
4. Immortal Hulk
Writer: Al Ewing
Primary Artist: Joe Bennett
Most Recent Issue: Immortal Hulk #44
Next Issue: Immortal Hulk #45 is out April 7, 2021
Why This Is So Good: Nobody saw Immortal Hulk coming as a breakout title when it first launched back in the summer of 2018, but it quickly rose to become not only one of the best comics of 2021 all these years later, but one of the most commercially-successful and critically-lauded books being put out by Marvel. This is, perhaps, an unlikely accomplishment from a character like the Hulk — who has long struggled to find consistent sales success — but the creative team of writer Al Ewing and artist Joe Bennett found a new take on that character that involves hell, the supernatural, daddy issues, and Bruce Banner’s long continuity/ever-expanding cast of supporting characters. The result is an engrossing and satisfying read that largely exists independent of the rest of the shared universe, making it a great choice for new and lapsed readers, although I’m neither of those things and I love it too.
Relevant Trades: Immortal Hulk Vol. 1 - Vol. 8 are available now, with Immortal Hulk Vol. 9 due out in June
5. Black Cat
Writer: Jed McKay
Artist: Nina Vakueva
Most Recent Issue: Black Cat Vol. 2 #3
Next Issue: Black Cat Vol. 2 #4 is due out March 31, 2021
Why This Is So Good: While the Spider-Man comics have fallen on increasingly difficult times (I may write about this sad state of affairs soon…), ancillary title Black Cat remains an utter delight, now on its second volume after its first run (also great!) wrapped up in 2020. Writer Jed McKay has turned these comics into a madcap superhero heist romp month after month, striking my favorite balance for corporate superhero fare: somewhere between acknowledging everything is ridiculous yet taking it seriously because deep down you really love it. Like some of the other best comics on this list, this is another series that new and lapsed readers can pick up and enjoy with minimal knowledge of what’s happening in the wider Marvel Universe.
Relevant Trades: There are three collected volumes of Black Cat available now
6. Eternals
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Esad Ribic
Most Recent Issue: Eternals #3
Next Issue: Eternals #4 is due out April 21, 2021
Why This Is So Good: Of all the comics on our list today, Eternals is indeed the youngest (despite what the name suggests), but it also has arguably the most celebrated and accomplished creative team in Kieron Gillen (Young Avengers) and Esad Ribic (Secret Wars). As such, this is a book that is very well-done and polished. It’s also a book that stands to be relevant to the larger Marvel Universe, as the most synergistic company in the industry gears up to promote a film adaptation of the concept.
Relevant Trades: Eternals Vol. 1 is due out in September, but if you want to get more acquainted with the characters before that first collection hits, you can (and absolutely should) go ahead and read Eternals by Jack Kirby
7. Captain Marvel
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Various
Most Recent Issue: Captain Marvel #27
Next Issue: Captain Marvel #28 is due out April 21, 2021
Why This Is Good: Captain Marvel in its current iteration has been as strong as this title has been in many years, mostly putting lead character Carol Danvers through a string of alternate universes and futures where she’s had to brush up against foes on the same power level as she is. While the artists have rotated a bit, the book has remained good-looking throughout. Overall, it all adds up to one of the best Captain Marvel comics in some time, and a worth entry on this best comics of 2021 (so far!) Marvel list. Within this run, Carol Danvers has also been involved with a large and excellent supporting cast, including Spider-Woman, War Machine, and the always-prickly Namor.
Relevant Trades: Star here with Captain Marvel Vol. 1 and work your way through all four available volumes. Captain Marvel Vol. 5 is due out on April 21, 2021.
8. Savage Avengers
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Main Artist: Patch Zircher
Most Recent Issue: Savage Avengers #18
Next Issue: Savage Avengers #19 is due out March 24, 2021
Why This Is Cool: Look, Savage Avengers is not going to win any prizes for being poetic or for making larger statements about the nature of the world in which we all exists. But also, it’s not trying to. What it IS trying to do is plumb the noisy, high-action depths of absurdity that can make this type of storytelling so fun, and come back up with printed pages that read essentially like high-octane heavy metal. And you know what? It is succeeding and wildly at that, ranking as perhaps the most fun out of all the best comics of 2021, Marvel edition.
Relevant Trades: Start with Savage Avengers Vol. 1 (obviously) and read up through Savage Avengers Vol. 3, which just came out this month
Best Marvel Trade Collections for 2021
This next section is dedicated to recent trade collections newly available in 2021 that more casual Marvel comics readers can pick-up (or buy digitally online) and enjoy right now today. I highly recommend this entire list, all of which can just be enthusiastically dove into with little knowledge of anything else going on in the shared universe. There is, it should be noted, some overlap with the trade recommendations I’ve noted above, as is to be expected.
Daredevil Vol. 1 HC
More Information
Doctor Doom
More Information Vol. 1
More Information Vol. 2
Via comiXology
House of X / Powers of X HC
More Information
Via comiXology
Spider-Ham: Aporkalypse Now
More Information
Via comiXology
X of Swords HC
More Information
Via comiXology
Finally, a note about the future: each week for the next month or so, we’ll be rolling out new lists featuring the best comics of 2021 (so far!) from the other publishers. So check back to the site often for updates. It’s been a strong year for comics so far, and I’m super excited to share more of my favorites with all of you. Cheers!
More Best Comics of 2021 (So Far) Lists
Check out the Best Comics of 2021 (So Far): DC Comics
Check out the Best Comics of 2021 (So Far): Image Comics
Check out the Best Indie Comics of 2021 (So Far)
Don’t forget to check out our weekly new comics reviews as well!
Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.