The best comics of 2026 so far: hits, surprises, and weirdest comics

Dave, Alex, and Chris are back for a mid-year review of the best comics of the year so far. Like any art, it's subjective as we pick our three favorite comics, biggest surprise, weirdest comic, best graphic novel, and more!

Best comics of the year….SO FAR

Alex:

Pick 3 series:

1. Is Ted Ok? (Dave Chisholm)
2. Fireborn (Franklin Jonas, Curt Pires, Patrick Mulholland)
3. Sai: Dimensional Rivals (Peach Momoko, et al.)

Pick a graphic novel or collection: Pig Wife (Abbey Luck)

Biggest Surprise of the Year: Poison Ivy being elected Mayor of Gotham (G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara)

The "Please Never End" Award: The Power Fantasy - Kieron Gillan Caspar Wijngaard

Weirdest Comic: The Eye Collector (GMB Chomichuk, Jonathan Ball), shoutout to High Strangeness #5 from Daniel Noah/Christian Ward

Dave:

Pick 3 series:

1. Absolute Batman
2. Infernal Hulk
3. Escape

Pick a graphic novel or collection: 

Memories of Giselle

Biggest Surprise of the Year:

Absolute Green Arrow

The "Please Never End" Award:

Exquisite Corpses

Weirdest Comic:

Red Roots

Chris: 

Pick 3 series:

1. The Deadman
2. Lobo
3. White Sky

Pick a graphic novel or collection: Gigs 

Biggest Surprise of the Year: Death Fight Forever

The "Please Never End" Award: Toxic Avenger Comics

Weirdest Comic: The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre