In an era where Hollywood makes most of its money adapting books, games and comic books into movies, the value of these IPs has been proven time and time again. However, the flow of adaptation goes both ways, and many movies and TV series have seen their stories move over to the world of comics. Many stories couldn't find success in movies, while others should be explored in additional mediums.
Comics have a rich history of continuing stories from other franchises. With many of the corporations that own these movies also owning major comic publishers, these adaptations are possible. Movies that failed in theaters but had an excellent inspirational concept are especially deserving of a second life in another medium like comics.
10 Waterworld Would Be A Great Aquatic Adventure Story
Kevin Costner's futuristic movie Waterworld saw the world almost entirely covered in the ocean. It was a box office flop but made for a great story idea. As a concept, the story was excellent, and felt very much like a Mad Max-in-water type movie, with pirates, bandits and dictators.
Waterworld was the most expensive film in history when it was made, which compounded the pain of its poor performance. However, the idea of an amphibious man who helps the people above the water while exploring the ruins of the lost world below could make for a great comic script with beautiful art.
9 Demolition Man Is Ripe For A Comic Book Continuation
Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes's dystopian sci-fi action Demolition Man is one of the highlights of both actors' careers. Telling the story of a hardened cop and unstoppable criminal frozen for decades, it explores a dystopian future society where freedom is curbed by a dictatorial scientist.
While that story has been resolved, the movie concluded with the spark of a new society thanks to the heroism of John Spartan (Stallone). The clash of cultures separated by time, the action value, and the possibilities of futurist technology would all make a solid comic book continuation of the universe.
8 Fatman Would Be An Excellent Santa Claus Comedy/Action Comic
Mel Gibson's comedy/action Fatman presented a comedic spin on Santa Claus, re-imagined as a partner with the US military. The fun spin on the father of Christmas-turned-action hero is a creative idea, and seeing the different parts of Santa's lore re-purposed for action was surprisingly enjoyable.
In comics, Fatman could be fertile ground for a new antihero story that follows Santa as he works to defend his North Pole from threats. The image of a grumpy Santa holding a gun as he battles intruders to his grotto and elves' workshop could make for an equally funny and action-packed series.
7 More John Wick Comics Are A Must-Have For Fans
After a well-received prequel comic with Dynamite Entertainment, John Wick has proven its value as a comic book series. However, with just five issues, fans have been left wanting more. The smash hit that the films are, any publisher would be wise to secure rights to make more John Wick comics.
The hype for John Wick has remained incredibly strong over the years, and the demand for the relentless assassin's stories is solid. With a huge portion of his early life still unexplored, there are a lot of John Wick stories still waiting to be told by a skilled creative team.
6 Fans Deserve An Unbreakable Comic Book Universe
M. Night Shyamalan's superb superhero thriller starring Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson has remained one of his most iconic films. The idea that superheroes exist on a spectrum of extreme human ability with a secret agency intent on killing them is fascinating.
While this movie would likely work best as a limited series to further explore that universe, it would be a welcome story by fans. The comic book should explore David Dunn's life as the "Overseer" superhero in the interim period between Unbreakable and Split.
5 Reign Of Fire Could Be A Great Apocalyptic Fantasy Comic
Touchstone Pictures' Reign of Fire, starring Christian Bale and Matthew McConaughey, was set in the aftermath of a world under assault by dragons. With England's survivors taking refuge in the country's old castles, they hold out hope for survival against the ancient threat.
When a unit of the US military shows up, under command of a reckless leader, they butt heads with the people. Bringing knights and dragons to the present day, as well as other mythology from England's past, could mirror success of the likes of BOOM! Studios' Once and Future by Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora and Tamra Bonvillain.
4 Samaritan's Comic Suitability Is Obvious
Sylvester Stallone's recent Amazon superhero movie Samaritan explores the life of a retired superhuman trying to remain obscure in the world. However, when the young boy who lives across from him becomes convinced that he is the superhero Samaritan, he begins an unexpected cycle of violence.
As a local crime boss incites crime and violence across the city, donning the mask of Samaritan's enemy, Nemesis, Joe (Stallone) is forced to act. With the movie already providing a superhero and villain dynamic, as well as its own city, the basis for a comic is there.
3 Avatar Has Enormous Comic Book Potential
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5){kind=avatar}
James Cameron's Avatar franchise would be great for comics for the artistic possibilities alone. The setting on the alien planet Pandora, the military and their technology, as well as the design of the Na'vi all make for a great comic series like Image Comics' Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples.
The strongest selling point for Avatar as a comic book would be the art, much as the CGI is for the movie. The unique creatures of the planet, the mech-suits of the military and the action sequences would all bring out the best of the artist. With so much of Pandora unexpored, any writer would have an open sandbox to delve into Avatar's lore.
2 Hugh Jackman's Van Helsing Should Have Been A Comic From The Start
When Hugh Jackman was cast as mythical monster hunter Van Helsing in the 2004 film, fans of both the actor and character were ecstatic. However, the film disappointed at the box office and failed to achieve a sequel entry. But the film has great comic potential.
An ongoing book that follows Jackman's relentless monster slayer as he hunts the legendary monsters of literature would be great. Not only would it make for a great story on the page, it would be a treat for fans of the hugely entertaining movie and its ideas. Mike Mignola or Kelley Jones, who illustrated books like Hellboy and Batman and Dracula: Red Rain, would be the perfect artists to realize this gothic world on the page.
1 Mad Max Has All The Best Components Of A Comic Book Series
Mad Max has always held great comic book points even as a film franchise. Not only are the movies known for looking great, but the apocalyptical cars, the unique costumes of villains and the wasteland setting all easily adapt into comics. Even DC's Flash has paid homage to it in Flash #784 by Jeremy Adams, Amancay Nahuelpan, and Jeromy Cox.
The Mad Max franchise has produced comic books in the past, but they were usually miniseries or prequel books. Mad Max deserves a full ongoing comic series. The idea of Max Rockatansky traveling the wasteland of post-apocalypse Australia battling villains and saving people makes for great entertainment, no matter the medium.