Weird, surreal, and psychedelic comics

by
updated
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Introduction

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This list of bizarre and trippy comic book series and graphic novels is intended as a companion to my list of weird literature. The comic book medium is particularly well-suited to portraying dreamlike and hallucinatory narratives; the visual aspect of the medium is utilized to the fullest when artists have the freedom to depict the most unreal and wildly imaginative scenes. It is worth noting that many of the titles included on this list are often recommended as some of the best examples of the medium overall; this demonstrates the strong link between comics and the strange.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the list is very eclectic. For one thing, “weird” is a broad descriptor. More importantly, it is a relative term, determined by one’s own personal standards of normalcy. This explains why some relatively tame and sanitized mainstream comics appear on the list alongside truly off-the-wall, avant-garde, underground, or alternative comix titles. The jaded connoisseurs of the bizarre among us should remember, however, that the comics belonging to the first category are pretty weird when compared to more conventional offerings!

I’ve seen the vast majority of the titles on the list described as “surreal” and “psychedelic” (sometimes both at once). Each of these terms means something different, and each is frequently misused; many ostensibly “surreal” comics have little to do with the ideas and practices of André Breton and his circle, while “psychedelic” is often overused as a synonym for “colorful” or simply “strange.” I’ve also noticed that people tend to exaggerate the weirdness of comic books that are merely formally inventive, even when they deal with very mundane subject matter or slice-of-life narratives. But pedantry aside, my goal was to be as inclusive as possible, accounting for all types of strangeness: whimsical, disturbing, fabulist, oneiric, and grotesque alike.

There is a noticeable overlap between this list and others I have compiled. My list of alternative comics is particularly relevant here. I also recommend looking through my lists of horror comics, sci-fi comics, and disturbing and transgressive comics, each of which expands on its own flavor of weirdness and imaginativeness.

The list

Compiled by hand from about 194 sources. The ratings indicate popularity, not quality.

If you buy something through links on this page, I may earn an affiliate commission.

  1. The Invisibles

    Popularity 5

    by Grant Morrison and various artists

    (1994–2000)

  2. Doom Patrol

    5

    by Grant Morrison and various artists

    (1989–1993)

  3. Black Hole

    4.5

    by Charles Burns

    (1995–2004)

  4. The Filth

    4.5

    by Grant Morrison, Chris Weston, et al.

    (2002–2003)

  5. Like a Velvet Glove Cast In Iron

    4.5

    by Daniel Clowes

    (1993)

  6. The Frank Book

    4.5

    by Jim Woodring

    (1996–)

    And the subsequent books in the Frank/Unifactor series

  7. The Incal

    4.5

    by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Jean Giraud (Moebius)

    (1981–1988)

  8. The Sandman

    4.5

    by Neil Gaiman and various artists

    (1989–1996)

  9. Promethea

    4.5

    by Alan Moore and J.H. Williams III

    (1999–2005)

  10. Shade, The Changing Man

    4.5

    by Peter Milligan and Chris Bachalo

    (1990–1996)

  11. Nameless

    4.5

    by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham

    (2015)

  12. Prophet

    4.5

    by Brandon Graham et al.

    (2012–2016)

  13. Animal Man

    4.5

    by Grant Morrison and Chaz Truog

    (1988–1990)

  14. Saga of the Swamp Thing

    4

    by Alan Moore and various artists

    (1984–1987)

  15. Stray Toasters

    4

    by Bill Sienkiewicz

    (1988)

  16. Flex Mentallo

    4

    by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

    (1996)

  17. Last Look

    4

    by Charles Burns

    (2010–2014)

  18. The Maxx

    4

    by Sam Kieth and William Messner-Loebs

    (1993–1998)

  19. Lone Sloane

    4

    by Philippe Druillet

    (1966–2012)

  20. Gideon Falls

    3.5

    by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino

    (2018–2020)

  21. The Metabarons

    3.5

    by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Juan Giménez

    (1992–2003)

  22. Rogan Gosh

    3.5

    by Peter Milligan and Brendan McCarthy

    (1990)

  23. Ed the Happy Clown

    3.5

    by Chester Brown

    (1983–2006)

  24. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth

    3.5

    by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean

    (1989)

  25. Ice Cream Man

    3.5

    by W. Maxwell Prince and Martín Morazzo

    (2018–)

  26. Enigma

    3.5

    by Peter Milligan and Duncan Fegredo

    (1993)

  27. Silver Surfer: Black

    3.5

    by Donny Cates and Tradd Moore

    (2019)

  28. Transmetropolitan

    3.5

    by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson

    (1997–2002)

  29. Saga

    3.5

    by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

    (2012–)

  30. Crawl Space

    3.5

    by Jesse Jacobs

    (2017)

  31. ODY-C

    3.5

    by Matt Fraction and Christian Ward

    (2014–2016)

  32. Chew

    3.5

    by John Layman and Rob Guillory

    (2009–2016)

  33. Uzumaki

    3.5

    by Junji Ito

    (1998–1999)

  34. Planetary

    3.5

    by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday

    (1999–2009)

  35. The Courtyard and Neonomicon

    3.5

    by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows

    (2003, 2010–2011)

  36. Providence

    3.5

    by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows

    (2015–2017)

  37. Preacher

    3.5

    by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon

    (1995–2000)

  38. The Manhattan Projects

    3.5

    by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra

    (2012–2014)

  39. BodyWorld

    3.5

    by Dash Shaw

    (2010)

  40. Daytripper

    3.5

    by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá

    (2010)

  41. Casanova

    3

    by Matt Fraction and Gabriel Ba

    (2006–2008)

  42. Asterios Polyp

    3

    by David Mazzucchelli

    (2009)

  43. Cerebus

    3

    by Dave Sim

    (1977–2004)

  44. Mind MGMT

    3

    by Matt Kindt

    (2012–2015)

  45. Space Riders

    3

    by Fabian Rangel and Alexis Ziritt

    (2015)

  46. Doctor Strange

    3

    by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

    (1963–1966)

  47. Aâma

    3

    by Frederik Peeters

    (2011–2014)

  48. Ant Colony

    3

    by Michael DeForge

    (2014)

  49. Flaming Carrot Comics

    3

    by Bob Burden

    (1984–1994)

  50. The Bus

    3

    by Paul Kirchner

    (1987)

  51. The Department of Truth

    3

    by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds

    (2020–)

  52. From Hell

    3

    by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell

    (1991–1998)

  53. The Airtight Garage

    3

    by Jean Giraud (Moebius)

    (1976–1979)

  54. The Bulletproof Coffin

    3

    by David Hine and Shaky Kane

    (2010)

  55. Zero

    3

    by Aleš Kot and various artists

    (2013–2015)

  56. We3

    3

    by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

    (2004–2005)

  57. The Squirrel Machine

    3

    by Hans Rickheit

    (2009)

  58. Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E.

    3

    by Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonen

    (2006–2007)

  59. Locke & Key

    3

    by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

    (2008–2013)

  60. City of Glass: The Graphic Novel

    3

    by Paul Karasik, David Mazzucchelli, et al.

    (2004)

  61. Forming

    3

    by Jesse Moynihan

    (2011–2014)

  62. God Hates Astronauts

    3

    by Ryan Browne

    (2014–2015)

  63. Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise

    3

    by Tradd Moore

    (2022–2023)

  64. The Cage

    3

    by Martin Vaughn-James

    (1975)

  65. The Best of Milligan & McCarthy

    3

    by Peter Milligan and Brendan McCarthy

    (1978–1992)

  66. Heavy Liquid

    3

    by Paul Pope

    (1999–2000)

  67. Pachyderme

    3

    by Frederik Peeters

    (2009)

  68. Safari Honeymoon

    3

    by Jesse Jacobs

    (2014)

  69. The World of Edena

    3

    by Jean Giraud (Moebius)

    (1983–2001)

  70. Beanworld

    3

    by Larry Marder

    (1985–1993)

  71. Elektra: Assassin

    3

    by Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz

    (1986–1987)

  72. Madman

    3

    by Michael Allred

    (1990–2010)

  73. Rare Bit Fiends

    2.5

    by Rick Veitch

    (1994–1996)

  74. Scud: The Disposable Assassin

    2.5

    by Rob Schrab, Dan Harmon, et al.

    (1994–1998)

  75. Beautiful Darkness

    2.5

    by Fabien Vehlmann and Kerascoët

    (2009)

  76. Patience

    2.5

    by Daniel Clowes

    (2016)

  77. Miracleman

    2.5

    by Alan Moore et al.

    (1985–1993)

  78. Big Baby

    2.5

    by Charles Burns

    (1985)

  79. Hellblazer

    2.5

    by Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis, et al.

    (1988–2013)

  80. The Complete Eightball

    2.5

    by Daniel Clowes

    (1989–2004)

  81. Hard Boiled

    2.5

    by Frank Miller and Geof Darrow

    (1990–1992)

  82. Seaguy

    2.5

    by Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart

    (2004)

  83. Final Crisis

    2.5

    by Grant Morrison, J.G. Jones, and Carlos Pacheco

    (2008–2009)

  84. Prison Pit

    2.5

    by Johnny Ryan

    (2012–2018)

  85. Black Science

    2.5

    by Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera

    (2013–2019)

  86. Red Room

    2.5

    by Ed Piskor

    (2021)

  87. The Night

    2.5

    by Philippe Druillet

    (1976)

  88. Arzach

    2.5

    by Jean Giraud (Moebius)

    (1977)

  89. Hewligan's Haircut

    2.5

    by Peter Milligan and Jamie Hewlett

    (1991–1999)

  90. Blame!

    2.5

    by Tsutomu Nihei

    (1997–2003)

  91. Multiforce

    2.5

    by Mat Brinkman

    (2000–2005)

  92. Batman

    2.5

    by Grant Morrison and various artists

    (2006–2013)

  93. Sweet Tooth

    2.5

    by Jeff Lemire

    (2009–2013)

  94. King City

    2.5

    by Brandon Graham

    (2009–2010)

  95. Trillium

    2.5

    by Jeff Lemire and José Villarrubia

    (2013–2014)

  96. The Obscure Cities (Cities of the Fantastic)

    2.5

    by François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters

    (1982–)

  97. Kid Eternity

    2.5

    by Grant Morrison and Duncan Fegredo

    (1991)

  98. David Boring

    2.5

    by Daniel Clowes

    (1998–2000)

  99. Shaolin Cowboy

    2.5

    by Geof Darrow

    (2004–)

  100. Young Liars

    2.5

    by David Lapham

    (2008–2009)

  101. The Unwritten

    2.5

    by Mike Carey and Peter Gross

    (2009–2013)

  102. Batman: Odyssey

    2.5

    by Neal Adams and Michael Golden

    (2010–2011)

  103. Dial H

    2.5

    by China Miéville and Mateus Santolouco

    (2012–2013)

  104. By This Shall You Know Him

    2.5

    by Jesse Jacobs

    (2012)

  105. Copra

    2.5

    by Michel Fiffe

    (2012–2017)

  106. Kill Six Billion Demons

    2.5

    by Tom Parkinson-Morgan

    (2013–)

  107. Moon Knight

    2.5

    by Jeff Lemire and Greg Smallwood

    (2016–2018)

  108. Cochlea & Eustachia

    2.5

    by Hans Rickheit

    (2019–)

  109. The Nice House on the Lake

    2.5

    by James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno

    (2021–2022)

  110. Little Nemo

    2.5

    by Winsor McCay

    (1905–1927)

  111. Dope Rider

    2.5

    by Paul Kirchner

    (1974–2022)

  112. Here

    2.5

    by Richard McGuire

    (1989, 2014)

  113. Big Questions

    2.5

    by Anders Nilsen

    (1999–2010)

  114. The Arrival

    2.5

    by Shaun Tan

    (2006)

  115. A Body Beneath (Lose)

    2.5

    by Michael DeForge2009-2013

    (2009–2015)

  116. Orc Stain

    2.5

    by James Stokoe

    (2010–2012)

  117. Spider-Man: Fever

    2.5

    by Brendan McCarthy

    (2010)

  118. Megg, Mogg, & Owl

    2.5

    by Simon Hanselmann

    (2012–)

  119. Sex Criminals

    2.5

    by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky

    (2013–2020)

  120. The Wrenchies

    2.5

    by Farel Dalrymple

    (2014)

  121. The Motherless Oven

    2.5

    by Rob Davis

    (2014–2018)

  122. Annihilator

    2.5

    by Grant Morrison and Frazer Irving

    (2014–2015)

  123. Cages

    2.5

    by Dave McKean

    (1990–1996)

  124. Hellboy

    2.5

    by Mike Mignola et al.

    (1993–)

  125. The Biologic Show

    2.5

    by Al Columbia

    (1994)

  126. Mr. Punch

    2.5

    by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean

    (1994)

  127. Strangehaven

    2.5

    by Gary Spencer Millidge

    (1995–)

  128. Green Lantern: Willworld

    2.5

    by J.M. DeMatteis, Seth Fisher, et al.

    (2001)

  129. Tales Designed to Thrizzle

    2.5

    by Michael Kupperman

    (2005–2012)

  130. The Umbrella Academy

    2.5

    by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba

    (2007–2008)

  131. Multiple Warheads

    2.5

    by Brandon Graham

    (2007–2018)

  132. Pim & Francie: “The Golden Bear Days”

    2.5

    by Al Columbia

    (2009)

  133. The Zaucer of Zilk

    2.5

    by Al Ewing and Brendan McCarthy

    (2012)

  134. Upgrade Soul

    2.5

    by Ezra Claytan Daniels

    (2014/2018)

  135. Wytches

    2.5

    by Scott Snyder and Jock

    (2014–2015)

  136. Shade, the Changing Girl

    2.5

    by Cecil Castellucci and Marley Zarcone

    (2016–2017)

  137. Mister Miracle

    2.5

    by Tom King and Mitch Gerads

    (2017–2019)

  138. Cankor

    2.5

    by Matthew Allison

    (2020)

  139. The Complete Works of Fletcher Hanks

    2.5

    by Fletcher Hanks

    (1939–1941)

  140. The Nikopol Trilogy

    2.5

    by Enki Bilal

    (1980–1992)

  141. Jim

    2.5

    by Jim Woodring

    (1987–1996)

  142. Underwater

    2.5

    by Chester Brown

    (1994–1997)

  143. Johnny the Homicidal Maniac

    2.5

    by Jhonen Vásquez

    (1995–1997)

  144. Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth

    2.5

    by Chris Ware

    (2000)

  145. Dorohedoro

    2.5

    by Q Hayashida

    (2002–2018)

  146. Ultra Heaven

    2.5

    by Keiichi Koike

    (2002–2009)

  147. The Furry Trap

    2

    by Josh Simmons

    (2012)

  148. The Sandman: Overture

    2

    by Neil Gaiman and J.H. Williams III

    (2013–2015)

  149. Tale of Sand

    2

    by Jim Henson and Ramon Perez

    (2014)

  150. Ultrasound

    2

    by Conor Stechschulte

    (2022)