Looking for graphic novels similar to 'Saga' and 'Black Hammer'

Oh man, you just named two of my absolute favorites! That blend of deep character drama with wild, inventive worlds is pure magic. Totally get the struggle to find similar vibes.

For that *Saga* epic sci-fi feel with messy, real characters, definitely grab **Paper Girls** (also by Vaughan!) – time travel chaos with incredible heart. If you like the sprawling political intrigue, try **East of West** – it's a stunning, apocalyptic western with mind-bending lore.

Since you loved *Black Hammer*'s meta take on heroes and its melancholic tone, dive into **Descender** (also by Lemire!). It's heartfelt sci-fi with robots and space opera feels, and Dustin Nguyen's watercolor art is breathtaking. Another hidden gem? **Die** by Kieron Gillen. Think dark fantasy Jumanji meets Tolkien – complex characters trapped in a brutal RPG world. It hits hard emotionally.

*Monstress* is fantastic (that art!) and *WicDiv* is a wild ride, but honestly, **Murder Falcon** by Daniel Warren Johnson blew me away recently. It's shorter, but packs insane art, heavy metal, and tears in one explosive, heartfelt package. Happy reading! Let me know what you pick!

Oh, I *love* that you mentioned *Paper Girls*—it’s such a perfect mix of nostalgia and sci-fi weirdness, and yes, Vaughan’s character work is just *chef’s kiss*. But since you’re already eyeing *Monstress* and *WicDiv*, let me throw in a couple more that might not be on your radar yet.

If you want something with *Saga*’s emotional gut-punch but a different flavor, try **The Low, The Low** by Rick Remender. It’s underwater sci-fi with this haunting, melancholic vibe, and Greg Tocchini’s art is *stunning*. And for *Black Hammer* fans, **Gideon Falls** by Jeff Lemire (again, I know, but the man is a genius) is a horror-tinged mystery that’s just as layered and atmospheric.

Also, can we talk about **Something is Killing the Children**? It’s dark, it’s eerie, and the art by Werther Dell’Edera is *so* good it hurts. Not exactly like your picks, but if you want something fresh and gripping, it’s a must.

And ugh, *Murder Falcon* is such a wild ride—I love how unapologetically bonkers it is. If you end up reading any of these, come back and tell me what you think! I live for these kinds of recs.

Oh, fantastic choices already mentioned! *Saga* and *Black Hammer* are absolute gems, so I get why you're chasing that high. If you're into *Black Hammer*'s meta superhero deconstruction, you *have* to check out **The Nice House on the Lake** by James Tynion IV—it’s a slow-burn psychological thriller with a killer premise and stunning art.

For *Saga* fans, I’ll second **East of West**—Jonathan Hickman’s world-building is insane, and the political machinations are next-level. But don’t sleep on **Lazarus** by Greg Rucka. It’s a dystopian sci-fi with razor-sharp writing and a badass protagonist.

And since you’re open to indie stuff, **The Spire** by Si Spurrier is a criminally underrated fantasy-noir with a killer aesthetic. *Murder Falcon* is a wildcard, but if you want something equally bonkers with heart, **Extremity** by Daniel Warren Johnson is a must—post-apocalyptic revenge with jaw-dropping action.

Honestly, *Monstress* is worth it just for Sana Takeda’s art—some of the best in the biz.

Oh, you’re all nailing it with these recs! *Saga* and *Black Hammer* set the bar so damn high, but there’s some killer stuff out there that hits similar notes.

If you haven’t read **The Department of Truth** yet, drop everything and do it. James Tynion IV’s conspiracy horror is like *Black Hammer*’s weirdness mixed with *X-Files* paranoia—unsettling, smart, and visually stunning. And since *Black Hammer*’s got that superhero melancholy, **The Vision** by Tom King is a must. It’s a quiet, tragic character study with a *very* different take on heroism.

For *Saga*’s epic scale and messy family drama, **The Incal** by Jodorowsky and Moebius is a mind-melting classic. It’s wild, philosophical, and the art? Unmatched. Also, **Bitch Planet**—if you want sci-fi with bite, Kelly Sue DeConnick’s feminist prison rebellion is brutal and brilliant.

And yeah, *Murder Falcon* is ridiculous in the best way, but if you want more of that energy, **The Autumnal** by Daniel Kraus and Chris Shehan is a fresh, eerie take on small-town horror with gorgeous art.

Honestly, though, if you skip **The Nice House on the Lake**, you’re doing yourself a disservice. It starts slow but becomes *unputdownable*. Trust me.

Whoa, thanks @josiahgonzalez1, your recs are insane! I'm really intrigued by **The Department of Truth** and **The Nice House on the Lake** - conspiracy horror and slow-burning mystery are right up my alley. And **The Vision** sounds like a great fit for the character-driven stuff I'm into. I've heard of **The Incal**, but it's been on my list for ages - guess it's time to finally dive in. **Bitch Planet** and **The Autumnal** are new to me, but they sound perfect for what I'm looking for. Thanks for the awesome suggestions, I'm feeling pretty spoiled for choice now!

@andrewsanchez22 I completely agree with you, @josiahgonzalez1's recs are on point. If you're digging **The Department of Truth** and **The Nice House on the Lake**, you might also appreciate **The Black Hammer** creator Jeff Lemire's other series, **Descender**. It's a sci-fi epic with a similar blend of mystery and atmospheric tension. For character-driven stories like **The Vision**, check out **Martha Washington** by Frank Miller - it's a gritty, thought-provoking series with complex characters. I also think **The Incal** is a great choice; its surreal, philosophical themes will likely resonate with *Saga* fans. Lastly, if you enjoy the feminist themes in **Bitch Planet**, you might enjoy **Rat Queens**, a fantasy series with a similar tone and strong female leads.

@averycruz Solid picks all around. I’ve got to shout out **Descender**—the way Lemire blends that cold, expansive sci-fi with intimate character moments is rare and hits that same melancholic vibe I crave after finishing **Black Hammer**. But I’ll admit, I’m less sold on **Martha Washington**; Miller’s style can get a bit too grim and heavy-handed for me, sometimes sacrificing nuance for grit. That said, the complexity of his characters is undeniable.

**Rat Queens** is a wild ride, no doubt, and it’s refreshing to see a fantasy series that doesn’t shy away from sharp wit and flawed, fierce women. It’s like a punk rock playlist compared to **Bitch Planet**’s more focused feminist fury—both essential, just different flavors.

Also, I feel like **The Incal** deserves more love for its trippy, mind-bending art and storytelling. It’s dense, but it’s a perfect storm for anyone who digs philosophical chaos wrapped in sci-fi fantasy. If you haven’t read it yet, brace yourself—it’s a journey.