Summary
Comic book fans have been graced with powerful and entertaining stories from a variety of publishers. DC andMarvel Comics have created some of the most iconic superheroesthe world has ever seen, such as Spider-Man, Batman, and many other characters with compelling stories and character arcs.Outside the two most popular publishers, other publishers have also had some amazing runs, with Wildstorm comic generating mass success fromThe Boyswith its comic and huge TV adaptation.
IDW Publishing, founded in 1999, has found huge success with its comics, with iconic characters like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles within their ranks alongside Sonic the Hedgehog and Godzilla, with Ninja Turtles #1 selling over 300,000 copies before its release, making it one of the most popular of 2024. They’ve also had their fair share of TV and movie adaptations, with Locke and Key being a hit on Netflix.
8GI Joe
The Best Covert Special Operations Unit Put To The Page
Beginning in 1982 at Marvel Publishing,GI Joedetails the missions of a covert special ops teamas they protect the United States from world-ending threats. Moving to IDW Publishing in 2008,GI Joestarted anincredible run totaling five volumes with multiple spin-offsalong the way.
A particular highlight within the IDW run ofGI Joecame inGI Joe: Hearts & Minds, written by Max Brooks of World War Z fame. Each issue focused on an individual Joe, and their motivations, providing a character study on the operatives fans have loved for decades. TheGI Joerun had some stellar issues, making it one of the best comics published by IDW Publishing.
7GI Joe: Cobra
Viewing The Joe’s Conflict From The Other Side
Slightly edging outGI Joeis its spin-off series,GI Joe: Cobra, focusing on the organized terrorist group Cobra.The first issue miniseries was published in 2009, detailing the work of the Joe’s top undercover operative, Chuckles,as he tries to bring down Cobra from the inside.
What allowsGI Joe: Cobrato edge out its predecessor is its reactionary nature. Fans get to see the villains of theGI Joeseries react to the consequences of their actions with a plot full of espionage and intrigue. The extra depth given to members of Cobra makesGI Joe: Cobraone of the best comics published by IDW Publishing.
6Usagi Yojimbo
Stories Of Rabbit Ronin Samurai Journeying Across Feudal Japan
From writer and illustrator, Stan Sakai,Usagi Yojimbo, followsMiyamoto Usagi, a rabbit Ronin Samurai who roams feudal Japanhelping those in need. Beginning in 1984 with Stan Sakai at the helm,Usagi Yojimbomoved to IDW Publishing in 2019 before returning to Dark Horse Publishing in 2023.
Usagi Yojimbocombines incredible storytelling and illustration with references to Japanese folklore, paired with action akin to Akira Kurosawa’s epic movies. With the move to IDW Publishing camecrossovers with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, leading to comic book action epics, makingUsagi Yojimboone of the best comics published by IDW Publishing.
5Godzilla
A 13-Issue Run About The King Of The Monsters
The King of the Monsters has hadsome incredible adaptations at the box office. This success is not limited to just the big screen, with IDW producing high-quality comics for the iconic Kaiju since 2012.
There are three ongoing issues -Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters, Godzilla: Ongoing,andGodzilla: Rulers of Earth- and mini-series collections are also available. For fans ofGodzilla, the comics displayhuge battles with the colossal monsterbeing both an antagonist and the protagonist, with a highlight being the huge battle between Godzilla’s team featuring MechaGodzilla to defend the Earth from the extraterrestrial threats Monster X, SpaceGodzilla, and Hedorah. With incredible design and epic monster battles, Godzilla shows some of IDW Publishing’s best work.
Transformers
Based on the classic Hasbro toys and cartoon series, IDW began publishingTransformersin 2005, running a continuous series until 2018, before rebooting the series in 2019 following the Unicron event comic.
Transformersbegins with theAutobots led by Optimus Prime on Earthfollowing their defeat of the Decepticons, with large battles and the resurgence of Megatron and the Decepticons laying waste to cities around Earth with huge collateral damage. With huge stakes and all-out war breaking out within the run, the action present inTransformersmakes it an engaging series for comic fans to dive into from IDW Publishing.
3Locke & Key
Gripping Writing And Stunning Visuals Combine
Having been adapted into a big-budget Netflix show,Locke & Keyshowcases stellar writing and a plot full of intrigue andmystery filled with horror inside the Keyhouse manor.
After their patriarch is killed, the Locke family returns to Keyhouse and begins to uncover its secrets, finding magic keys, and opening doors that lead to other realms. This includes the Black Door, found in the Drowning Caves, that houses vicious demons. With its fair share of horror elements, the writing shows the children of the Locke family dealing with grief, trauma, and the impacts of their family’s history,makingLocke & Keya compelling readand one of the best comics IDW Publishing has to offer.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehogis a gaming iconand has had mass success on the silver screen, which has been replicated on the page. IDW’sSonic The Hedgehogcomic began in 2018, having begun publishing at Archie Comics in 1991, and has continued its success.
Showing off its iconic lead alongside other fan favorites,including Knuckles, Tails, Amy, and Blaze, beginning with the fallout from the Eggman War. Throughout the current run with Sonic, IDW has overseen many adventures and battles against villains both old and new. Always capable of providing laughs as well as emotional depth,Sonic The Hedgehogis one of the very best comics published by IDW.
The Heroes In A Half Shell Are IDW’s Premier Comic Offering
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Perhaps the most iconic teamto feature among IDW Publishing’s comic offerings,Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, comfortably takes the top spot for the best comic published by IDW. Providing incredible action as the Turtles combat the forces of Shredder and Krang.
What setsTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesapart from the other comics from IDW is its incredible storytelling, relatable themes and also one of the best comic mini-series ever put on the page inTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin. Having the fun and humor of the original animated series, whilst being able to tell huge emotional stories makeTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesthe best comic published by IDW.
