7 Best DC Comics Flagship Titles Over the Decade

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DC Comics has been a leading publisher of superhero comics for longer than any other company, bringing us iconic heroes and villains. For decades, they’ve set the standard for the industry, consistently delivering high-quality books. A key part of DC’s success has always been its flagship titles – the most prominent and important series. These books typically feature the most popular characters, top creators, and have the biggest influence on DC’s overall publishing direction. While not every flagship title has been a hit, DC has produced many truly exceptional and memorable ones.

Throughout its history, DC Comics has often been shaped by its most popular titles. Several of these books have become truly iconic, setting the standard for comics and earning a place among the all-time greats. Here are seven of DC’s best flagship series – the ones that perfectly showcase what makes the publisher so successful.

7) Preacher

Vertigo Comics revolutionized the industry in the 1990s by giving creators freedom to tell diverse stories and retain ownership of their work. While Vertigo published many excellent titles, Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s Preacher stands out as the best. This darkly humorous and deeply moving story follows Jesse Custer’s search for God, accompanied by his girlfriend Tulip and the vampire Cassidy. It explores themes of humanity, religion, America, love, and family with remarkable depth. Preacher is widely acclaimed (a fitting irony considering its subject matter) and powerfully defined Vertigo’s direction, ending the decade on a high note.

6) Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern

Back in 2000, it would have been hard to imagine a solo Green Lantern comic becoming one of the decade’s biggest hits, but that’s exactly what happened. Green Lantern (Vol. 4), primarily written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by artists like Carlos Pacheco, Ivan Reis, and others, became a major bestseller, especially after the acclaimed “Sinestro Corps War” storyline. For many DC readers in the mid-to-late 2000s, this book was a must-read, and it set the stage for the epic “Blackest Night” event.

5) Snyde/Capullo Batman (Vol. 2)

While the New 52 initiative often gets criticism, it wasn’t without its highlights. The Batman run (Vol. 2) by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo is a standout example – many consider it one of the best Batman series ever. It features iconic storylines like “Court of Owls,” “Death of the Family,” “Year Zero,” “Endgame,” and “Superheavy.” Snyder and Capullo’s collaboration was exceptional, and the series also included compelling back-up stories by creators like James Tynion IV and Jock. It consistently stood out as the best title from the New 52 and remains incredibly popular with fans.

4) Golden Age Action Comics

Many believe Detective Comics would have been a more fitting title to represent DC’s early years, given the company’s name. However, Action Comics was truly the book that launched DC into success. It famously introduced Superman and quickly became a top-selling comic. Like many comics from that era, Action Comics was an anthology, featuring a variety of characters and stories. It was a fantastic collection of work by some of the most talented creators of the time. Some might say it hasn’t aged well, but the same could be said for many comics from the Silver Age, which are still highly regarded. Action Comics perfectly captures the spirit of its time, and it’s impossible to imagine DC Comics existing today without it.

3) Early ’80s New Teen Titans

The late 1970s were a difficult time for DC Comics. While the “DC Explosion” aimed to boost sales and compete with Marvel, it ultimately failed, leading to a period known as the “DC Implosion.” Things looked bleak, but then a surprise hit arrived: New Teen Titans by Marv Wolfman and George Perez. Previous versions of the Teen Titans hadn’t succeeded, but this reboot resonated with readers thanks to its talented creators. While the story arc “The Judas Contract” is famous, it’s just one example of the book’s quality. New Teen Titans expertly blended compelling characters with exciting action, and it still holds up remarkably well almost 50 years later.

2) JLA

Grant Morrison is widely considered the best writer of team-based comics, and their run on JLA is a standout achievement. Released in the mid-1990s, JLA quickly became popular through strong recommendations. It rose to the top of DC’s comics lineup by perfectly capturing the core appeal of the Justice League: bringing together DC’s greatest heroes to battle incredibly powerful villains. Throughout Morrison’s time on the book – with some issues also written by Mark Waid – JLA was DC’s leading title and consistently one of the best comics available. It’s a truly exceptional superhero story, and well worth reading if you haven’t already.

1) Justice League of America (Vol. 1)

The Justice League is DC Comics’ most iconic team, and for two decades, from its debut in 1960 to the early 1980s, it was the publisher’s leading title. Before the New Teen Titans took over, the Justice League of America offered readers incredible value – a lot of action and story for the price! It brought together all of DC’s biggest heroes, and later, many lesser-known but still compelling characters, to face universe-threatening challenges and participate in groundbreaking crossovers. It truly defined DC Comics during its Silver and Bronze Ages, and remains a classic today.

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2026-02-19 17:12