The 10 Best Superhero Comics for Manga Readers

While comics and manga have many similarities, they have just as many differences, from tropes to historical background and everything in between. That said, there’s nothing stopping readers from enjoying both. For example, one of the most popular comic genres is superheroes, which is perfect for many manga readers, especially shōnen fans. Marvel and DC Comics produce a prodigious amount of comics, but they’re not the only choices for readers. Image Comics, BOOM!, Valiant, and other publishing houses have entered the superhero world.

Diving into the world of comics can be an intimidating prospect. There are so many options, even just within the superhero category. The good news is that countless superhero series are perfect for manga readers and vice versa.

10 Batgirls Brings Three Teenage Heroes Together

Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad, Jorge Corona

Batgirls follows the three heroes who happen to share the mantle of Batgirl. In this series, Barbara Gordon, Cassandra Cain, and Stephanie Brown team up to protect Gotham. These three have little in common besides their moniker, making them an unlikely trio of friends. In the series, Barbara takes up her iconic role of Oracle while Cass and Steph take to the streets. Where Cass is quiet and calculated, Steph is quicker to act, making them an unlikely yet balanced pair.

Manga readers looking for a superhero comic with slice-of-life elements, shōnen-esque battles, and more should check out Batgirls. The series comes to life as each character tries to find her place within the team. It’s perfect for readers looking for action and fun all in one place.

9 Aero is Ideal for Fans of Elemental Magic

Alyssa Wong, Greg Pak, Pop Mhan

Lei Ling is the superhero known as Aero, and she can fly. More accurately, Lei can manipulate the air in a way familiar to all elemental magic fans. In true superhero fashion, once Aero learns of her abilities, she steps up to protect her home and those within it. Her story is familiar to many other heroes as she struggles to balance her day job and superhero life.

Aero is a great starting point for new superhero readers, as her origin story is mainly separate from much of the Marvel Universe. While there will be character cameos, one doesn’t need to understand the whole universe to appreciate Lei’s story and the conflicts she becomes involved in.Aero is perfect for readers looking for a character-driven tale with a dash of elemental ability.

8 X-Men & The Power Pack is Fun for All

Marc Sumerak, Gurihiri

X-Men & The Power Pack is an unlikely hero team-up, combining iconic Marvel heroes such as Cyclops and Wolverine with a younger generation of heroes: the Power Pack. The Power Pack is a superhero team consisting of four siblings who first appeared in 1984. In this story, the four siblings step up to help the X-Men heroes, but in true youth fashion, they find themselves getting in the way more than helping.

The stakes are low in X-Men & The Power Pack, making it an almost casual-style superhero read, full of cute moments and grumpy adults. The whole intergenerational team-up should feel familiar to manga readers, as it’s similar to a common trope in the industry. It’s perfect for readers of manga series like Black Butler, Case Closed, and .hack//SIGN.

7 Batman: The Court of Owls Has All the Intrigue and Danger a Reader Could Want

Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo

When it comes to diving into the world of Batman, the choices can be overwhelming. Batman’s first appearance was in Detective Comics in 1939, meaning readers have 85 years worth of content to choose from. One of the best modern starting points for new readers is Batman: The Court of Owls. The storytelling and art immediately captured the hearts of countless readers, making it a fan favorite.

Batman: The Court of Owls pits the talented hero against a well-hidden underground organization. They work from the shadows and hide their trail well, forcing Bruce to lean into his detective side more than ever. As such, it’s a perfect series for manga readers who enjoy detective fiction such as Case Closed, Death Note, and Psycho-Pass. Additionally, the arc introduces all key characters, making it easier for new readers to understand.

6 The Unbelievable Gwenpool Is a Blast of Chaotic Fun and Comedy

Christopher Hastings, Gurihiru, Danilo Beyruth, Irene Strychalski

Gwenpool, aka Gwen Poole, is a superhero who tends to cause more chaos than solutions, much like her namesake. Gwen’s origins are a lot of fun and an excellent place for new Marvel fans. The titular character is originally from the real world and is a huge comic book nerd. One day, she is transported to the primary Marvel Comics universe, Earth-616. She immediately takes it upon herself to join the mass of Marvel heroes, but things don’t go according to plan.

The Unbelievable Gwenpool has a playful art style, chaotic-good vibes, and surprising character development tucked between the pages. The series is fun for all readers, combining the main character’s ability to break the fourth wall with lots of surprise twists. Gwen’s positivity shines through even the darkest moments and does her overall fangirl attitude.

5 Hawkeye Reads Like a Carefree Shōnen

Matt Fraction, David Aja

Hawkeye is an iconic character famous for his involvement in The Avengers. He’s an archer, a fan favorite, and one of the few Avengers without superpowers. Clint’s adventures go beyond his time with The Avengers, as his complicated backstory tends to appear more often in his solo tales. One of Hawkeye’s most popular solo series originated in 2012 from creators Matt Fraction and David Aja.

This iconic Hawkeye series brings together two heroes of the same moniker, Clint Barton and the younger Kate Bishop. The series focuses on local neighborhood-level villains while diving into the heroes’ lives. Hawkeye delivers a slice-of-life style comic with higher stakes and sarcastic characters. There’s also a dog named Lucky for readers who enjoy a pet in the mix. It’s perfect for fans of Spy x Family and Freiren: Beyond Journey’s End.

4 Runaways is a Superhero Comic That is Largely Self-Contained

Brian K. Vaughan, Adrian Alphona

The sheer number of superheroes within Marvel Comics can be overwhelming. Luckily, some series are largely self-contained, such as Runaways. The series follows a group of teenage superheroes who team up to save the world from a deadly but hidden threat. While the team occasionally runs into characters from the larger universe, fans unfamiliar with Marvel shouldn’t have a problem following along.

Runaways is a great read for any manga reader, especially those who love emotional storytelling, moral dilemmas, and epic fights. Each young hero has a unique backstory explaining their abilities, many of which touch upon familiar tropes: alien princess, the inventor, magical gift, etc. Readers should start with the 2003 series created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona. There’s also a television adaptation and a newer (2017) series.

3 Cute Animal Fans Have to Check Out It’s Jeff!

Kelly Thompson, Gurihiri

There are few things cuter than a personable animal character. For Marvel Comics, one of the headlining cute characters is known as Jeff, the Land Shark. Jeff first appeared in West Coast Avengers but has since found his way into several solo-hero series, including The Unbelievable Gwenpool and Deadpool. Most recently, the iconic Land Shark became a title character for a miniseries.

It’s Jeff! is an endearing collection of short stories told in a slice-of-life style, with Jeff bouncing across the Marvel universe. The lovable character comes across many Marvel characters, from heroes to their sweet pet companions. While new readers will likely not recognize all the faces that cross these pages, they’ll love reading about this chaotic little animal protagonist. It’s a must-read for fans of manga pets like Luna, Bond, and Happy.

2 Mister Miracle Has that Perfect Balance of Action and Emotion

Tom King, Mitch Gerads

Readers looking for a shorter superhero series should consider Mister Miracle. The iconic series created by Tom King and Mitch Gerads only lasted 12 issues, but it had quite an impact. Mister Miracle, aka Scott Free, is a talented escape artist, but even he can’t escape fate or temptation. After setting up a new life for himself and his family, Scott is drawn back into the world of superheroes.

Back in action, Mister Miracle portrays the hero’s battles against enemies such as Darkseid. Despite this, the series has a more slice-of-life feel, thanks to Scott’s family and life outside the costume. The series finds that perfect balance between emotional storytelling and desperate action, bouncing from a wholesome moment to tense extremes and back again. It’s ideal for manga readers who want a multifaceted tale.

1 Invincible is a Superhero Series Perfect for Shōnen Fans

Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, John Ruach

Invincible is a brutal superhero series following teenager Mark Grayson. Mark spent half his life waiting for his powers to appear, and when they finally did, they changed his life. Mark was expecting change, but it hit him unexpectedly, as with many things in life. The story contains coming-of-age elements, betrayal, and heroes trying to do the right thing. Unlike many other superhero series, Invincible perfectly captures the desperation that can come with saving a life.

There are a few reasons for manga readers to consider reading Invincible. First, the unique superhero element comes from not being owned by DC or Marvel. Second, there’s Invicible‘s coming-of-age superhero side, which is perfect for My Hero Academia fans. Finally, there’s the vicious nature of the battles. The graphic elements of Invincible are akin to Berserk and Tokyo Ghoul.