Read Harder Recommendations: Science Fiction Comics

Comics recommendations for science fiction.

Chris M. Arnone Mar 26, 2015

Chris M. Arnone

Senior Contributor

The son of a librarian, Chris M. Arnone's love of books was as inevitable as gravity. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. His novel, The Hermes Protocol, was published by Castle Bridge Media in 2023 and the next book in that series is due out in winter 2024. His work can also be found in Adelaide Literary Magazine and FEED Lit Mag. You can find him writing more books, poetry, and acting in Kansas City. You can also follow him on social media (Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Twitter, website).

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The Panels 2015 Read Harder Challenge consists of 26 challenge categories spanning the breadth and depth of all things that may be considered comics. Every week we’ll give you reading recommendations from one of the categories.

After a couple weeks of recommendations for more difficult challenges, it’s time for something easy: science fiction. Sci-fi comics have been around for a long time, dating back to Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. While there are many, many great sci-fi comics through the decade, here are some of our favorites.

Days Missing by Trevor Roth, Phil Hester, Frazer Irving, et. al.

Days Missing is the story of The Steward, a cosmic being with powers over time. He leads a lonely existence, winding back time to avoid catastrophe and guide the human race toward greatness. Each issue spotlighted a different moment in human history that The Steward adjusted, all the while showing how lonely a powerful, eternal existence can truly be. — Chris Arnone

Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark

I immediately went to Greg Rucka and Michael Lark’s series from Image Comics, Lazarus, for my science fiction fix. It’s set in a dystopian world ruled by a handful of families who all have their very own Lazarus: a genetically modified protector. It’s a very 99% vs the 1% story with a ton of action. Forever Carlyle is the lead and the Carlyle family Lazarus. She not only has to deal with outside threats to the family but the secrets within the family pertaining to her. This is the same team behind the short live (but awesome) Gotham Central so A+ all around. — Ardo Omer

Other Recommendations:

Atomic Robo Volume 3: Atomic Robo and the Shadow from Beyond Time by Brian Clevinger — Dana Silver

Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka Volume 1 by Osamu Tezuka and Naoki Urasawa — Jenn Northington

Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples — Chris Arnone

The Wake by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy — Ardo Omer

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