Buzz
While it’s widely known that Iron Man and Superman were iconic comic book figures long before their cinematic adaptations, many other films have hidden roots in the comic book realm. From cult favorites to Academy Award contenders, these movies share a common thread: their existence is owed to the comics that sparked their creation. Here’s a list of 11 films you may not have realized were inspired by comics.
1. A History of Violence
Director David Cronenberg was unaware that his 2005 thriller, centered on a family man haunted by his dark past, was based on a graphic novel until he was deep into revising the script’s second draft. Josh Olson, the screenwriter, earned an Oscar nomination for adapting John Wagner and Vince Locke’s 1997 graphic novel, published by Paradox Press. While some scenes were directly taken from the comic, the film diverges notably from its source, with Olson’s script emphasizing the impact of the protagonist’s violent history on his family.
2. Alien Vs. Predator
Although the two iconic monsters featured in this 2004 film had already established themselves as Hollywood horror legends, it was a 1989 comic that first envisioned their epic clash. The concept originated in the Dark Horse Presents anthology series, where the xenomorphs from the Alien franchise faced off against the hunters from the Predator series, thanks to Dark Horse Comics' licensing agreement with 20th Century Fox. The comic's success paved the way for the crossover to hit the big screen, with a subtle nod in Predator 2 showcasing an alien skull in a Predator's collection.
3. From Hell
This 2001 film, centered on a London detective hunting Jack the Ripper, was adapted from a serialized comic that concluded in 1996. Written by Alan Moore, renowned for Watchmen
4. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Often considered the film that drove Sean Connery to retire from acting, this 2003 movie was a very loose adaptation of Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's multi-volume comic series, which debuted in 1999. While the original comic presented a sharp, intellectual adventure uniting iconic literary figures across a shared timeline, the film fell far short of expectations for Moore, fans, and critics alike. Moore's disdain for the adaptation was so profound that he later introduced a character resembling Connery's James Bond in subsequent volumes, portraying him in a highly unflattering light.
5. The Mask
This 1994 comedy not only catapulted Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz to stardom but also solidified the future of Dark Horse Entertainment, the film division of Dark Horse Comics. As the first original Dark Horse comic to achieve major box office success (and their second film project after Dr. Giggles), The Mask spawned numerous comics and spin-offs featuring various characters wielding the magical mask's chaotic powers. The original series, conceived by Dark Horse publisher Mike Richardson and crafted by John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke, included scenes that were directly adapted for the movie.
6. Men In Black
Originally published in 1990 by Canadian indie publisher Aircel Comics, The Men In Black was a short series by Lowell Cunningham and Sandy Carruthers. By the time it reached the big screen, Aircel had been acquired by multiple publishers, with the series eventually landing at Marvel Comics in 1994. Despite its modest origins—just two three-issue stories—the comic gained significant traction, prompting Marvel to release spin-offs and a prequel once the film's blockbuster potential became evident. The movie adaptation softened the comic's violent tone and removed paranormal elements, giving the concept a fresh, more mainstream appeal.
7. Red
While both the 2010 action movie and its 2003 comic source material were praised by fans, they diverge significantly in tone and execution. Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner's original comic was a dark, violent thriller spanning just three issues, focusing on a lone protagonist. In contrast, the film adaptation introduced humor and expanded the story to include a star-studded ensemble cast. Ellis has openly noted the stark differences between the two, emphasizing that his comic lacked sufficient material for a direct translation to the screen.
8. Road to Perdition
Max Allan Collins authored both the 1998 comic series that inspired this 2002 film and the novelization of the movie. The film, centered on a mafia assassin fleeing his former bosses, softened some of the comic's violence, particularly involving Tom Hanks' character. Collins appreciated certain changes, such as the introduction of Jude Law's character. The series' success led Collins to write additional books, each exploring different figures entangled in the criminal underworld.
9. Timecop
This 1994 film, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as a time-traveling action hero, was based on a short story from the Dark Horse Presents anthology. The movie's success led to a TV series and a video game, both inspired by the comic's premise. Writer Mark Verheiden, who created the original comic, co-wrote the screenplay with Dark Horse founder Mike Richardson. Despite the film's popularity, the comic-book side of Timecop only included an adaptation of the movie and the initial three-part series, Time Cop: A Man Out Of Time.
10. Virus
Jamie Lee Curtis has openly criticized this 1999 sci-fi horror film, where she starred as the leader of a salvage crew encountering a terrifying entity on a deserted Russian research vessel. The comic that inspired the movie, written by Chuck Pfarrer, began as a screenplay but was adapted into a Dark Horse Comics series in December 1992 after Pfarrer concluded that the special effects of the time couldn't do the story justice.
11. Wanted
The 2008 film turned supervillains into protagonists and became a box office success, though it strayed far from the graphic and subversive tone of its source material. Mark Millar, known for Kick-Ass, wrote the original six-issue series in 2003, depicting a world where villains secretly dominate. While the movie borrowed some themes and characters, it diverged significantly, particularly in the portrayal of the main character, who in the comic was modeled after rapper Eminem. Angelina Jolie's character, Fox, also differed visually from her comic counterpart, who was inspired by Halle Berry.
