When it comes to comic books, readers have more choices then they could possibly hope for. From the power houses like DC and Marvel, to the small indie guys, people can find a comic for just about any genre they could want. This plethora of choice has only increased since we’ve entered the digital age with tablet reading becoming the new normal.

Today we are going to look at 10 comics that you should be reading right now. Their topics and themes span quite the range, but all are highly entertaining stories. As a warning, many of these comics are for mature readers, so if you are easily offended, these probably aren’t going to be for you. But if you want to explore the darker side of humanity, or topics other than the standard superhero far, then read on!

10 Comics You Should Be Reading Right Now

 

 

The Walking Dead

This one is kind of a given, seeing as how popular the TV show is right now. However, even after 150 issues, I still feel like the comic is telling an awesome story. Before the TV show ever aired, this group of survivors in Atlanta were struggling to learn how to survive during the zombie apocalypse. Since that first issue, the survivors have met many other people, enemies, and undead monsters. The great thing about The Walking Dead is that the story has never really been about the zombies, but about people struggling to cope and survive. Even as popular as it’s gotten, it’s still a great read.

 

Southern Bastards

When it comes to the culture of the South, it can definitely be considered…unique. Southern Bastards is a a crime noir comic set in the deep, deep south. If you’ve been there (or are from there), you know what I’m talking about. The story revolves around a high school football coach who’s also a crime lord in his spare time. The story weaves from tales of Coach Boss to the other unique folks in this small town. From the very first issue the writers grip you with the excellent dialogue, pulse-pounding action, and fantastic artwork. The creators are both boys from the south, so Southern Bastards also drips with authenticity.

 

Afterlife with Archie

Normally Archie comics are about about the wacky hijinx of a group of high school students. But Afterlife with Archie takes on a more serious tone, one that deals with death and the undead. Jughead’s poor dog, Hot Dog, has been killed. In his grief, Jughead convinces Sabrina the raise Hot Dog from the dead. Unfortunately, that goes about as well as you’d expect and the zombie apocalypse hits Riverdale. The normally silly tone of the Archie comics are replaced with a more serious look at how these characters deal with the tragedies as they unfold.

 

Sex

Are you curious as to what did Batman do after he hit retirement? Sex is the story about a batman-like superhero who has passed his prime and is ready to re-enter the world at large. He hangs up his crime fighting mantle and returns to run his Fortune 500 company. Along with him, we see a multitude of crime organizations fighting for control of the now superhero-less city. Sex takes a look at the seedier side of humanity, from the dark dealings of a corporations to violent crime wars. I think the comic gets particularly interesting when the main character, Simon Cooke, interacts with a female villain from his past (think Catwoman) and they begin to realize how life has changed for both of them.

 

Darth Vader

Fresh out of the minds at Marvel, Darth Vader takes a look at this Dark Lord of the Sith during the height of his power. Darth Vader was always the bad ass of the original trilogy, however the prequels turn him into a whiny teenager that you just wanted to punch. Well the Darth Vader comic redeems his image as we see the man that is inspiring fear throughout the galaxy. Expect awesome displays of force powers, people being terrorized by Vader, and him coming to the realization that his son is the one who blew up the Death Star. The Darth Vader of this comic is both terrifying and awe inspiring all in one scary package.

 

The Omega Men

Creators Tom King and Barnaby Bagenda’s comic The Omega Men is a really unique comic that I’ve been quietly enjoying. A galactic, political thriller of a comic, it follows a group of terrorists (or are they freedom fighters) as they embark on a quest to depose the government of the Vega System. Apparently they are a fairly corrupt group. From the very start The Omega Men draws you in with its striking covers and creative use of the nine-panel grid format. The Omega Men tackle tough topics such as war, terrorism, religion, and the morality that surrounds all of it.

 

Midnighter

Back in the day I used to love a comic called The Authority. It was the toughest group of superheroes every assembled. I’m pretty sure they could take down the Avengers and still have time to catch a ball game. Anyway, one of my favorite members of that group was Midnighter. Picture Batman, with cybernetic implants in his brain that turns him into a giant supercomptuer when it comes to combat. Add on a whole bunch of physical upgrades, a bad dude attitude, and you’ve got the Midnighter. He is also an openly gay character and is not shy about either that or beating in skulls. If love watching a bad ass dispense gratuitous violence, then Midnighter will be right up your alley.

 

Birthright

Birthright takes a fresh look at some familiar comic book tropes. It begins with the story of a little boy who’s gone missing and his family’s trails of dealing with that. Eventually the family falls apart, the father gets accused of murdering the boy, and the wife files for divorce. However things take a turn for them when their son mysteriously appears a year later. Only now he’s aged rapidly…oh yeah and looks like Conan the Barbarian. It turns out he was in a far off land where it was his destiny to destroy the evil king that had ruled the land. Having accomplished his mission, he’s returned back home to stop the approaching evil that threats his homeworld. And that’s just the setup. Birthright gives us a unique spin on a fantasy comic that not only provides a good amount of excitement, but also spends time watching the family deal with all that happened in the past (and also the present).

 

Sex Criminals

I didn’t expect to like Sex Criminals as much as I do. The comic is definitely one of the more unique books on the market. It’s a story about a couple who, when the orgasm, freezes time for everyone but themselves. Eventually, they realize that with time froze, they can get into a bit of mischief…like you know, stealing money. The comic ranges from silly to serious, from heart warming to intense, and explores all sides of the main characters lives. It also dives into their backstories and life before they met each other, and how they each learned to cope with their unique…ability. Creators Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky have created a gripping tale that has me always looking forward to the next issue of Sex Criminals.

 

Saga

Creators By Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples have quite the imagination. The story in Saga revolves around two soldiers who met during the war between their people and then fell in love eventually having a baby. Not only from two different planets, but two different species, this child is the first ever of such a union. Saga blends elements of fantasy and science fiction with some truly unique races including spider people, winged humanoids, magic wielding demons, and robots with TVs for their heads. The story sucks you in from day one with its romeo and Juliet like forbidden love. Along they way we get to watch the couple’s relationship take the expected ups and downs, along with seeing their child slowly grow up in this crazy universe. This one is NOT to be missed.