8 Best Comics-Inspired TV Shows Beyond Marvel and DC
When you take a look at the TV networks and streaming platforms today, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of shows based on comic books. From Marvel’s popular Disney+ series that tie in with their movies, to DC’s vast array of shows on The CW, comic fans have no shortage of quality adaptations to enjoy.
But good comic-inspired series aren’t limited to Marvel or DC superheroes. Some of the biggest fan-favorite TV shows in recent years — from Riverdale to The Walking Dead — emerged from the illustrative pens at other publishers.
Scroll down to see which other comic-to-TV adaptations are worth your time.
The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)
A gang of dysfunctional kids with superpowers has been a tried and true formula in movies and TV. But few do it as well as Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. Starring Elliot Page as one of the empowered kids, The Umbrella Academy blends comedy, action and some dark themes to create a grippingly entertaining show based on the comics series published by Dark Horse. The series became one of Netflix’s most-streamed ever, and we can’t wait to see where it goes next with Season 3.
The Umbrella Academy, Season 3, TBA, Netflix
Riverdale (The CW)
Who would’ve known Archie could be involved in so much drama? The CW’s juicy high school series reimagined the classic Archie Comics characters in a modern day small town full of murder, mystery and intrigue. Even though it’s gone through a lot of twists and turns since it began, the show is still going strong with Season 6 on the way. Riverdale proves that sometimes a new twist on a classic can be a huge success.
Riverdale, Season 6, returns Summer 2021, The CW
The Walking Dead (AMC)
Love it or hate it, few series have had as big an impact as The Walking Dead. The story follows a group of survivors in a world overrun by zombies, but it also shows how people can turn into monsters in more ways than one. It made zombies a cultural mainstay when it premiered, and its tense anyone-can-die-at-any-moment style of storytelling has gripped its fans over the years. Based on Robert Kirkman‘s black-and-white comic series published by Image Comics, The Walking Dead is one of the best examples of a less-mainstream comic adaptation turning into a hit.
The Walking Dead, returns Summer 2021, AMC
The Boys (Amazon Prime Video)
There’s a lot of words you can use to describe Amazon’s The Boys; boring isn’t one of them. After all, how many shows depict superheroes doing terrible things as predators, corporate shills or literal homicidal maniacs? With a unique premise that shows the dark side of superheroes, The Boys depicts a cynical world where superpowered people aren’t just glorified saints but real people — good and evil. It’s also based on the comic series picked up by Dynamite Entertainment after being dropped by DC. With a third season on the way, we can’t wait to see which boundaries The Boys will push next.
The Boys, Season 3, TBA, Amazon Prime Video
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix)
Another newer take on a classic, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was set in the same universe as Riverdale and starred Kiernan Shipka as the titular witch from the classic Archie Comics series. Although its been adapted numerous times over the years, this series took a more modern approach that incorporated heaps of horror and drama. While the show referenced Riverdale a few times and vice versa, fans never got a real crossover before Netflix cancelled the series last year after four seasons.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Streaming, Netflix
Invincible (Amazon Prime Video)
Another Robert Kirkman adaptation, Amazon’s Invincible is based on the Image Comics series that follows Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) — son of the most powerful superhero alive, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons) —as he develops his powers under his father’s guidance. With smart storytelling that challenges the tropes of superhero stories and teen dramas, Invincible has proven to be a hit for Amazon with at least two more seasons on the way.
Invincible, Season 2, TBA, Amazon Prime Video
Locke & Key (Netflix)
Based on Joe Hill’s comic series of the same name published by IDW, Netflix’s Locke & Key follows a trio of siblings who move into a house and discover magical keys that open doors into other worlds. At the same time, they are pursued by an evil demonic entity who is searching for those keys as well. Dealing with issues of loss and trauma, Locke & Key is a thrilling adaptation of horror.
Locke & Key, Season 2, returning 2021, Netflix
The Tick (Amazon Prime Video)
When it comes to comic book superheroes, the Tick may be one of the funniest ever. Created as a mascot for the New England Comics chain, the Tick is a grown man in a blue costume whose catchphrase is “Spooooooon!” — and that may tell you all you need to know about how serious he is. It has been adapted to TV three times, most recently in Amazon’s The Tick starring Peter Serafinowicz. The show became a fan favorite by poking fun at the conventions of the genre with its stylized over-the-top humor. Sadly, Amazon declined to renew the series after its second season, but maybe one day The Tick will grace our screens again.
The Tick, Streaming, Amazon Prime Video.
