By Zack Quaintance — Our best new comics 2021 list is the return of a feature that we last did in 2019. To be totally honest, I can’t recall why we skipped it last year — it may have just been a bandwidth thing — but this year seemed to very much necessitate its return. The concept here is this is a list of books that had very strong debuts but for whatever reason didn’t seem to be 2021 books, maybe because they only published an issue or two, maybe because essential pieces of their stories are set to be revealed in 2022.

They’re all good though, and worthy of recognition. This list, I should note, is also an early preview of candidates for the best comics of 2022…enjoy!

Best New Comics of 2021

DC Vs. Vampires
Writers: James Tynion IV and Matthew Rosenberg
Artist: Otto Schmidt
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Publisher: DC Comics
The Justice League has long protected Earth from all manner of foreign and alien invaders over the years, always keeping a vigilant eye to the skies for the next threat. But what if the threat was already walking the Earth...hiding in plain sight...watching...waiting for their moment to strike... In the tradition of DCeased comes a terrifying new series from the twisted minds of James Tynion IV (Nice House on the Lake; Something is Killing the Children), Matthew Rosenberg (The Joker Presents: A Puzzlebox; 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank; Hawkeye), and Otto Schmidt that will tear the Justice League apart in their war with the undead!
Why It’s Cool: These kind of alternate universe superhero genre takes are everywhere, but few are as well-executed as this one, brought to life by the ace creative team of writers Tynion and Rosenberg, with the artwork of Otto Schmidt (who I have missed as a regular artist at DC).

Deadbox
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Benjamin Tiesma
Colorist: Vladimir Popov
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Designer: Tim Daniel
Publisher: Vault Comics
Welcome to the town of Lost Turkey, where the main source of entertainment is a cursed DVD machine that seems to know more about the fate of its citizens than they do.
Why It’s Cool: I absolutely love the work of writer Mark Russell, and I think he’s doing a couple of relatively new things (for him) in this one, which is using the (excellent) concept to spin some vignettes and also giving the whole affair a horror tinge. Combine that with standout work from Benjamin Tiesma (colored by Vladimir Popov and letterer by Jim Campbell), and you get a book that I am very excited to continue following in 2022.
Read our Deadbox interview with Mark Russell and Benjamin Tiesma!

Hellboy: Bones of Giants
Based on the Novel By: Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden
Art: Matt Smith
Colorist: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer: Clem Robins
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
When a startling discovery is made in Sweden, the B.P.R.D. sends Hellboy and Abe Sapien to investigate. What ensues is a wild adventure full of Norse legends, mythical creatures, and a threat that could bring not just Earth but the Nine Realms of Norse mythology to their knees. Based on the illustrated novel by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden, this four-part comics adaptation of Hellboy: The Bones of Giants brings readers into Hellboy's fight against the Frost Giants with stunning art by Matt Smith (Hellboy and the B.P.R.D: Long Night at Goloski Station, Barbarian Lord, Folklords) and colors by Chris O'Halloran (Folklords, Black Panther, Ice Cream Man).
Why It’s Cool: Hellboy comics really got good at the end of the year, and this story (an adaptation of a novel, actually) was maybe my favorite. It’s set to conclude early in 2022, but it’s on my list of most-anticipated comics things for the young year. Highly recommend checking it out, as it also stands well on its own merits as a Hellboy meets norse mythology head-on story.
Read the Source Material: Hellboy Bones of Giants, Illustrated Novel
Read our interview with artist Matt Smith!

Human Target
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Greg Smallwood
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: DC Comics - Black Label
Christopher Chance has made a living out of being a human target-a man hired to disguise himself as his client to invite would-be assassins to attempt his murder. He's had a remarkable career until his latest case protecting Lex Luthor when things go sideways. An assassination attempt Chance didn't see coming leaves him vulnerable and left trying to solve his own murder...as he has 12 days to discover just who in the DCU hated Luthor enough to want him dead. Human Target is a hard-boiled, gritty story in the vein of classic detective noirs told by bestselling and critically acclaimed creators Tom King and Greg Smallwood!
Why It’s Cool: Armed with incredible Greg Smallwood pop art pencilling, Human Target is my favorite Tom King-penned comic in years. Like his early work on Omega Men and Vision, it uses superhero tropes to tell a genre story with well-known characters that fit their concepts. What’s emerged from the first three issues here is a gorgeous and intriguing golden age of Hollywood noir. I’d have included it on my best of 2021 list, but with 9 issues to go, this really feels like a book that will help define comics in 2022.

Joy Operations
Writer: Brian Michael Bendies
Artist: Stephen Byrne
Letterer: Josh Reed
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics - Jinxworld
To celebrate this big, new partnership; Jinxworld and Dark Horse are proud to present the debut of a fiercely ambitious, science-fiction odyssey: Joy Operations. Brian Michael Bendis, the New York Times bestselling, Peabody and multi-Eisner award winning co-creator of Miles Morales, Naomi, Jessica Jones, and Powers, teams up with scorching hot comics sensation Stephen Byrne (Wonder Twins, Legion of Superheroes) for their very first creator-owned blockbuster series. Fifty-five years from now. Joy is an EN·VOI. A special agent of one of the JONANDO TRUST. Trusts are corporate-owned cities that are the centerpiece of modern society. She rights wrongs for the trust. She is excellent. Perfection. Hard on herself. Driven. Almost legendary in some parts. Until one day a voice pops in her head trying to get her to betray everything she has ever believed. This meticulously-designed Akira meets All of Me journey shows us a new future like only comics can. All this and also an exclusive look behind-the-scenes and a look forward to other Jinxworld projects coming exclusively to Dark Horse.
Why It’s Cool: I am nothing if not a Brian Bendis apologist, and so getting a new creator-owned book from him (with artist Stephen Byrne, no less!) was a great gift for the end of 2021. And I liked the book a lot (as I wrote in the first issue review), leaning as it does into having an older heroine navigating an intriguing and tense sci-fi world. We’re off to a great start in this comic, and I’m excited to see where it goes.
Read our Joy Operations #1 review!

One-Star Squadron
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Steve Lieber
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Publisher: DC Comics
Who you gonna call? One-Star Squadron! Meet DC's superhero team where heroism meets capitalism. This ragtag group of heroes led by Red Tornado is here to provide service with a smile. All you must do is send a request via their on-demand hero app and they'll answer any call. Whether it's a children's birthday party or an alien invasion, no job is too small or too big!
Brought to you by Eisner nominee Mark Russell (The Flintstones, Wonder Twins, Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles) and Eisner winner Steve Lieber (Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen), you'll want to invest early in this one-of-a-kind miniseries that promises a story filled with heart, heroism, and humor.
Why It’s Cool: More Mark Russell! Just now paired with Steve Lieber, one of my favorite artists in all of superhero comics. The fit is great, and through two issues, this book has been a look at DC Comic's deep bench characters where the ruthless economy is the true villain. Great stuff.
Read our One-Star Squadron #1 review!

Radio Apocolypse
Writer: Ram V.
Artist: Anand RK
Colorist: Anisha
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Vault Comics
Long after the rock out of space struck the world and turned it all to dust, in Bakerstown stands the last Radio Station on the planet. Radio Apocalypse broadcasting into the unknown, a beacon in the dark for those who wander the lost places. Now change is coming to Bakerstown. Among the refugees flocking into an already precarious settlement, an orphan boy Rion, caught in an indiscretion, will twine his fate with the Radio Station. And in doing so, begin this mixtape of love and heartbreak and interminable hope. This soundtrack to the end of the world.
Why It’s Cool: Man, you know I was in the weeds last year schedule-wise when I didn’t even manage an interview or review of a new series from Ram V., Anand RK, and Aditya Bidikar, the team behind other favorites of mine such as Blue in Green, Grafity’s Wall, and These Savage Shores. But with just one issue out so far, this book is unsurprisingly excellent. I fully expect it to feature prominently on next year’s Best of 2022 lists.
Read More Comics From This Team: Blue In Green, Grafity’s Wall, and These Savage Shores

Regarding the Matter of Oswald’s Body
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Luca Casalanguida
Colorist: Glada Marchisio
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Where is Lee Harvey Oswald's body?
The Kennedy assassination is a rat's nest of conspiracy theories: mafia involvement, the second gunman, government cover-up... but the most important chapter of this sordid tale may just be the theory that the body buried at Oswald's Rose Hill gravesite is not actually Lee Harvey himself.
Meet the ragtag group of "useful idiots" who are unwittingly brought together to clean up the crime of the century - a wannabe cowboy from Wisconsin, a Buddy Holly-idolizing (former) car thief, a world-weary Civil Rights activist ready for revolution, and a failed G-Man who still acts the part - and specifically, regarding the matter of Oswald's body.
Why It’s Cool: This is a conspiracy theorist ensemble heist story from a fantastic creative team that seems like after just two issues it’s still pretty far from revealing the full scope of what it’s really about. Hope on now while it’s still early and enjoy the ride.
Read our full Regarding the Matter of Oswald’s Body #1 review!

The Rush
Writer: Si Spurrier
Artist: Nathan Gooden
Colorist: Addison Duke
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Vault Comics
This Hungry Earth Reddens Under Snowclad Hills.
1899, Yukon Territory. A frozen frontier, bloodied and bruised by the last great Gold Rush. But in the lawless wastes to the North, something whispers in the hindbrains of men, drawing them to a blighted valley, where giant spidertracks mark the snow and impossible guns roar in the night.
To Brokehoof, where gold and blood are mined alike. Now, stumbling towards its haunted forests comes a woman gripped not by greed -- but the snarling rage of a mother in search of her child...
Why It’s Cool: I’m going to read anything that artist Nathan Gooden draws basically forever and always. He’s that good, but all the better when he’s paired with a writer like Si Spurrier. Together, the team is putting out a truly erie mystery with a unique historical setting. It’s only two issues, but this is another book I expect to figure prominently on my Best of 2022 calculations.

The Thing
Writer: Walter Mosley
Artist: Tom Reilly
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Joe Sabino
Publisher: Marvel Comics
THE NEXT BIG THING Begins Here! Renowned storyteller Walter Mosley brings his signature style to a sweeping saga of Yancy Street’s favorite son that will range from the urban sprawl of the back alleys of Manhattan to the farthest reaches of the cosmos itself! A lonely evening and a chance encounter (or is it?) sends Ben Grimm embarking on a sojourn that will have him encountering – and battling – figures both old and new. Featuring guest appearances from figures drawn from throughout the Marvel Universe as well as precision artwork by Tom Reilly, THE NEXT BIG THING will remind audiences why the Thing is one of the most popular and beloved characters in the history of comics!
Why It’s Cool: Writer Walter Mosley and artist Tom Reilly (who are both great) team-up for a prestige style deep character story about a classic character with The Thing, and the result is one of the best surprises of the late comics year. I read The Thing #3 this week (technically published in 2022), and I love every moment of it. This book is something special.

Check out our other Best of 2021 lists, including Staff Picks and Zack’s List!

Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.