In an unprecedented year 2020 really has filled us with uncertainty but one thing we comic fanatics can always rely on to distract us from the madness is our addictive hobby. One good thing 2020 did bring was a great year for comic books.
Our very own team here at Comic Watch have worked together to compile a list of our favorite Indie titles from all corners of the industry to entice you to add to that read pile!
Join us for our best of Indie Comics 2020 below!
Alienated Series from BOOM! Studios
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Chris Wildgoose
Colorist: Andre May
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Cover: Chris Wildgoose
Gabriel De Jesus opted for Alienated from BOOM! Studios for his Indie pick saying “it pitches complex characters and emotional art to create a wonderfully put together story that is impressive on all levels.” Gabriel highlighted issue 4 particularly saying “it’s such gorgeous art and phenomenal lettering. The tension is tight and emotion gut punching.”
Rai Series from Valiant Comics
Writer: Dan Abnett
Artist: Juan Jose Ryp
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Kenneth Bowdens picked Rai from Valiant Comics saying “it is a western meets Kurosawa samurai revenge tale meets all the best elements of cyber AND steam punk. Dan Abnett, Juan Jose Ryp and the gang make it all work perfectly. The dialogue has an impeccable balance only illuminated by the varied but fiercely well done art of, a series of phenomenal covers from everyone from Netho Diaz to Walt Simonson and back again and what you have is the most well done futuristic comic in ages, let alone 2020. The “season finale” ending of Rai #10 not only explosively closed one chapter of Rai but erupted with a bold new direction for the series to continue in, promising not only to be among of the best of the best this year but raising the bar for comics in 2021 as well.”
Department of Truth Series from Image Comics
Writer: James Tynion IV
Art by: Martin Simmonds
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Designer: Dylan Todd
Matt Meyer and Ross Hutchinson both chose the outstanding Department of Truth from Image as their as their Indie title of the year!
Ross Hutchinson had this to say on the title…“It’s been an exceptional year for Indie Comics but Department of Truth stands out for me as it brilliantly examines the idea of the Truth as a malleable entity as well as very relevant social topics through a fictional lens with brilliant art that offers as much commentary as the written part of the story!”
Seven Secrets Series from BOOM! Studios
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Colorists: Walter Baiamonte, Katia Ranalli
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover: Daniele Di Nicuolo , Walter Baiamonte
Cody White chose Seven Secrets from BOOM! Studios as his Indie pick for 2020 and I took this snippet below from his review…“Whatever it is that you look for in comics, Seven Secrets is currently delivering. Dynamic and crisp art? Check. An intriguing mystery that reaches the very top of this fictional world? Check. Character beats that can make you chuckle one moment and feel the sting of tears the next? Check. Absolutely exceptional technical work, to include lettering, coloring, and design work? Check. If you haven’t picked up this book yet, you’re simply doing yourself a disservice.”
Ghosted in LA Series from BOOM! Box
Writer: Sina Grace
Artists: Siobhan Keenan, Sina Grace
Colorist: Cathy Le
Letterer: DC Hopkins
Cover: Siobhan Keenan
Duna Haller said Ghosted in LA from BOOM! Box “is a ghost queer melodrama with historical and modern LGBT+ perspective and mental health themes all over its preciously vibrant pages. Every one of the three volumes of this relatably dramatic and hilariously supernatural story is worthy of being Duna’s favourite of the year!”
DIE Series from Image Comics
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Art and Color by: Stephanie Hans
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Designer: Rian Hughes
Lillian Hochwender said DIE from Image Comics returned in 2020 with “a beautiful and brutal second arc. Plagued by questions of warfare and “war games”, DIE forces readers to confront the feelings of mortality and confinement that seemed to dominate 2020. Meanwhile, Hans’ artistry makes DIE’s world shine from within and ensures that every page is worth savoring. DIE’s RPG-come-Jumanji world may be fantasy, but it feels more timely and pressing than ever.”
Bliss Series from Image Comics
Writer: Sean Lewis
Art, Color and Letterer: Caitlin Yarsky
Mike Eakins had this to say about his pick Bliss from Image Comics:
“A beautiful metaphor for life and its boundaries. Interwoven with greek mythology, Bliss touched on many life issues that we struggle with living our day to day lives. Lewis and Yarskey have teamed up to create such a magnificent story of pain, loss, and life. A must read!”
Money Shot Series from Vault Comics
Writers: Tim Seeley, Sarah Beattie
Artist: Rebekah Isaacs
Colorist: Kurt Michael Russell
Letters: Crank!
Tyson Yurai picked Money Shot from Vault Comics for his Indie book of the year, I took a snippet from our review of issue #1 here at Comic Watch from Jimmy Hayes which he said:
“This was such an enjoyable book. Writers Tim Seeley & Sarah Beattie take a great concept and flush it out into a fantastic script. One that’s innovative, meaty AND bouncy at the same time. We not only get some great character introductions and development, but we also get a very satisfying first issue as well.”
Ice Cream Man Series from Image Comics
Writer: W.Maxwell Prince
Artist: Martin Morazzo
Colorist: Chris O’Halloran
Letters: Good Old Neon
Ariel Bee chose the brilliantly horrifying Ice Cream Man Image Comics as her Indie book of the year and had this to say about it… “A genre-bending, anthology about something that looks like an Ice Cream Man and all the weirdness that happens near and around him. Best described as horror, but with the caveat that every issue is a new, entirely unique story that may be anything from unnerving to terrifying, or anything in between. Has been known to move me to tear.”
Doctor Tomorrow Miniseries by Valiant Comics
Writer: Alejandro Arbona
Artist: Jim Towe
Colors: Diego Rodriguez
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Covers: Kenneth Rocafort, Stacy Lee, Raul Allen, Doug Braithwaite, Diego Rodriguez, Jim Towe
Nic Osborn had this to say about his Indie pick of the year Doctor Tomorrow from Valiant Comics… “This fast paced rollercoaster superhero series from Valiant introduces a brand new character to the connected universe in a truly great way. It’s everything you could want in a superhero comic, touching just about every corner of the Valiant Universe and even offering a spectacular jumping on point for new readers.”
That wraps up the Comic Watch top Indie picks for 2020! Hopefully we have given you some ideas if so please go out and support these books! There are so many great indie comics each and every year that you should not miss out on! Also remember to check put our Marvel and DC picks for 2020 if you want to look back on the year for the Big 2.
Be sure to stay tuned to Comic Watch for all your fandom news and reviews.