Yes! You read that right. It isn’t a typo. We’ve all seen superhero movies. From Iron Man to Justice League, everything here is based off the comic books we know and love.
Last time, I covered some comics based on Star Trek. So it got me thinking, how many comics have I read that are based off of film & television?
Turns out, it’s a lot.
While turning comics and graphic novels into blockbuster movies and crazy TV shows is the norm, many times it’s the show or the movie that influences the public to create a comic series.
Like our beloved Agent Phil Coulson from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D is a big screen phenomenon that made his comic book debut after his movie debut. It was Battle Scars #6 in April 2012, a full 4 years after his debut in Iron Man (2008). Not to mention appearing in Spiderman animated series as a supporting character (and even dating Aunt May).
Ok I should stop there, otherwise I’ll ramble on for hours.
So getting back to the point, I’m not talking about one-shots, or single issue tie-ins or simply comic adaptations of the movies. I’m talking comics that have taken an identity onto themselves.
Like Doctor Who, or Star Trek, or Star Wars. Where sure, the shows exist, but the comics have a life of their own.
So here’s 5 film and tv shows that have comics based on them.
Indiana Jones
Our favourite history professor has a storied career in the movies. Not only were the films and TV show adapted into comics, Marvel and later Dark Horse published a series of comics about other adventures of Indiana Jones.
Transformers
Originally a toy line co produced by Hasbro and Takara, Transformers was a hit animated TV show that spawned into more toy, more shows, multiple movies, Michael Bay debacles, and of course comics. They’ve have had crossovers with GI Joe, Ghostbusters, Angry Birds, Terminator, and even My Little Pony. The newest being a crossover with Back to the Future. The Transformers comic is extensive AF. I will probably do a dive into what you can read in a future article.
Doctor Who
The hit sci-fi TV show has been around for decades. And the comic books chronicle the already vast history and mythology of the Doctor and his adventures across space and time. Starting way back in the 60’s, and continuing to this day with the current Doctor’s adventures, the comics cover every incarnation of the Doctor, and stories that have and have not been covered in the show.
4. Ghostbusters
Yes, Ghostbusters. While many of us know about the movies, and the reboot. Not to mention the fun animated series, The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters. Many people don’t know that the films also spawned a successful comic series. While the original run tied in with The Real Ghostbusters animated show, IDW has continued to make one-shots and mini-series that delve deeper into the universe. Not to mention crossovers with The X-Files, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more.
5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The cult classic action horror TV show that was itself based on a movie. The show created by Joss Whedon ran from 1997 to 2003. Whedon went on to work on Firefly, Thor, Captain America, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Glee, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, among other. Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics cover what happens between the episodes, and beyond. From 2007, the comics published are a canonical continuation of the television series.
Some other honorable mentions include:
John Wick – The 5 part series serves as a prequel to the movie series.
Xena Warrior Princess – Covers adventures of the Warrior Princess beyond the TV show.
Alien, Predator and Alien vs. Predator – These films have spawned numerous comics over the years.
Words: Anant Sagar
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