If you had to start a collection of omnibus editions from scratch with just five volumes, which ones would you choose? This is a question we’re often asked, and after giving it a lot of thought, we’ve come up with this list. They aren’t necessarily the most popular or the most expensive: they’re the ones every serious comic book reader should read at least once.
1. The Mighty Thor by Walter Simonson Omnibus
The Mighty Thor by Walter Simonson Omnibus is considered by many critics to be one of the top 5 superhero runs in the history of American comics. Walter Simonson took over Thor in 1983 as writer-artist and reinvented him from scratch: he introduced Beta Ray Bill, turned Thor into a frog, experimented with impossible narrative structures (issues without dialogue, onomatopoeia turned into visual elements) and elevated the character’s mythology to heights that not even Jack Kirby reached.
Why it’s a must-read: it’s the perfect example of a singular author with a complete vision. If you’re only going to read one Thor in your life, let it be this one.
2. Daredevil by Frank Miller Omnibus
Daredevil by Frank Miller Omnibus brings together the run that transformed Daredevil from a minor Marvel character into one of the publisher’s most respected titles. It includes Born Again, considered one of the 10 best superhero stories ever written.
Why it’s a must-have: Miller is one of the most influential writers in modern comics, and this is his most sustained body of work. The run influenced Batman, noir comics, adult manga and the Netflix series. Absolute classic.
3. Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont Omnibus Vol. 2
The Dark Phoenix Saga is in this volume. For many readers, it is the best story ever told in a superhero comic: Jean Grey, possessed by the cosmic entity Phoenix, becomes the greatest threat to the universe and sacrifices her life to save the X-Men.
Why it’s a must-have: Claremont and Byrne’s X-Men is one of the absolute pinnacles of American comics. Furthermore, it includes Days of Future Past, which directly inspired the film of the same name and defined the time-travel genre in superhero comics.
4. Batman by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo Omnibus Vol. 1
The Snyder-Capullo run of the New 52 introduced the Court of Owls: the secret organisation that had been controlling Gotham from the shadows for centuries. It is the most significant new concept added to the Batman mythos in the last 30 years.
Why you can’t miss it: the definitive modern Batman. If you want to understand why Batman remains DC’s most commercial character in 2026, start here. And it has the unique advantage of being available in Spanish via ECC Ediciones.
5. Ultimate Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1
Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley wrote 111 consecutive issues of Ultimate Spider-Man without interruption: the absolute record for a modern Marvel series. Their collaboration is, for many critics, the best Spider-Man ever written.
Why it’s a must-have: it’s the most accessible Spider-Man for a new reader. It reimagines the character’s origin without the 40 years of continuity of the classic Spider-Man. Furthermore, this run forms the direct basis for the style that Marvel Studios would later use in the films.
What’s missing from this list?
Lots of things. Watchmen should be on it, but it doesn’t have an omnibus format as such. All-Star Superman would be the obvious sixth choice. Jason Aaron’s Thor, Johns’ Green Lantern, and Neil Gaiman’s Eternals also deserve a spot. But this list is for five, and there are five.
If you already have these, you’ve got plenty of criteria to choose the next ones. If you don’t have any, start with number 1 and work your way down.
All those mentioned are available in our catalogue.
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