The 2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge is HERE!!!

Keeping the Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge from getting stale, I've made a new adjustment. Last year, I cut the number of books to read from 50 to 40. The lessened number of reads was a smart move. Battling a mystery aliment, that still has yet to be determined, there were many nights I was too exhausted mentally or physically to read before I went to bed. It was a blessing to not feel rushed, nor guilty, because my body and mind wouldn't let me relax the way I like and make continual progress towards my reading goals. 

This year, I am exploring the progression of characters, superhero teams and genres over the decades. I still kept some criteria that have been on my list since I started this challenge 4 years ago. There are a few returning favorites, like #4: About food, whereas I dropped the criteria about having to read a manga book for the first time ever. Maybe it will be back next year. 

Here are the rules, which have undergone their first change since I began my annual reading challenge. The rule that has changed is rule #1

THE RULES- 

1. I must read 40 graphic novels or comic books. The only exception is #40, which does involve reading a prose work of non-fiction about comic book history. Only certain criteria can be completed in any order. I do not have to start at #1 and work my way down to 40, unless they are progression criteria books. Those criteria are listed in numbers 6-26. For Example, I must read the Fantastic Four comic from the 1980s before I begin the FF comic from the 1990s. I then must complete that work before finishing with the team with a comic from the decade of the 2000s. However, I can read my 3 progression books about Superman (criteria #15-17) before choosing to read the Fantastic Four books from 3 different decades. Progression books can include one-shots, annuals, graphic novels or miniseries.

2. I might read a book that fits multiple criteria. But I can only use 1 criteria per book. For example from an older challenge, I might read Star Wars #1 which from the year I was born (1977). As that book was also published during the Bronze Age, I could select that one instead. It's up to me to choose which criteria I mark off.

3. Once a criteria is selected, it's off the board. I cannot go back and switch criteria. For example, if I marked off Star Wars #1 as being a book more than 20 years old from my list, I can't go back and switch it to the book that was when I was born just because I am having trouble finding other comics/graphic novels from the greatest year ever!

4. I must write a review of the book in order to receive full credit. Those reviews will be listed as being part of the reading challenge. Every month I will post the challenge list to show my progress. 

5. Finally, I have until midnight, December 31st to complete my readings. That final review must be posted by January 4th, 2027 since life could get in the way. In a year that has seen power outages, cancelled flights and unexpected illnesses, a couple days grace to complete the last review is probably not such a bad idea.

1. Comic from the Golden Age (1938-1955) 

2. Comic from the Silver Age (1956-1970) 

3. About Food

4. About Music

5. An Educational Comic

6. Fantastic Four Comic from the 1980s

7. Fantastic Four Comic from the 1990s

8. Fantastic Four Comic from the 2000s

9. Avengers Comic from the 1980s

10. Avengers Comic from the 1990s

11. Avengers Comic from the 2000s

12. Batman Comic from the 1970s

13. Batman Comic from the 1980s

14. Batman Comic from the 1990s

15. Superman Comic from the 1960s

16. Superman Comic from the 1970s

17. Superman Comic from the 1980s

18. Cartoon Comic Adaptation from the 1970s

19. Cartoon Comic Adaptation from the 1970s

20. Cartoon Comic Adaptation from the 1980s

21. Live Action TV Show Comic Adaptation from the 1960s

22. Live Action TV Show Comic Adaptation from the 1970s

23. Live Action Show Comic Adaptation from the 1980s or 90s

24. An Archie Comics release from the 1960s

25. An Archie Comics release from the 1970s

26. An Archie Comics release from the 1980s

27. An issue of Classics Illustrated 

28. An issue of Classics Illustrated Jr

29.  Fictional Comic About a Real Person

30. A movie adaption

31. A Biography

32. A Dark Horse Comic

33. An Image Comic

34. A comic about a holiday OTHER than Christmas

35. Work by Gail Simone, Grant Morrison or Brian K. Vaughn 

36.  Work by Jim Lee, Fiona Staples or Alex Ross

37.  A work released in 2026

38. A crime comic 

39.  A Star Wars comic

40. A prose non-fiction book about comic books