There are plenty of examples of comic book movies. Kick Ass, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, 300, and the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe are just a handful of examples of the new wave of movies inspired by the popular art form. However, the reverse is also possible. Several popular films have gone on to inspire prequel or sequel comics. The following 15 comic books are some of the best examples of this phenomenon. Do note that none of these stories are direct adaptations of the film into comic book form. These are all original canon stories that explore new facets of each of these iconic worlds.
15 Bill and Ted
The most iconic duo in cinema has made its rocking return. DC and Marvel Comics each released a direct, screen-to-page adaptation of the Bill and Ted films, but Marvel would be the first to continue their adventures in the 12 issue Bill and Ted's Excellent Comic Book. The characters disappeared until 2015, when Boom! Studios began releasing their own series with Bill and Ted's Most Triumphant Return. Bill and Ted Go to Hell and Bill and Ted Save the Universe followed in 2016 and '17, and Dark Horse Comics then took the reins in 2020 with the prequel to the third film titled Bill and Ted Are Doomed.
What Makes It Great
It's strange that a film series so focused on music works so well in comic book form. The comics manage to capture the bizarre, zany adventures of this pair, and while the comedy can be hit or miss for some, they all perfectly capture the memorable charm of the original films. If you have to pick one series to read, the Boom! Studios run is the most well-received of the group, with Go to Hell and Save the Universe taking their musical adventures in a truly wacky direction. The Wyld Stallions adventures through time and the afterlife are brilliantly zany, whether or not you were a fan of the films.
14 Blade Runner
While Marvel and Boom! Studios have tried their hands at adapting Blade Runner and the inspiring novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Titan Comics is the publisher best associated with the franchise. The company has produced six series, each taking place in the decades leading up to the films. Starting in 2009 in Origins, the series explores the continued relations between humans and replicants. Most feature a Blade Runner by the name of Ash, a woman who eventually goes on to be a savior for rogue replicants, using her position within the police to help further their cause.
What Makes It Great
Few science-fiction film franchises have impacted pop culture more than Blade Runner, and the comics have only improved this cyberpunk universe. Each prequel does a fantastic job delving into the origins of this world, and since they introduce new characters, there is no worry about affecting the canon of the films. Even if the comics don't quite live up to the impact of the original films, they have garnered a deep fan following. It is a little strange to read a story set in a highly futuristic 2009 or '19, but this surreality is just a small hurdle to overcome to dive into this incredible series.
13 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
There have been four separate Texas Chain Saw Massacre comics, but while the 1995 Topps comic book series did see Leatherface bizarrely battling Jason Voorhees, this entry only covers the 2005 Avatar Press and the 2007 Wildstorm Comics series. Both were tied to the 2003 remake. The 2005 series acted as a prequel, following the gory deaths of Leatherface and the Hewitt family's prior victims. The 2007 series, meanwhile, directly followed the film's events, building on the established story as the FBI hunt for the Hewitts. It also introduced several new members of the demented cannibalistic family.
What Makes It Great
While the 2003 remake has its issues, the comics add a new level of depth to the story. They give us an insight into the monstrous Hewitt family, allowing us to see just how big of a threat these slasher villains truly are. The comics aren't necessarily groundbreaking in their storytelling, but the compelling art and morbid story are sure to excite fans of the franchise. This is a thrilling world to explore, and the prequel and the sequel both help bring this fictional world into clearer focus. It's a terrifying glimpse into this vile family, and for that reason, it deserves your attention.
12 Transformers
With the release of every live-action Transformers film, IDW Publishing worked to adapt the fan-favorite films into the comic book medium. They also released a number of spin-off stories that built on the lore established in the films. The first, titled Transformers: Movie Prequel, sees the origins of Optimus Prime and the corruption of Megatron. Most of the other comics fill in the gaps between the first three films, introducing new and familiar characters from across the Transformers franchise in action-packed stories worthy of Michael Bay's explosive series.
What Makes It Great
Prior to Image Comics' current run, IDW Publishing was the primary source for everything Transformers for years. They redefined the Robots in Disguise with their various comic book series, and their work with the films was just as iconic. The comic medium allowed for the writers and artists to explore the lore and characters, expanding beyond the gunfights and explosions. Most bridge the gap between the films, or dive into the time long before the Cybertronian civil war. They give the series greater depth, and place the focus on the true point of interest: the giant sentient robots.
11 Predator
While there are many classic storylines introduced in the Dark Horse run on Predator, this entry largely focuses on the recent Marvel Comics series that released alongside Prey. The series is set in the near future, following a young woman named Theta. A Yautja Predator slaughtered her family years before, and as an adult, she has set off on an interstellar odyssey for revenge. After crash-landing on a distant tundra planet, though, she finds herself face-to-face with a pair of the monstrous hunters, forcing her to fight for her life against incredible odds.
What Makes It Great
Prey was a brilliant addition to the Predator franchise, and though the Marvel Comics series differs in genre and setting, the two stories share a number of similarities. Both feature intelligent, interesting women in a largely male-dominated series, and both see their lead characters overcoming insurmountable odds against a vastly technologically superior foe. Predator acts as a fine continuation of the series mythos, expanding on the reach of the deadly Yautja species and showcasing their impact on the species they kill. It has its clunkier moments, but all in all, this is an exciting thrill ride through deep space.
10 The Dark Crystal
1982's The Dark Crystal has become a classic fantasy film, and with its massive popularity, it only makes sense that writers and artists have sought to explore the world of Thra. In this regard, several comic book series have been released through Boom! Studios. Creation Myths and Legends of the Dark Crystal build up the mythology of Thra. Age of Resistance released alongside the same-titled series from Netflix, acting as a prequel to the prequel. Shadows of the Dark Crystal released recently as a prequel to the original film, while The Power of and Beneath the Dark Crystal follow the events of the original film.
What Makes It Great
Jim Henson changed the world with his advances in puppetry and storytelling, and The Dark Crystal is only one of his masterworks. The Netflix original series Age of Resistance was a brilliant prequel to the original film, and the coinciding comics helped build on the lore and world established in both. The sequel comics helped feed into the nostalgia of fans of the original series, building on the beloved story in truly thrilling ways. However, these aren't the only fantastic Jim Henson inspired comic books, and a quick honorable mention goes out to the Labyrinth and TheStoryteller comics from the same publisher.
9 Monsterverse: Kingdom Kong and Godzilla Dominion
Godzilla Vs. Kong may not have been a groundbreaking story, but its thrilling kaiju fighting action is a spectacle to behold. That said, if you want to explore the world of the film in greater detail, then Kingdom Kong and Godzilla Dominion are perfect. Prequels each see the titular monsters battling the awakened Titans. In Kingdom Kong, a Monarch expedition to Skull Island goes awry when a bat Titan attacks, forcing Kong to race to the team's rescue. Godzilla Dominion sees Godzilla adapting to his new role as king of the monsters as he battles new Titans and seeks a place to call home.
What Makes It Great
The aptly titled Monsterverse has divided the Godzilla fandom by pitting the classic Kaiju against King Kong. However, with the Monarch: Legacy of Monsters series on the way and another planned film, now is the perfect time to delve into this pair of exciting comic books. Each series brilliantly preludes Godzilla Vs. Kong, helping to explain the shifts in the status quo. They also just act as fun stories about giant monsters, and while Godzilla has seen a number of great comics in recent years (Godzilla in Hell especially stands out), it's great to see both of these icons get the attention they deserve.
8 Alien
Set decades after the events of Aliens, Marvel's Alien comics follow former Weyland-Yutani Defense Agent Gabriel Cruz. Cruz has faced the Xenomorph threat head on, having fended off an invasion years prior. Now, retired, he longs to reconnect with his son, Danny. However, Danny is part of an anti-corporation movement that seeks to make Weyland-Yutani answer for its many crimes. After stealing his father's access card, Danny and his associates travel to Epsilon Station on a mission to release their captured Xenomorphs and prove to the world that Weyland-Yutani aren't the heroes they claim to be.
What Makes It Great
Like Predator, Alienhad a long life as a Dark Horse Comics licensed series, exploring the universe of the Xenomorphs and even pitting them against popular comic book characters. However, while these original stories are definitely worth mention, this entry also focuses on the recent Marvel Comics run as it is a good launching point for fans of the original franchise. Gabriel Cruz is a fascinating lead character, and though the art can sometimes suffer a bit from the uncanny valley, the series perfectly captures the action horror of the groundbreaking films.
7 Batman '89
With the return of Michael Keaton's Batman in The Flash, viewers may be wondering about what happened to Tim Burton's Dark Knight after the events of Batman Returns. Wonder no longer, as Batman '89 continues the story of this darkly twisted Gotham. Set just after the film, the series sees war raging in Gotham's streets. Joker-inspired criminals battle Batman-inspired vigilantes, forcing district attorney Harvey Dent to target the real Batman by calling in the National Guard. Gotham has never before been so dangerous, and Batman will have to seek new allies in order to fend off the growing threat.
What Makes It Great
Batman '89 has seen major acclaim since its first issue in 2021. The series perfectly captures Burton's gothic-inspired Gotham and the characters that live within it. It builds on the universe from the original film, adding in favorite characters like Robin and Two-Face in a way that feels believable given the established rules of this world. It's a stunning display of world-building and character growth, as we see Batman truly struggling with his role as a vigilante. While there have been other adaptations of other Batman films, Batman '89 truly stands out as something special.
6 John Wick
John Wick has become a modern icon of the action genre. This gun-toting badass has mowed through mobs of mafiosi in his hunt for revenge. But who is the man in the suit? Where did Baba Yaga come from? The John Wick comics from Dynamite Entertainment seek to answer these questions. John Wick embarks on his first vendetta, seeking the ones who destroyed his village. The series sees the young man first coming into contact with the Continental Hotel, grappling with the Rules touted by the assassin's organization as he hunts for those responsible for his pain.
What Makes It Great
Let's be honest. No one goes to the John Wick films for their stories. They go to see Keanu Reeves beating up bad guys in more and more creative and bloody ways. However, there is an intricate and fascinating world underneath all of this violence. The John Wick comic helps flesh out that world, exploring John's past in the Russian Mafia and earning his title as the most feared assassin in the world. It's a great bit of extra characterization for the character, as it alludes to the depth hidden behind the piles of bodies left in the killer's wake.
5 Saw: Rebirth
Fans of the Saw franchise know that villain John Kramer is dying, diagnosed with an inoperable and terminal brain tumor. Saw: Rebirth sees the man learning the news of his impending death. After years as a career toy maker, unambitious and alone, the revelation tears John apart inside. Having wasted his life for nothing, and paying witness to others in the hospital who have done the same, John attempts suicide, but his survival awakens something in him. Now with a new purpose, John becomes the serial killer named Jigsaw to give his victims a brand-new lease on life.
What Makes It Great
While Saw: Rebirth is now only loosely canonical after the films explored John Kramer's origins, the comic was initially intended as the definitive source for Jigsaw's life and purpose. The series focuses on Kramer's motivations, namely testing people's will to live in the face of death. It's a brilliant look at the villain's mentality, adding another dimension to the deranged manipulator. It's a fascinating character study, and while it no longer truly fits the criteria of this list, it's a fantastic read that explores the mind of a monster.
4 28 Days Later
Considered one of the greatest zombie apocalypse films of the modern day, 28 Days Later and its sequels brutally capture the end of the world in fascinating detail. With so much time passing between the first film and its sequel, however, fans were left wondering what happened in the interim. This led to the creation of the 28 Days Later comic book series. Selena, one of the survivors from the film, has made her way to a refugee camp in Norway. She is approached by Clint Harris, an American reporter looking for a guide into and through quarantined London, forcing Selena to relive her greatest nightmare.
What Makes It Great
Much like the movies, 28 Days Later is a brutal and cerebral character study first and foremost. Yes, it is essentially just a zombie outbreak story, but at its heart, it is about Selena coming to terms with her own trauma and the world coming to terms with this new threat. It focuses on the politics of this world, helping establish the grander scope of the Rage Virus Outbreak. More than that, there is a lot of content here, with six trade paperbacks covering the time between the first two films. The final volume even runs concurrently with 28 Weeks Later, giving readers a different perspective on the events.
3 Hellraiser
Clive Barker returns to his beloved franchise with the Hellraiser comic book series from Boom! Studios (if you can't tell, Boom! is the king of licensed comic books). Labeled as the "final Pinhead story," Hellraiser places the focus back on the original hero and villain. Kirsty Cotton returns to Barker's world alongside other survivors of the Cenobites in order to take on Pinhead one final time. However, fighting the denizens of hell isn't easy, and neither Kirsty nor Pinhead will leave the battlefield unharmed. Both will be changed immeasurably by the events within.
What Makes It Great
The lore of the Hellraiser universe is deep and intricate, and the comic books help distill it for those new to the series. It is great to see an adult Kirsty Cotton at the center of the events, and the series features some truly shocking moments. I don't want to spoil anything, but some of the new Cenobites introduced in its pages are truly inspired. More than that, the opportunity to see the protagonists of the different movies coming together helps establish the throughline of this world, making the story more coherent between the many films.
2 Army of Darkness
Since the release of Sam Raimi's Evil Dead series in 1981, fans have flocked to the bizarre horror comedy of this beloved series, and to capitalize on its popularity, Dynamite Entertainment has released several sequel series following the adventures of Ash Williams. Ash's battle against the Deadites takes him across time and the multiverse, introducing a whole host of fascinating characters and groovy jokes. The series also sees Ash teaming up with other popular characters, and in one popular crossover, he even fought against the zombified Marvel superheroes from Marvel Zombies.
What Makes It Great
The Army of Darkness comics only barely fit the criteria of this list. While the first comic directly adapts the film, the rest feature a loosely canonical series of adventures featuring Ash Williams. While the canonicity isn't clear (and likely isn't there at all), they are simply too much fun to ignore. The Army of Darkness comics perfectly capture the horror comedy of the original series, and with such an extensive backlog, there's plenty to explore in this haunting world. Dynamite Entertainment has certainly left its mark on this beloved series.
1 Star Wars
For fans of the galaxy far, far away, there is no greater comic book series than the IDW and Marvel Star Wars series. While you can't go wrong with any of the series published in the last four decades, the current run is strictly canon, and the stories within are absolutely incredible. The first run takes place between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, and it follows the Rebels as they attempt to find a new base after the discovery of Yavin IV. There are also several other spin-off series, following important characters like Darth Vader and the newly introduced Doctor Aphra.
What Makes It Great
The many writers that have tackled this fan favorite series have done an incredible job building on the world established in the films. We get to see several key moments, such as Vader's discovery that Luke is his son. We also get to see the vast power of the Force at play, as well as a whole suite of unique and interesting alien and droid characters. This series is a must-read for fans. It is one of the few on this list that is actively influencing the storytelling in the series and films to come, but more importantly, the stories within these pages are some of the best content in the franchise's Disney era.
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