5. Cursed Pirate Girl

Who is the creator? It is written and illustrated by Jeremy Bastian.

What’s it about? A young girl is thrust into the adventurous and dangerous world of piracy as she searches for her missing father. She encounters everything from mythical creatures to notorious captains along the way.

What’s it like? "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Treasure Island," "Alice in Wonderland"

Why should I read it? Along with a creative and engulfing plot, Bastian’s visuals are simply amazing. Depending on the complexity, each page of this novel takes him roughly a week to fully complete. With a small brush, he creates the most intricate of details to bring this magical world alive.

Other works by the creator? "Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard" and "Ye Olde Lore of Yore."

4. Space Riders

Who are the creators? It is written by Fabian Rangel Jr. and illustrated by Alexis Ziritt.

What’s it about? The Space Riders are a group of galactic crime fighters who traverse the cosmos in their ship, the Santa Muerte. Capitan Peligro and his crew stop any and all trouble that comes their way while also searching for the secrets of the universe.

What’s it like? "Star Wars," "Desperado," the "Odyssey"

Why should I read it? Rangel and Ziritt’s style is so unique, but still pays tribute to the front runners of the comic industry (Kirby, Steranko). This is the ultimate badass comic complete with insane missions, treacherous villains, cut-throat battles and spontaneous romance.

Other works by the creators? "Extinct" (Rangel Jr.) and multiple comic covers (Ziritt)

3. Tank Girl

Who are the creators? It is written and illustrated by Jaime Hewlett and Alan Martin.

What’s it about? Set in post-apocalyptic Australia, local hothead, Tank Girl, and her kangaroo boyfriend, Booga, travel across the endless desert getting into trouble and fighting baddies.

What’s it like? "Mad Max," "Kill Bill"

Why should I read it? Not only is every issue of Tank Girl packed with crude, but beautiful art, but every line will leave you laughing and scratching your head at the same time. Starting in the late '80s, Tank Girl has been around for many years and even spawned a 1995 movie starring Lori Petty ("Orange is the New Black"). You may recognize the distinct style of art from the design of the band Gorillaz. Hewlett, the artist of "Tank Girl" is the character designer and head artist for every Gorillaz music video.

Other works by the creators? Gorillaz art (Hewlett)

2. Deadly Class

Who are the creators? It is written by Rick Remender and illustrated by Lee Loughridge and Wes Craig.

What’s it about? Marcus Lopez is your typical slacker. He hates school, has no money and is always picked on. This all changes when he is exclusively invited to the King Dominion’s High School for the Deadly Arts, a school to train assassins.

What’s it like? "Kick Ass," "Fallen Angels"

Why should I read it? Mixing teen punk culture and classic action movie tropes, this story line is sure to interest you. There are many nods to bands, films and pop culture of the 1980s. Remender’s world is dark, moody and rich. The art is what really catapults this series into the spotlight. Some of the structure and pacing of the pages is amazing.

Other works by the creators? "Fear Agent" (Remender)

1. Love and Rockets (Locas)

Who are the creators? It is written and illustrated by Jaime Hernandez.

What’s it about? "Love and Rockets" follows Maggie, a high school student/travelling mechanic, through her adventures and mishaps with her girlfriend, Hopey and their crew of misfits in the town of Hoppers. Seeing as it started in the '80s while Maggie was in high school, the issues now follow her in middle age.

What’s it like? "Archie" (for adults), "SLC Punk," "Suburbia."

Why should I read it? I could go on for days about the absolute genius that the Hernandez Bros. exude into every square centimeter of the "Love and Rockets" series. This is a series that has been basically going non-stop for close to 30 years. It is by far my favorite comic series of all time, so the word biased is an understatement. Although it is one title, Jaime’s brother also works under this title with a different cast of characters. Just like the Locas series, his is the Palomar series. I have yet to read any of his works, but he has been going for the same length of time. The world that Jaime has created is vast, crazy and extremely relatable. The unique aspect about his series is time goes by just the same. When the series started, the title character was in her late teens. Now, she is a middle-aged woman dealing with a whole new slew of problems. Some issues of the comic could follow the characters on an uncharted island rancid with dinosaurs, and in another, they could be getting drunk at a bar on the corner. Anything goes with "Love and Rockets," and it is the example of some of the best storytelling and art I have ever seen. Jaime’s style has simplified over the years, but has never diminished. Every character is fully realized and brilliantly crafted. A must for any comic fan or fan of '80s punk culture.

Other works by the creator? "Amor y Cohetes"

I’ve always thought of comics as an under-rated medium. To the outside world, they have a stereotype of being a kid’s industry. Comics, believe it or not, can do just as much as a novel or a film. It’s all the same, but my most important advice is, don’t forget to give the little guys a chance too. Sure DC and Marvel tower over this industry like looming giants, but if you take the time to look closer, you’ll see some small gems chilling in their footprints.