With the meteoric rise in popularity of superhero cinema over the course of recent decades, it makes sense that superhero comic books have been immersed in the mainstream consciousness as well. Unsurprisingly, the growing phenomenon has led to a plethora of television adaptations, ranging from small-screen universes like whatArrowand its subsequent spin-offs achieved, to delightfully manic and vivaciously inspired series likeLegion.
However, the world of graphic novels expands far beyond the scope of superhero splendor, and the litany of television adaptations of such source material is similarly vast. Ranging from some of the biggest titles television horror has ever seen to underappreciated gems of modern fantasy entertainment, enthralling sci-fi mysteries, and even current comedy classics in the making,these series are all wonderful representations of the divinity of comic book entertainment beyond superhero storytelling, even if they do vary dramatically in narrative and style, but they .
10’Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' (2018–2020)
Developed by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
An auspicious blending of supernatural horror and teenage coming-of-age drama,Chilling Adventures of Sabrinais one of Netflix’s more eye-catching series in the last 10 years. Bolstered byKiernan Shipka’s lead performance, it follows the titular Sabrina Spellman as she fights the evil forces that threaten her, her family, and the world humanity inhabits while also reckoning with her own nature as a half-witch, half-human hybrid.
Given the source material it is based on is itself a darker spin on the setting and characters of theiconic ’90s fantasy series,Sabrina the Teenage Witch,Chilling Adventures of Sabrinais a captivating marriage of familiar campy fun and macabre intensitythat relishes its gothic horror aesthetic with a wicked wonder. While the series was canceled in 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it did receive a backdoor finale in a crossover withRiverdale, which is itself another popular, non-superhero television show based on a comic book series.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
9’Lucifer' (2016–2021)
Developed by Tom Kapinos
Based onNeil Gaiman,Sam Kieth, andMike Dringenberg’s collaboration with DC Comics that served as a salacious and snappy spin on Christian beliefs,Luciferis delightfully devilish in every sense. Re-imagining the Prince of Darkness as a charismatic and complex antihero, it follows Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis) as he, unhappy with his life in Hell, relocates to Los Angeles where he becomes the most unlikely consultant for the LAPD, using his manipulative powers to extract the truth out of suspects.
While Season 1 struggled to find a rhythm, the followingfive seasons ofLuciferoperate at a more engaging tempo, mixing the police procedural-meets-fantasy basis with the exploration of themes of redemption, morality, and existential curiosity without ever compromising on the fun and lively chemistry between Ellis and co-starLauren German. While only a loose adaptation of the comic series,Luciferdoes serve as a testament to the vibrancy and entertainment value comic book stories can offer.
8’Dark Matter' (2015–2017)
Created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie
Not to be confused with Apple TV+’s series of the same name based onBlake Crouch’s novel, Syfy’sDark Matterfinds its basis inJoseph MallozziandPaul Mullie’s four-issue comic book series of the same name. Blending sci-fi mystery with character drama, it follows a group of people who awaken from stasis aboard the starshipRazawith no memories of their past lives. Aided by an android, the six renegades work together to determine their true natures while being plagued by flickers of memories from their pasts.
Arguably the series’ greatest strength is its ability to marry the mystery of its premise with richly developed relationships among its characters, all of whom bring their own compelling struggles and shady histories to the fore.Further aided by a sense of visual storytelling and world-building that captures the essence of comic book artistry,Dark Matteris acriminally underrated entry into the pantheon of sci-fi televisionand a brilliant example of comic book adaptation for the small screen outside the superhero genre.
Dark Matter
7’Paper Girls' (2022)
Created by Stephany Folsom
An enthralling blend of time travel, adolescence, and friendship,Paper Girlsshines as a poignant and thought-provoking adaptation ofBrian K. VaughanandCliff Chiang’s beloved comic book series. Set in 1988, the Amazon Prime show follows four paper girls who become entangled in a conflict between warring time travelers during their early morning route the day after Halloween. Thrust on an adventure to save the world, the girls’ trek through time sees them face many great dangers and even confront older versions of themselves.
Deftly juggling moments of self-discovery and resilience, teenage turmoil, and the scope of sci-fi mystery,Paper Girlsfinds its true heart in the camaraderie between the four girls and the emotions they each must face on their journey. While the series was sadly canceled after just one season, it has still earned praise for its strength as an adaptation, its storytelling craft, and the performances of its young stars, making it an impressive though underrated example of graphic novel television beyond the sphere of superhero entertainment.
Paper Girls
6’iZombie' (2015–2019)
Developed by Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright
An inventive and witty combination of horror, drama, and procedural storytelling,iZombiequickly carved a niche for itself as one of the most unique andalluring comic book adaptationsto have graced the small screen. Loosely based on the Vertigo comic series byChris RobersonandMichael Allred, it follows Liv Moore (Rose McIver), a Seattle medical resident who is turned into a zombie and takes up work as a medical examiner in a morgue so she can consume human flesh discreetly and without causing harm. While it is a suitable solution, her situation is complicated as she begins absorbing the memories of those whose brains she eats.
Bolstered by McIver’s charming and multifaceted performance,iZombiesoars with its marriage of sharp humor, heartfelt moments, and its ability to tackle themes of identity, morality, and belonging from a unique perspective. Coming to a rewarding conclusion with its fifth and final season,iZombieis a triumphant testament to the eccentricity of comic book storytellingas well as a fine example of how adaptations of such source material can transcend genre conventions to deliver something refreshing and original.
5’Happy!' (2017–2019)
Created by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson
Strikingly bizarre and delightfully dark,Happy!brings to lifeGrant MorrisonandDarick Robertson’s zany graphic novel with a maniacally twisted sense of humor and an unflinching appetite for violence and amorality. The series follows disgraced former detective turned hitman Nick Sax (Chris Meloni) as his world is upended when he begins to see a relentlessly cheerful blue unicorn named Happy (voiced byPatton Oswalt). He learns that Happy is the imaginary friend of a little girl who has been abducted by a kidnapper dressed as Santa Claus, and sets out on an unconventional and often violent quest to save her.
A brilliantly frenetic viewing experience,Happy!excels at blending gritty crime drama with surreal comedy and graphic ultra-violenceto produce a wildly entertaining ride anchored by Meloni’s electrifying performance and Oswalt’s quirky voice work. Blending notions of redemption and hope with eye-popping scenes of bloodshed, brutality, and boisterousness,Happy!solidified itself as a cult favoriteover its two-season run with its rampant unpredictability, a testament to its boundary-pushing source material.
4’Preacher' (2016–2019)
Developed by Sam Catlin, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg
A devilishly bold and audacious adaptation ofGarth EnnisandSteve Dillon’s cult comic series,Preacherstands as a shining example of graphic novel storytelling being brought to life with unbridled creativity and irreverent charm. Marrying supernatural intrigue with a manic appetite for shocking comedy, the series follows hard-drinking ex-con turned preacher Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper), who is one day imbued with the ability to command anyone to do his bidding. Setting out with his sharp-tongued ex-girlfriend Tulip (Ruth Negga) and the debaucherous vampire vagabond Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun), Jesse embarks on a profound journey to literally find God.
With its peculiar blend of dark humor, philosophical musings, and outrageous violence,Preacherrevels in its own energetic vivaciousness, its enchantingly absurd world of theological contemplation and moral ambiguity. Further enhanced by its imaginative visual flair, its bold storytelling instincts, and the exceptional performances of its leading trio,Preacher’s four-season tenure embraces the provocative chaos of its source material while presenting the story with a certain creative zest that can only be achieved on the screen.
Developed by Frank Darabont
Perhaps the best-known non-superhero series based on comics,The Walking Deadwas at the zenith of the zombie story craze of the early 2010s, blending the genre’s innate sense of visual horror with compelling characters and dramatic intrigue with aplomb. Based onRobert Kirkman’s acclaimed graphic novel series, it delves into the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse in the American South, following former cop Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his band of survivors as they fight against hordes of the undead and the deranged remnants of humanity while trying to cling on to their own morality.
While it wasn’t quite able to maintain its early excellence throughout the duration of its twelve-season run,The Walking Deadstill enduredas a gripping series of urgent life-and-death stakespropped up by a litany of memorable characters and a vicious appetite for scathing twists and gruesome deaths. Its exploration of the human condition amidst apocalyptic chaos and the crumbling of civilization cemented its legacy as one of the most influential comic book adaptations in television history.
The Walking Dead
2’Resident Alien' (2021–)
Created by Chris Sheridan
One of the liveliest and most inviting comedy series of the decade so far,Resident Alienhas endeared itself to fans as a refreshing spin on sci-fi storytelling. Based on the comic book series byPeter HoganandSteve Parkhouse, it follows Harry Vanderspeigle (Alan Tudyk), an alien stranded on Earth who assumes the identity of a doctor in a small Colorado town. Despite his initial mission to wreak destruction on humanity, Harry finds himself becoming entangled in, and even charmed by, the lives of those in his community.
Adept at balancing the series’ wonderful tone of light-hearted comedy with moments of introspective brilliance,Resident Alienthrives on the back of its witty writing and Tudyk’s faultless performance as an awkward alien gradually discovering his humanity. Functioning asan exemplary adaptation that retains the essence of its source material while carving out its own unique identity,Resident Alienproves that comic books—and comic book adaptations—can venture far beyond the realm of superheroes and still deliver compelling and enjoyable spectacles that appeal to the masses.
Resident Alien
1’The Sandman' (2022–2025)
Developed by Neil Gaiman, David S. Goyer, and Allan Heinberg
Bursting onto the screen as a meticulously crafted adaptation thatbrings to life the intricate tapestry of dreams, myth, and humanity that made its source material so impactful,The Sandmanisa spellbinding story of high fantasyand gothic elegance. Based on the comic book series of the same name, it revolves around Morpheus (Tom Sturridge), the enigmatic ruler of dreams, as he embarks on a cosmic quest of redemption and restoration across his realm after his century-long imprisonment has plunged the Dreaming into disorder.
Operating with a stunning blend of philosophical depth and aesthetic divinity,The Sandmanoffers a visual feast of surreal landscapes and exuberant characters, all of which function in service to the enchanting overarching story and its thematic exploration of power, grief, and the balance between dreams and reality. Bolstered by an array of magnificent performances that complement the series’ ethereal presentation,The Sandman, as one of the newest entries in the realm of television comic book adaptations, sets a new benchmark for artistic excellence, despite its unfortunate cancelation.
