Are you looking for the 5 best comic books for beginners? The wide and wild world of comic books, ranging from the 1950s to recent days, can be overwhelming for the uninitiated. An almost cult-like following can also make the journey a bit daunting.

However, by taking a look at the following list, you can easily find your way to the top five best comic books for beginners to read this summer. Pull up a chair, and prepare for the journey of a lifetime!

#1: Batman

This superhero first entered the American consciousness in 1939. Young Bruce Wayne, who witnessed the murder of his parents, exclaimed, “Criminals are a superstitious, cowardly lot, so my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts. I must be a creature of the night, black, terrible. . . .”

In 1986-87, writer and illustrator Frank Miller published Batman: Year One and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. According to fans, these two volumes are a sort of “holy grail” in the annals of comic books. “The Dark Knight Returns is not only one of the best Batman stories ever, it’s one of the best comics ever — full stop,” William Goodman wrote in 2024. According to reports, this is the place to begin your comic book odyssey.

#2: Maus – Comic Books’ Critters

Art Spiegelman, a cartoonist and editor, created Maus, a graphic novel serialized from 1981-1991. The series focuses on two plotlines, in New York City and Auschwitz. The SS and other soldiers of the German Third Reich are portrayed as cats, while the Jews are featured as mice.

A major theme in the comic books is that stories matter – even when the stories tell harsh truths, we cannot turn away from them. Spiegelman wrote from personal experience, drawing upon the stories of his father and other family members who lived in concentration camps during World War Two.  Comic books are not merely designed for entertainment, but also for learning.

#3: Kraven’s Last Hunt

This comic delves into the psychology of its villain and protagonist. Published in 1987, Kraven’s Last Hunt is a rare feat among comic books. Without giving away the plot, Kraven seeks after his arch-nemesis, Spider-Man, and an epic struggle emerges. Kraven proves the lengths to which people will go for revenge, and the illustrations are considered to be some of the best in the industry.”

“No matter what costume he has, no matter what he does, Peter Parker is always a very human, passionate, caring guy. Kraven doesn’t know that. And that is the major difference here,” J. M. DeMatteis wrote. DeMatteis is a writer who has written several notable comic books.

#4: Hawkeye

Although not an overnight hit, this addition to the comic book world is proving successful. As explained by William Goodman, Hawkeye “brings the typically epic scale of superheroing down to the ground level. Clint and Kate Bishop aren’t saving the world, they’re saving an apartment building in Brooklyn.” Set in the aftermath of the Avengers series, the protagonists team up to help fight crime and save what may be considered the “ordinary” in NYC.

It is the everyday heroes we need most of all – and this new classic from 2012 reminds us of this truth.

#5: Civil War

Rounding up our top five comic books, Civil War both meets and exceeds expectations. Created in 2006-2007, the comic series examines an America in turmoil, and even the Marvel heroes find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. The fictional government has passed the “Superhero Registration Act,” forcing the crime fighters to comply with more regulations.

Made into a film in 2016, Civil War gives a glimpse of an increasingly authoritarian world. Is it merely another attempt to sell comic books, or is it a form of American prophecy?