In spite of the influx of TV series based on comic books, the genre continues to soar high, with new shows such asOne PieceandGen Vrising to the top of the list as soon as they premiere. It is not easy to bring the ambition and the mind-blowing creativity of comic book artists onto the screen. However, the advancement of technology in filmmaking enhances the availability and affordability of CGI, making it possible to portray the artists' visions on screen.
Therefore, TV series based on comic books have some of the most amazing cinematics and the most spectacular special effects. These television shows have evolved in recent years beyond the superhero storylines predominant in the Marvel and DC Comics Universe to include intense human stories and draw in more audiences. Thus, only the best of the best are recognized by fans and critics alike.
Titansfollows the young DC superheroes across the DC universe as they grow up and find their place while fighting against villains and other perils. The TV show isbased on the DC ComicTeen Titans, created by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani. The story begins when Rachel Roth (Raven), a girl possessed by a mysterious darkness, asks for protection from the police officer Dick Grayson. Upon learning about the Organization after Rachel Roth and the impending apocalypse, Dick chooses to re-establish the Titans to protect Rachel and destroy the Organization.
WhatMakesTitansGreat
The comic-based television show is among the best due to its action-packed, thrilling experience, well-crafted characters, and engaging storylines. The characters not only fight the evils threatening the world but also have to overcome personal demons and psychological struggles. Thus, despite theTitans’fantastical elements, the show is relatable due to its authentic narratives, depth of characters' personality traits, and bold tone.
Arrowis based on the DC Comics superheroGreen Arrow, created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp. It follows the story of a billionaire playboy, Oliver Queen when he returns to Starling City after being stranded on a mysterious island for five years. Oliver comes back home a changed man, ready to right the wrongs of his father by ridding the city of corrupt villains, drug dealers, and other criminals armed with an arrow and bow. Along the way, other allies join his crusade, forming a formidable team. By day, Oliver Queen is the carefree billionaire, but at night, he turns to the notorious vigilante the criminals fear and the police eagerly want to arrest.
WhatMakesArrowGreat
The series constantly surprises viewers by introducingnew villains every seasonand for its gripping storylines. In addition,Arrowprovides a steady supply of exciting action amidst unforgettable and richly written characters, especially Oliver Queen and his day-one partner, Felicity Smoak.
13 TV Series Based on Comics (That Aren’t Marvel or DC)
Not every TV series based on a comic comes from Marvel or DC. Here are 13 shows that bring different comics to life on the small screen.
A freak accident turns the genius forensic scientist and crime scene investigator Barry Allen into asuperhuman with extraordinary speed. The accident that gives him his powers also turns other people superhuman. Barry learns that others are using their powers for evil. Therefore, he becomes the superhero to protect the innocent. In addition, Barry has to solve the murder mystery of his mother and get his father out of prison.
WhatMakesThe FlashGreat
The Flashmaintains high standards of visuals and well-scripted villains. Grant Gustin’s epic and humorous screen presence as Barry Allen draws viewers in. Another fantastic aspect is the science-related plots, which give the series unique storylines, drawing in comic book and sci-fi fans alike with mentions of black holes, the multiverse, and particle accelerators. Notably, the viewers enjoy exciting dialogues and interactions from the diverse and versatile cast.
7Riverdale
A darker take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends from the Archie Comics series, Riverdale is a CW supernatural mystery series that sees the group trying to illuminate the truth surrounding various strange occurrences and murders in the titular town. When a teenage girl is found dead in the once-quiet town, the event starts a series of ever-growing mysteries that ultimately lead to darker secrets in the town’s history. Led by Archie, the Riverdale gang will attempt to navigate their new normal while dealing with all of the drama that comes with being high school teenagers.
Away from the superhero and supervillain themes is the mind-blowing adaptation of theArchiecomics in the ambitious, sprawling teen dramaRiverdale.The comic-based television showexcels in every plot twistas it follows the lives of Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, Archie Andrews, Veronica Lodge, and Cheryl Blossom. The show starts with a murder mystery and evolves into a serial killer story, introducing the serial killer gene, biker gangs, witches, and troubled kids with dark tendencies.
WhatMakesRiverdaleGreat
Riverdalestarts as an over-the-top show and constantly finds a way to outdo itself season after season. The series sees a perfect balance between musical episodes, time jumps, flashbacks to the 1950s, cults, multiverse stories, and characters having powers to give viewers a steady supply of live action, surprises, relationship drama, and complicated friendships.
6AgentsofS.H.I.E.L.D
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.is the first attempt at a Marvel Cinematic Universe crossover to television shows. The story follows Phil Coulson as he returns to the government’s secret law enforcement agency, S.H.I.E.L.D., to recruit a group of highly trained operatives to deal with mysterious cases threatening world peace. The agents face up with superhumans, aliens, and unknown villains.
What Makes Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D Great
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.Dconnects storylines in the larger comic-based Marvel Universe, boasting expansive narratives taking on various sci-fi tropes, including biological warfare, post-apocalyptic futures, hell dimensions, and artificial intelligence, among others. The series has the mostamazing spectrum of main and supporting charactersfor viewers to root for. The storylines and themes give characters personalities and add weight to the consequences of their choices. The viewers live through and resonate with the characters' emotions, making the series among the best comic-based TV series.
5TheUmbrellaAcademy
The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academyis based on comic books created by Gerard Way and starts in 1989 when a group of unrelated women showing no signs of pregnancy previously suddenly give birth. A wealthy billionaire industrialist, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, adopts seven children and establishes The Umbrella Academy. The children grow up together and forma dysfunctional familythat fractures after the death of one of them. Years later, the six surviving family members reunite after the death of Sir Reginald and create a superhero team in their attempt to solve their father’s death mystery.
WhatMakesThe Umbrella AcademyGreat
The Umbrella Academy’sexcellentplot encompasses dark humor and family drama that set it apart from other comic-based TV shows. The viewers invest in the characters' struggles and traumas, whose dynamics are dysfunctional yet endearing across several seasons.
4Smallville
Smallville
Smallvilletells the origin story of Superman, starting with his teenage years growing up on a farm in Smallville with his adoptive parents. Clark Kent crash lands in Kansas as a baby. His arrival leads to the appearance of scattered meteor rocks all over Smallville, creating mutational villains for him to deal with. In addition, he navigates life as a high school student, loves life, and has a complex bromance with his nemesis, Lex Luthor.
WhatMakesSmallvilleGreat
As the Superman origin story, fans applaudSmallvillefor its authentic storytelling with intriguing plots and consistent pacing. The show balances dark, gripping themes with light, heartfelt scenes, giving theworld’s strongest superhero a humane sideas he struggles to find his place and understand his roots.
3Daredevil
Daredevilis still one of the best Marvel Universe shows years after its cancelation. The comic-based series follows Matt Murdock as he fights criminals around the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in New York City as a blind lawyer by day and a masked vigilante at night. Matt Murdock uncovers the conspiracies of the underworld crime scenes and uses his superhuman senses to deliver justice denied in the courtroom.
What Makes Daredevil Great
Unlike other comic-based TV series set in mystical and fantastical worlds,Daredevilgrounds its characters in real-world situations.Therefore, the viewers relate to their struggles through realistic, exciting, and emotional storylines. Each character is significant to the plot, and the story dives into their pasts through flashbacks. In addition,Daredevilhas intense action sequences and is not afraid to get violent.
The 15 Best Comics That Continue Their Movies' Storylines
While there are many comics that have gone on to inspire hit movies, several movies have inspired their own comic book lines. Here are 15 of the best.
The comic-based seriesLuciferfollows the original fallen angel, Lucifer Morningstar, who gets tired of his life as the king of hell, abandons his throne, and decides to retire in Los Angeles. He is thrown into the world ofprocedural police investigationwhen a murder takes place around his club. He meets a homicide detective, Chloe Decker, who awakens something in him. In his desire to understand Chloe and her connection to his immortality, he joins the Los Angeles Police as a consultant.
WhatMakesLuciferGreat
The most compelling aspect ofLuciferis its blend of characters. Each character has a unique, charming, multidimensional personality and offers something special, drawing the fans in for binge-worthy interactions. The show delves into the real-world dilemmas of good and evil and the consequences of choices, reminding viewers they have none to blame but themselves for who they are and not say “the devil made me do it.”
1TheWalkingDead
The Walking Dead
Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, AMC’s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series, developed for television by Frank Darabont, follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain that truly become the walking dead. The Walking Dead lasted for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
The Walking Deadcomics by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and Toby Moore helped create one of the most popular television series ever dominatingthe zombie genreto date. In this post-apocalyptic horror television series, Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma and finds the world taken over by walkers. He leads a group of survivors from Atlanta, Georgia, in a struggle to survive against the zombies' threat but also against rival groups willing to do anything to survive.
The Walking Deaddelivers astonishing themes of devastation and hopelessness in a post-apocalyptic world and delves deep into how desperation can make humans irrational and ruthless.The Walking Deadembodies the importance of family through the formation of nontraditional post-apocalyptic family relationship bonds through affection, locale, loyalty, and other factors.
