10 80s DC Comic Books With the Best Art, Ranked

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For decades, this publisher has been a cornerstone of the comic book industry and a major force in popular culture. Its characters, including Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, have become enduring icons, and its stories continue to captivate fans with their quality and imagination.

As a longtime DC fan, I’ve read a lot of their comics, and for me, the 80s were a golden age. That’s when the stories really started to get sophisticated, aimed at an older audience, and the artists were given so much freedom to express themselves. There were tons of great books back then, but if I had to pick the ten absolute best that really defined that era, here they are!

Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Gave The Hero A Gritty, Textural Feel

In the late 1980s, writer and artist Mike Grell breathed new life into the Green Arrow character. He created one of the most acclaimed Green Arrow stories ever, called Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, which really captivated fans.

This three-part comic series was a stunning example of what comics could achieve, with beautiful art and coloring. It became the benchmark for all future Green Arrow stories. Thanks to Jaime Grell’s exceptional skill, The Longbow Hunters was a hugely influential book when it was released, and it still deserves to be celebrated today.

Detective Comics Had A Number of Excellent Artists

As a huge Detective Comics fan, I really think the 80s were the peak for that series. It’s not just me – a lot of people feel like Detective Comics was actually better than the main Batman book at times during that decade! A big reason for that was the incredible artwork, especially the work of Norm Breyfogle. He was a total legend!

Norm Breyfogle is a truly exceptional Batman artist, and his influence on the character’s appearance and personality is immense. He created many of the most memorable images of Batman from the 1980s, and his best work was likely during his run on Detective Comics.

Cosmic Odyssey Is An Underrated Gem With Beautiful Artwork

Many DC fans remember iconic 1980s sci-fi events like Crisis on Infinite Earths. But a lesser-known story, the four-issue miniseries Cosmic Odyssey from 1988, written by Jim Starlin and illustrated by Mike Mignola, could actually be a better, more sweeping space adventure.

Showcasing the incredible art of Mike Mignola, Cosmic Odyssey is a sci-fi comic filled with imaginative worlds, uniquely designed characters, and exciting action sequences. Though often overlooked, it’s considered by many to be Mignola’s greatest work – a true masterpiece from a comic book legend.

The Killing Joke Is Brian Bolland’s Magnum Opus

Batman: The Killing Joke is a famous and influential comic book that explores the complicated relationship between Batman and the Joker. Even though it was released some time ago, its visual style and storytelling continue to have a significant impact on the Batman mythos.

Look, Alan Moore is a legend – seriously, the guy almost never misses. But when I think about The Killing Joke, Brian Bolland’s art is what really sticks with me. He just nailed the look of Batman and the Joker, making everything feel so detailed and… unsettlingly real. The colors are kinda creepy, his character designs are iconic, and honestly, some of those panels are just masterpieces. It’s easily one of the best-looking comics from the 80s, visually speaking.

Batman: Year One Is A Visual Feast From Start to Finish

It’s understandable to feel like Batman dominated the covers of DC Comics in the 1980s. However, he was, and remains, DC’s most successful character, so it makes sense that their top artists were assigned to work on the Batman series.

Batman: Year One is a highly acclaimed comic book that tells the story of Batman’s beginnings and the city of Gotham. Artist David Mazzucchelli completely reimagines Batman’s appearance, creating a visually stunning and memorable experience. The book is filled with incredible artwork, exciting action, and has established some of the most recognizable designs for DC Comics’ famous characters.

Animal Man Constantly Shook Up The Comic Book Status Quo

While Grant Morrison is famous for writing Animal Man, artist Chaz Truog deserves a lot of credit too. Truog’s fantastic artwork – including detailed lines, creative page designs, and ability to show real emotion – was essential in making the comic so unique and memorable.

Man, playing through the old Animal Man comics really showed me what comics could be back in the ’80s, and that’s what made that time so awesome. It wasn’t just the stories, but how different everything looked and how creators were really willing to try new things and push the limits. It was a really creative period, and I loved it.

Watchmen Is An Undeniable Work of Artistic Genius

Alan Moore’s writing on Watchmen is truly outstanding, and he deserves a lot of praise. However, artist Dave Gibbons is equally crucial to the comic’s success. He brings such rich detail and atmosphere to the world of Watchmen that it’s hard to picture anyone else illustrating it.

Gibbons’ artwork truly brings characters like Nite-Owl, Rorschach, and Doctor Manhattan to life, packing each panel with emotion and detail. Watchmen is a stunning visual achievement, and its innovative page layouts have influenced countless other high-quality comics. While fans consistently celebrate Watchmen, it might not receive the full recognition it deserves.

George Pérez’s Wonder Woman Is His Finest Achievement

As a huge comic book fan, I always thought George Pérez was the defining artist of the ’80s. He did so much amazing work, like Crisis on Infinite Earths, but for me, his run on Wonder Woman is his masterpiece. Starting with Wonder Woman #1 in 1986, he completely reimagined the character and launched her into a new generation. It really was something special!

Pérez’s work established the iconic look of Wonder Woman that most artists who followed tried – and usually didn’t quite manage – to replicate. He was a highly skilled artist, and though he created many fantastic comics, his work on Wonder Woman is considered his greatest achievement.

The Sandman Kicked Off With A Bold New Style of Comic Book Storytelling

DC’s Vertigo comic, The Sandman, involved many artists collaborating with writer Neil Gaiman. Though the series mainly came out in the 1990s, the initial issues illustrated by the renowned Sam Kieth were crucial in setting the distinctive mood and style of this extraordinary story.

As a huge Sandman fan, I always thought Kieth’s art style was perfect for the book. It was so bold and expressive – exactly what the series needed to really come alive. Sandman is honestly one of the best comics ever, and a lot of that is down to the amazing visuals, especially how Kieth started things off. Sure, other fantastic artists like Dringenberg and Jones worked on it too, but Kieth’s initial work really set the tone and, in my opinion, nothing else quite matched it.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Is Frank Miller At His Very Best

If someone says Batman: The Dark Knight Returns doesn’t deserve the praise it gets, they’re mistaken. Many classic comic book stories haven’t held up well over time, but Frank Miller’s work is a true exception. It reinvented Batman after years of traditional superhero stories, ushering in a new era for comics – and the incredible artwork played a huge role in that impact.

Frank Miller’s distinctive art style, unusual sense of timing, and creative page layouts made The Dark Knight Returns an instant classic. It remains the benchmark for exceptional comic book art, and many consider it DC Comics’ greatest visual accomplishment of the 1980s – and perhaps of all time.

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2025-11-06 19:09