While comic book movies are breaking box office records, the comics themselves remain an unfamiliar culture for many, often seen as hard to approach. Endless superhero sagas with no clear beginning or end only reinforce this reputation. That’s why we’ve put together a list of ten comic series aimed at adult readers, free of caped crusaders, with self-contained stories that can at least loosely be called science fiction.
I’ve skipped the most obvious recommendations like The Watchmen and V for Vendetta—if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already encountered Alan Moore’s classics. Still, we can’t do without some foundational works, so we’ll start with tried-and-true recommendations and gradually move to newer, more experimental titles.
Transmetropolitan
You’ve probably seen the image online: a bald man in strange red-green glasses with a spider tattoo on his head, cigarette clenched between his teeth, giving a devilish squint. That’s Spider Jerusalem, a journalist in a futuristic city simply called The City.
Though Transmetropolitan isn’t new (it ran from 1997 to 2002), it’s lost none of its relevance—neither in the issues it tackles nor in its depiction of technology. On the very first pages, we meet a sentient 3D printer that downloads digital drugs and, after a glitch, prints Spider’s iconic glasses. Spider himself isn’t a stranger to substances—what else would you expect from a Hunter S. Thompson disciple?
Don’t let the bright colors fool you: The City is a true dystopia. Three-eyed mutant cats roam the alleys, neon signs advertise sexual escapades with Muppet-like dolls, and street kids gnaw on lab-grown human limbs. Perched atop a strip club, Spider fights for the last scraps of truth, justice, and human dignity, exposing corrupt politicians in his no-holds-barred columns. What’s not to love?
The Invisibles
It might seem odd to recommend The Invisibles—it’s a legendary work that left a mark on comic history comparable to The Watchmen. Summarizing the plot is pointless: psychedelic visions, pop culture references, and the adventures of a team of extraordinary individuals waging a war for human consciousness against the mysterious Outer Church—all of this is best experienced firsthand.
You might wonder why a mystical comic is on this list. The Invisibles earns its spot for its themes of rebellion and counterculture. It’s science fiction in the broadest sense, without direct ties to technology. I’ll admit: I’ve started it several times but never finished. Each read reveals something new, but it’s a slow, challenging process. Be patient—The Invisibles is worth it.
Y: The Last Man
Another modern classic, Y: The Last Man ran from 2002 to 2008. The story follows Yorick, the only man (along with his pet monkey Ampersand) to survive a virus that wipes out all males—human and animal—on Earth.
Instead of becoming the world’s most valuable genetic resource, Yorick disguises himself and travels across America to uncover the cause of the plague, find his beloved, and (of course) save humanity. The comic weaves in discussions of gender inequality and stereotypes, but it never feels preachy. With shootouts, fights, disguises, a post-apocalyptic backdrop, subtle humor, vibrant characters, and an overall life-affirming tone, you’ll breeze through all 60 issues in just a few days. Set aside a weekend or part of your vacation—you might lose track of time!
Tokyo Ghost
If you’re looking for true dark, melancholic cyberpunk, this is it. Tokyo Ghost depicts a distant future that’s a grotesque reflection of our own: most people live like vegetables, hopelessly addicted to a constant stream of digital entertainment.
The heroine, armed with a katana and a fierce hatred for the status quo, battles a rogue artificial intelligence to save her boyfriend. While it stretches the definition of science fiction—especially when an ancient Japanese earth spirit enters the story—the real draw is the stunning art and world-building. Plus, you won’t have to slog through dozens of issues: the story is told in just ten slim volumes (2015–2016). It’s more than enough to enjoy the unique style and another bleak, mesmerizing world.
Black Science
If there’s dark magic, why not dark science? Grant McKay, the protagonist of this still-unfinished saga, invents a device that lets him and his team travel through countless parallel universes. Naturally, things go off the rails almost immediately.
The plot of Black Science is wild, and the worlds the characters visit are so vivid your head might spin—especially if you binge-read (which is very tempting). Add in deep psychological explorations of love, betrayal, and broken families, and you’ve got a gripping read. Despite the title, there’s not much actual science here.
If you enjoy Tokyo Ghost and get hooked on Black Science, check out other works by Rick Remender. I especially recommend Deadly Class—a story about the struggles of students at an assassin school. Think Harry Potter, but with a strict age rating and a focus on ‘80s and ‘90s youth subcultures.
The Private Eye
One day, all the data people stored in the “cloud” came pouring down: security failed, and everything became public overnight. Since then, humanity has distrusted computers and become obsessed with privacy—so much so that you won’t see anyone on the street without a mask.
The Private Eye follows a private detective who gets caught up in a tangled case and skillfully unravels it. But the real point is the author’s attempt to imagine the hangover after our current data-sharing binge. The world of The Private Eye might seem a bit cartoonish, but that’s par for the course in comics. It’s especially amusing to see the protagonist’s father—a retired gamer and gadget lover from the early 2000s—struggling with dementia, poking at his phone, unable to understand where the internet went.
You might be skeptical of Brian K. Vaughan’s imagination, but it’s worth checking out—especially since the comic is available as a pay-what-you-want PDF.
Saga
If you’re looking for something light and enjoyable for evening reading, but still gripping enough to keep you coming back, Saga is hard to beat. This space fantasy, on the scale of Star Wars, centers on a classic forbidden love story between members of two warring factions.
I won’t spoil the plot—what matters is the sheer imagination, the incredible scope, and the diversity of colorful worlds and races. The art is equally stunning; some spreads are simply breathtaking. I started reading Saga from the first issues and didn’t notice when, six years later, the count had passed fifty. So much has happened in this comic, and it only seems to be gaining momentum.
The Manhattan Projects
One image says it all: Albert Einstein sawing an alien in half with a chainsaw. If that turns you off, feel free to skip this one. But if it piques your interest, you’re in for hours of entertaining reading. Book by book, you’ll explore an alternate world where the scientists behind America’s atomic bomb do truly unimaginable things.
Illuminati, alien invasions, secret deals with the USSR—the creators of The Manhattan Projects have thrown the wildest conspiracy theories into the mix. The result is neatly laid out in panels and seasoned with dark humor. It may not be the most nutritious intellectual meal, but it’s surprisingly digestible. I haven’t made it to the final book (The Sun Beyond the Stars), which features the cosmic adventures of Yuri Gagarin and Laika, but I’m looking forward to it.
Doktor Sleepless
“Where’s my damn jetpack? Where are our flying cars?” ask the characters in Doktor Sleepless. They mean the future promised by old-school sci-fi never arrived. Instead, they (and we!) got very different technologies.
The story takes place in a historical dead end, which the characters are desperate to escape. The main character is a self-proclaimed mad scientist, whose madness mostly manifests in grandiose speeches broadcast via pirate radio. His audience: radical subcultures like grinders (who implant electronics in their bodies) and “shrike girls” who sync their sensations remotely.
Unfortunately, Doktor Sleepless started strong in 2007 but was never finished. The grenade with a smiley face sticker left hanging in the last (sixteenth) issue will remain unresolved, and the accompanying wiki is now defunct. Still, if you like Warren Ellis’s work, completed series like Planetary and FreakAngels will give you hours of enjoyment. Also check out Ignition City—a short story about a semi-abandoned spaceport—and the ongoing Injection, which borrows some ideas from Doktor Sleepless.
Paper Girls
Finished season two of Stranger Things and want something similar? Read Paper Girls—it’s arguably even better. Four girls start time-traveling and can’t seem to stop or get back to the ‘80s. Instead, they face new mysteries and adventures at every turn.
Along the way, the author offers thoughtful reflections on how our lives and society have changed over the past few decades. Add in an unforgettable visual style (the covers alone are worth a look!), and you’ll see why this comic is gaining popularity so quickly. There are 23 issues so far—a perfect time to binge them all and wait for more.
A Few Final Tips
Sharp-eyed readers will notice that half this list comes from just three authors: Warren Ellis, Brian K. Vaughan, and Rick Remender. I can’t help it—these were my entry point to modern comics, and I’ve never been disappointed. I look forward to their new works and hope you’ll have just as much fun discovering them.
As a bonus tip, pay attention to the publisher and imprint. These days, Image Comics releases a lot of great material, while Vertigo and Wildstorm (both under DC) used to serve the same audience.
Happy reading and good luck exploring!