The 1990s were a unique time for the comic industry, stretching from Marvel Comics and DC Comics to the brand-new Image Comics. Sure, the decade gets a bad rap for the heightened violence, giant guns, and bulging muscles often featured in comics, but there were also some incredible stories.
Many ’90s comics were truly indicative of the era, and couldn’t exist in any other time period. There’s a certain grittiness to comics published in the ’90s that the more polished comics of the 2000s seemingly did away with. Sometimes it’s the hardcore nature, sometimes it’s the plot, or an indie vibe that’s become exceedingly rare, these 1990s comics are ones every fan should read.
10
Spawn (1992)
Spawn was one of the original titles published by Image Comics when the publisher was founded in the early ’90s. Created by Todd McFarlane, Spawn felt like the antithesis of the more mainstream comics. It was indie, dark, and brutal in a way that only the ’90s could capture.
It’s hard to imagine the ’90s without Spawn, and fans certainly agreed. Spawn was a bestseller right out of the gate and continues to be one of the most popular comics on the shelves to this day.
9
Hellboy (1994)
Hellboy is another ’90s comic that has retained its popularity to this day. Created by Mike Mignola, the main aspect of Hellboy that fans immediately fell in love with wasn’t the story or the tone (even though both are immaculate); it was the unique art style.
From the character designs to the use of negative space, Hellboy immediately stood out on the shelves. Add to that the aforementioned story and tone, and readers were in for a treat when they happened upon this Dark Horse title in 1994, and readers today can share in that experience.
8
Transmetropolitan (1997)
While this comic bled into the 2000s, 1997’s Transmetropolitan is firmly a ’90s classic. The book follows a gonzo journalist named Spider Jerusalem who uses his column to expose the rotten nature of his world, all the way up to the horrifically corrupt President of the United States.
The art style is certainly indicative of the gritty, indie vibe of the ’90s. Still, this comic deserves to be read today for no other reason than because of the story itself, as Transmetropolitan is as relevant today as it was when it was published.
7
Sin City (1991)
Frank Miller’s Sin City is a pillar of ’90s comics, as Miller mastered everything fans love about that decade before anyone else. The anthology-style storytelling is captivating, the use of negative space is exceptional, and the raw grittiness seemingly seeps off the panels.
Sin City is, more than anything, an experience beyond what most comics offer. Sure, it was a standout ’90s title, but Sin City is far more than the decade in which it was published. Anyone who is a fan of hyper-violence, clever noir, and phenomenal artwork must read it.
6
Hitman (1996)
What if The Boys‘ Billy Butcher were a hitman in the DC Universe? That’s what ’90s fans were in for with Garth Ennis’ Hitman. Long before Ennis brought The Boys to life, he created the titular Hitman, Tommy Monaghan, who is a contract killer specializing in metahuman targets.
Hitman evades Batman, nearly kills the Joker, and even has a genuinely touching heart-to-heart with Superman, all while carrying a unique story that could easily stand on its own. For those who love The Boys and want to see DC at its grittiest, Hitman is the comic for them.
5
Age of Apocalypse (1995)
It’s fair to say that Age of Apocalypse is the pinnacle of everything one thinks of when one thinks about classic ’90s comics. Just like so many other ’90s series, Age of Apocalypse takes familiar characters and settings and makes them as hardcore as possible.
The world is in ruins, the X-Men’s most powerful villain is finally living up to his potential, and the beloved X-Men heroes are all hardened soldiers traversing this post-apocalyptic landscape. This story could never have existed in any other decade, and it’s just as entertaining today as it was then.
4
Beavis and Butt-Head (1994)
There is nothing more ’90s in this world than Beavis and Butt-Head. Sure, the duo star in a hit animated series, but they also had their own comic series published by Marvel Comics, which is perfect for anyone who wants to hold the essence of the ’90s in their hands.
And the best part is the pages where Beavis and Butt-Head offer commentary on Marvel Comics like X-Men, Captain America, and Iron Man, the same way they’d talk over MTV music videos, which is a fun twist every ’90s fan needs to experience.
3
Batman: The Long Halloween (1996)
Batman: The Long Halloween is a unique entry, as it could have been published at any point in Batman’s history and would be just as iconic. Other comics are indicative of the ’90s, whereas Long Halloween is simply a phenomenal Batman story that happened to be published in the ’90s.
Batman comics widely range in tone and style, from the silliness of the Silver Age to the gritty Dark Knight of the 1980s. This story highlights the “World’s Greatest Detective” aspect of Batman in a way that’s still influential on the character to this day, making it a must-read.
2
Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe (1995)
Marvel Comics is still using the formula Garth Ennis created for Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe (primarily with Deadpool), and this is where it all began. It’s no secret that Ennis hates superheroes, so naturally, he wrote a one-shot where the Punisher killed all of them.
Aside from its legacy, Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe is a must-read because it perfectly captures the heightened violence of the ’90s while putting the entire Marvel Universe on the Punisher’s chopping block.
1
The Maxx (1993)
Gritty, indie, dark. Those are the best ways to describe Sam Kieth’s The Maxx, which contributes to why this is one of the most iconic ’90s comics. The artwork throws fans into a world of garbage and decay, following a ‘hero’ who isn’t even sure what’s real most of the time.
All the protagonist knows is that he is The Maxx, and he will do whatever he can to protect the innocent from those who wish to do them harm.
The Maxx is almost like a sobering mirror held up to the face of the ’90s over-the-top hardcore comic scene popularized by the likes of Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Image Comics, which, along with the phenomenal artwork and captivating storytelling, makes The Maxx a must-read for ’90s fans.
