15 Great Comic Book Series Based on TV Shows

Usually, it is comic books that plant the seed of inspiration in the minds of filmmakers and program creators. From masked vigilantes to caped crusaders, comic books have long given us the source material for blockbuster movies and hit TV shows. But sometimes, it so happens that this relationship is flipped on its head.

When a certain television series becomes a sensation and gathers a cult following, it can end up growing wings and finding a second home in the world of sequential art — that is, comic books. Over the past decades, more than a few shows have sparked enough discussions for publishers to commit themselves to creating comic book series based on the same narrative as the televised versions — especially if they were canceled too soon.

This list explores 15 memorable comic book offshoots that were born from the small screen. From classic sitcoms like I Love Lucy to modern sci-fi favorites like Stranger Things, these print-form adaptations have taken beloved stories and characters, and graced fans with new fascinating tales in comic form. So, without further ado, let us revisit some of these gems.

15 The X-Files

The X-Files is a beloved crime drama that premiered in 1993 and had an incredibly successful run for 11 seasons. It tells the story of FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, two individuals with opposing personalities who share the same desire to investigate unsolved cases.

On one hand, there’s Mulder’s unwavering belief in the existence of the supernatural, and on the other, there’s Scully’s scientific approach and relentless skepticism. Their outstanding chemistry warranted unending exploration.

And that’s where the comic-book adaptation comes in. The X-Files first entered the comic book landscape in 1995, and the series, published by Topps Comics, has over 40 volumes. The comics expanded on mythology arcs and brought back some favorite characters, staying with the monsters-of-the-week format for consistent intrigue. Even after the original TV show ended, publications like WildStorm continued to engage readers.

14 Firefly

Joss Whedon’s short-lived science fiction western wasn’t well-received when it aired, but has since found a passionate cult following. The series centered around an outlaw crew led by Sergeant Malcolm Reynolds.

Set 500 years in the future where Earth is under totalitarian rule, it is all about survival and challenges, but Firefly left audiences wanting more of its creative blend of sci-fi technology and Old West frontier vibes when it was canceled after one season. The movie Serenity attempted to wrap up many of the plot lines, but fans wanted more in the world of Firefly.

Boom! Studios, and author Greg Park, seemed to have heard fans’ cries, and launched a Firefly comic book in 2018. There have since been 36 issues, and several other one-shots and graphic novels that follow further adventures of the crew, seeing them smuggle contraband and fight the Alliance.

The existence and success of these comic books proves that, even 15 years later and after only one season, Firefly remains relevant.

13 Star Trek

Even though most fans know it best from the numerous hit TV shows and movies, the vast world of the Star Trek universe extends its branches to other mediums such as comic books as well. The original series ran from 1966 to 1969, following which there have been numerous films and spin-offs, like Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager, as well as some that are still ongoing, such as the prequel series, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Related: The 20 Coolest Superpowers in Star Trek Aliens

The show’s initial popularity led Gold Key Comics to develop a comic book series in 1967, which then passed the torch to Marvel Comics in 1979. These tales feature the second five-year mission of Kirk and the Enterprise, which was originally supposed to be a full-fledged TV show.

IDW Publishing currently produces new Star Trek comics from multiple timelines, and keeps its multi-decade history alive in the hearts of fans with new stories.

12 Fringe

Developed by J. J. Abrams in collaboration with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, Fringe is a remarkable science-fiction drama that takes place in Boston, Massachusetts.

The show introduces us to FBI special agent Olivia Dunham, and an eccentric father-son duo, Walter and Peter Bishop, who work together to solve the many mysteries of a parallel universe that affects them all.

During its five-season run, Fringe garnered widespread acclaim for its imaginative storytelling, mind-bending mysteries, and science-driven solutions. The same style translated into print when WildStorm picked the TV show and turned it into comic books.

Artistically sketched out characters and familiar details continued the show’s promise of exploring the supernatural, giving fans two six-issue comics, namely Fringe and Fringe: Tales from the Fringe.

11 True Blood

HBO’s beloved, guilty-pleasure vampire series ran from 2008 to 2014. It chronicles the supernatural adventures of a harmless waitress, Sookie Stackhouse, who gets pulled into an enchanting maze of werewolves and vampires after it is revealed that the two have been co-existing in her small town of Louisiana for a long time now.

True Blood explored genres like romance, mystery, gore, horror, and a tad bit of comedy, and was headlined by heartthrobs Anna Paquin and and Alexander Skarsgård.

To put a more entertaining spin on the Southern gothic tales, IDW Publishing began releasing comic books that would complement the overall narrative of the show. Authors Ann Nocenti and Michael McMillian worked on most of these publications, allowing the readers to follow Sookie and her friends as they battle foes and uncover new secrets.

10 Supernatural

The Winchester brothers, played by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, form the center of this super-hit CW series. Both Sam and Dean follow in the footsteps of their father and fight supernatural threats across America.

Apart from being passionate towards the paranormal tropes, character relationships, and overarching plot, Supernatural is also the longest-running sci-fi/horror TV show of all time, with 15 seasons under its belt. A legacy such as that demanded new adventures from the well-established fanbase.

To build on the cultural phenomenon that is Supernatural, WildStorm and DC Comics decided to publish companion comic books.

With showrunner Eric Kripke giving insights, the artists Peter Johnson and Rebecca Dessertine recreated the same atmosphere as the series and took on new ghosts and monsters. There are a total of four limited series, with six issues each, to keep fans invested.

9 Orphan Black

Debuting in 2013, Orphan Black was a Canadian science fiction thriller. It starred Tatiana Maslany as the lead protagonist, who witnesses a woman’s suicide and is shocked when she notices that the woman looks exactly like her.

After assuming the dead woman’s identity, Sarah Manning unravels a chilling conspiracy about clones and government control. Praised for Maslany’s brilliant multi-role performance and the thought-provoking narrative, Orphan Black also led to a great comic book series.

IDW Publishing began releasing Orphan Black comics in 2015. The books retained connections to the original series and explored new twists and turns against the same gritty and urban backdrop. Whether foreshadowing arcs or untangling side narratives, comics like Orphan Black: Helsinki and Orphan Black Crazy Science were a delight for fans.

8 I Love Lucy

Sitcoms are often complete by themselves and don’t require tinkering by reimagining them in another medium for consumption. There is no worldbuilding to explore, or unfinished plots to flesh out.

However, an exception to that rule is this classic sitcom starring Lucille Ball. Airing from 1951 to 1957, I Love Lucy revolutionized the television industry. Today, it is rightfully considered as one of the greatest and most influential sitcoms ever created. The show centered around Lucy and her husband Ricky Ricardo, as well as their wacky schemes and outrageous lifestyle.

Related: The All-Time Best I Love Lucy Episodes, Ranked

Back in 1954, Dell Comics decided to launch an I Love Lucy comic series that would bring the hilarious and subversive adventures of Lucy, Ricky, and their neighbors, Ethel and Fred, to print. Perfect in tone and charm, these comics were just as silly as the show itself. The publication released 35 issues, which were later reprinted by Eternity Comics in the early 1990s.

7 Scooby-Doo!

Since premiering on screen in 1969, Hanna-Barbera’s beloved mystery-solving franchise has reigned supreme when it comes to children’s entertainment.

Every episode of Scooby-Doo! follows the titular character and the gang as they solve supernatural mysteries. Beyond the success of the cartoon, the characters have appeared in movies, video games and more.

Perhaps the most elaborate and celebrated iteration of Scooby-Doo, however, has been in comic books. First published in 1970 by Gold Key Comics, the series introduced multiple new stories and themes of mysteries involving monsters by painting them in vivid color and with attention to detail.

Ever since, publishers like Archie Comics, Marvel Comics, and Charlton Comics have expanded the lore for young readers. Currently, the baton lies with DC Comics, whose The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries is an ongoing comic book series.

6 Rick and Morty

Rick and Morty is an adult-animated series that, in a loose parody of Back to the Future, follows the misadventures of an alcoholic scientist named Rick and his awkward grandson Morty. The show’s brand of outrageous humor, absurd hijinks, and clever intergalactic adventures has gathered critical acclaim and an enormous fan following.

In 2015, Oni Press published an official Rick and Morty comic book to further extend fan engagement in between the animated series’ run.

The comic books have over 60 issues published, with writers Zac Gorman, Kyle Starks, and Alex Firer crafting new escapades in the already established world. It also goes without saying that the change in format was just as chaotic, absurd, lush, graphic, and offbeat.

5 Castle

Another police procedural on the list, Castle crafted a highly compelling narrative within its eight-season-long run. The ABC drama follows crime novelist Richard Castle, who happens to be spellbound when a series of unusual killings take place in New York City — all resembling those written in his novels.

Entering the real world of crime by shadowing NYPD detective Kate Beckett, he learns more about detective work and solves cases while trading witty banter with Detective Beckett.

Following the release of Castle, there were almost a dozen novels published about the homicide detective Nikki Heat, as a tie-in to the show and Richard Castle. But it is not the primary story.

In 2016, Marvel Comics launched Castle: Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm, a series of four graphic novels that were based on the crime novels written by Castle on the TV show to give fans a taste of his well-crafted fictional world.

4 Dexter

Adapted from a series of novels by Jeff Lindsay and running for eight seasons (until the reboot), Dexter is the noir thriller that gave us television’s slickest and creepiest serial killer.

As a blood spatter analyst, Dexter Morgan lives a double life, moonlighting as a vigilante killer that hunts down murderers who evade the law and ends their lives. The show’s twisted plotlines and Michael C. Hall’s tormented hero were both showered with immense praise.

As for the comic book treatment, it was Marvel Comics that decided to continue Dexter’s exploits in print form. Lindsay had a major role in writing the five-issue limited series, with Dalibor Talajic lending his talents as an illustrator.

Both titles, Dexter and Dexter: Down Under, bring back Dexter’s psychopathic thrills, but this time against an eerie Australian backdrop.

3 The Simpsons

The adventures of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie had established their brand of easy-to-consume humor when they first showed up on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987. Not a single time since then has The Simpsons failed to make the audience chuckle in delight.

Fox’s show is currently in its 35th season, and the modern parody of family values seems quite satisfied finding its place as one of the network’s highest-rated shows, as well as the longest-running animated show of all time.

Related: The 10 Shows That Have Spawned the Most Memes

The first one-shot issue, Simpsons Comics and Stories, was published in 1993. It was tailored for both long-time fans and a whole new generation that was just discovering The Simpsons’ world.

Following this, there have been a series of other publications. These include the ongoing annual horror series, The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror, where the storylines are just as absurd and heartwarming as their TV predecessors.

2 Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Airing from 1997 to 2003, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a show that gave us the ultimate television heroine. She battled evil and supernatural threats, and thrived in a high school (and later college) setting. We all wanted to be with her, fighting vampires, or be her.

But it is the show’s delightful blend of campy horror, humor, action, and romance that influenced both audiences and artists alike, inspiring a loyal fanbase to this day.

Though seemingly lightweight in concept, the show gave birth to a series of comic books that ran parallel to its run, then after it, from 1997 to 2018, where the beloved characters continued in a companion world for fans to lose themselves in.

After the main TV show ended, Dark Horse Comics and creator Joss Whedon collaborated to continue Buffy’s story in print and to deliver seasons eight, nine, and ten for the dedicated “Scoobies.”

1 Stranger Things

A TV show that needs no introduction, Stranger Things is an ’80s-set Netflix series that gained a massive viewership and flattering response from critics and fans.

Taking place in Hawkins, Indiana, the sci-fi/horror drama is centered around a group of friends who witness supernatural events caused by the terrifying dimension of the Upside Down. Beyond being visually stunning in recreating the 1980s, the show captured the universal themes of nostalgia and friendship and effortlessly exploded into a phenomenon.

To feed anticipation between seasons, starting in 2018, Dark Horse Comics began delivering new Stranger Things stories in comic book form.

The first comic was a four-issue miniseries chronicling Will’s experiences in the Upside Down. It was written by Jody Houser and illustrated by Stefano Martino. Later, there were more four-issue miniseries, graphic novels, and one-shots that honor the spirit of mystery and kinship.