5 Dark Horse Comics Characters That Need a Movie Franchise

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Dark Horse Comics has become well-known in the publishing industry, frequently offering a home to beloved stories from film. For many years, the company has been the official comic book publisher for major science fiction and horror franchises, building on the stories of series like Alien, Predator, and Planet of the Apes. Although these licensed properties are a significant part of what Dark Horse is known for, the publisher also creates many successful, original comic book characters. Their most famous creation, Hellboy, has led to four movies and become a well-known character around the world.

However, a lot of movie fans don’t realize that other popular films and shows, such as the funny superhero movie The Mask or the science fiction series Resident Alien, also started as Dark Horse comics. These hits prove the publisher is consistently great at developing original ideas that can become huge successes with a wide audience. Even so, for every character that’s become a movie star, there are many more that are ready and waiting for their chance to shine in a franchise of their own.

5) Miyamoto Usagi

Miyamoto Usagi is a rabbit ronin – a wandering samurai – who travels through a world filled with animal characters inspired by feudal Japan. Created by Stan Sakai, Usagi is highly skilled with a sword and follows the strict samurai code of bushido. He frequently finds himself defending those in need from bandits and dishonest leaders. His adventures combine historical fiction, stories from Japanese mythology, and exciting samurai battles, resulting in a detailed and captivating universe. Usagi’s calm strength and firm dedication to fairness make him a truly memorable hero, a classic wanderer like the most famous samurai of legend.

While Miyamoto Usagi hasn’t starred in his own movie yet, he’s certainly appeared on screen before. He has a rich history with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, often appearing in their comic books and several animated series. Recently, Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles, an animated show on Netflix, featured one of his descendants. Still, the complete story of the original rabbit ronin remains untold in film, and his grand adventures would be ideal for a large-scale movie series.

4) Grendel

Grendel isn’t just one person; it’s a continuing tradition of brutality and hostility, inherited over many years. The first and most well-known Grendel was Hunter Rose – a talented writer, skilled swordsman, and cold-blooded killer who rose to power in New York City’s criminal world. Driven by a past heartbreak and a deep feeling of being unchallenged by his own intelligence, Hunter Rose transforms into a complex and frightening character, a villain who acts with the careful skill of an artist.

The character’s intricate backstory – tracing the Grendel identity across various hosts and extending far into the future – lends itself perfectly to a multi-movie series. Netflix previously developed an eight-episode series centered around the Hunter Rose storyline, with Abubakr Ali cast as the main character, but the project was sadly canceled before it could be released. Nevertheless, Grendel embodies a powerful, villainous force, and a film series could delve into the darkness he represents in a unique way that no other comic book character offers.

3) Ghost

Before her shocking murder, Elisa Cameron was a journalist exposing the corruption hidden within the city of Arcadia. But death didn’t stop her – she returned as the Ghost, a spectral vigilante. Stuck between the world of the living and the dead, she now wields supernatural powers – like teleportation, becoming intangible, and invisibility – to fight crime in her city. Her main goal is to find out who killed her, a search that leads her into a dangerous conspiracy and a world of darkness.

The Ghost is an ideal street-level hero, made unique by her supernatural abilities. Her stories skillfully combine the realism of crime noir with elements of otherworldly horror. The quest to understand who she *is* adds a strong emotional layer, making her more than simply a spirit seeking revenge. While she appeared briefly in Dark Horse’s “Comics’ Greatest World” in the 1990s – even crossing over with DC’s Batgirl – she’s never had a major movie or television adaptation. A film series focusing on the Ghost could bring a fresh perspective to the superhero genre, offering a tough, detective-style story where the hero’s own death is the biggest puzzle to solve.

2) Baltimore

Lord Henry Baltimore was a captain in the British army during World War I. His life fell apart after a dangerous fight where he injured an ancient vampire. This act brought the creature’s anger down on him, resulting in a terrifying spread of vampirism throughout Europe and the violent deaths of his entire family. This devastating loss changed him from a soldier into a determined hunter, fueled by a desire for revenge. Equipped with weapons like harpoons and knives, and possessing an unwavering spirit, Baltimore journeys through the war-ravaged lands, battling various terrifying creatures as he seeks to destroy the vampire responsible for ruining his life. Learn more.

Baltimore, created by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden, is the central figure in a sweeping and terrifying horror story. The world he lives in is a dark and haunting place, filled with wonderfully crafted monsters and a constant feeling of unease. Lord Baltimore’s journey to get revenge is a strong and visually rich story, ideal for a dark fantasy movie series that could fully showcase the impressively grim world Mignola and his team have built. It’s a truly immersive experience.

1) The Goon

The Goon is a large, powerfully built enforcer who works for the shadowy crime boss Labrazio. His job involves collecting money owed and fighting people in a town overrun with zombies, ghosts, robots, and fish-men. He’s the classic tough character – a skilled fighter who secretly has a good heart and defends his community from the constant supernatural dangers caused by the evil Zombie Priest. With the help of his quick-witted, somewhat unhinged partner Franky, The Goon deals with a world that’s a uniquely entertaining blend of old detective stories, silly humor, and disturbing horror.

The distinctive style of The Goon comics has made it a truly one-of-a-kind and much-loved independent series. A movie adaptation has been in the works for more than ten years; director David Fincher has been a strong supporter, and a successful Kickstarter helped fund a story reel. However, the film has faced numerous delays and remains unreleased. Most recently, Netflix was developing the project with Patrick Osborne directing. The Goon is a compelling character with a detailed and fascinating world that would be perfect for the big screen, making it Dark Horse’s most promising property for a major film franchise. It truly deserves to be seen by a wider audience.

We’re curious – which character from Dark Horse Comics do you believe deserves their own movie series? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion now in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-02 18:12