It’s that time of year when we begin to look back on the best indie and small press comics of the year and reflect on our favourite titles from 2020. Now, you don’t need us to tell you that it’s been a pretty challenging year – it’s probably the most used cliche of the last 12 months – and comics have not been immune to this topsy turvy year. We’ve seen conventions cancelled, publishers in peril and comics delayed indefinitely. But we’ve also seen the creative spirit of indie and small press comics prevail. For some lockdown has been a source of inspiration, while for others it has been a motivating force and a chance to provide relief during these troubling times. While for others, they have just carried on regardless!!

Our traditional top 50 sees us look back on our pick of the best of the year, and while we have struggled to review every comic that came our way this year, (for a variety of reasons!) we have still covered quite a few, and been able to put together a pretty interesting list. However rather than claim this is the definitive list, we prefer to think of it as a breakdown of our favourite books from the year. As such there is very much an emphasis on books which we have enjoyed and been entertained by, as well as those that made us think or challenged us. If you think we’ve missed your favourite then be sure to send us a message in the comment or on twitter @pipedreamcomics

So, for those who are wondering, how do we choose the top 50? Well, the list is comprised of books which we have reviewed on the site. Submitting a book for review instantly gets you on the long long list. We then whittle that number down until we have our 50 favourites, which we hope reflect the range and diversity of comics we have read and reviewed this year. We then publish this rundown  10 issue at a time starting on December 26th.

In previous years, the top 10 have then been put to the public vote to declare a winner, however we have decided not to do that this year, and will explain why when we publish the top 10.

For now, though, enjoy the best indie comics of 2020!