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Library Research Guides

Graphic Novels: Graphic Novels on the Screen

A libguide introducing you to the diverse world of graphic novels.

Overview

There has been a huge resurgence of graphic novels being made into movies and tv shows in the last few decades, in part to the early success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Most of the stories that inspired the MCU or DC movies were covered in the section on DC/Marvel Recommendations but below you will find some other graphic novels that have made it to the big and small screens in recent years.

DC

Marvel

Other

DC on Screen

The series focuses on Lucifer Moringstar, a handsome and powerful angel who was cast out of Heaven for his rebellion. He tired of being the Devil down in Hell so he abdicated his throne and set up in Los Angeles, running nightclub. He ends up involved in a murder investigation with the LAPD where he meets Detective Chloe Decker who intrigues him.
The series ran for three season on Fox before being cancelled. It was then picked up by Netflix where it ran for another three seasons.

Morpheus, the personification of dreams and one of the seven Endless, is captured in an occult ritual in 1916. After being held captive for 106 years, Dream escapes and sets out to restore order to his realm, the Dreaming.
The show was developed by writer Neil Gaiman who also helped produce it. It was in development for over 20 years before  premiering in August of 2022. In November of 2022, it was renewed for a second season.

Former Robin Dick Grayson is now a police detective in Detroit when he meets Rachel Roth (Raven), a teenage girl being pursed by dangerous forces. As they look for answers to Rachel's past they meet an alien named Kory Anders (Starfire) and a shapeshifter named Gar Logan (Beast Boy). The four come together with other young heroes to reform the Titans.
The first season was released in 2018 on DC Universe then season 3 & 4 were released on HBO Max. The show ended in May 2023.

Marvel on Screen

After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) must partner with Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) to confront enemies of both their pasts in order to get back to his family in time for Christmas.
The 6 episode series ran on Disney+ in 2021. It was heavily influenced by the Matt Fraction run of the Hawkeye graphic novels and gathered many positive reviews for it's story, shooting, and casting.

Lawyer by day Matt Murdock uses his enhanced senses to fight crime at night in his New York City neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen. Known as the vigilante Daredevil, Matt struggles to balance his nighttime activities against Wilson Fisk while running his law firm with his friend  Foggy Nelson.
The series was released on Netflix in 2015 to wide acclaim, particularly for Charlie Cox as Matt and Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk. It ran for three seasons on Netflix before being cancelled in 2018.

Six teenagers discover that not only do they have super powers but they must unite against a common enemy - their parents.
The show premiered on Hulu in 2018 and ran for three short seasons (totaling 33 episodes). It garnered many positive reviews for it's storylines and casting.

Others on Screen

Released in 2010, Scott Pilgrim received positive critic reviews but little success at the box office. It now enjoys a cult following that praises it's visual effects, storytelling, music, and it's cast. The all star cast includes Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Brie Larson, Brandon Routh, and Jason Schwartzman. Run time 112 minutes, rated PG-13.

Released in 2010, the main appeal comes from it's cast which includes Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans, and Idris Elba. They would become household names shortly after and it's their performances that keep the story moving forward. Run time 97 minutes, rated PG-13.

Released in July of 2020 on Netflix, The Old Guard is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the first black woman to direct a comic book film. It received positive reviews for it's action, it's depiction of queer characters and their relationship, and for the performances of Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. A sequel was green lit in January 2021.Run time 125 minutes, rated R.

AMC's TV series version of The Walking Dead started in 2010 and ran for 11 seasons (117 episodes), till 2022. Almost every season garnered reviews of at least 80% positive, often higher, and the show has received worldwide critical acclaim for it's storylines and cast. It's success has also led to six spinoff or companion TV series as well as numerous web series, podcasts, and aftershows. 

Premiered on Netflix in 2020, the series ran for three seasons for a total of 28 episodes. The show garnered mostly positive reviews, specifically it's score, set design, and visual effects as well as praising the handling of themes such as loss, trauma, and horror genre elements.

Released in 2013 and starring Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, and Octavia Spencer, Snowpiercer received critical acclaim and appeared on many film critics' top ten lists in 2014. In particular the praises the way director Bong Joon-ho created a post-apocalyptic world that is set on the contained space of a moving train. The critical success of the film led to the creation of a TV series on TNT starring Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs, and Sean Bean. Run time 126 minutes, rated R.