Hollywood has grown very fond of comic books, turning some of our favorite titles into movies, as well as TV shows.
These series tend to succeed with television audiences — Arrow, The Flash, iZombie and Daredevil have all received critical acclaim. Even those that struggle, like Constantine, are much discussed by fans of the comics.
But there are still a lot of great comic book stories that haven't yet been told. Here are the top five that we think would make excellent candidates for TV.
The Books of Magic
Before Harry Potter, there was Tim Hunter — another bespectacled boy who had a pet owl and could do magic. Neil Gaiman told his tale in the original mini-series, The Books of Magic, but others continued that story, taking Tim to the wonderful world of Faerie and into the very depths of hell itself.
Tim has the potential to become the world's greatest magician. On his adventures, he comes across other famous DC comic book characters, including Zatanna, John Constantine, Destiny, Dream, Death and The Spectre.
Tim's journey to find himself and discover the magic within would be fascinating onscreen, although we admit we'd also just love to see Matt Ryan reprising his role as Constantine here, too.
Saga
At the top of the list is Saga, Brian K. Vaughan's epic space opera that's sort of like a darker, grittier version of Star Wars. We start with two star-crossed lovers from separate factions of an ongoing galactic war. They have a baby and flee from those who would kill them simply for their choice of whom to love. The series has space travel and magic, as well as a family struggling to survive in a world that would tear them apart. It's a compelling read that would also make for an incredible big budget television series.
Fables
ABC's Once Upon A Time might take fairy tales and stand them on their heads, but the comic book Fables takes those familiar characters and turns them upside down — and inside out. The story tells us about fairy tale characters who have been kicked out of their world and must now live and survive in the real world — a world without magic. In doing so, they must hide who they are by living behind masks, all the while struggling in a place that isn't fond of anyone who is different.
Not only does this make for an interesting story, but the story begins with the Big Bad Wolf hunting down a murderer.
Locke & Key
Technically, Locke & Key has already received the TV treatment, in the form of a pilot episode that received critical acclaim but didn't get picked up by the networks (their loss). Yes, it's twisted — to the point that Fox passed on the pilot because it was "too scary." We think Locke & Key needs better treatment away from network TV, perhaps with a service that appreciates horror, such as HBO or Netflix.
The project isn't however dead, and there's a possibility that Locke & Key will become a three-part movie instead. We still think the story of a mysterious mansion with doors that lead anywhere and everywhere would make for better TV viewing.
Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come is one of those comic book stories that stays with you — even long after you've read it. It takes place in the future, where Superman, Wonder Woman and the Justice League are now older and facing a new generation of dangerous vigilantes — some who are their sons and daughters. This leads to a war among the superhumans that could destroy the world.
It's actually a shock that this hasn't been adapted for TV or film already, but we think it would make for a great mini-series. It has plenty of traditional superheroes we're all familiar with, and a lot of tension — Superman going up against Captain Marvel is particularly exciting.
[Photo Credit: Vertigo Comics]
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