The 16 Best Superhero Graphic Novels

Genre-defining classics rub shoulders with cult deconstructions and cosmic blockbusters, spanning capes both iconic and obscure. Which belongs on top?

1

Watchmen

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' 1986 masterpiece deconstructing the very idea of the superhero.

1000pts

2

All-Star Superman

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's luminous 2005 distillation of the Superman myth.

875pts

3

Daredevil: Born Again

Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's 1986 saga of Matt Murdock's fall and redemption.

643pts

4

The Dark Knight Returns

Frank Miller's 1986 vision of an aging Batman returning to a dystopian Gotham.

642pts

5

Marvels

Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross' 1994 series viewing the Marvel age through a photographer's eyes.

577pts

6

Superman: Red Son

Mark Millar's 2003 what-if where Superman lands in Soviet Russia.

500pts

7

Kraven's Last Hunt

J.M. DeMatteis' haunting 1987 Spider-Man story of obsession and burial.

500pts

8

The Infinity Gauntlet

Jim Starlin's 1991 cosmic epic of Thanos wiping out half the universe.

500pts

9

The Killing Joke

Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's dark 1988 study of the Joker and Batman.

409pts

10

Old Man Logan

Mark Millar and Steve McNiven's 2008 western-tinged tale of an aged Wolverine.

409pts

11

Batman: Hush

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's star-studded 2002 mystery threading through Batman's rogues.

300pts

12

Batman: Year One

Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's gritty 1987 retelling of Batman's origins.

167pts

13

Kingdom Come

Mark Waid and Alex Ross' painted 1996 epic of aging heroes and a generational clash.

167pts

14

The Long Halloween

Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's 1996 noir mystery spanning a year of Gotham murders.

167pts

15

The Dark Phoenix Saga

Chris Claremont and John Byrne's landmark X-Men tragedy of Jean Grey's corruption.

167pts

16

Civil War

Mark Millar's 2006 event splitting Marvel's heroes over superhuman registration.

167pts