9 TV Shows You Didn’t Know Were Based on Comic Books

For many years, comic books have been strongly associated with images of caped heroes and large-scale battles. Because Marvel and DC have been so popular, we generally anticipate that when comics are adapted for TV or film, they will feature grand origin stories, incredible superpowers, and a villain who makes a dramatic entrance and delivers long speeches. However, it’s important to remember that not every comic book focuses on superheroes, and not every TV show based on a comic book becomes a hit.

Actually, many of the most creative and moving shows on TV began as something else entirely. Starting with genres like mystery and supernatural adventures, comic books have been the origin of stories that aren’t typical superhero narratives. Often, TV series adapted from these comics aren’t widely known. Therefore, finding them feels both unexpected and captivating. It’s a pleasant surprise when you stumble upon these hidden gems. These shows offer a unique viewing experience.

It’s interesting to note that you’ve likely watched several TV shows without knowing they originally came from graphic novels or independent comic series. We’ve compiled a list of nine shows you might not realize were based on comics. These shows range from cult classics to series with brief but impactful runs, and even some that are still currently airing.

Here are 9 TV shows you had no idea were based on comic books.

‘Deadly Class’ (2019)

Taking place in the gritty, rundown side of 1980s San Francisco, Deadly Class centers around Marcus Lopez, a teenager living on the streets who is chosen to attend King’s Dominion. This is a hidden school that prepares the children of criminals and radical political figures to become highly skilled killers. As you can imagine, the training is incredibly harsh and the social groups within the school are dangerous, but while Marcus tries to find his place, he becomes involved in a complicated story of payback and fear.

Teen Assassins Find Meaning

This is a story about growing up, but with a dark, rebellious edge – think punk rock and a lot of action. At its heart, it’s about the importance of friendship, though that friendship feels incredibly fragile. It’s based on the comic book series by Rick Remender and Wes Craig, and the filmmakers have given it a unique, visually striking style. They’ve included animation and a fantastic soundtrack. Benjamin Wadsworth and Lana Condor lead the cast, and the show has quickly gained a dedicated, passionate fanbase thanks to its daring and unconventional look.

‘iZombie’ (2015)

Liv Moore’s life changes dramatically when she unexpectedly becomes a zombie after a disastrous boat party. She gives up her career as a doctor and finds work at the morgue, secretly eating brains to maintain some semblance of normalcy. However, there’s an interesting side effect: with each brain she eats, she experiences memories from the deceased person’s life. She uses these visions to help solve the mysteries surrounding their deaths. Ravi, her boss, and detective Clive Babineaux assist her in these investigations.

An Offbeat Supernatural Procedural

iZombie offers a fresh take on crime shows by mixing the supernatural with a dry wit. The show also explores deeper themes about what’s right and wrong, and how to stay alive. Created by Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright, iZombie (which is inspired by the comic book by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred) ran for five seasons, with each season building on the story and increasing the tension.

‘Wynonna Earp’ (2016)

I’m completely captivated by Wynonna Earp! It follows Wynonna, who seems like your average gunslinger at first, but she’s actually burdened with this incredible, supernatural legacy. She’s destined to hunt down Revenants – basically, demonic versions of outlaws her great-great-grandfather, Wyatt Earp, took down. Armed with her trusty revolver, Peacemaker, Wynonna heads back to her hometown, Purgatory, determined to confront these supernatural foes and finally unravel the secrets of her family’s past.

Queer Western with Cult-Classic Vibe

This show is a unique mix of horror, westerns, and fantasy, with a rebellious and energetic feel. It’s adapted from Beau Smith’s comic books, lasted four seasons, and gained a very loyal following. This was largely due to its honest portrayal of queer characters and the complex, moving relationships between them. Despite having a limited budget, the director cleverly used this to their advantage, focusing on fun and character development instead of big visual effects.

‘Human Target’ (2010)

In Human Target, the story centers around Christopher Chance, a bodyguard who literally puts himself in harm’s way for others. He’s hired to protect people from dangers they don’t anticipate, and he does this by becoming deeply involved in their lives-often taking on different personas to expose any threats. Each episode features a new, self-contained case where he deals with things like political plots, business secrets, and personal conflicts.

A Paperback Thriller Coming to Life

Mixing elements of Mission: Impossible and Burn Notice, Human Target delivers exciting action and features a different set of clients in danger each episode. The show, inspired by the DC Comics character created by Len Wein and Carmine Infantino, embraced its classic, adventurous roots and lasted for two seasons. While it didn’t achieve huge ratings success, it gained a following for its old-school feel and self-contained episodes.

‘The Middleman’ (2008)

The ABC show centers around Wendy Watson, an artist who’s having a hard time making ends meet. She unexpectedly discovers a clandestine group dedicated to combating over-the-top, comic book-inspired dangers with remarkable skill. Her manager, the Middleman, is a classic, strong-featured hero who enjoys a glass of milk and fights all sorts of enemies – everything from sinister puppets to extraterrestrial pop groups – and together, they investigate the strangest cases imaginable.

Crisp and Colorful, With a Comic-Book Aesthetic

Featuring quick-witted conversations and a style that shifts between silly and sincere, The Middleman follows Wendy as she transforms from an unwilling trainee into a capable agent. Though her growth is the heart of the show, the story constantly veers into wonderfully strange territory. Based on the comic book series by Javier Grillo-Marxuach, it clearly appeals to a particular audience – and those fans likely still remember lines from it.

‘Happy!’ (2017)

Considered one of the most original comic book adaptations ever made, Happy! follows Nick Sax, a former police officer and now a struggling hitman. His life changes dramatically after a close brush with death. He encounters Happy, a small, blue, cartoon unicorn who insists he’s the imaginary friend of a young girl who’s been kidnapped. Initially reluctant, Nick joins forces with this fantastical unicorn and gets pulled into a dangerous world filled with crime, dishonesty, and spooky holiday-themed events.

Hitmen and Hallucinations

Mixing elements of film noir with a psychedelic vibe, this show isn’t afraid to be unconventional, presenting complex villains and delving into intense emotional territory. Happy!, based on the comic by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson, is wild and unpredictable, but it’s grounded by Christopher Meloni’s captivating performance. He plays Nick as a damaged and vulnerable character, and his dynamic with Patton Oswalt’s voice acting as Happy is surprisingly effective.

‘Outcast’ (2016)

Created by Robert Kirkman, Outcast follows Kyle Barnes, a man plagued by demonic possession for much of his life. Both his mother and wife were possessed, and now others are inexplicably drawn to him. Set in the small town of Rome, West Virginia, Kyle realizes his difficult history might be the answer to battling a rising supernatural danger, and he begins to face these dark forces head-on.

Asks More Questions Than It Answers

Based on the comic created by Kirkman and Paul Azaceta, Outcast focuses more on creating a feeling of unease than on flashy visuals. The director prefers dark settings and a slow build of suspense, using quiet moments to create tension just as much as frightening scenes. Although the second season had issues with its speed and ended without a proper conclusion, Outcast is notable for its consistent atmosphere and its avoidance of typical, sudden scare tactics.

‘Stumptown’ (2019)

In Stumptown, Dex Parios is a clever but troubled Army veteran who now works as a private investigator in Portland, Oregon. She’s struggling financially, dealing with emotional issues, and often makes mistakes. However, Dex is also determined, dependable, and a skilled detective. She handles everything from finding lost people to solving complicated crimes, all while being both sarcastic and open about her feelings.

A Female-Led P.I. Drama with Heart

Based on the Oni Press comic by Greg Rucka, Stumptown offers a new and interesting take on detective stories. Cobie Smulders is perfectly cast as Dex, skillfully portraying both strength and emotional depth. The show also captures the unique atmosphere of Portland, utilizing music, lighting, and tempo to feel more like an independent film than a typical television drama. Stumptown unfortunately only ran for one season because of problems with production caused by the pandemic, but it was praised for its strong writing, the connection between the actors, and its realistic approach to storytelling.

‘Resident Alien’ (2021)

A fairly well-known show on the list, Resident Alien starts with an alien unexpectedly landing on Earth. He takes on the identity of Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle, a quiet doctor in a small town in Colorado. Originally, his goal is to destroy humankind, but as he struggles to understand people and makes friends with the townspeople, Harry starts to wonder if that’s what he really wants. To make things more complicated, a young boy figures out his true identity, leading to a playful game of cat and mouse between the two.

Humor, Heart, and Genre Playfulness

Resident Alien cleverly mixes science fiction humor with the everyday lives of people in a small town, and it examines what it means to be human from the perspective of an outsider. The show is inspired by the Dark Horse comic created by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, and it really shines thanks to Alan Tudyk’s brilliantly quirky acting. He perfectly portrays the character with a mix of physical comedy, a dry wit, and surprising emotional depth, making him both alien and surprisingly easy to connect with. Over its four seasons, Resident Alien has gained a dedicated following.

2025-10-04 23:05