It's hard to keep up with comics. There are hundreds of titles from thousands of publishers being released every week. With all those books to choose from (and new ones coming out regularly), it's easy to get overwhelmed. Luckily, there's a solution: some comics emerged this year as the finest examples of the medium. Not only will they help you narrow down your pull-list, they make for truly sensational reading material. These are some of the best comics that came out in 2015; let's hope 2016 continues to give us such amazing titles.

Step Aside, Pops - Kate Beaton
 

Funny, smart, and wickedly sharp, Kate Beaton has emerged from the webcomic world as a powerful force with Hark A Vagrant. Her clever comics cover everything from historical figures to pop culture icons, all with the same wry eye for detail. Step Aside, Pops is her newest collection, and a treat from start to finish. The best of the bunch might be her series surrounding Lois Lane, who is seriously done with Superman's crap. If you're looking for humor in your comics, Kate Beaton stands head and shoulders above the rest.

The Wicked + The Divine - Kieron Gillen
 

And comps of #Wicdiv 16 arrive. Lovely gothic Leila del Luca owning it. A photo posted by Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) on Nov 2, 2015 at 7:38am PST


Kieron Gillen is one of the best writers working in comics today, and this series shows him in top form. Aided by the sensational work of Jamie McKelvie, the two weave a compelling and richly detailed tale about a group of pop stars that are also gods. It's a compelling meditation on fame, creation, identity, and the nature of art.

Ms. Marvel - G. Willow Wilson
 

If you're not reading Ms. Marvel, you need to seriously reexamine your life choices. This is one of the finest comics to come out of Marvel in a long time, written with heart and humor by G. Willow Wilson. Kamala Kham is one of the most complicated and authentic characters in the Marvel Universe: a teenage girl with super-powers, trying to grapple with both and still remain herself. It's a sensational read that transcends superhero stories and emerges in its own right as a series to be reckoned with.

Hellboy In Hell - Mike Mignola
 

Who doesn't love Hellboy? The huge red demon with a heart of gold and a fondness for cats has been around since the 80s, and his fanbase only grows with each year (helped in no small part by the insanely good movies starring Ron Perlman). Writer Mike Mignola has a flair for combining truly terrifying tales with protagonists that you root for. His complicated mythology never overshadows the characters at the heart of his work. Unlike many worn out comic franchises, Hellboy only gets better with age.

Batgirl - Cameron Stewart
 

With seemingly endless Batman-related titles to choose from, narrowing down the stack is a task in and of itself; however, Batgirl makes it that much easier. With sharp writing by Cameron Stewart and evocative artwork by Babs Tarr, the adventures of Barbara Gordon are related in a fascinating way against the backdrop of Gotham. Plus, Batgirl has the singular advantage of being fun: in a world of sad Batmans and endless angst, it's a breath of fresh air (even if it is hidden behind a mask).

Tags: Best of 2015 DC Comics Marvel Comics comics dark horse comics image comics