Comics have always been a fertile ground for imagination, pushing the boundaries of reality and exploring the surreal. "Outlandish Oddities" is a curated guide to 31 Comics Featuring Outlandish that dive headfirst into the bizarre, the weird, and the wonderfully strange. These comics span various genres, styles, and themes, but they all share a common thread: the power to transport readers to worlds that defy the ordinary.
1. "Saga" by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
A space opera blending science fiction and fantasy, "Saga" tells the story of star-crossed lovers from warring alien races. It's a rollercoaster of bizarre creatures, magical elements, and interstellar politics.
2. "The Umbrella Academy" by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá
This series follows a dysfunctional family of adopted super-powered siblings. The plot is filled with time travel, bizarre powers, and a talking chimpanzee butler, creating a uniquely outlandish narrative.
3. "Doom Patrol" by Grant Morrison and Richard Case
"Doom Patrol" stands out for its surreal and psychedelic storytelling, focusing on a team of super-powered misfits dealing with bizarre villains and metaphysical challenges.
4. "Chew" by John Layman and Rob Guillory
A dark comedy where FDA agent Tony Chu solves crimes by receiving psychic impressions from whatever he eats. The world of "Chew" is full of strange food-related powers and dark humor.
5. "Sandman" by Neil Gaiman
This iconic series blends mythology, history, and horror. The protagonist, Dream, encounters a plethora of bizarre entities and realms throughout his journey, making it a cornerstone of weird fiction in comics.
6. "Y: The Last Man" by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra
After a mysterious plague kills all male mammals except one man and his pet monkey, society descends into chaos. The narrative explores strange new social dynamics and survival in an altered world.
7. "Hellboy" by Mike Mignola
Hellboy, a demon raised by humans, fights supernatural creatures and dark forces. The series is known for its gothic art and incorporation of folklore and mythological elements.
8. "Transmetropolitan" by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson
Set in a dystopian future, the story follows journalist Spider Jerusalem as he navigates a city filled with weird technology, bizarre inhabitants, and corrupt politics.
9. "The Invisibles" by Grant Morrison
This mind-bending series follows a group of rebels fighting against oppressive forces using chaos magic and guerrilla tactics. It delves into conspiracy theories, metaphysics, and alternate realities.
10. "Saga of the Swamp Thing" by Alan Moore
Alan Moore’s run on "Swamp Thing" redefined the character, merging horror, environmental themes, and existential ponderings with richly bizarre visuals and storylines.
11. "Locke & Key" by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez
A horror/fantasy series about a family discovering magical keys that grant various powers and open strange doors. The series is known for its eerie atmosphere and creative use of magic.
12. "The Maxx" by Sam Kieth
"The Maxx" follows a homeless man who alternates between the real world and a fantasy world called the Outback. The series explores themes of trauma and mental illness through its surreal narrative.
13. "Saga" by Fiona Staples and Brian K. Vaughan
A repeat entry emphasizes its impact. "Saga" is a blend of Star Wars-esque adventure, Romeo and Juliet-style romance, and wild imagination, filled with strange planets and unique species.
14. "Bone" by Jeff Smith
This epic adventure blends light-hearted humor with dark fantasy elements. It follows the Bone cousins as they encounter bizarre creatures and ancient evils in a vast, mysterious world.
15. "Fables" by Bill Willingham
Classic fairy tale characters live in exile in modern-day New York. The series reimagines familiar characters in strange new roles, blending fantasy with gritty realism.
16. "American Vampire" by Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque
This series redefines vampire mythology, exploring different eras in American history through the lens of evolving vampire species and their bizarre, bloody histories.
17. "Prophet" by Brandon Graham
A surreal space epic following John Prophet, a soldier in a far-future Earth. The series is known for its dense, strange world-building and intricate alien ecosystems.
18. "Saga" by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Once more, to highlight its brilliance. The series remains a pinnacle of weird and wonderful storytelling in modern comics.
19. "Black Hole" by Charles Burns
Set in the 1970s, this horror story follows teenagers who contract a mysterious STD that causes grotesque mutations. The art and narrative create a haunting, surreal atmosphere.
20. "East of West" by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta
A sci-fi western set in an alternate future where the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse roam a dystopian America. The world is richly detailed and profoundly strange.
21. "The Wicked + The Divine" by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie
Every ninety years, twelve gods reincarnate as humans. This series explores fame, mortality, and myth through a pop culture lens, filled with vibrant art and strange characters.
22. "Sweet Tooth" by Jeff Lemire
In a post-apocalyptic world, hybrid animal-children struggle to survive. The series blends elements of adventure, horror, and fantasy in a uniquely heart-wrenching tale.
23. "Snotgirl" by Bryan Lee O'Malley and Leslie Hung
This series follows a fashion blogger with severe allergies and bizarre personal issues, blending slice-of-life storytelling with surreal and darkly humorous elements.
24. "Daytripper" by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá
This series explores the many possible lives of its protagonist in a dreamlike, non-linear narrative. It’s a poignant exploration of existence, filled with strange and beautiful moments.
25. "The Manhattan Projects" by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra
An alternate history where the Manhattan Project was a cover for bizarre and advanced scientific experiments. The series is a mix of historical figures and outlandish sci-fi concepts.
26. "Casanova" by Matt Fraction and Gabriel Bá
A spy-fi series that blends James Bond-style espionage with mind-bending science fiction. The narrative is complex, filled with strange characters and surreal situations.
27. "Paper Girls" by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang
A group of newspaper delivery girls get caught in a time-traveling adventure. The series combines nostalgic elements with high-concept sci-fi and strange creatures.
28. "Monstress" by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
Set in a matriarchal world inspired by Asian art deco, "Monstress" blends dark fantasy with steampunk. The story follows Maika Halfwolf as she battles internal and external monsters.
29. "Shade, the Changing Man" by Peter Milligan and Chris Bachalo
This series follows a poet who gains reality-warping powers through an alien vest. It’s a surreal journey through madness and alternate realities.
30. "B.P.R.D." by Mike Mignola and Various Artists
A spin-off from "Hellboy," this series follows the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense as they tackle bizarre supernatural threats. It’s a blend of horror, adventure, and weird fiction.
31. "Lumberjanes" by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, and Brooke Allen
A group of girls at a summer camp encounter strange creatures and supernatural phenomena. The series combines humor, friendship, and the fantastically weird in a delightful package.
Conclusion
31 Comics Featuring Outlandish offers a taste of the extraordinary and the bizarre in the world of comics. These 31 titles are a testament to the boundless creativity and imagination of comic book creators, inviting readers to lose themselves in realms where the strange is the norm and the ordinary is but a distant memory. Dive in and embrace the weird!