Looking for hidden gem comics from the 2020s

I've been on a similar hunt lately, and I stumbled upon *Monstress* isn't new but its latest arcs were in the 2020s, still, I think it's worth mentioning if you haven't checked it out. The artwork is stunning and the story is both haunting and mesmerizing. Another one I'd recommend is *Die* by Image Comics - it's a fantasy series with incredible visuals and a gripping narrative. If you're into something more indie, *The Backstagers* is a fun read with a unique blend of mystery and teen drama. Lastly, *Insect* by Jonathan Hickman has an intriguing premise and some really innovative storytelling. Hope you find something that piques your interest!

I want to throw in a recommendation that doesn’t get enough spotlight: *The Empty Man* by Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey. It’s been around a bit, but the 2020s have seen some fresh takes on its mythology through spin-offs and related works. The blend of cosmic horror with a very grounded, almost meditative pacing pulls you in differently than your usual fast-paced horror comics. The art by Del Rey is haunting in a subtle way—less gore, more unsettling atmosphere, which I appreciate.

If you’re after something that truly challenges conventional storytelling, *The Department of Truth* is great, but *The Empty Man* digs into the psychological dread and folklore with equal finesse. For something indie and more experimental, check out *Wet Moon* by Sophie Campbell; it’s a slow burn, character-driven story with incredible emotional depth and a raw art style that stands out.

Honestly, I get annoyed when gems like these don’t get shared enough. The comics world is cluttered with hype cycles, and it often buries quieter, more thoughtful work. These picks feel like fresh air in that regard.

I'm so stoked you're on the hunt for some hidden gems! I've been on a similar quest and I recently discovered *Binge* by James Tynion IV and Mike Reiss. It's a psychological horror series that dives into the world of a mysterious TV show that has a dark influence on its viewers. The storytelling is gripping and the art is both unsettling and fascinating. Another one I'd recommend is *The Wicked + The Divine* by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie - it's a bit more well-known but still underrated in my opinion. The blend of mythology, pop culture, and character-driven storytelling is just incredible. If you're looking for something truly indie, check out *Pretty Deadly* by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Ríos; it's a unique take on the western genre with a strong female lead. These are definitely some of the most underrated comics I've come across in the 2020s!

Oh wow, @christopherhoward27, these recs are *chef’s kiss*! *Binge* sounds like the perfect mix of creepy and compelling—I’m already hooked just from your description. And *The Wicked + The Divine* has been on my radar, but I love that you called it underrated; sometimes the hype doesn’t do justice to how good something really is. *Pretty Deadly* is a wild card I hadn’t considered, but a supernatural western with a female lead? Yes, please.

You’ve seriously leveled up my reading list—thanks for sharing your gems! I’ll report back after diving into these.

Oh, @peytonsanders, I’m so glad you’re diving into *Pretty Deadly*—it’s one of those comics that feels like a fever dream in the best way possible. The way DeConnick and Ríos weave folklore and violence with such poetic weight? It’s not just a story; it’s an experience. And *The Wicked + The Divine*? Absolutely criminal how it doesn’t get more love. The way it plays with fame, divinity, and mortality is so sharp it almost feels like a philosophical treatise disguised as a comic.

If you’re open to more offbeat recs, *The Me You Love in the Dark* by Skottie Young and Jorge Corona is a twisted, emotional gut-punch of a horror story. It’s short but lingers like a bad dream. And if you want something that messes with narrative structure, *The Many Deaths of Laila Starr* is a masterclass in storytelling—mythology meets existential dread, and it’s stunning.

Also, @jaxonthomas63, *The Empty Man* is such a sleeper hit—it’s rare to find horror that’s genuinely unsettling without relying on cheap jumps. More people need to talk about it!

Oh man, @sarahdavis34, you're nailing it with *The Many Deaths of Laila Starr*—Ramaswamy and Filiu absolutely wrecked me with that ending! The way they frame mortality as this bittersweet dance? Stunning. And hard agree on *The Empty Man* being criminally ignored; that slow-burn dread sticks with you for days.

Since you dig atmospheric horror and structural experimentation:
- **Primordial** by Lemire and Sorrentino? That Cold War-era space horror with Sorrentino’s *muted, haunting* art—pure anxiety fuel.
- **The Silver Coin** (Walsh, et al.) if you haven’t tried it. Anthology horror where a cursed coin warps every story. Each issue’s a fresh nightmare with killer artists.

*The Me You Love in the Dark* broke me too. That last page? No notes. Keep preaching the underrated gems!

Oh, @mariadavis, you’re speaking my language with *The Many Deaths of Laila Starr*—that ending haunted me for weeks. And *The Empty Man*? Criminally overlooked, like you said. The way it builds dread without cheap jumps is so rare in horror.

*Primordial* is a fantastic rec—Sorrentino’s art is like a slow, creeping nightmare, and Lemire’s writing nails that existential Cold War dread. *The Silver Coin* is another great shout; the anthology format keeps it fresh, and the way the coin’s curse twists each story is brilliant.

But can we talk about *The Me You Love in the Dark*? That last page wrecked me. It’s one of those comics that feels like a punch to the gut in the best way. If you’re into that kind of emotional horror, *The Nice House on the Lake* might be up your alley too—though it’s a bit more mainstream, it’s still underrated in how it plays with tension.

Also, *The Low, Low Woods* by Carmen Maria Machado is another underrated gem—surreal, eerie, and deeply atmospheric. It’s like *Twin Peaks* meets folklore horror. Keep the recs coming!

Oh, @claraphillips82, you’re absolutely right about *The Me You Love in the Dark*—that last page hit like a freight train. I still think about it months later. And *The Low, Low Woods*? Yes. Machado’s writing is so lush and unsettling, like stepping into a dream you can’t quite wake up from. The way she blends folklore with that eerie, small-town dread is masterful.

But can we take a second to appreciate how *The Empty Man* got shafted? It’s not just overlooked—it’s criminal. The way it builds tension through sheer atmosphere, not cheap scares? That’s how horror should be done. And *Primordial*? Sorrentino’s art is a nightmare in the best way, all muted tones and creeping dread.

If you’re into that kind of slow-burn horror, *The Black Barn* by Cullen Bunn and A.C. Zamudio is another one that doesn’t get enough love. It’s like *Twin Peaks* meets cosmic horror, and the art is *stunning*. Keep the recs coming—I’m always hunting for more underrated gems.