As with the first superhero list, even if you know your superheroes inside out we hope you’ll come across something new in second set of recommendations deliberately avoiding the overly familiar.
JSA: Stealing Thunder – The world changed, almost every hero captured and mind controlled, and a small group of lesser heroes and villains face a desperate and possibly fatal task in putting things right. David Goyer, Geoff Johns, Leonard Kirk, Stephen Sadowski, Peter Snejbjerg and DC.
Journey into Mystery featuring Sif: Stronger Than Monsters – A playful series of stories about the Asgardian Goddess having to corral the monsters from old Marvel mystery titles. Well drawn and well characterised. Kathryn Immonen, Valerio Schiti and Marvel.
MPH – A new exploitation of a superhero archetype using the idea of super speed in an intersting manner. A high octane, cinematic romp with a twist in the tail, featuring a likeable cast, a light touch, and great art. Mark Millar, Duncan Fegredo and Image Comics.
Mystery Men – During the earliest days of costumed heroes in the 1930s ordinary people with minimal abilities are thurst into situations beyond their experience. Well characterised with convincing period detail, this deserves a wider audience. David Liss, Patrick Zircher and Marvel.
No Hero – How much would anyone want to be a superhero if the technology was available? It’s dark with shockingly over the top violence, yet a fantastic thrill ride with a point to make about the mindset of anyone who wants to be in control of others. Warren Ellis, Juan Jose Ryp and Avatar Press.
Pantheon: Welcome to the Machine – Why hasn’t this excellent and surprising superhero series ever been given the full graphic novel presentation it deserves? Innovative, unpredictable, and a thrilling superhero romp worth the difficulty of finding it. Bill Willingham, Mike Leeke and Lone Star Press.
Strong Female Protagonist – Despite a slow start this eventually presents many new ideas about superheroes in looking at a career in hindsight that appears to be over. Digs intriguingly at ethical imperatives and career choices. Brennan Lee Mulligan, Molly Ostertag and Top Shelf Productions.
Talon: Scourge of the Owls – A superhuman weapon trained from birth to be the assassin of a power-hungry secret organisation escapes his brainwashing and determines to end his former masters. A memorable action-thriller. Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Guillem March and DC.
Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters – Superheroes with simple, archetypal albilities are reconfigured and thrown up against 21st century political realities. Fast-paced, enthralling, modern and with some fantastic art. Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, Daniel Acuña and DC.
The Wicked and the Divine – Every 90 years a dozen Gods reincarnate in the bodies of young men and women, bringing their attitudes with them in a multi-layered exploration of adulation amid a fine superhero story. Every volume so far is a winner. By Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie and Image Comics.
