5 Best Sci-Fi Comics You Need to Read Right Now

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Science fiction is incredibly popular, and many beloved movies and TV shows belong to this genre. This is because sci-fi stories create imaginative and captivating new worlds, often featuring technology, genetic engineering, time travel, or alien life. Despite their fantastical elements, these stories are fundamentally about people, offering both entertainment and thought-provoking insights into what it means to be human.

Science fiction isn’t limited to film and TV – it’s also incredibly strong in the world of comics. For decades, some of the most compelling comics have explored sci-fi themes, and we’re not just talking about superhero stories. These comics tell tales of different worlds and everyday people facing remarkable challenges and embarking on exciting, unique journeys – and yes, robots sometimes make an appearance! While popular titles like Saga immediately come to mind, there are many other fantastic sci-fi comics worth discovering. Here are five of the best.

5) Paper Girls

Paper Girls, created by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang and published by Image Comics, tells the story of four 12-year-old girls who deliver newspapers in a town near Cleveland. One morning after Halloween, while on their route, a bizarre force from the future invades their town, Stony Stream. The girls quickly become entangled in a war between different groups of time travelers, causing them to be unexpectedly thrown into various points in the past and future.

Paper Girls is a compelling sci-fi comic that blends time travel with themes of growing up. It explores classic questions about altering the past and the impact of knowing your future, all while featuring beautiful artwork. Fans of Stranger Things will especially enjoy it. A TV adaptation, though brief, is available to stream on Prime Video.

4) Lazarus

Written by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Michael Lark, the Image Comics series Lazarus is a gritty science fiction story set in a divided future. The world is controlled by sixteen powerful, feuding families who each rule over their territory like lords and vassals. The story mainly focuses on Forever Carlyle, the skilled warrior tasked with protecting the Carlyle family at all costs – she’s known as their “Lazarus.” However, Forever begins to doubt her purpose as she uncovers shocking truths. Lazarus explores themes of genetic engineering and fate, and takes some surprising, action-filled turns.

Lazarus tackles complex themes about society and politics, which might not appeal to all readers. However, it’s a beautifully written comic with stunning artwork and a compelling, character-focused story that’s hard to put down. The world-building is particularly strong, making the story feel realistic and often unsettling.

3) Bitch Planet

If you enjoy feminist science fiction with a dark twist, check out Bitch Planet. Created by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine De Lando, this comic series is set in a future where women considered rebellious are exiled to a prison on another planet. It’s a fun, over-the-top take on classic exploitation films, but told through the medium of comics. The main series lasted 10 issues, and was followed by a five-issue spin-off called Bitch Planet: Triple Feature, which featured work from different writers and artists.

This series is seriously overlooked and tackles tough issues like societal injustice and the struggles of women who don’t fit traditional expectations. It’s both shocking and creative, and definitely worth checking out.

2) Descender/Ascender

Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen created Descender and Ascender, which together form one continuous story. The series are set in a future where robots and technology are seen as dangerous. Descender centers on TIM-21, a young android trying to survive as one of the last robots and find the human family he remembers. Ascender takes place later, following Mila, the daughter of TIM-21’s former owner, in a world where magic has taken the place of technology.

As a film and story lover, I was completely captivated by how these two narratives intertwined. They beautifully blend science fiction and fantasy, and each one is genuinely moving on its own. But when you experience them together, it creates something much bigger – a powerful story about family, what it means to be human, and ultimately, hope. Honestly, it’s stunning on every level and I highly recommend reading both – ideally, back-to-back!

1) Free Planet

Though recently released, Free Planet is quickly becoming recognized as one of the best science fiction comics of the year—and possibly ever. Created by writer Aubrey Sitterson and artist Jed Dougherty, the comic centers on Lutheria, a planet that has achieved complete independence. Now, a team of heroes must protect Lutheria from outside forces while grappling with the true meaning of freedom.

Free Planet is a unique comic book that doesn’t focus on the start or middle of a revolution, but instead explores what happens after – the challenges and questions that arise when everything has changed. It’s a creatively presented story that experiments with the comic book format itself. Having just finished its first story arc, now is a great time to start reading this exciting adventure which tackles complex themes like freedom, religion, and economics.

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2025-10-27 17:12