From the zombie epic <em>The Walking Dead</em> to the best <em>X-Men</em> and <em>Batman</em> runs of the past 25 years, to some certified masterpieces-in-progress, these comics represent the heights the comic medium has achieved since 2000.
There are some universally beloved, groundbreaking works here; there’s also a wildcard pick or two. One important thing to note: this isn’t a “best of” ranking; Screen Rant’s picks for the GOAT comics can be found here. Instead, this is a look at some of the biggest swings of the century so far, the comics that elevated the medium and earned the right to be called masterpieces in their respective genres.
Each of the comics here has something unique or innovative to offer. They represent the modernization of classics and have become classics in their own right over time. Especially for new comic readers, there is no better place to start than with the books discussed below.
100 Bullets
Written By Brian Azzarello; Art By Eduardo Risso; Published 1999-2009
100 Bullets debuted in mid-1999, but its decade-long run made it a staple of the early 2000s. It’s one of the greatest non-superhero comic stories ever, and it deserves to be ranked among the best American crime sagas ever produced. 100 Bullets is that good. The long-gestating screen adaptation, if/when it ever happens, has the potential to be The Boys-level huge.
100 Bullets starts out with a simple premise: a mystery man approaches seemingly random individuals with a suitcase containing one hundred untraceable rounds of ammunition, to be used as they see fit. Over time, the story widens out into a generational crime saga, blending historical fiction with all the best tropes of the crime genre. All of it builds to a staggering conclusion in 100 Bullets#100.
Like the best of the best comics in any genre, 100 Bullets deserves to be called illustrated literary fiction. It is a violent and morally complex crime saga, full of shocking deaths and unexpected revelations; as each piece of the puzzle adds up to the whole, readers will find themselves locked and loaded and ready for more.
New X-Men
Written By Grant Morrison; Art By Various Artists, Including Frank Quietly And Leinil Francis Yu; Published 2001-2004
At the turn of the century, the X-Men franchise was in need of a refresh, and Marvel brought in visionary comic creator Grant Morrison to do it. With New X-Men, Morrison looked to the future and saw it getting weirder and wilder, deciding mutantkind needed to adapt accordingly.
Morrison delivered spectacularly. New X-Men introduced a host of fresh mutant characters, many of whom remain vital to the franchise today. That includes Xorn, Quentin Quire, and Glob Herman, who has unexpectedly risen through the ranks from background character to main roster X-Men hero in the two decades since Grant Morrison’s run ended. New X-Men also memorably introduced all-time great X-villain Sublime.
Grant Morrison’s run redefined X-Men for the next generation. It took the franchise’s most recognizable characters in unexpected directions and thrived on incorporating new modern sci-fi ideas into X-Men lore. Twenty years later, New X-Men holds up among the most highly regarded X-Men stories since 1963, and for many readers it tops the list.
The Walking Dead
Written By Robert Kirkman; Art By Tony Moore & Charlie Adlard; Published 2003-2019
The Walking Dead is a juggernaut multimedia franchise today. Few people would have predicted that 23 years ago when Robert Kirkman launched his black-and-white zombie comic. What started out as an ode to George Romero’s zombie flicks became an extended epic about the human condition pushed to its extreme limits. A few years into the comic’s 16-year run, it transmitted its zombie plague to television, spawning an 11-season series and multiple spin-offs.
Like 100 Bullets, The Walking Dead transcends its genre. What could have been a hit as mindless gore instead became a thoughtful tale of survival. Not just individual survival but ultimately, the endurance of humanity as a whole. Yes, there’s plenty of shocking violence;The Walking Dead is notorious for brutal character deaths. But there are also haunting moments that have nothing to do with the undead.
All 11 Seasons Of The Walking Dead, Ranked Worst To Best
The Walking Dead had a strong outing with 11 seasons during its run, but some seasons clearly stand out while others fade into a blurry memory.
In fact, as it goes on, The Walking Dead’s darkest moments become less about zombies. Humans become the real threat to civilization’s survival in The Walking Dead. Even as the zombie threat becomes more contained with time, it becomes increasingly difficult to quell the bestial nature society’s collapse unleashed in some people. It’s a masterful work of post-apocalyptic fiction and one of the comic medium’s shining modern achievements.
Ex Machina
Written By Brian K. Vaughn; Art By Tony Harris; Published 2004-2010
Brian K. Vaughn’s fingerprints are all over 2000s comics. Vaughn authored multiple titles that could easily make this list. Many readers would cite Y: The Last Man or Saga as his greatest works;Ex Machina is a sleeper pick but it’s just as worthy as either of those series. Ex Machina is a singular work of superhero fiction unlike anything else in the genre.
In part that’s because Ex Machina is also a political thriller and a work of alternative history. After gaining the mysterious ability to communicate with machines, protagonist Mitchell Hundred briefly becomes a vigilante known as “The Great Machine.” His career peaks when he intervenes in the 9/11 attack saving South Tower of World Trade Center. Hundred parlays this into a successful run for Mayor of New York. By time readers meet him he’s no longer a hero—he’s a politician.
Ex Machina is told largely in flashbacks. Readers only get story of “The Great Machine” in bits and pieces while Hundred navigates his ascent to public office.
This story is both tragic and psychologically impactful on its characters.
Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern
Written By Geoff Johns ; Art By Various Artists ; Published 2004 -2013
D.C Comics handed author Geoff Johns reins over Green Lantern franchise in 2004 , holding onto them for nearly decade crafting one of century’s most enthralling ongoing comic sagas . Johns modernized revitalized D.C’s Lantern mythos establishing foundation for everything that has come after .
Johns’ run kicked off with Green Lantern : Rebirth . As title suggests this was grand return Green Lantern Hal Jordan after traumatic downfall which saw him become villain Parallax extended period before being killed off . For brief interval at turn century Jordan became latest incarnation supernatural hero Spectre but it was Rebirth that made him Green Lantern he was also meant be once more .
From there Johns went on prolific streak top-tier Green Lantern stories including “Sinestro Corps War” arc “Blackest Night” crossover event . Expanded Green Lantern side D.C Universe fully realized under Geoff Johns , his run from Rebirth onward often cited best starting point new Lantern readers .
The Boys
Written By Garth Ennis ; Art By Darick Robertson ; Published 2006 -2012
The Boys is just ending its five-season Amazon run now , May 2026 , but franchise isn’t going anywhere thanks several spin-off shows development . Show testament how dramatically pop culture has changed twenty-first century . Even when ended in 2012 , especially when began in 2006 , The Boys was niche superhero satire never expected wide audience .
In comic form , The Boys gleefully depraved . TV series tones this down not by much . Both versions thoroughly revel gore take every chance make mockery superheroes presents itself . Still as disturbing could be , The Boys also had some deeply resonant points make about modern American pop culture how superhero genre fits into pop culture . It could also emotionally effective when wasn’t preoccupied purile humor.
Grant Morrison’s Batman
Written By Grant Morrison ; Art By Various Artists ; Published Approximately 2006 -2013
This era’s contributions Batman lore were equally profound . Like Johns’ Green Lantern , this is modern starting point Batman , absolutely hits ground running.
House Of X/Powers Of X
Written By Jonathan Hickman ; Art By Pepe Larraz & ; R.B Silva ; Published In 2019
This essential reading fans because what led but breathtaking storyline standing own.
