Content Warning: This article features brief mentions of gore as well as a brief discussion of the Holocaust.
Comic-book-inspired flicks and superhero movies are practically in a film medium all their own. With the success of such hits as Invincible and Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, it’s easy to understand why the world of ink and paper can have such an astounding and dedicated fanbase to want them on the big screen.
Thought despite the popularity of characters like Batman and the Avengers, there are still legions of untapped potential. There are loads of graphic novels spanning a multitude of genres that have yet to be adapted. What better time than an age where the medium is a wellspring of adaptations?
Raven By Kami Garcia
Superheroes never go out of style, but Kami Garcia truly offers an original take on the maven of magic from Teen Titans. Raven gives the character a modernized origin story, and while that might be a route that opens up a can of worms for some, Garcia treats Raven with the respect she deserves.
Not only do readers see Raven evolving into her psychic and magical abilities, but existing in a contemporary setting as well. It avoids most high school stereotypes but also shows how Raven practically belongs in the mysterious world of modern-day New Orleans.
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills By Chris Claremont
Age of Apocalypse has come and gone, but if Disney and Marvel, or whoever, really want to nail a new X-Men film, they should make it God Loves, Man Kills. There have been countless powerful stories starring Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, but this one is possibly the best.
Although notes of the original story were sprinkled through X2, there has yet to be a proper adaptation of this emotional and action-packed saga. Seeing both sides of mutants unite against Reverend Stryker could be just the catalyst for an MCU series.
Spider-Man Blue By Loeb and Sale
Although it would be nearly impossible to truly adapt this into the MCU, this retelling of the saga of Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy is one of the most tragic tales in all of Marvel Comics. If Loeb and Sale’s Batman: The Long Halloween, can get an animated adaptation, why not this one?
It’s quite possibly one of the best adaptations of The Death Of Gwen Stacy since the original story, and the artwork of Tim Sale practically swings off the page.
Usagi Yojimbo By Stan Sakai
Putting the superheroes aside for a moment or two, take a look at the strange being that is Usagi Yojimbo. While casual fans might recognize him from his cameos with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stan Sakai’s samurai rabbit offers a unique epic that needs more recognition.
Don’t let the anthropomorphic animals fool you, this series has all the action and grit of an Akira Kurosawa film. With all the battles and swordplay, it would make for a great animated film aimed at an older audience.
Ladycastle by Delilah S. Dawson
Delilah S. Dawson should be a familiar name to most Star Wars fans, but she has also worked on quite an interesting fantasy adventure in the form of Ladycastle. The graphic novel poses the question, what happens when the king and all his knights are defeated?
The obvious answer? The queen and the leading ladies of the castle defend the kingdom. With so many people craving more and more strong female leads, an adaptation of this series might be just what the doctor ordered.
Blacksad by Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido
Although it did recently receive a video game adaptation, an animated series or movie adaptation of Blacksad would be far more accessible to the public than a game would be. This eccentric crime-noir starring the titular black cat would make for one of the most interesting detective films since Sin City.
The comics already have a cinematic style to them, why not go all the way and make it an animated feature in the style of a Humphrey Bogart film? It wouldn’t be that difficult of a transition.
Chew By John Layman and Rob Guillory
The premise alone of this series should warrant an adaptation, although it’s definitely not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach at all. Chew tells the story of detective Tony Chu who solves murders with his Cibopathic abilities. And what does a Cibopath do? He gets visions of crimes and murders being committed by eating their food or their flesh.
On one hand, this would make for a very gory flick. On the other, it’s definitely one of the most original approaches to a psychic detective story.
Bowie By Mark Alfred and Steve Horton
With the success of rockstar biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, David Bowie definitely deserves his time in the spotlight, and the perfect cornerstone for a Bowie flick already exists in the form of a graphic novel. Loaded with a gorgeous art style and everything that made the man iconic, this would take home awards as an animated feature.
The panels are positively dripping with stardust and Moonage Daydreams, and it’s practically a near-perfect way to pay tribute to Bowie and all his various stage personae.
Maus By Art Spiegelman
Maus is a difficult series to read, but it’s a story that needs to be told to a wider audience. Art Spiegelman’s interpretation of his father’s time as a Polish Jew during WWII truly shows the weight and power a comic can have.
Part memoir, part autobiography, part historical drama with anthropomorphic animals, Maus waters down next to nothing and would be a challenge to make. But it would be a tremendous accomplishment nonetheless.
The Comical Tragedy Or Tragical Comedy Of Mr. Punch By Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is a genius of the medium, a master storyteller, and no stranger to graphic novels. With his most famous contribution to comics, The Sandman, getting a Netflix adaptation, there could also be space for something a little less-known.
The Comical Tragedy Or Tragical Comedy Of Mr. Punch follows a young boy’s life as he visits his grandparents and encounters a creepy puppet show. It’s twisted, it’s frightening, it’s darkly funny, it’s everything one could expect from the author.
