Whether you want to enjoy Prime Video or super-speedy delivery, there are lots of benefits to using Amazon Prime. One you might not know about, however, is Prime Reading, which lets you read an extensive library of ebooks absolutely free.
You don't even need a Kindle, as you can simply download a reading app onto your smartphone or tablet. Prime Reading has something for everyone—including comic book fans. But with so much content to choose from, where to start? Here are 20 great graphic novels you can enjoy through Prime.
1. The Essential Calvin and Hobbes
Bill Waterson's much-loved comic creations, Calvin and Hobbes, have entertained thousands of people all over the world.
This Treasury brings together the first two Calvin and Hobbes collections, Calvin and Hobbes and Something Under The Bed Is Drooling. While it includes black-and-white daily strips and color strips from Sunday publications, it's optimized for viewing on color tablets.
2. Attack on Titan Vol. 1
A rare complete manga book available through Prime Reading, Attack on Titan is also one of the medium's strongest.
Seemingly-unintelligent Titans roam Earth, killing everyone they come into contact with. What's left of humanity is shielded behind 100-meter walls. But they won't last much longer. If you love post-apocalyptic stories, this is the book for you.
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The 2014 movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, is surely one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) strongest entries. With this as its inspiration, it's absolutely no wonder.
Written by the daring Ed Brubaker, these opening seven issues deliver plenty of shocks, reintroduces James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, and once more elevates Steve Rogers to his absolute best.
4. Captain Marvel: Higher, Further, Faster, More
And now to another superhero Captain! Carol Danvers reaches new heights here, fully embracing the Captain Marvel name formerly used by her predecessor, the Kree Mar-Vell.
Brie Larson plays Danvers in the MCU, and takes her "higher, further, faster" motto from this collection. The story reaffirms Captain Marvel's incredible interstellar scope—and her humanity, doubly noticeable as she tries to reunite an alien girl with her family.
5. The Complete Peanuts Vol. 1: 1950-1952
Good grief! Charlie Brown and friends have rightly become giants of the comic strip world, and this is how it all started.
It's an absolute joy to see the genesis of Charles Schultz's beloved characters, and even in those early days he manages to capture the lovely little moments in our lives with a sterling dry wit.
6. Batman: Year One
Anyone who's read Daredevil: Born Again will know what a master team Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli form. In Batman: Year One, they give DC fans a definitive origin for Brice Wayne. Miller's writing is exceptional, but it's Mazzucchelli's ingenious page layouts that make this such a satisfying read.
It's moody and dark. It's clever and innovative. It's everything you want from a Batman story.
7. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Avenger
Rewind a decade and few would know the names Star Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Groot, and Drax. Thanks to their on-screen exploits, everyone knows the Guardians of the Galaxy now, and if you're new to the cosmic comics, this is a solid place to start.
This is a fun read, with gorgeous art—and added Iron Man!
8. The Amazing Spider-Man: The Parker Luck
Following the divisive Superior Spider-Man, The Parker Luck establishes a new status-quo for the webslinger.
Peter Parker must deal with the consequences of Doctor Octopus stealing his body, which means troubles with his home life, his love life, and his time as Spidey. Plus, Electro and the Black Cat are out for revenge.
9. Chew: Taster's Choice
This is an unusual comic: Detective Tony Chu is Cibopathic, meaning he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. Which makes him rather good at his job. In a disgusting way.
But this manages to toe the line really well, being engaging, funny, and also surprisingly eye-opening. It's definitely worth checking out on Prime Reading.
10. The Walking Dead: Days Gone Bye
The Walking Dead is now one of the best-known zombie franchises, thanks to the TV adaptation of this excellent comic series.
Days Gone Bye collects the first six issues, introducing this horrifying dystopia as Rick Grimes wakes from a coma to find the walking dead at the door and his family gone. There are gruesome parts, but it's an adrenaline rush and really makes you care about the ragtag bunch he teams up with.
11. World War Hulk
The Hulk's "friends" teamed up and shot him into space, in a last-ditch attempt to stop his rampages from affecting mankind. But now he's found his way back to Earth and this collision course will set him up against the Avengers. Can they really hope to stop the strongest one there is?
Greg Pak tells a powerful story in all senses of the word. And John Romita Jr's astonishing art practically pops out from the page. A scarily good read.
12. The Incal Vol. 1: The Black Incal
Moebius is a comic legend, and nowhere is this more evident than in The Incal, his science fiction/fantasy masterstroke written by Alejandro Jodorowsky.
The French book is widely considered an instant classic. While its story is certainly a solid and enjoyable one, it's arguably Moebius' innovative artwork that makes this stand out.
13. The Tenth Doctor: Revolutions of Terror
Fans of the British sci-fi show, Doctor Who, will love catching up with David Tennant's Tenth Doctor again in this fun collection.
Written by Nick Abadzis (Laika) with art by Elena Casagrande (Black Widow) and Arianna Florean (G.I. Joe: Cobra), Revolutions of Terror welcomes in new companion, Gabby Gonzalez, an artist whose work then influences how the series unfolds. It's a breath of fresh air, and an utter joy.
14. Thor and Loki: Blood Brothers
The God of Thunder and the God of Mischief. Brothers. Rivals. Thor always ends up on top though, right?
Not this time. Loki is now King of Asgard. His brother is in chains. So what does Loki actually want? What do you do when you've achieved your life's goal? What's next when you've previously defined yourself as the opposition to whoever's in power? Rob Rodi (Journey Into Mystery) and Esad Ribic (Eternals) find out.
15. Criminal: Coward
Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' creator-owned title, Criminal, is a thrilling noir anthology in a shared world that's brutal, bloody, and thoroughly compelling.
Coward follows pickpocket and legendary heist-planner, Leo, as he gets caught up in a scheme that draws the attention of the police—and forces him into a life on the run from the law.
16. Skyward
20 years ago, Earth's gravity shifted, and humanity had to find a way to live in an upside-down world where a single jump could accidentally send you into the upper atmosphere.
Enter Willa Fowler, a normal girl who loves this crazy planet with no horizons; and whose father has a secret plan to bring everyone crashing back to terra firma.
17. Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet
Award-winning writer, Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and Me), guides T'Challa through a Wakanda gripped by civil war.
The African nation has kept itself to itself for so long, but now that violent uprisings threaten its monarchy and its people, how can the Black Panther stop Wakanda from eating itself? And what role does T'Challa's sister, Shuri, play in this affair, now that she's back from the land of the dead?
18. Unity Vol. 1: To Kill A King
For anyone unfamiliar with the publisher, Valiant, this book brings together its top heavy-hitters and unites them in an epic battle against a power that threatens all modern society.
While it's actually the culmination of numerous Valiant narratives, Unity remains a strong story with plenty of twists and enough excitement to make you consider splashing out on subsequent volumes. You can find them on Amazon or through a similar service like ComiXology.
19. Star Wars: Skywalker Strikes
Want to get transported back to the 1970s and immerse yourself in the worlds of Star Wars once more? Skywalker Strikes kicks off a new volume of stories set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.
Writer, Jason Aaron (Heroes Reborn), teams up with John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men) to deliver more exciting adventures for Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, R2D2, C3PO, and all your other favorites from a galaxy far, far away.
20. The Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks
Finish off your Prime Reading marathon by revisiting the greatest origin story ever told. Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider and gets the proportionate strength and agility of an arachnid.
His own selfishness results in the death of his beloved Uncle Ben and culture was changed forever. Remember: with great power, there must also come great responsibility.
What Is Your Favorite Graphic Novel?
You might have noticed that many of the titles here are Marvel. The publishing giant has captured the market here, delivering a load of free reads that'll hook you into buying subsequent stories.
It's a great marketing strategy. You can't argue with reading comics for free. If you discover a new favorite character or creative team in the process, then that's even better.