It’s no secret that Marvel and DC are powerhouses in bringing stories from paperback to the big and small screens. With several projects already lined up in the coming months (years, actually), the studios behind them are not stepping off the gas anytime soon.
But in recent years, there have been some great comic book adaptations that aren’t under the two major banners. Here are some great non-Marvel or DC projects that you probably didn’t know were based on comic books:
The Old Guard
Based on the comic book of the same name by Greg Rucka, “The Old Guard” follows a group of immortal warriors turned modern-day mercenaries led by Andromache “Andy” of Scythia, played by Charlize Theron. The film features a solid performance by Theron and the rest of the cast, well-executed fight sequences, and some really touching moments. A sequel has already been greenlit by Netflix.
Alita: Battle Angel
The Robert Rodriguez-directed and James Cameron-produced cyberpunk action flick is based on the 1990s manga series by Yukito Kishiro. Through amazing motion capture technology, Rosa Salazar stars as the titular cyborg, who wakes up to a post-apocalyptic earth in a new body and no memory of who she is or was. She is forced to fight for her life when she becomes the target of a foe who wants her technology.
The Umbrella Academy
Starring Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emma Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Justin Min and Aidan Gallagher, this series centers on a dysfunctional family of adopted super-powered siblings, who are constantly trying to stop the apocalypse from happening while dealing with their own personal issues. Production for the upcoming third season is currently underway. The show is based on the namesake comic book series by Gerard Way.
The Boys
The property was originally printed under DC Comics, but was moved to Dynamite Entertainment for its more mature themes and direction. The Amazon Prime Video exclusive is not your run-of-the-mill take on the superhero genre. In “The Boys,” a squad of vigilantes are hell-bent on taking down the “Seven,” a group of super-powered individuals who abuse their abilities. The show has been renewed for a third season, with a spin-off already in development.
Deadly Class
Set in 1980s San Francisco, the series—based on the comics by Rick Remender and Wesley Craig—revolves around a newcomer’s arrival in King’s Dominion, a private academy where teenagers from different walks of life are trained to become skilled and ruthless assassins. The show stars Benedict Wong, Benjamin Wadsworth, Lana Condor and María Gabriela de Faría, among others. The finale concluded with a promising cliffhanger, but unfortunately, Syfy cancelled the show after one season.