Cosmic Wars, Ancient Aliens, and Universe‑Shaking Battles — 8 Space‑Based Comics Every Fan Must Experience
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The space opera is one of the most reverential comic book genres. Comic books set in space can feel claustrophobic on a ship. They can be sprawling space epics when it comes to war between civilizations. The best space operas make readers question the meaning of humanity when aliens and cosmic entities are part of the story. I love superhero comics, but some of the best stories can also be found in space-based comics.
Here are eight comic book series set in space that you should check out now.
1. We Only Find Them When They’re Dead
Space-based comics like We Only Find Them When They’re Dead completely went under the radar in 2020. The comic is about the far future when humanity begins mining resources at the outer edges of space – the corpses of giant, dead humans in deep space.
Ancient, giant-sized, and celestial human-like beings are found dead in the furthest reaches of outer space. Humans begin harvesting and mining the corpses of these dead giants for raw materials. The practices cause social fracturing, religious zealotism, terrorism, and humanity to question the origin of God.
This 400-page hardcover collects the entire 15-issue epic. Buy on Amazon for $26.54.
2. Flash Gordon Vol. 1: Escape from Planet Death!
Flash Gordon was the original blueprint for a lot of the space-based comics fan love today. This is the reimagining of the IP for a new generation by Mad Cave Publishing. Flash Gordon wakes up as a prisoner on another planet.
He must escape, save Dale Arden, and stop an interplanetary conspiracy. Flash must also contend with Ming the Merciless and a potential galactic war with Earth.
This 160-page hardcover collects the first storyline. Buy it now on Amazon for $25.
3. Sentient
In the future, humans will colonize outer space. Humans live in giant star cruisers in cooperatives with their children. However, there are violent separatist factions amongst these space colonizers. After an attack on the U.S.S. Montgomery, all the adults on the ship are dead – only the children are alive.
The onboard A.I., VALARIE, becomes a surrogate parent to the remaining children. VALARIE tries to protect the children, teach them, and prepare them for future attacks.
Buy the 162-page hardcover on Amazon for $49.99.
4. Saga
Saga is one of the most critically acclaimed space-based comics of the last generation. It is about war, parenthood, and the persistence of human nature in wartime, even in the deep cosmos. Alana and Marko are lovers, each a member of long-feuding races from long-warring planets. They have a baby, Hazel. The new parents struggle to raise Hazel in the middle of a galactic war where no one is safe, and the value of life is low.
The 160-page hardcover collects the first epic storyline in the long-running series. Buy it now on Amazon for $20.
5. Annihilation Omnibus
Early 2000s space-based comics like this would go on to inspire the MCU Guardians of the Galaxy films. Annihilus commands a space armada so massive that it is akin to an annihilation wave. The wave is heading towards Earth. Every cosmic Marvel hero bands together to stop Annihilus before it’s too late.
Buy the 860-page omnibus on Kindle now for $39.99.
6. Absolute Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War
This 2007 space epic would redefine Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, and Sinestro for a new generation of readers. The formerly dead Hal Jordan is back. Sinestro founds his own corps with the power of fear. Also, Sinestro gains the power of the ancient, evil entity Parallax in his war against the Green Lantern Corps.
This galaxy-spanning space war would redefine the Green Lantern mythos in ways that still reverberate in the comic to this day.
Buy the 448-page hardcover from Amazon now for $87.
7. Outer Darkness Volume 1: Each Other’s Throats
In the future, humanity has begun colonizing the stars. However, they are beginning to find horrors in the depths of space. Captain Rigg and the crew of his ship, the Charon, must deal with these horrors while trying to get along and depend on each other in the depths of space.
This 152-page paperback collects the entire six-issue series. Buy it now on Amazon for $15.96.
8. Sea of Stars Volume 1: Lost in the Wild Heavens
Gil is a long-haul space trucker ferrying cargo into the farthest reaches of space. Gil is a recent widower and takes his son Kadyn along on his trips to deep space. After an attack by a cosmic monster, Gil loses Kadyn. Meanwhile, Kadyn starts developing powers. Additionally, Kadyn comes across an ancient race of beings who think he is their ancient god.
Buy this 136-page paperback collecting the first storyline for $12 on Amazon.
Space‑Based Comics
Space opera comic books offer limitless storytelling potential. Comic book stories set in space don’t feature the safety or boundary settings of Earth. Stories in space examine cosmic horror, the fight for resources, ethnic and alien diversity, and the struggle to survive in space. While superhero comics are popular, they can sometimes be too predictable. Don’t miss out on the unpredictability, suspense, and epic storytelling in space-based comics.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College and has decades of experience in comic investing and personal finance. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen now focuses on comic book reviews, collectible investments, and helping others collect and enjoy comics.