For some, there’s almost nothing quite so satisfying as sitting down for an afternoon and sinking your teeth into the rich, detailed fantasy world created by top graphic novelists and artists.
The DC collection, particularly well-known heroes such as Batman, Superman, and the Green Lantern, is popular for its special collections and high-quality products.
If you are looking to jump into some new graphic novels, and you love the idea of having a compelling storyline along with top-notch visuals, please read on for our review of the best DC graphic novels.
Top 10 DC Graphic Novels Table
| Picture | Name | Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
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1. Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Hot in the City | Comedy, female lead | $ |
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2. Batman: Earth One Vol. 2 | Action | $ |
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3. Sandman, The: The Kindly Ones – Book IX | Dark fantasy | $$$ |
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4. Batman: The Killing Joke | Action | $ |
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5. Kingdom Come by Mark Waid | Future, action | $$ |
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6. Superman: Red Son (New Edition) | Action | $$ |
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7. Injustice: Gods Among Us Vol. 1 | Action | $$ |
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8. Daytripper by Gabriel Ba | Narrative | $$ |
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9. Watchmen, Deluxe Edition by Alan Moore | Murder mystery | $$$$ |
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10. The Flash, Vol. 1: Move Forward (The New 52) | Action | $$ |
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Why Read Graphic Novels
Graphic novels offer a whole new level of engagement: movie-level visuals without turning on the TV or going to a movie. They can be particularly stimulating for those who love art and drawing, as well as action, adventure, and fantasy.
Here are a few good reasons to give graphic novels a try:
- Getting Kids Reading. Graphic novels are a great way to get teens into reading if you’re having trouble pulling them away from the computer or TV screen. They are fast-paced, visually appealing, and are often quick reads.
- Detail. The language of these types of books is very high, as are the images. The images and language work in a complementary way to reinforce each other, offering a unique storytelling method.
- More Than Just Superheroes. You may think of graphic novels as only action-oriented superhero comics, but you’d be surprised at how many topics and genres they cover.
How to Choose a DC Graphic Novel
If you are getting into graphic novels, you will find that there are so many delicious characters and storylines to follow. The trouble might be knowing where to start, especially if you are interested in following the in-depth character and plot lines.
There’s something for everyone out there, so why not start with your specialty or interest? Here are a few sub-genres of graphic novels.
- Feminist. If you’re looking for a punch of girl power, there are quite a few alternatives out there that feature female leads, like the Suicide Squad and Wonder Woman.
- Epic Fantasy. Most graphic novels have an action- or sci-fi edge to them. If you’re the type of person that’s into super compelling, in-depth storylines, consider picking up classics like Dungeons and Dragons or Demon Knights.
- For Teens. If you are looking for a graphic novel aimed at youth readers, consider starting with something with a historical or cultural twist, and it will be compelling and educational.
You could also consider picking something up that has a favorite movie made out of it.
Top 3 Best DC Graphic Novels Reviews
1. Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Hot in the City
This is Suicide Squad’s Harley Quinn’s first solo mission through adventures fighting villains and making other butt-kicking friends. The art is second-to-none, and the stories are laugh-out-loud funny.
Unlike many dark fantasy graphic novels, this is actually full of comedy and silliness, which juxtaposes with the adult level content in some ways. This unique combination is what made it top our list of best DC graphic novels.
Graphic novel fans will appreciate the unique storylines and fantastic art in this book, which should be a part of any graphic novel collection, especially if you are a fan of Suicide Squad and stories with strong female leads.
Female readers have nothing to lose by putting themselves in the place of Harley, a bad girl anti-hero that offers a refreshing change of pace to some typical graphic novels heroines today.
2. Batman: Earth One Vol. 2
If you pick up pretty much any of the Batman graphic novels, you are unlikely to be disappointed. This one, in particular, shows the Riddler jumping into the scene to destroy Gotham City and Killer Croc as a fantastic villain that forces Batman to fight in new and unexpected ways.
As far as the plotline goes, get ready to be surprised at new details about Bruce Wayne’s family history.
One thing you’re bound to love about this book, in particular, is the humor. There’s something about the tone that is somewhat self-deprecating in a more relatable way than some of the other books, which feel a little bit louder and less grounded.
This book shows Batman really learning his trade; an admirable and ego-less trait that stands out amongst graphic novels which tend to be filled with full-of-themselves heroes.
3. Sandman, The: The Kindly Ones
You basically can’t go wrong with the fabulous Neil Gaiman, so pairing one of his stories up with some of the top graphic novel artists means you’re bound to be doubly pleased. It is a must-add to anyone who is a fan of graphic novels and Neil Gaiman, or even one of the two.
The characters and plot lines here are weird, wild, and bold, true to Gaiman form. There is plenty of violence to be had, so these books aren’t for younger audiences. It is intense, and a lot is going on, so it is best for the type of people who love high-detail in their reading.
This is book 9 of the series, and to be honest, it’s better than the earlier ones, but you may want to start from the beginning to get the full picture of things.
Thank you for including Daytripper on this list. It is a powerful and emotional piece written that rarely gets the credit it deserves.