DC Comics has a long and impressive history, with nearly 90 years of published stories. Fans can explore tales of iconic heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman within its vast collection. While many DC stories are great, a select few are considered true masterpieces – influential and captivating stories that continue to resonate with readers even decades after they were first released.
Even among truly great comics, some receive more praise than they deserve. These stories are popular and often considered the very best, but they might not live up to the hype. Here are seven comics that, while enjoyable, aren’t quite the masterpieces some claim. We’ve intentionally left off titles like Watchmen, though it could easily be included.
7) Injustice: Gods Among Us
Injustice: Gods Among Us has a unique appeal. The premise is compelling: in an alternate reality, Superman becomes a ruthless dictator after the Joker manipulates him into killing Lois Lane and devastating Metropolis. Batman then gathers a team of heroes to rebel against Superman’s reign. It’s a well-executed ‘heroes as villains’ story, making for a fantastic video game. While it’s a decent idea for a comic book, especially as a tie-in, it doesn’t quite reach classic status.
The Injustice comic, written by Tom Taylor, is popular and enjoyable for many fans, but it can be a tough read. It often leans into very dark and complicated storylines, sometimes prioritizing shocking moments over a well-developed plot. While fun, it doesn’t quite live up to the high expectations surrounding it.
6) Tom King’s Wonder Woman Run
Tom King’s current run on Wonder Woman is getting a lot of attention, but it’s a bit controversial – many feel it doesn’t live up to the hype. While King is a talented writer with excellent books like Mister Miracle and The Human Target under his belt, his Wonder Woman series has been criticized for its uneven storytelling, weak portrayal of the main character, and a tendency to lose focus on Wonder Woman herself. Often, the series feels more focused on style than a solid, complete story.
As a big film and comic book fan, I think the visual style of Tom King’s Wonder Woman is honestly one of its strongest points – and that’s saying something! Everyone raves about Daniel Sampere’s artwork, and rightfully so. But when the art consistently overshadows the story itself, it feels like the whole book is a little too polished, you know? It’s great to look at, but it doesn’t quite feel balanced. It’s like all style and not enough substance.
5) Flashpoint
Many fans enjoy Flashpoint, and it’s easy to see why. This story arc, written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Andy Kubert, is a compelling narrative that paved the way for the New 52 era of DC Comics. It centers around The Flash, Barry Allen, discovering an altered version of his universe, leading to significant changes – most notably, a world where Thomas Wayne is Batman and Martha Wayne is the Joker.
The reason Flashpoint is often overrated is because people see it as the ultimate Flash story, which isn’t quite right. Although it features Barry Allen and uses him as a starting point, it’s really a broad DC Universe story, not one focused on the Flash himself. It also ignores a lot of established Flash history. It’s a good DC story overall, but it doesn’t quite hold up as a definitive Flash story, and that’s why it appears on this list.
4) “The Death of Superman”
While “The Death of Superman” is a genuinely good comic created by a fantastic team – including Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, and others – it’s become more famous for being a big event than for being a great story. Superman’s fight with Doomsday is certainly memorable, but over time, we tend to appreciate the story’s historical impact more than its actual quality.
As a big comic fan, “The Death of Superman” is definitely a memorable event – it’s a huge spectacle, no doubt. But honestly, I always felt the story’s real impact wasn’t in the death itself, but in what came after. The follow-up arcs, “Funeral for a Friend” and especially “Reign of the Supermen,” are truly fantastic and, in my opinion, far surpass the main storyline. It’s one of those cases where the individual pieces are stronger and more compelling than the overall narrative.
3) Batman: Hush
Although Batman: Hush is a very popular and well-known Batman story, it doesn’t quite live up to its reputation as one of the best. The story, created by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, is definitely valuable – it’s expansive, beautifully illustrated, and keeps you hooked. However, a closer look reveals some weaknesses in the plot.
Similar to Tom King’s Wonder Woman, the artwork in Batman: Hush is truly the standout feature, and it’s probably what fans remember most. Jim Lee’s art is exceptional and often surpasses the story itself. While the story has some interesting ideas, it doesn’t quite deliver on them, especially with a disappointing ending.
2) Batman: The Killing Joke
Many fans consider Batman: The Killing Joke a classic, largely because it was written by Alan Moore, a highly influential comic book author. The story is also praised for its reimagining of the Joker and its significant impact on other characters. However, some of the story’s more controversial parts haven’t aged well, and focusing on those elements can lead people to believe it’s overrated, particularly when viewed today.
A major point of discussion surrounding The Killing Joke is the attack on Barbara Gordon, which many consider the story’s weakest part. The Joker’s actions towards her seem to exist solely for shock value and to create conflict for the male characters, ultimately just confirming what readers already knew about his villainy. Despite its impact on Batman lore, the story is often celebrated more for who created it than for the quality of the narrative itself.
1) “Knightfall”
“Knightfall” is a truly memorable Batman story and widely considered one of the best. It introduces Jean-Paul Valley as Batman and establishes Bane as a key adversary for Bruce Wayne – a dynamic that continues in Batman comics today. Most famously, it features the iconic scene of Bane breaking Batman’s back. Because of this pivotal moment and its lasting impact, “Knightfall” remains incredibly important to Batman’s history.
While the “Knightfall” storyline is famous for a particular moment, it’s not a truly exceptional story overall. It does advance Batman’s narrative and sets the stage for future events in Gotham, but the story itself is just decent. We often remember it fondly because of its importance to the larger Batman mythos and the impact it had at the time, but it doesn’t quite live up to the hype and isn’t among the best Batman stories ever told. It’s a good story that’s become legendary for reasons beyond its actual quality.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/comics/list/7-great-supergirl-stories-that-arent-woman-of-tomorrow/embed/#
Read More
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Darkwood Trunk Location in Hytale
- Daredevil Is Entering a New Era With a Chilling New Villain (And We Have A First Look) (Exclusive)
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- So Long, Anthem: EA’s Biggest Flop Says Goodbye
- RHOBH’s Jennifer Tilly Reacts to Sutton Stracke “Snapping” at Her
- Katy Perry Shares Holiday Pics With Justin Trudeau & Ex Orlando Bloom
- One Piece Just Confirmed Elbaph’s Next King, And He Will Be Even Better Than Harald
- 7 Great Spy Shows Nobody Ever Talks About
- XRP’s Week Ahead: Bulls, Bears, or Boredom? 🌊💰
2026-01-17 00:13