13 comics to keep you busy

Lumberjanes (Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, Publisher: BOOM! Studios): Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are best friends trying to make the best of the summer at the Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. From magical quests to silly, supernatural critters, the five girls soon find themselves with their hands full. It’s the kind of wholesome, sunny fun that we need to fill up or dreary days. As a bonus, each issue ends with a mixtape tracklist, as created by one of the characters.

Thor (Jason Aaron): In 2012, Aaron picked up his hammer and went to work on one of the greatest runs of ‘Thor’ ever written. Featuring stories such as ‘Original Sin’ and ‘Goddess of Thunder’, Aaron’s run was exciting, threw up big surprises and even bigger events that would change the character for good. At the 2019 San Diego Comic Con, it was announced that Aaron’s Thor storyline, which depicted Jane Foster acquiring the mantle of the Thunder God, would be the basis for the film ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’, which would be released on November 5, 2021.

Sandman (Neil Gaiman, Publisher: Vertigo): If there was any doubt comic books are a form of pure literature, one only needs to look to Neil Gaiman’s seminal Sandman series. The dark fantasy series, over the course of 75 issues and one special volume, tells the story of Morpheus, the ruler of the realm of dreams, and his six siblings — Destiny, Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium (formerly Delight), and Destruction (also known as ‘The Prodigal’).

Ultimate Spider-Man (Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Publisher: Marvel Comics): Bendis updates your favourite neighbourhood superhero for the 21st century in Marvel’s Ultimate timeline. While Bendis is better known for his dark and gritty crime stories, what he also does best is write about teenagers. Pick up this long-running series (200 issues) if you’re looking for a story with heart and the comfort of familiar heroes and villains.

Hellboy (Mike Mignola, Publisher: Dark Horse Comics): Hell would freeze over before Guillermo Del Toro ever makes a third Hellboy movie, but the comics are always here to ease the pain. Creator Mike Mignola’s outstanding tale of the well-meaning half-demon out to save the world is a story for the ages. With more than 50 issues to dig into, Hellboy makes for a steadfast quarantine companion.

Vision (Tom King, Gabriel Walta, Publisher: Marvel Comics): Tom King’s visionary run following android Avenger Vision as he tries to live the great American suburban life, white picket fence included, is a lesson on finding humanity in an increasingly digital world. Achingly tragic, the poignant 12-issue series will stay with you long after you’ve put it down.

Daredevil (Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev, Publisher: Marvel Comics): While Bendis and Maleev take several cues from Frank Miller’s outstanding run on Daredevil, this particular stretch not only sees the character in his grittiest setting yet, getting his hands dirty in a crime-centric storyline, but also explores Matthew Murdock’s human connections and personal journey. Granted the ending may not be for everyone, but you always have Ed Brubaker’s follow-up run in case you’re looking for catharsis.

Y: The Last Man (Brian K Vaughan, Pia Guerra, Publisher: Vertigo): Following the journey of Yorick and his pet monkey, the only male survivors of an apparent global androcide, ‘Y: The Last Man’ is the post-apocalyptic read you need in these apocalyptic times. Vaughan is in top form in this deeply-relevant story that will keep you at tenterhooks until that last page is turned.

Silver Surfer (Dan Slott, Mike Allred, Publisher: Marvel Comics): This is not the definitive Silver Surfer story but it is one of the most compelling and fun series featuring the spacefaring character. Taking a Doctor Who-ish spin on Silver Surfer, Slott gives him his own Earth companion, Dawn Greenwood. Together, they travel the cosmos, heading off on different adventures. Each story is pretty much self-contained and if you’re looking for a laidback read, this is it.

Monstress (Marjorie Liu, Sana Takeda, Publisher: Image Comics): Set against the backdrop of a war between magical creatures and humans, this epic fantasy series — so magically brought to life by Takesa-s art — follows the incredible journey of Maika Halfwolf, an Arcanic who looks human, looking to avenge her dead mother. If you love high fantasy concepts and deep world-building along with a measured focus on issues such as race and gender, ‘Monstress’ should be right up your alley.

Ms Marvel (G Willow Wilson, Publisher: Marvel): The first Muslim superhero to headline a comic book series, Ms Marvel/Kamala Khan has, under G Willow Wilson’s stewardship, grown into the kind of character we’d like to see more of. A natural leader but also a helplessly regular teenager, Khan exudes girl-next-door vibes in troves, making her light-hearted adventures an immensely easy and satisfying read.

New X-Men (Grant Morrison): When Grant Morrison was poached from DC to work on the X-Men storyline in 2001, little did anyone know of the impact his 40-issue run would leave on the comic book industry. The superstar writer not only put a darker spin on the beloved mutants, but it was this run that solidified the group as a race in themselves. Top-notch writing, A-grade art and a twisty ending make this a not-to-be-missed series.

Like every other industry, these are not great times for comic books, whether you’re a reader, seller, distributor, publisher or creator. The comic book industry as a whole has hit pause for the first time in a century because of the coronavirus pandemic, which means new comic issues won’t hit shelves every Wednesday, as is the norm. But all is not lost. Prolific as they are, there’s a huge back catalogue just waiting to be explored. Here we recommend 13 completed comic book runs or series to dive into and for, just a bit, forget the world outside.

Saga (Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Publisher: Image Comics): Okay, we’re cheating with this particular series. Technically only on a hiatus, the series is only halfway to completion; but with 54 issues to be read, this space opera/epic love story is considered the absolute pinnacle of what independent comic books can be. Be warned, though. This page-turner will have you hooked from its first panel, leaving room for nothing else. And keep those tissues handy.