10 Amazing Comics You've Never Heard Of

Traditionally, comic books have always been seen as the domain of superheroes. More to the point, they are overrun by mainstream heroes such as Batman and Spider-man; instantly recognisable characters who have rarely, if ever, been out of print since their creation. 

But the comic book form is an ever-expanding medium, and few realise just how diverse comics can be. With publishers churning out titles focusing on fantasy, horror, comedy, and even realism, there's something out there for everyone. Titles and concepts that were previously considered niche are, with the help of the internet, now able to reach wider and wider audiences, and even the most specialist of concepts can produce works that are far superior to the more mainstream books. 

But because Marvel and their Distinguished Competition so utterly dominate the comics scene, many great books fall by the wayside. Even within the Big Two, there have been plenty of smaller books that, lacking either high-profile characters or big name creators, were overshadowed by the larger, more commercial titles. They deserve no less praise or attention.

And of course, discovering gems like the following ten is what comic book collecting is all about: from superheroes to alternate history, from horror to comedy, these are titles that everyone should read, even if nobody has heard of them.

Formerly a top-secret team working for H.A.T.E. (the Highest Anti-Terrorism Effort), the NextWave team went rogue after discovered that their bosses were actually terrorists in disguise. 

Featuring lesser-known characters including Eiza Bloodstone and Machine Man, the first issue saw the team fighting off both Fin Fang Foom and a group of genetically-engineered broccoli and just got weirder from there. Despite their short-lived career (the book only lasted for 12 issues), the team managed to fight just about everything from giant robots and demonic hordes to killer koala bears and Elvis M.O.D.O.K.s in their attempt to defeat the Beyond Corporation.

NextWave really stands out from the crowd for not giving a damn about the continuity that is so precious to publishers and readers alike. The series made a point of focusing on action over personal development, lamp-shading common tropes, and having people act completely out of character. 

Set in what may or may not be an alternate timeline, featuring mostly second- or third-rate heroes, the story was told exclusively in two-issue arcs that felt like action films translated directly to the page.

NextWave is also probably the only comic book to have its own theme tune, despite never being adapted for television or film.