Best Mystery Comic Books (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A reader hunting for a case to crack in panel form wants a comic that pairs mystery with art, which is what this best mystery comic books roundup delivers. Every figure below is taken from the listings.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	InvestiGators: All Tide Up by Green	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Absolute Batman Vol. 2 by Snyder	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Absolute Batman Vol. 3 by Snyder	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The Killing Joke by Moore	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Comic Book Grab Bag by unknown	9.2/10	Buy on Amazon

1

InvestiGators: All Tide Up by Green

John Patrick Green·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A kids' graphic novel where alligator detectives MANGO and BRASH unravel a maritime mystery.

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Pros

• Maritime mystery with alligator detectives
• 208 pages, September 26, 2023
• Book 7 of a 9-book series

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers only
• Book 7 of 9; start earlier for full context
• Some mysteries may continue in the next book

2

Absolute Batman Vol. 2 by Snyder

Scott Snyder·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A hardcover Batman volume where he confronts Mr. Freeze and Bane over the Ark M facility's secrets.

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Pros

• 224 pages in hardcover
• Collects Absolute Batman issues 7 to 14
• Published February 3, 2026

Cons

• Part of a series; start with an earlier volume
• The description states violent themes, so check before buying for a young reader
• No variant gallery details beyond the cover gallery

3

Absolute Batman Vol. 3 by Snyder

Scott Snyder·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Batman volume where the Joker, Poison Ivy and the Court of Owls surface around Ark M.

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Pros

• Collects the 2025 annual, Ark M and issues 15 to 18
• 208 pages, DC Comics
• Published September 8, 2026

Cons

• Part of a series; read Vol. 2 first
• Softcover, unlike Vol. 2's hardcover
• The description states battle scenes, so check before buying for a young reader

4

The Killing Joke by Moore

Alan Moore·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 96-page deluxe Joker origin by Alan Moore; skip it if you want a light read.

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Pros

• Deluxe edition recolored by artist Brian Bolland, per the listing
• Includes extra stories from Batman: Black and White #4 and Countdown #31
• Hardcover, 96 pages, published September 17, 2019

Cons

• Mature themes of violence and terror run through the story
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• 96 pages is the shortest pick here

5

Comic Book Grab Bag by unknown

unknown author·9.2/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A grab bag of 100 mostly-1990s comics with contents chosen by the seller.

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Pros

• 100 comics in one purchase
• Character requests accepted
• 1990s era comics

Cons

• Not mystery focused; contents are random
• Listing says 100 comics but print length is 20 pages
• Listing says some comics may not suit children

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More picks to compare

• Batman and Scooby-Doo Mysteries Vol. 6Batman and Mystery Inc. solve Gotham crimes, ages 8 to 12Check on Amazon
• Scooby-Doo and Batman Boxed SetFour mystery adventures in one boxed set, ages 8 to 11Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given; only the InvestiGators pick lists one. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best mystery comic books

Match the reader’s age

InvestiGators: All Tide Up lists a reading age of 7 to 10 years, marked as from customers, and grade level 2 to 3. The grab bag warns some comics may not suit children. For prose mysteries, see the thriller mystery books shelf.

Single case or ongoing series

InvestiGators is Book 7 of 9, so start earlier for full context; other long arcs appear in the mystery series lists. Absolute Batman Vol. 2 collects issues 7 to 14, and Vol. 3 follows with the 2025 annual, Ark M and issues 15 to 18.

Check what the volume collects

Vol. 2 states issues 7 to 14 with a variant cover gallery in 224 hardcover pages. Vol. 3 states the 2025 annual, Ark M and issues 15 to 18 in 208 softcover pages.

Before you buy

• Check which issues the volume collects so the story does not start mid-arc.
• Check the listed reading age against the reader; only one pick here lists one.
• Check the format: hardcover, softcover or grab bag, since contents differ.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is InvestiGators: All Tide Up for?

The listing gives a reading age of 7 to 10 years, marked as from customers.

Which Absolute Batman volume should I read first?

Vol. 2 collects issues #7-14; Vol. 3 follows with the 2025 annual, Ark M and issues 15 to 18. Read Vol. 2 first.

What age is the Batman and Scooby-Doo Mysteries Vol. 6 for?

The listing gives a reading age of 8 to 12 years and grade level 3 to 7.

Still deciding? Our top pickInvestiGators: All Tide Up by Green

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Related lists

See every thriller mystery list and all fiction lists.

More lists: horror comic books, mystery books with dogs and history mystery books.