January was a month filled with a lot of releases that can be considered the Best Comic Books of the first month of 2026. Whether it was new series, mini-series, big events, ongoings, or one-shots, we had a lot of comic books to enjoy in January. It set the tone for what comic book fans can expect from what is already shaping up to be a competitive year for the comics we’ll be considering the best comic books of 2026. While it was a tough decision to make, I was able to select my 10 favorite releases that were the Best Comic Books of January 2026. Find out what they were below.
10) MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III #4
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Ryan Parrott; Artist: Vincenzo Federici; Colorist: Raul Angulo; Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III #4 is the most important issue of this third crossover. It had the job of setting the stage for the final issue. That is something Ryan Parrott and Vincenzo Federici made look easy as this comic book exemplifies what a penultimate issue should be.
There was everything a fan of big event-level crossovers to have. Especially with this being a crossover between the Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles there were a lot of callbacks that tapped into nostalgia. But as with this entire trilogy, the fourth issue made sure all the things it does to tap into nostalgia is done within the logic of the story. From Tommy Oliver and Leonardo vs Super Lord Zedd to all the different Rangers on both sides fighting it out, there was a ton of action. That allowed for natural pacing to the penultimate chapter.
9) G.I. JOE #17
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joshua Williamson; Artist: Tom Reilly; Colorist: Jordie Bellaire; Letterer: Rus Wooton
G.I. JOE #17 delivers a fantastic end to the Dreadnok War. Everything about this final issue made you feel the momentum created by all the previous parts of this story. That is a credit to how Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly created such a tight pace that kept moving from chapter to chapter.
Most importantly, The Dreadnoks War accomplishes its main goal of elevating all the main participants. The Dreadnok comes across as a menacing villain group. Cobra Commander reminds everyone why he isn’t messed with. Duke shows how he overcomes any challenge and steps up as a leader. Then we have several sub-plots on both the JOEs and Cobra side that set-up even bigger things for the series’ future. The multiple hook endings kick off 2026 as strong as possible for the Energon Universe.
8) EXQUISITE CORPSES #9
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Tyle Boss and James Tynion IV; Artist: Valentine De Landro and Michael Walsh; Colorist: Jordie Bellaire; Letterer: Becca Carey
Exquisite Corpse #9 is an experience. It is an experience of what it means to be put into a near-death experience situation. How do people react to that capture your interest right away. It is an interest that kept until you close this comic book after reading the final page.
That all speaks of the pacing of the story. Especially with how Valentine De Landro, Michael Walsh, and Jordie Bellaire draw and color this entire comic book. The artwork is so captivating that you are looking at how every character is acting. That helps elevate Tyle Boss and James Tynion IV writing to
7) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #14
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Gene Luen Yang; Artist: Freddie E. Williams II; Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse; Letterer: Shawn Lee
While they are coming off a major victory it does not mean things are on an upswing for the Hamato Clan. That is proven by what we see go down in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #14. If anything things have become even more complicated as the presence of the mysterious Ujigami force Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello, April O’Neil, and Casey Jone to watch over their enemies.
This situation is made even more complicated by the fact as the reader we know Ujigami is Master Splinter. It is in the knowledge we have as the reader and the Turtles and their allies don’t that make how things develop even more intriguing. The drama of everything about this story hightens the action sequences in TMNT #14 to hit even harder.
6) SORCERER SUPREME #2
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Steve Orlando; Artist: Bernard Chang; Colorist: Ruth Redmond; Letterer: Joe Sabino
Sorcerer Supreme #2 is exactly how to follow-up a successful debut with a stronger second issue. What makes it even better than its debut was how Steve Orlando and Bernard Chang drive home Agatha Harkness as a major villain. The entire presentation of Agatha Harkness showcases why she is a villain that can take on anyone. Which you need for a character as powerful as Wanda Maximoff is.
Establishing Agatha Harkness in this way was very much needed as Scarlet Witch isn’t someone with a deep rogues gallery. That is something still being established with Scarlet Witch still relatively new to being a solo hero. Agatha is presented in a way that can be an anchor to build up the rogues gallery for Sorcerer Supreme. Major credit goes to Chang as his artwork nails all the imagination you want to see from a superhero comic based around magic. There is an unlimited feeling to what you are experiencing because of how we see Scarlet Witch and Agatha utilizing magic.
5) ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #16
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Kelly Thompson; Artist: Hayden Sherman; Colorist: Jordie Bellaire; Letterer: Becca Carey
The way that Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman have been able to blend past and present day storytelling is something to study. They have found a seamless way to make sure all the narratives blend well with one another. Absolute Wonder Woman #16 may be the best example of this as we see yet another aspect of Diana’s training in hell.
The training that Diana is shown going through helps connect the reader even more to the character and story going on in the present. It shows why she is able to so quickly adapt to the world when she comes up in the harshest of environments. Then there is the present-day story that puts Diana in a spot where she is faced against her greatest enemy to date as Absolute Zatanna and the Suicide Squad make an impactful full debut.
4) UNCANNY X-MEN #22
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Gail Simone; Artists: David Marquez; Colorist: Matthew Wilson; Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Gail Simone and David Marquez pick up where they left off with Uncanny X-Men #22 reminding everyone why this is the best current ongoing series for the franchise. The dynamics between the team is perfectly showcased as they gather to celebrate Nightcrawler’s birthday. This provides us with an opportunity for Nightcrawler to also establish his relationship with MacKenzie Deener.
Then there is the return of Mutina that shows us the two different ways of approaching a threat that Wolverine and Nightcrawler have. You completely understand why Wolverine and Nightcrawler would react to Mutina the way they do. It helps further present Mutina as a compelling character and further show why the character dynamics are key to this series’ success.
3) ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #8
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Deniz Camp; Artist: Eric Zawadzki; Colorist: Jordie Bellaire; Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Deniz Camp and Eric Zawadski take creative risks that pay of incredibly well with what they deliver in Assorted Crisis Events #8. There are so many chance you see that Camp and Zawadski take with the writing and artist, respectively, that
is the best example yet of the creative risks taken by this series that lead to incredible storytelling results. Deniz Camp and Eric Zawadski make incredible style choices with the writing and artwork that makes this story about what it means to not be seen hit differently. It’s not just understanding the journey of the main character’s experience of not being seen. It is about the experience created for both the character and reader. It drives home why this series continues to be must-read.
2) ABSOLUTE BATMAN #16
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Scott Snyder; Artist: Nick Dragotta; Colorist: Frank Martin; Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Absolute Batman #16 does not miss a beat with following up the first team-up between what has become the Absolute Universe’s World’s Finest. This second team-up shows that the chemistry between Absolute Batman and Wonder Woman wasn’t just a coincidence. The way the Absolute Universe has shaped both Bruce and Diana makes them so compelling together.
With this being Absolute Batman, getting the story from his perspective gave Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta to further explore who Bruce is. This time we get to see this happen in more of a supernatural setting as Bruce has Diana take him to Hell to find a cure for Waylon Jones’ Killer Croc transformation. The journey they take show why Absolute Bruce Wayne has been shaped by the personal connections he has. Its those personal connections that make him unique from other versions of Batman and get you even more invested in this series as whole.
1) TRANSFORMERS #28
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman; Artist: Dan Mora; Colorist: Mike Spicer; Letterer: Rus Wooton
Robert Kirkman and Dan Mora are certainly not taking things slow. They know the magic created by the previous run on the Energon Universe’s Transformers. They have taken that to another level and Transformers #28 exemplifies how with how things continuously escalate.
We have big things like Megatron descent more into the Mad King of the Decepticons and Arcee gets a major transformation. Then there are “smaller” things going on with Spike and Carly, Optimus Prime’s leadership, and military actions that are interesting as the main plotlines of this issue. Everything comes together to create an experience where you so excited to be reading because it is such a must-read. The way this issue leaves you captivated creates even greater excitement for the Energon Universe in 2026.
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