The Best Comic Books for Adults

Comic books, a short magazine about a campy hero saving the day time after time again? You could not be further from the truth. There unfortunately seems to be this general misconception that comic books are primarily aimed at children, and while a lot of them are, yet can be enjoyed by any age group, there is a massive catalogue of comic books written specifically for adults.

So, as Nerdy Nook’s resident comic book guy, I’ve taken it upon myself to compile a list of some really good ones for you to take a look at. You will be surprised with how many on the list you recognise from the title, although more often than not, the comics take a much more different approach than any kind of adaptation.

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The Boys

Image by Dynamite Entertainment

Starting the list with something that perhaps might be a bit heavy for some, The Boys – I cannot stress this enough, this comic is not for kids, please do not let your children read this. I’m sure a lot of you reading this article would’ve seen The Boys series adaptation on Prime, but on the off-chance you have not, this comic is the complete opposite of what you would expect of a superhero series. The Supes in The Boys are terrible people (well most of them) and the actual good guys are, well, not that great either, but it sure does make one hell of a read.

I should warn you though, some of the storylines in this comic are very dark, so dark, in fact, that a lot of it wasn’t even referenced in the show. If you are easily affected by triggering topics, then this one is definitely not for you. However, if you think you can handle it, it is an exceptional read, one that will hook you from the very first novel.

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The Killing Joke

Image by DC Comics

Next on the list is one of the most iconic DC comics ever written, The Killing Joke – this one will truly shock you. This is not the first time I have included The Killing Joke on one of these lists, nor will it be the last, and that is simply because it is a fantastic introduction to the darker side of DC. This isn’t some ‘oh here comes the hero to save the day’ kind of story. It’s heartbreaking and completely, and utterly, bonkers.

The Killing Joke tells the story of how Batgirl became Oracle, how an average guy became the Clown Prince of Crime, and the lengths The Joker would go through to try and get the last laugh over Batman.

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Preacher

Image by Vertigo

Supernatural drama is not usually my go-to genre, but Preacher is an exceptional comic, with an intriguing concept. Ever wondered what would happen if a priest was possessed by an unearthly entity, inevitably granting him powers? What if those powers were the powers of manipulation, and the ability to cause entities to die, simply by commanding them to ‘die’? Sounds interesting right?

This series is definitely not for everyone, and the biblical themes can be quite in your face, but I would definitely recommend you try it first then decide whether or not it’s for you.

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The Batman Who Laughs

Image by DC Comics

Love a good multiverse story? Well, this comic has hands-down one of the best multiverse stories out there, including a creepy Batman/Joker hybrid, as well as the perfect blend of the horror and superhero genres. I simply adore The Batman Who Laughs. Like The Killing Joke, this is not the first time we’ve included The Batman Who Laughs on one of these lists, and that’s because of what a solid read it is.

This graphic novel is built on Batman’s own theory that if the Joker was ever to die, that toxin that makes him who he is would be released and turn his killer into the Joker. A very peculiar concept, but that’s what Scott Snyder does best, as perfectly demonstrated by the final entry in this list.

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The Shrouded College

Image by Image Comics

If horror is your genre, then boy do I have a treat for you. The Shrouded College is an anthology of comics set in a world where unearthly, powerful, organisations are on the brink of all-out war. This anthology is created by Charles Soule and Will Sliney, who have quickly become two of our favourite names in comic books, purely based off of this series. Although The Shrouded College can be read in any order, I would suggest starting with Hell to Pay, the first comic in series.

Hell to Pay follows one simple concept, money is the root of all evil, but it takes this concept and completely blows it up. The artwork is terrific (though quite gross at times), the storyline is gripping, and the main characters Maia and Sebastian are so loveable, you’re sure to be hooked at the first page. This series is ongoing with the third instalment, The Cold Witch, just reaching its conclusion, so now is the perfect time to start.

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Invincible

Image by Skybound Entertainment

As the title may suggest, here we have a comic book about a hero that is… Invincible. This one draws inspiration from all the other superhero comics out there, but gives it a darker more graphic twist. Invincible is created by the very talented Robert Kirkman, a name you will come to recognise, and follows Mark Grayson on his journey of becoming one of the world’s greatest heroes, but in the wake of his newly discovered powers, his whole life gets turned upside down.

This is one of the only series on this list that I actually discovered from its television adaptation, but once I realised it was a comic book, I had to dive into the pages! As you would expect, the show is a little different from the comic book, but does not veer too far off the main storyline, so if you would prefer to watch it instead, I would still 100% recommend it to you in either format.

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The Walking Dead

Image by Image Comics

On to another exceptional, yet very different, comic from the brilliant mind of Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead. This one is for those of you who might not be interested in superhero stories, and instead is set in a zombie apocalyptic world where only the fittest survive, and the biggest threat to safety is other people. The Walking Dead follows the story of Rick Grimes, a cop who was shot, made comatose, only to awake in a world much more different from the one he knows.

Like most of the others in this list, The Walking Dead also has been adapted into a TV series, but personally I don’t think the series does it justice – so if you are a fan of the show, you will absolutely adore this comic content. I shall warn you though, the gore is a little more heavy in the comics so just be ready for that!

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‘Absolute’ Universe

Image by DC Comics

The final entry on this list is an umbrella-term that has completely taken over our comic book section, not just one comic but a collection of Elseworld series, featuring all of your favourite iconic DC characters with a unique twist. I am of course talking about Scott Snyder’s Absolute universe.

The Absolute universe has a lot of series to offer, from the dark and gory Absolute Batman, to the psychological thriller Absolute Martian Manhunter, but one that stands out the most is Absolute Superman. It is probably the most unique Superman comic to date and gives you a really good introduction to this obscure, yet brilliant universe.

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Conclusion

There are many brilliant comics out there aimed at an older audience, and whether you’re interested in superheroes or all-out horror, there is something for everyone. Hopefully using this list you are able to spark your interest in comic books or even just find your next read! Have you read any of these comics? If so, what is your favourite? Be sure to let us know in the comment section!

See also: Absolute Batman #13 Review

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