Comic books and novels have a closer relationship than many people realize. In fact, plenty of comic book characters have later found themselves adapted into more traditional books, sometimes written by the people who worked on the original comics. This has happened quite often with the characters of the DC Comics universe.

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It helps that DC Comics have seen its characters appear in film and television and once a film or series gets popular, there are bound to be novelizations around the corner, not to mention ones written as promotions. Because of this, certain writers have experience adapting the famous DC characters into the printed form. That said, there are plenty of books that actually adapted stories directly from the comics, too.

10 The Adventures of Superman: This Was Superman's First Novel

SUPERMAN COSTUMES - Golden Age

Superman has been in books as early as 1942 in the novel, The Adventures of Superman. Despite the transition out of comics, the book had illustrations, including ones in both color and black-and-white, as well as sketches by Joe Shuster.

The book is notable for likely being the first novelization of, not just Superman, but any comic book character. While based on the comic book hero, the story, written by George Lowther, it was the first time Superman's parents' names were finalized as Jor-El and Lara, previously being Jor-L and Lora. That said, this being before his adoptive parents were officially named Jonathan and Martha, the Kents were named Eben and Sarah.

9 The Death and Life of Superman: A Few Story Arcs From The Comics Get An In-Depth Focus

superman-golden-age-header

This novel adapted a few story arcs from the comics: "The Death of Superman", "Funeral for a Friend", and "Reign of the Supermen."

Written by Roger Stern, the book opens up with the death of Superman being announced to the world, his battle with Doomsday, and his eventual return, answering previously unexplained questions about the story.

8 Superman: Doomsday & Beyond: A YA Book Takes A Look At Superman's Death

Golden Age Superman Eagle

This novel, written by Louise Simonson, adapts the same story arcs as Roger Stern's novel, The Death and Life of Superman, however, it seems more explicitly written for a young adult audience.

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Also known as Superman Lives!, which assures the reader of Superman's return, this version even received an audio adaptation that aired on BBC Radio.

7 Batman: Knightfall: Batman Needs To Find His New Replacement

batman-robin-two-face-knightfall

Written by Dennis O'Neil, the story concerns Batman, after suffering a serious injury, having to decide between his apprentice and a vigilante to possibly take on the role of Batman.

Batman: Knightfall was an adaptation of the "Knightfall", "Knightquest", and "KnightsEnd" story arcs in the earlier comic books.

6 Batman: Knightfall & Beyond: Once Again, Batman Must Comes To Terms With His Successor

Batman Knightfall

Similar to Superman: Doomsday & Beyond, this was a young-adult variation of the story arcs that were adapted into the Batman: Knightfall book and was even released around the same time as the alternate Batman book.

Keeping with the storyline, Batman must once again contend with his injury and a supplanter who seems to care more about punishing the wicked than protecting the innocent, with a story by Alan Grant.

5 Kingdom Come: Superheroes Fight Vigilantes In The Far-Off Future

Superman flying with other heroes in Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come was originally a four-part miniseries from DC Comics. Most of the story, set in a deconstructed future, features a rivalry between traditional superheroes and their contemporary vigilante counterparts. Many classic DC characters, such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman. and even Captain Marvel appears in the story.

A few years after it came out, it received a novelization. Its creators Mark Waid and Alex Ross even served as co-writers on the project, working with Elliot S. Maggin.

4 The Life Story of the Flash: Iris Allen Tells The Story Of The Flash

The Flash

Written by Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, the DC superhero known for his speed eventually got his own book, filled with prose by the two authors. Aspects of his story, from his childhood, his transformation into a superhero, and even his eventual death are all covered in the story. That said, the story is written from the perspective of Iris Allen, the superhero's love interest, who is even credited as an author.

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This book even used art from earlier comic books and was eventually converted into a graphic novel for DC Comics.

3 Batman: No Man's Land: Gotham City Suffers A Huge Earthquake In A Crossover Story

BATMAN TRAGEDIES

This Greg Rucka book is a novelization of the "No Man's Land" comic book story arc. The original crossover storyline features characters like Oracle, Nightwing, and Huntress, as well as Robin and Batgirl, and even an appearance from Superman, who even appears in his Clark Kent identity.

The story revolves around Gotham City being transformed into a lawless nightmare after being impacted by an earthquake. Graphic Audio would later produce an audio adaptation of the book.

2 Crisis On Infinite Earths: A New, Unified DC Universe Arrives In Print Form

DC Crisis On Infinite Earths

Written by Marv Wolfman, this book takes on the limited "Crisis on Infinite Earths" series from the comics. The original limited series, a crossover event, was meant to create a unified DC Universe cut off from the previously established DC Multiverse, with parallel Earths and universes famously being introduced to explain conflicting storylines.

It also received an audio adaptation from Graphic Audio.

1 Infinite Crisis: This Is The Follow-Up To Crisis On Infinite Earths

Earth-2 Superman breaching the walls of reality in Infinite Crisis

Written by Greg Cox, this was a novelization of the limited "Infinite Crisis" comic book series. It makes sense this limited series would also get a printed version since it is intended as a sequel to the aforementioned "Crisis On Infinite Earths." The story deals with Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman in a feud while characters venture between the parallel worlds.

It also received an audio adaptation from Graphic Audio.

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