Movie adaptations of comic books have taken over cinema in recent years. However, this connection between the movies and the comic book world is not a one-sided affair. Many movies have had comics based on them. Often publishers will compete for the comic rights of a movie, similarly to movie studios with the movie rights to a comic.
These comics allow creators to expand on the universe and stories within the movies. Unfortunately, there are times when these comics are an ill-thought-out way of cashing in on the success of the movie. However, the greatest of these additions are often highly popular in the fandom of these movies.
10 28 Days Later
The 28 Days Later comic series acted as a bridge between 28 Days Later and its sequel 28 Weeks Later. It explored the origins of the Rage Virus that initially took over the United Kingdom before expanding into Europe.
The story followed survivors from the movie, as well as original characters, at various stages of the outbreak. With a rumored third movie in the works, there is a chance that story elements and characters from this comic will be introduced on screen.
9 Shaun Of The Dead
Shaun Of The Dead was a game-changing movie that would establish the Horror-Comedy genre. Despite its new competition, which seems to be continuously growing, it has remained the gold standard of the hybrid genre. It kicked-started the highly successful and popular Cornetto Trilogy, as well as the careers of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright.
These three have gone on to do great things in the Movie and TV business. In the run-up to the release of the movie, Pegg and Wright wrote a comic strip for 2000 AD titled There's Something About Mary. This strip followed Mary, the first zombie of this world, as well as other characters within it. IDW Comics would go on to produce a follow-up comic series after the release of the movie.
8 View Askewniverse
Kevin Smith is a creator of cult classics in every form of media. He has been a comic book writer, director of comic book television shows, as well as hosting multiple podcasts on comic book properties. Smith made his name in directing and the creation of his View Askewniverse.
The View Askewniverse was a precursor to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and inspired was by Star Wars. A majority of Smith's creations are all apart of this universe, including comics, TV shows, and Movies. It all started with the movie Clerks which Smith self-financed. After Clerks, he would create comic counterparts to each of his movies, as well as new content to his universe.
7 Robocop
The Robocop movie franchise is a mixed bag of quality. It has had multiple sequels and reboots with various reactions from audiences. Some of the Robocop movies are hits, others are misses, and then there are those that lie somewhere in the middle. This can all depend on what version of the movie you watch too.
In the comics world, this is no different. There have been 5 publishers that have made Robocop comics and there are those that are great and should earn the franchise a higher place on this list. However, some drag the franchise down. The character has faced off against other iconic characters from cinema, again with mixed results of quality. BOOM! Studios is the current publisher of Robocop and is doing great work with the character, meaning the future is bright for this property in comics.
6 The Incredibles
The Incredibles introduced Superheroes to the world of Pixar. Although not based on any comic book property, the movie was a hit with comic book and superhero fans. It managed to perfectly illustrate a world where superheroes were in hiding and what attempting to live a normal life entailed for them.
There has never been a better deception of the Fantastic Four in cinema than The Incredibles. The comic team has never managed to transfer its quality from the comics to the cinema. However, The Incredibles was able to do the reverse, giving Marvel's first family a run for their money in terms of family-focused comics.
5 Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones is one of the biggest multi-media franchises of all time. It consists of an incredibly successful series of movies, a TV series, children's novels, video games, theme park rides and attractions, as well as comics. The initial trilogy by famous filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas dominated cinemas in the 80s and started it all.
The end of the trilogy did not mean the end of the story for Indiana Jones. In the 90s The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV show and a video game series would continue the story and legacy of Indiana Jones. Dark Horse Comics published a trilogy of comic series covering the TV show, video game series, and the fourth movie of the franchise, bring it all together.
4 Back To The Future
Back To The Future is a worldwide cultural phenomenon that has taken over cinema, musical stages, theme parks, video games, and comics. It is one of a select few 80s movies to not be rebooted or to receive a sequel decades after its original series of movies. It is universally agreed by fans of the franchise that this is for the best.
Although there is not an urge for another movie, fans love to learn more about the franchise in other media forms. This is why the comics based on the movies have been so successful. Bob Gale the co-creator of the movies, also co-writes the comics which adds authenticity to the series.
3 Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is a pop-culture-defining property spanning nearly 40 years. The franchise has had sequels, reboots, cartoons, video games, and comics, with more on their way. It can all be traced back to Saturday Night Live, which explains the comedic importance of every version of The Ghostbusters.
Ghostbusters has been published by several publishers. The series found its feet with IDW publishing, where multiple series based on the movies have been made, some connecting the various media in the franchise. This version of The Ghostbusters has had various exciting crossovers with other classic characters of cinema and comics.
2 Alien, Predator, AVP
The Alien and Predator franchises have had great success individually as well as together. There is a rare type of franchise to be able to have done this. Some franchises have crossed over in the past. However, they never formed a new franchise in the process like Alien Vs Predator has.
Their history in the comics is as rich as it is in the movies. As three franchises: Alien, Predator, and Alien Vs Predator have been extremely successful, and all three have crossed over with other comics and cinema properties. Marvel recently acquired the rights to both, which leads to promising developments with their series, as well as future crossovers.
1 Star Wars
Star Wars and Marvel are currently dominating across all forms of multi-media. However, this was not always the case. Star Wars and Marvel have struggled on various occasions in their history. For Star Wars this was leading up to the release of its first movie, which was almost a disaster.
The comic rights to the franchise were given to Marvel after A New Hope. Star Wars actually saved Marvel when they were in trouble during the 70s and 80s. This deal allowed the universe to be expanded upon, between movies and long-term absences. The rights would go to Dark Horse for a while before returning to Marvel with Disney's purchase of both properties. The two publishers produced amazing stories that complement the movies and other source material.