![[Top 15] Best Detective Comics of All Time](/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_image_2x_1240xauto/public/2021-03/top-15-detective-comics-of-all-time0.webp?itok=BzDHXpmN "[Top 15] Best Detective Comics of All Time")
Which detective comics are the best doesn't have to be a mystery.
In fact, with this list it isn't. The detective comics in here are all kinds of dark, mature, gritty, and above all a joy to flip through. It should be noted, though, that this list doesn't have D.C.'s Detective Comics because that's a whole ballpark of its own.
15. Watson and Holmes: A Study in Black
This comic is a new take on the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his partner Dr. John Watson and portrays them as Black men working in New York City’s Harlem. Due to certain circumstances, the two partner up to solve the case of a missing girl and soon find themselves involved in a world of danger and conspiracy. For fans of Sherlock Holmes, this is a great retelling that’s true to the original personality of the characters despite bringing them to the modern world.
You'll like Watson and Holmes if…
- You like Sherlock Holmes retellings
- You like old characters adapted into modern settings
- You like comics that address societal issues
14. Nailbiter
Nicholas Finch is a NSA agent and the friend of FBI agent Charles Carroll who has gone missing after the recent capture of the serial killer Edward Charles Warren, aka Nailbiter. In order to find his friend, Finch finds himself teaming up with Warren and heading to Buckaroo, Oregon, the home of 16 of the U.S.’s worst serial killers, Warren being one of them. Though the art is debatable, the compelling story and the question of why so many serial killers come from the same place will keep you hooked.
You’ll like Nailbter if…
- You like horror stories
- You like comics about serial killers
- You like mysteries surrounding small towns
13. The Private Eye
Set in the future year of 2076, the digital cloud has “burst” and exposed everyone’s secrets leading to a new age where the internet is no more. Now, people are guarded and protecting their privacy is most people’s number one priority. At this time, an unlicensed private investigator is set on an important mission to find some personal information. In today’s world where private information is easier to find than ever, this webcomic might foreshadow a grim future.
You’ll like The Private Eye if…
- You like sci-fi mysteries
- You like colorful art and interesting character designs
- You like satirical comics
12. Tumor
Private investigator Frank Armstrong is hired by drug kingpin Gibson to find his missing daughter Evelyn, and though Frank takes up the job, he struggles with the painful, distracting side effects caused by a fatal brain tumor. Frank’s symptoms cause him to mix up the past and present, which isn’t helping when those he trusted start revealing hidden sides. This crime comic is made even more engrossing with its masterful use of scene changes that leave you wondering what’ll happen next.
You'll like Tumor if...
- You like unreliable narrators
- You like scene chages that drive the pace
- You like stories with subplots
11. Baker Street
In this take on Sherlock Holmes set in alternate reality, Holmes is reimagined as ex-Scotland Yard investigator Sharon Ford who lost her job because of a drug addiction and has become a punk. This short comic series follows Sharon and others as they work to solve a series of murders similar to the infamous Jack the Ripper murders. No doubt about it, this comic is worth checking out for its unique setting and great cast of characters.
You’ll like Baker Street if…
- You like stores featuring 80s punk culture
- You like mashups of different time periods and their culture
- You like strong female characters
10. Gotham Central
This series focuses on Gotham City’s Police Department rather than its famous vigilante Batman. The 40 issues cover 15 arcs that alternate between the characters with day shifts and night shifts. Fans of the Batman comics are sure to see familiar faces in this series as in these comics, many side characters finally get to be in the spotlight.
You’ll like Gotham Central if…
- You want to see how “regular” cops of Gothamdeal with villains
- You like seeing the contrast between “normal” people and superheroes
- You like crime dramas
9. Stumptown
Private investigator Dex Parios is in debt thanks to gambling, but on the bright side, the casino owner, Sue-Lynne, has promised to forgive her debts if she can find her missing granddaughter. However, there’s more to the mission than Dex knew, including some folks who want Sue-Lynne’s granddaughter to stay missing. Filled to the brim with secrets, lies, and everything in between, this story is a fun and suspenseful read.
You’ll like Stumptown if…
- You like diverse characters
- You like strong female leads
- You like clever and complex stories
8. Alias
This series is the debut of the popular comic book character Jessica Jones, a superhero turned detective. Though she’s a good person who wants to help others, Jones struggles with an inferiority complex and depression, both of which she copes with in unhealthy ways. Comic book fans interested in the life of a superhuman doing human things should definitely check this series out.
You’ll like Alias if…
- You like flawed protagonists
- You like mature comics
- You like character driven stories
7. Whiteout
Carrie Stetko is a disgraced US Marshall after a certain incident that lands her in McMurdo Station in Antarctica. However, after a sudden murder Stetko is forced to investigate with the help of British secret agent Lily Sharpe. Life in the Arctic isn’t easy, and neither is solving a murder mystery in its harsh climate.
You’ll like Whiteout if…
- You like morally gray characters
- You like realistic characters and stories
- You like stories set in unique locations
6. Sin City
There’s no other way to say it other than, Sin City is extreme. The comic starts off with an ex-military man getting accused of murdering a prostitute he spent a night with, and only gets wilder. For an idea of the content it includes, there are topless females, gunshots to the face, and even a cannibal serial killer. If you don’t mind all the mature content, Sin City is an entertaining noir read that’ll have your attention for sure.
You’ll like Sin City if…
- You like explicit comics that get brutal
- You like black and white comics
- You like comics with good art and good writing
5. My Favorite Thing is Monsters
Set in late 60s Chicago, Karen Reyes is a lonely 10 year old girl investigating the murder of her neighboor Anka Silverberg, a Holocaust survivor. Featuring drawings of fantastical monsters alongside more everyday illustrations, this fictional graphic diary offers a look inside Karen’s mind as she learns more about the world around her and herself. Fair warning, this comic gets dark, which is expected considering the themes it deals with, but for those who can handle it, this is an excellent read.
You’ll like My Favorite Thing is Monsters if…
- You like comics with unique art styles
- You like dark and deep psychological stories
- You like stories told from a child’s perspective
4. Torso
Based on a real life story, Torso chronicles the journey of Elliot Ness as he investigates the Cleaveland Torso Murderer. The art style used in this comic complements the disturbing story perfectly, and the authors do an excellent job at accurately portraying the setting. Stories like this one are why sayings like “truth is stranger than fiction” exist.
You’ll like Torso if…
- You like historical fiction
- You like historically accurate retellings
- You like horror with your crime
3. Blacksad
This noir comic series uniquely features anthropomorphic animals as its cast. The main character is John Blacksad, a feline private investigator, who solves mysteries in the setting of 1950s America. In its numerous arcs, this series touches on numerous social issues with masterful writing and art.
You’ll like Blacksad if…
- You like creative character designs
- You like comics that tackle heavy, dark subjects
- You like film noir style stories
2. The Fade Out
When Charlie Parish, a Hollywood screenwriter, wakes up from a blackout, he finds himself in the same room as a murdered starlet. With his best friend Gil, Charlie decides to help find the killer and bring them to justice. However, that leads to a whole slew of dangerous situations that challenges Charlie’s character.
You’ll like The Fade Out if…
- You like stories about the Hollywood industry
- You like stories set in the past (think 1940s)
- You like damaged main characters
1. Fell
Detective Richard Fell has transferred to the confusing, feral Snowtown where he joins the city’s three and a half detectives. Fell is determined to make the city a better place, and works hard to take calls and solve mysteries. Even given the mysterious nature of Snowtown, Fell is certain of one thing, and that’s the fact that everyone, including him, is hiding something. This comic series blends humor, horror, mystery, and more for a unique crime drama that will have you wanting more.
You’ll like Fell if…
- You like bizarre, memorable characters
- You like series with self-contained but somewhat related stories
- You like comics with great art
