Indie Spotlight: Must-Read Superhero Comics That Aren’t Marvel or DC

While many comic fans usually stick to reading comics in their comfort zone (Usually from Marvel or DC), there are a variety of excellent reading choices outside of “the big two”. Today, I would like to discuss some superhero comics from indie companies that might influence readers to expand their horizons!

NUMBER 3: THE BIG BANG COMICS UNIVERSE

It’s likely that most people aren’t aware of this long-running (over 30 years!) franchise. Most people would likely recommend a more traditional choice (such as Spawn, Judge Dredd, or Hellboy). However, I wanted to shed light on a “hidden gem” that I discovered many years ago. To summarize, Big Bang Comics quite obviously parody/satirize comic characters and tropes from the 50’s and 60’s (with some rare exceptions of 80’s/90’s parodies).

For instance, some of the franchise’s most popular characters include the “Knight Watchman” (a Batman clone minus the cowl’s “ears”), “Ultiman” (Superman with a U instead of an S symbol), and “The Blitz” (literally just the Flash with a different name). These characters have extensive satirical storylines, which are produced by a variety of different artists and writers. While the art isn’t always the highest quality, the assortment of styles and writing is what makes the series unique to me. I would recommend the Big Bang series for anyone looking for a lighthearted satirization of the “golden age of comics”.

NUMBER 2: USAGI YOJIMBO

Usagi Yojimbo is a series that I feel is often overlooked by mainstream audiences. It follows the adventures of the titular samurai Miyomoto Usagi (an anthropomorphic rabbit). After the death of his lord, Usagi wanders from place to place, offering the service of a Yojimbo/bodyguard to those in need. Personally, I enjoy the series due to its historical influences, which are derived from ancient Japanese culture. There are genuinely interesting cultural facts to learn through Usagi’s adventures.

Additionally, the series does not generally contain an overarching story (besides recurring characters and Usagi himself growing older). Instead, it follows an easy-to-follow episodic format. In some cases, Usagi’s adventures are as short as a single issue. However, there are cases where the narrative is a multiple-issue epic. This writing structure (as well as the beautiful and detailed art from Stan Sakai) makes Usagi a great recommendation for readers of all ages.

NUMBER 1: INVINCIBLE

Invincible is often referred to online as “the Dragon Ball Z of western comics”. To me (and many other comic fans), this reputation is well-deserved. Admittedly, the complete saga is very long, spanning over 4000 pages (when taking spin-off issues into consideration). However, this monumentally long read is worth the experience due to a cohesive, sometimes dark story from Robert Kirkman and excellent art from Ryan Ottley (which has a style that I can best describe as “comic-booky”).

The Invinicible universe is unique in that it (quite literally) holds no punches regarding dark subject matter and gratuitous amounts of violence. It is certainly not for younger audiences (or those who can’t stomach some gruesome imagery), but it is ultimately a thrilling ride throughout. Personally, I could not stop reading the series after opening Compendium One for the first time. Invincible really does hook you and keep you entertained until the very end. Additionally, for those who are fans of the show, I highly recommend reading the story for yourself instead of waiting years for new seasons.