Oftentimes, we get sucked into the world of comics or comic book movies and never really think about the comics that deserve live-action adaptations. We’re always focused on those that are the most popular and the most talked about. And then we have these extremely high expectations for those movies or shows that, when they aren’t exactly like the comic books they’ve come out of, we get disappointed.
More times than not, we have gems sitting and waiting to be made into those live actions we want so badly. They are underrated comic book stories that not too many people pay attention to, and those who do don’t have that many people to talk to them about what they’ve read. Or so they think. Well, I have uncovered some gems, especially when it comes to Black characters, that should be gracing the screen. There are a lot of them, but these 8 comics that deserve live-action adaptations for sure!
Got it! Here’s the revised version with “comics that deserve live-action adaptations” naturally blended into the headings while still making sense.
8. Killadelphia – A Chilling Vampire Saga Among Comics That Deserve Live-Action Adaptations
Starting off strong with a series from Image Comics, written by Rodney Barnes. Now, we all love vampires. And some people of course think vampires are overdone or played out. However, this story is very interesting in the twists and turns it decides to take. First of all, the main villain is John Adams. Yeah, the Founding Father John Adams. He’s been a vampire for like 200 years and it is almost like having a political mystery on your hands with that super crazy supernatural element by adding vampires. And not just any vampires but black vampires. Something that is missed when it comes to the supernatural and horror story elements of movies lately.
That’s why getting a movie like Sinners or the new version of Interview with a Vampire are so exciting because we are often left out when it comes to the supernatural or we fall victim incredibly early and become nothing but a footnote so this would be a really exciting TV show more than it would be a movie. There’s so much going on with the main character as he is trying to find out about his murdered father’s old case as well as who really killed his dad. There is so much to unpack, 2-3 seasons would probably work. COME ON NETFLIX! This is definitely one to nudge for that deserves a live-action adaptation, it is just that good.
7. The Crew – A Team of Black Heroes That Proves Some Comics Deserve Live-Action Adaptations
For this next one, I don’t think anyone would even really be prepared for the extreme BLACKNESS that is THE CREW, created by Christopher Priest! So with this we have a group of black heroes which are Black Panther, Luke Cage, Storm, Misty Knight and Eden Fesi. At first they are only there for some self-serving reasons but then it of course switches over during Secret Wars when a community activist is murdered and he is linked to a group called The Crusade. After that they join forces and it essentially almost turns into a spy mystery or thriller type story which also includes trips to Wakanda, saving Shuri and defeating other villains.
This is a truly underrated story and group and there should have been 2 or 3 movies about them by now! I would love to see this adapted into a film. It would come in clutch with Secret Wars being announced by Kevin Feige for the future of the MCU. This would be an incredible story on their part, even if it is something separate, The Crew definitely deserves a live-action adaptation.
6. The Strangers – A Forgotten Classic Among Comics That Deserve Live-Action Adaptations
This one is very interesting. I think this one would probably be the most unusual of them all and would serve the most as a TV show. It is The Strangers from Malibu Comics. Now while this isn’t created by a black comic book writer, this would have one of the most interesting casts. The story in its basic form is a group of random passengers who are together on a cable car. While on this cable car they are struck by a bolt of lightning or a jumpstart from the Entity on the moon and it transforms them into Ultras. They then decide to form a team together, most of the people on the cable car anyway, and they call themselves The Strangers.
They go out being heroes and saving others from the ones who decided to be villains. Now while the story isn’t too complex, the characters of the story definitely are. Each of them has a unique personality that makes them extremely fun. There’s a lot that goes on between them, and it would be best served in a TV show. A movie would just not give what it should! But I would truly be so interested in someone’s take on this comic series! It definitely deserves a live-action with how underrated this book and this group is!
5. Witchblade – A Mythic Legacy That Shows Why Some Comics Deserve Live-Action Adaptations
So this one is a bit unusual. Mainly because I’m not saying Witchblade in its entirety but I’m saying specific Witchblade wielders. This one could also go either way. It could either be a live action adaptation TV show or it could be one of those movies that’s just a simple anthology. There are a few that I would absolutely love to see because of their stories and how each of them has changed the Witchblade for the next user.
The ones I would suggest are Josephine Valmont. Her spirit is actually in the Witchblade and can be seen by the current host. Raquel would be my next suggestion, she was Egyptian and used the Witchblade to fight Bastet. Anne Bonny is a pirate, Bastet because of course, and then last but not least Queen Kijani! These stories are so amazing and unique to each user and it would do so well on screen. With the reboot of the Witchblade comic book series these would come in heavy! They definitely deserve some live-action screen time!
4. The Blood Syndicate – A Powerful Story That Deserves a Spot Among Live-Action Adaptations
I feel like this one should be obvious. This team is EXTREMELY underrated. The Blood Syndicate’s story, much like Static’s, would serve well as a TV Show. I know people have been calling for a Static movie but honestly a movie isn’t going to do him the justice it should. The Blood Syndicate’s origin on Paris Island and being an extremely well organized team who eventually falls into despair when they are in the process of switching leaders and all the drama that surrounds everything they do. A series on Wise Son and Tech-9 alone would do a few seasons. The story of them and everyone they face throughout their time together says a lot and speaks to how our people tend to come together even when times seem their darkest. This is such a good set of books and characters and it 100% deserves a live action adaptation.
3. The Power Company – A Hidden Gem in DC Comics That Deserves Live-Action Adaptations
One of THE most underrated groups and stories to come out of DC Comics! Now the Power Company is a superhero team but they don’t operate like other teams. They are structured like a law firm and it is run by THE BEST attorney in DC Comics, Josiah Power. Now not only is Josiah the best attorney but he is considered, even by Superman, one of THE STRONGEST metahumans on Earth. So it stands that when he got hurt in their last appearance as the Power Company, Superman was SHOOK.
Does this not already sound like the most amazing story? Now as it is structured, you have Josiah at the top. You then have the partners which includes Skyrocket who honestly looks like a super cool and versatile version of the Iron Patriot or even Superior Iron Man. After that you have the associates which does include Firestorm, then you have the support crew. Now when the Power Company originally disbanded no one knew if they were going to get back together but recently they have come back with Black Lightning, Vixen, Tim Fox and Duke Thomas possibly in their ranks. With how underrated they are and how their stories seemed to be left behind to the forgotten masses, putting out a Power Company TV Show would be AMAZING! I’m looking at you HBOMax. If anyone deserves a live action adaptation, it is definitely them!
2. Dusu – A Fantasy Epic That Belongs Among Comics That Deserve Live-Action Adaptations
I never imagined that there would be another story that could be on the same level as Apocalypto but then I came across this set of comic books from Stranger Comics called Dusu. This was basically a fantasy/sci-fi comic book about a tribe and one person from that tribe Dusu Valoy is a human amongst magical beings. This could quite literally be another Apocalyto movie and I would tune in for it. This story is so much fun and the action that occurs in it is so wild and crazy, and it is very reminiscent of this movie on so many levels. This is one for sure that deserves a live action adaptation. The characters, the story, the development! It’s simply amazing and other people, even if they haven’t read it, need to at least SEE IT!
1. Tuskegee Heirs – A Futuristic Adventure That Defines Comics That Deserve Live-Action Adaptations
I was waiting for this one. So the Tuskegee Heirs was created and written by Greg Burnham. The entire series is like a futuristic sci-fi and action-adventure story. It’s at the end of the 21st century which follows a gifted squad of aviators that take after the Tuskegee Airmen. They are led by Col. Mars and they are THE STRONGEST line of defense for the world against villains and aliens and this story is truly amazing.
At this point it could be a movie, a live action show, a cartoon and have a japanese anime version with how good it is. They each display tremendous skill and all of them have a backstory that shows exactly why they are there and it just goes to show that we can do anything. This series is totally underrated and some could even say not well known but the right studio and the right cast would plunge this series into the spotlight immediately and it would be hard to deny that impact. This deserves so many live action adaptations and quite frankly, I’d watch every single one of them. Remake, reboot etc.
Overall these stories are either created by us for us or they are created with a true idea of us and seeing us represented correctly on screen is always what matters. All of these are underrated series and some of them even forgotten because they haven’t gotten the attention they truly deserve. So many lessons to be learned and characters to take note of. We need more of this and I NEED for some studios to make these things happen. We just need to keep celebrating, no matter whose story it is.
If you enjoyed this article and love seeing diverse stories brought to life, check out 7 Black Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Movies to Watch in 2025! From futuristic adventures to spine-chilling horrors, these films are bringing fresh perspectives to the genres we love. Don’t miss out—your next favorite movie could be on this list! 🚀🔥
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