Summary
Regarding comics, very few publishers can contend withAction Labsas one of the best of recent times. The American publishing company, renowned for publishing books that cater to all ages, was founded by Shawn Pryor, Dave Dwonch, and Shawn Gabborin in October 2010. Since then, it has published some of the most impressive graphic books, making waves in the comic industry.
Action Labs carved a niche in the landscape with books that blend humor, adventure, and social commentary, working with relatable themes. This article aims to shine the torch on the ten best comics published by Action Lab, from horror comedies to superhero tales. So dive in, fans of comic books, as we rank the top ten books that have made Action Lab a bigwig in the industry.
10Skyward
In a Sky Without Limits, Danger’s Always on the Horizon
Skywardis an adventurous series that tells the intriguing story of Willa Fowler. It is set in a world where gravity has fallen apart for twenty years, and the world has been turned upside down. This strange shift results in a floating world and giant-sized insects, among many other oddities.
The series focuses on how society adapts to this new altered reality and Willa’s journey through this strange landscape as she tries to uncover details around her birth and the science behind the new reality. The comic is an inventive exploration of an alternative reality, seamlessly blending science fiction and adventure. Aside from criticism of poor character development and poor execution of a brilliant concept,Skywardis anenjoyable read for dystopian fans.
9Molly Danger
Super Strength, Super Speed, And a Whole Lot of Trouble
Molly Dangermay be a little girl, but make no mistake — she’s as strong as ten men. Fortunately, Molly has been putting her superhuman strength to good use; protecting her hometown for the past 20 years alongside a team called D.A.R.T. (the Danger Action Response Team).
Together, they fight to protect her town against threats like the Supermechs, the bad guys with cybernetically enhanced features. It’s a tough life, and Molly just wants a life of normalcy, which she’s convinced she can’t get. But everything changes when D.A.R.T. hires a new pilot, who becomes a key figure in her journey with D.A.R.T. The comic book series is most applauded for its character development and representation of what being a hero truly entails.
8Cash & Carrie
Two Detectives, No Case Too Weird
Cash & Carrieis a comedic series created by Shawn Pryor and Giulie Speziani. The series combines the themes of crime and humor to create a story as intriguing as it is hilarious, with its two oddball protagonists.
Detectives Dallas Cash and Inez Carrie are the most unusual team, managing to complement each other perfectly. Their dynamic relationship lands them in the most chaotic situations but gives rise to iconic comedic moments, solving mysteries deep in the underbelly of their city.Cash & Carriehas the perfect balance of humor and mystery to appeal strongly to fans of both genres.
7Action Lab: Dog of Wonder
Saving The World, One Paw at a Time
Interestingly,Action Lab: Dog of Wonderfeatures the company’s mascot, Action Lab, who appears on the cover of the book series as the dog with the jetpack. Starting publication in 2016, the comic book series features a thrilling blend of sci-fi, adventure, and action. It is as fun and quirky as one would expect from a series with a protagonist dog.
Action Lab: Dog of Wondercenters around a superdog with extraordinary abilities who navigates life as a superhero and a dog. The story is a lighthearted, whimsical, and fun journey of a superhero dog facing a world of villains and other heroes and having his own share of battles. The only criticism the comic faces is its tendency to be too lighthearted, bordering on silly.
6Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noiris a comic series adapted from the first and second seasons of the TV series of the same title. It is a famous, well-lauded, popular animated series that follows the lives of two teenagers, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste, who turn into the superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir, the dynamic duo who protect Paris from supervillains using charms.
The series brilliantly combines action and adventure and has anoverarching theme of friendshipthat inspires readers of all ages. There’s also the sizzling romantic subplot between the protagonists, who initially don’t know each other’s true identities. The comic book series explores their characters deeper and adds depth to the plot, making it even more superb.
5Vampblade
The Bigger The Stake, The Sharper The Blade
Vampbladeis a comic book series by Winston Young and Jason Martin, published by Action Lab Comics, loved for its special blend of humor and horror. It follows the story of Katie, an aspiring comic artist, fan, and comic store manager, who one day discovers a mysterious comic book that allows her to transform into a vampire hunter.
She navigates a new life as a comic book manager by day and a vampire hunter by night, battling supernatural creatures and menacing vampires while grasping the last shreds of normalcy. A fascinating read,Vampbladecovers themes of empowerment and self-discovery, highlighting the challenges of a dual identity and keeping a delicate balance.
4The F1rst Hero
The F1rst Herois a superhero comic series created by Anthony Ruttgaizer and published by Action Lab Comics. The series introduces Jack Roth, a man who wakes up to a scary reality one day: he has superpowers. In any other reality, superpowers might be a good thing, but they are a catastrophic gift in Jack Roth’s world.
In Jack’s world, everyone who has superpowers ends up insane and a menace to society, becoming the very opposite of what they should represent. However, the reality is different for Jack, who keeps his sanity and good judgment despite his newly developed powers. He now has to choose between using his powers to be a hero, thereby putting himself at risk, or doing nothing, abusing his gift, and watching others get hurt. With great power comes great responsibility. The series is a great example of how choices and sacrifices also define power.
3Spencer & Locke
Who Needs a Partner When You Have an Imaginary One?
Spencer & Lockeis apsychological thrillercomic book by David Pepose and artist Jorge Santiago, Jr, which Action Lab Comics first published in April 2017. The comic follows Detective Locke as he investigates the brutal murder of his childhood sweetheart, Sophie Jenkins, with the help of his childhood imaginary friend, Spencer, a talking panther.
They navigate a world filled with crime, corruption, and unimaginable horror. The duo faces opposition from every angle and must confront a traumatic past, which is key to cracking the case and learning the truth about Sophie’s murder. The series garnered positive reviews for its innovative noir style, character, and plot depth and has further spawned sequels.
2Princeless
The Rich Steal Lives; I Just Steal What’s Left
Princeless, another top critically acclaimed comic book series published by Action Lab Comics, makes a grand entry on this list. Created by Jeremy Whitley, the series has received multiple awards, including two Eisner Awards and five Glyph Comic Awards.
The story focuses on the character Princess Adrienne, a strong-willed and determined young woman who rebels against traditional stereotypes ascribed to her as a princess. Adrienne decides to live by her own rule but is tricked into imprisonment by age 16. Determined as ever, she escapes her confinement and embarks on a journey to free her sisters, who were also imprisoned. The series promotes the importance of self-reliance andfemale empowerment, making it a good, inspiring read for young readers.
1Zombie Tramp
Who Needs Brains When You’ve Got a Body to Die For?
Before Action Lab began publishingZombie Trampin 2013, creator Dan Mendoza self-published the horror comedy graphic novel series. The story centers on Janey Belle, a zombie and tramp operating in Hollywood, California.
After Janey becomes a zombie following a tragic event, she learns to embrace a new life as a zombie and a tramp. But it’s not easy navigating the gritty underworld with its unending set of threats. Janey confronts these challenges head-on with a touch of humor that makes her journey less wild than it is.Zombie Trampis one of Action Lab’s most popular and famous graphic book series, and for good reason.
