Anyone noticing a recurring theme in this pulpy graphic novel gift guide of this publisher’s works isn’t wrong. We love our golden age heroes! Without them, we wouldn’t have many of the blockbuster films and pop-culture icons we adore today. Their fingerprints are everywhere, and the fact that classic tropes still thrive on the big screen says a lot about their staying power. And who knows—maybe these stories will inspire a new generation of readers too.
Here’s a look at the best of the best, including some recent releases:
Defenders of the Earth
Originally an animated television series from 1986, this property endures because of its powerhouse team-up of heroes past and present—Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, and Mandrake’s assistant Lothar—facing off against Ming the Merciless in the far-off future of 2015. Although that was a decade ago in our reality, the series stands the test of time. The complete series home video release is still in print (Amazon link).
Reading this work is a guilty pleasure, and while some knowledge of the series is helpful, the way this collection recaps events is quite decent. Not only has Mad Cave republished the original run of comic books, they also have an ongoing series. The result is a delightful blend of retro charm and modern sensibility. Coming soon is Dark Destiny, which continues the adventures!
Dick Tracy (IDW/The Library of American Comics & Mad Cave)
Any fan of the detective that started it all will enjoy the Complete Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy strips brought back to life. Although one publisher started this print run in deluxe hardcover format, the licensing was moved over to LoAC and the series (now up to 29 volumes) is crafted for collectors who like their noir clean, crisp, and historically intact.
Although that run has seemingly ended, Mad Cave Publishing has its own take. In addition to their trade paperback releases (volume one and two are available), they have a hardcover edition (Amazon link). Technically, there’s no huge difference other than one being more shelf-stable.
Flash Gordon
Mad Cave’s revival of Flash Gordon blasted off at the start of the year, and all that pulp-powered energy is a marvel to behold. Many modern fans don’t realize how deeply this hero inspired the visions of George Lucas and the Russo Brothers, but these new comics help connect the dots. Whether through the original material or the new stories penned by today’s writers, these adventures honour the spirit of the classic strips.
The Classic Collection—now up to four volumes and growing—offers Alex Raymond’s original strips in restored form. For readers seeking fresh tales, The Quarterly Collection shows just how many wild adventures Flash tackled before drifting out of mainstream view.
Gatchaman
Many fans of Battle of the Planets will sooner or later learn about the changes made to make the American take more palatable. And later in life, they’ll want to check out the saga that started it all. After that’s done, what else is there to enjoy? Thankfully, this publisher has taken up the challenge to continue the legacy.
This updated take gives the Gatchaman team (Ken, Jun, Joe, and the others) a sleek modern look that feels wonderfully at home with fond memories of what was, while leaning into a more contemporary style. With Volumes One and Two available, plus collected editions of Only One Earth and the Solo Adventures, there’s plenty here for long-time fans. There’s even a villain-centric spin-off, Galactor!
Hound Original Graphic Novel
Without this release, I probably would not have the admiration I do for what this publisher puts out. Set in the mud and terror of the First World War’s Western Front, Hound follows Private William Barrow, a “tosher” whose job is to scavenge the trenches for anything useful—or profitable.
What begins as a grim survival gig spirals into something much darker as Barrow’s unit crosses paths with a strange cult-like group meddling with forces best left alone. It’s part war comic, part psychological horror, leaning into the idea that the worst monsters sometimes wear uniforms.
The Last Session Vol. 1: Roll for Initiative TPB
A college friend group reunites to finally finish the tabletop RPG campaign that defined their younger years—only to discover that both life and friendships have shifted. Things get trickier when a new player, Audrey, joins the table and nudges everyone to confront old wounds and new perspectives. It’s a cosy, queer-centred slice-of-life comic using role-playing tropes to explore growing up, moving on, and deciding which relationships you’re willing to roll for.
Nottingham Vol. 1: Death and Taxes TPB
In this grimy reimagining of the Robin Hood legend, the Sheriff of Nottingham is no cartoon villain but a hardened investigator hunting a killer targeting his tax collectors. The Merry Men become a ruthless insurgent cell, and the politics of rebellion, propaganda, and power take centre stage. This first volume sets the tone for Mad Cave’s “medieval noir” aesthetic.
Many more volumes have been released since its first publication, and it remains one of this company’s flagship titles. With Tales from Nottingham Vol. 1, the companion volume expanding the world of Sherwood even further, these volumes are recommended before diving in deeper. This IP is ideal for readers hungry for moral ambiguity.
The Phantom Vol. 1 TPB
Although this collection won’t be available until early 2026, it’s worth noting to complete the roster of pulp action heroes licensed by this publisher for a revival. For a look at the original strips, please check out The Phantom The Complete Series: The Charlton Years.
The Gold Key years are no longer in print, but can be found on the secondary market. For the latest, this modern take is a soft update of the legend. Known as the “Ghost Who Walks,” The Phantom isn’t just one masked hero—he’s a lineage, a mantle passed down for centuries so criminals fear a hero who seems almost immortal. He predates heroes like Batman, where it’s reputation, skill, and good old-fashioned detective work that protect his world from hunters and other dregs of society.
For anyone curious about where masked heroes wearing tights came from, The Phantom is deserving of a place on the bookshelf.
Prairie Gods Vol. 1 TPB
Billed as The Twilight Zone meets Sin City with a B-movie/Tarantino glaze, this anthology explores supernatural misadventures across the prairie town of Broadacres. Each chapter focuses on different characters—race-car daredevils racing the Devil, treasure hunters, soldiers, and unlucky locals—ensnared in occult chaos that never plays fair. It’s a moody, pulpy blend of horror, crime, and weird-western energy.
Stargazer GN
No curiosity seeker wondering why some people get abducted by aliens should miss out on this title. Twenty years after a childhood event of getting taken by little green men, a group of friends has chalked it up to trauma, misremembered dreams, or something mundane. However, when strange lights return and the old mystery resurfaces, they’re forced to confront what actually happened and how it reshaped their lives.
What unfolds is a slow-burn character drama with UFOs as the catalyst, exploring memory, mental health, and how shared experiences fracture over time. It has more bite than many other tales in this vein, and it ranks right up there with what Dark Horse Comics has been doing with their own Blue Book (now going Red) series. The key difference lies in telling an original story rather than reinterpreting familiar cases.
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