For decades, comic books have been synonymous with capes, heroes, and city-smashing battles. Thanks to the dominance of Marvel and DC, we have come to expect that any comic-to-screen adaptation will involve epic origin stories, insane superhuman powers, and a villain with a flair for dramatic entries and monologues. But here’s the thing, not all comic books are about superheroes and not all TV shows based on them are popular enough.
In fact, some of the most inventive and emotionally rich series on television started life as something far different. From detective tales to demon-hunting heirs, comic books have seeded stories that are nothing like conventional superhero stories. And TV shows based on these comic books often fly under the radar. So when you do discover them, it’s surprising and intriguing at the same time.
What’s funny is you have probably binged a few of them without even realizing that they were born on the pages of a graphic novel or indie comic series. We have rounded up nine TV shows that you might not have known were based on comic books. Some of these are cult favorites, others had short but stunning runs, and a few are still going strong.
Here are 9 TV shows you had no idea were based on comic books.
‘Deadly Class’ (2019)
Set in the grungy underbelly of 1980s San Francisco, Deadly Class follows Marcus Lopez, a homeless teen who gets recruited into King’s Dominion, a secret academy that trains children of crime families and political extremists to become elite assassins. Naturally, the curriculum is brutal and the cliques are lethal, but as Marcus navigates the school’s hierarchy, he gets pulled into a web of revenge and dread.
Teen Assassins Find Meaning
This one’s a coming-of-age story wrapped in blood-soaked punk ethos, where friendship is essential, but it also feels like a ticking time bomb. Adapted from Rick Remender and Wes Craig’s comic series, it boasts stylized direction, with animated sequences and a killer soundtrack to finish things up. The cast is led by Benjamin Wadsworth and Lana Condor, and it’s built a cult following for its bold aesthetics.
‘iZombie’ (2015)
Liv Moore’s life takes a sharp detour when she wakes up from a boat party turned massacre as a zombie. She quits her medical residency and takes a job at the morgue, where she secretly snacks on brains to stay functional. But there’s a twist. Each brain she consumes gives her flashes of the person’s memories, which she uses to solve their murders. Helping her are her boss Ravi and detective Clive Babineaux.
An Offbeat Supernatural Procedural
iZombie is a quirky twist on the traditional procedural because it blends supernatural elements with a sarcastic sense of humor. The narrative also has thematic undertones of ethics and survival. Developed by Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright, iZombie (based on the Vertigo comic by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred) spans five seasons and each one expands the world and raises the stakes.
‘Wynonna Earp’ (2016)
Wynonna Earp tells the story of the titular character, who might appear as a typical gunslinger, but she’s actually the heir to a supernatural curse that forces her to hunt down Revenants, demonic reincarnations of outlaws killed by her ancestor, Wyatt Earp. With her revolver, Peacemaker, Wynonna returns to her hometown of Purgatory to face these enemies and get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding her family.
Queer Western with Cult-Classic Vibe
A mythical and sprawling blend of horror, western, and fantasy elements, this one has a scrappy and defiant spirit. It is based on Beau Smith’s comic series, it ran for four seasons, and it built a fiercely devoted fanbase. Especially for the unapologetic queer representation and emotionally rich character dynamics. Though there were budget restraints, the director used it creatively by leaning into camp and character rather than spectacle.
‘Human Target’ (2010)
In Human Target, we follow Christopher Chance, a bodyguard who acts as a human shield. Hired to protect clients from threats they can’t see coming, Chance inserts himself into their lives, often assuming new identities to draw out danger. Each episode finds him on a standalone mission where he navigates political conspiracies, corporate espionage, and personal vendettas.
A Paperback Thriller Coming to Life
Somewhat a blend of Mission: Impossible and Burn Notice, Human Target also boasts neat action sequences and a rotating cast of clients whose lives hang in the balance. Based on the DC Comics character created by Len Wein and Carmine Infantino, it took advantage of its pulpy origins and ran for two seasons. It never really cracked the ratings code, but earned pace for its throwback vibe and episodic structure.
‘The Middleman’ (2008)
The ABC series follows Wendy Watson, a struggling artist who stumbles into a secret organization that fights comic-book-style threats with insane precision. Her new boss, the Middleman, is a square-jawed, milk-drinking hero who battles literally everything, from evil puppets to alien boy bands, and together, they take on the most bizarre cases ever.
Crisp and Colorful, With a Comic-Book Aesthetic
With rapid-fire dialogue and a tone that swings between absurd and earnest, The Middleman chronicles Wendy’s journey from reluctant recruit to full-fledged agent, and while that’s the emotional anchor of the series, the narrative spirals into delightful nonsense all the time. It’s inspired by Javier Grillo-Marxuach’s comic series, and it feels like it was made for a very specific kind of viewer, and that viewer probably still quotes it.
‘Happy!’ (2017)
One of the most unique comic book adaptations of all time, Happy! centers on Nick Sax, a washed-up ex-cop turned hitman whose life takes a surreal turn after a near-death experience. He meets Happy, a tiny, blue animated unicorn who claims to be an imaginary friend of a kidnapped girl. Hesitant at first, Nick teams up with this hallucinatory unicorn and dives into a world of crime, corruption, and holiday-themed horror.
Hitmen and Hallucinations
Part noir, part acid trip, and never afraid to push boundaries, this one features twisted villains and takes emotionally raw detours. Inspired by the comic by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson, Happy! is chaotic, but it’s anchored by Christopher Meloni’s magnetic performance. His portrayal of Nick is broken and bruised, and his chemistry with Patton Oswalt’s voice work as Happy somehow works.
‘Outcast’ (2016)
Created by Robert Kirkman, Outcast tells the story of Kyle Barnes, a man who has spent most of his life haunted by demonic possession. First his mother, then his wife, and now strangers are drawn to him like moths to flames. Living in the small town of Rome, West Virginia, Kyle discovers that his painful past may hold the key to fighting a growing supernatural threat, and he starts to confront the dark forces.
Asks More Questions Than It Answers
Adapted from the comic by Kirkman and Paul Azaceta, Outcast is more about mood than spectacle. The director favors shadowy interiors and subtle dread, building tension through silence as much as scares. While the second season struggled with pacing and was shelved without closure, Outcast stands out for its commitment to tone and refusal to turn possession into conventional jump scares.
‘Stumptown’ (2019)
In Stumptown, Dex Parios is a sharp-witted, PTSD-riddled Army veteran turned private detective in Portland, Oregon. She is broke, emotionally messy, and constantly one step behind her own bad decisions. But Dex is also relentless, loyal, and surprisingly good at solving cases. From tracking down missing persons to untangling local crime webs, Dex does it all with a mix of sarcasm and vulnerability.
A Female-Led P.I. Drama with Heart
Adapted from the Oni Press comic by Greg Rucka, Stumptown is a refreshing spin on the P.I. genre. Cobie Smulders is pitch-perfect as Dex. She balances toughness with emotional nuance. Also, the show’s got that offbeat Portland charm, using music, lighting, and pacing to create a vibe that is more indie film than network procedural. Stumptown only lasted one season due to pandemic-related production issues, but it was well-received for its writing, cast chemistry, and grounded storytelling.
‘Resident Alien’ (2021)
Relatively popular entry on the list, Resident Alien begins with an alien crash-landing on Earth and assuming the Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle, a reclusive physician in a sleepy Colorado town. His mission is to wipe out humanity, but as he fumbles through human interactions and befriends locals, Harry begins to question his purpose. Plus, a young boy can see through his disguise, which only sets off a cat-and-mouse dynamic between them.
Humor, Heart, and Genre Playfulness
Resident Alien balances sci-fi absurdity with small-town drama and explores the idea of being human through the eyes of someone who isn’t. Based on the Dark Horse comic by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, it thrives on Alan Tudyk’s wonderfully weird performance. He brings physical comedy, deadpan delivery, and unexpected pathos to a character who’s both alien and oddly relatable. Across its four seasons, Resident Alien has built a loyal audience.
