Fury Road At 10: Post-Apocalyptic Comics You Need to Read Now

Mad Max: Fury Road was a surprise critical hit when it was released 10 years ago this week, but looking back, it clearly had everything necessary to make it a classic of the action genre.  

Following in the footsteps of action film institutions like Aliens and Terminator 2, George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road pulled off a feat that we see way too infrequently in cinema: it was filled with plenty of fighting, car chases, and explosions, but still presented us with a tough action heroine—all while critiquing many of the problematic, hyper-masculine elements of the genre (including those of previous Mad Max films). Reducing Tom Hardy’s Max character (previously played by Mel Gibson) to more of a supporting role, Fury Road very deliberately shifts the focus to Furiosa, portrayed with grit, intelligence, and pathos by Charlize Theron. Between all of this, plus its superb pacing and heavy reliance on practical effects (yes, even the flamethrower guitar), Fury Road has endured as one of the best, most thought-provoking, and most relentlessly rewatchable action movies of the past decade.  

Of course, at the center of Fury Road is its iconic setting: a desert wasteland, resulting from years of war and the destruction of the environment. Which is to say, the perfect post-apocalyptic backdrop for zany souped-up vehicles driven by maniacs covered in spikes and football pads. The imagery of Mad Max has transcended the series and gone on to inspire pop culture media as diverse as Fallout, Fist of the North Star, Borderlands, and countless others (not to mention the much hated Waterworld, which is often described as “Mad Max on Water”). In addition to just being cool, the post-apocalyptic landscape is great from a storytelling standpoint, as it puts characters in extreme situations that test their determination, will to live, and sense of morality. In celebration of 10 years of Fury Road, we’ve selected some of our favorite comics to take place in a miserable wasteland of the future—some of which draw on the characteristics of the Mad Max franchise, while others take things in totally different directions. Regardless of your post-apocalyptic preferences, we have the comic for you.  

For more great comics, make sure to check out the offerings of your local branch as well as the Hoopla app.    

DMZ: The Deluxe Edition Book One

Sweet Tooth Deluxe Edition Book One

The Walking Dead Compendium Vol. 1

Wolverine: Old Man Logan

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth by Jack Kirby Vol. 1

East of West Vol. 1: The Promise

The Massive Vol. 1 Black Pacific

Snowpiercer 1: The Escape

Low Compendium

Tank Girl Classic