5 James Tynion IV Comic Books That Deserve a TV Show After Something Is Killing the Children

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James Tynion IV is pioneering a new path for comic book creators. He’s moved from simply writing for major publishers like DC Comics (where he successfully worked on Batman) to owning and controlling his own intellectual property. By leaving Batman at a peak moment, Tynion used his established name to independently create and publish ambitious horror and sci-fi comics—genres often overlooked by the biggest publishers. Through his production company, Tiny Onion, he’s become more than just a writer; he’s a creative leader who designs stories with future adaptations in mind, building potential for television and film from the very beginning, instead of after the comics are already published.

James Tynion IV has proven his ability to build successful shared universes, most notably with the ‘Slaughterverse,’ which began with the comic book series Something Is Killing the Children. This world features real monsters and skilled hunters like Erica Slaughter, who work for a hidden organization called the Order of St. George. The story’s popularity led to a deal with Blumhouse Productions to create both a live-action movie and an animated show, with Tynion IV closely involved in the adaptation process. He’s staying on as a lead writer to make sure the show captures the same intense atmosphere and careful storytelling as the original comic. However, the Slaughterverse is just one of several universes Tynion has created that could potentially become a high-quality television series.

5) Exquisite Corpses

I’m completely hooked on Exquisite Corpses – it’s a game-changer for comics! What’s really cool is it’s not just one writer; it’s a whole team, led by Tynion, with amazing contributions from folks like Tate Brombal and Sam Johns. The story is wild: basically, the richest families in America secretly fund a yearly deathmatch between twelve professional killers in a small town. We’re following one of these competitions, happening in Oak Valley, Maine, and it’s terrifying watching the townspeople try to survive as these assassins go crazy. But it’s not just action and horror; it’s a really sharp critique of wealth and power, showing how the rich literally fight to stay on top while everyone else suffers. The way it’s written, with this ‘writer’s room’ approach like a TV show, already feels built for streaming – it’s got a natural seasonal flow. There’s no official announcement yet, but the huge sales numbers for 2025 make it pretty clear someone’s planning a TV adaptation, and I can’t wait!

4) The Woods

The sci-fi story The Woods centers around a high school that suddenly finds itself transported to a dangerous alien moon. The students and teachers must survive in a hostile environment while trying to understand the moon’s mysterious, ancient technology. The story particularly explores how the school community breaks down as they struggle to maintain order while facing constant danger. What sets this story apart from typical survival stories is the psychological toll on the characters, who realize their situation isn’t random – they’re part of an alien experiment. After a previous attempt at a live-action TV show fell through, the rights were picked up in late 2025 by Tiny Onion, the company of the original creator, to make an animated series for adults. Animation will allow for a more accurate portrayal of the moon’s strange lifeforms and immense size, something a live-action version couldn’t have achieved due to budget constraints. Hopefully, this new adaptation will finally come to fruition.

3) W0rldtr33

W0rldtr33 is a complex story that explores how the internet and social media can have dangerous consequences in the real world. It centers around a group of friends who, in 1999, stumbled upon a dark and hidden part of the internet called the Undernet. Years later, they must come back together when a wave of violent acts proves that something evil from the Undernet has escaped into our reality. This entity uses social media to manipulate people and cause widespread violence, turning connection into a force that threatens society. The series has a visually striking style, using bright, overwhelming colors to capture the feeling of being constantly bombarded with information. W0rldtr33 is being developed as an animated series for Netflix, with Ashley Cardiff as showrunner, and is expected to be released in a couple of years.

2) The Nice House

Both The Nice House on the Lake and The Nice House by the Sea are brilliant examples of psychological thrillers that create a feeling of intense confinement. Set after the world has ended, the story centers on ten friends invited to a lavish home by Walter, who reveals they are the only survivors. What begins as a safe haven quickly becomes a prison as they learn Walter is a powerful, otherworldly being with mysterious motives for saving them. The books delve into the characters’ pasts and their complicated relationships, suggesting that their pre-existing conflicts are more significant than the apocalyptic event itself. With its focus on intimate character interactions rather than large-scale action, The Nice House is perfectly suited for a high-quality television adaptation.

1) The Department of Truth

James Tynion IV’s The Department of Truth is his most imaginative work yet. It presents a world where believing in conspiracy theories can actually make them real. The story centers on Cole Turner, an ex-FBI agent who joins a secret government agency dedicated to stopping these myths – everything from the idea that the Earth is flat to stories about legendary creatures – before they change reality as we know it. Surprisingly, the agency is run by Lee Harvey Oswald, who keeps things in order by controlling the narrative and silencing anyone who challenges it. The series is a thought-provoking look at how easily truth can be distorted in today’s world, suggesting that what people believe is often more powerful than actual facts. SISTER, the company behind the acclaimed series Chernobyl, owns the rights to adapt The Department of Truth, and Tynion was recently co-writing a pilot episode with the hope of turning it into a full television series.

If you could turn any of James Tynion IV’s comic book worlds into a high-quality TV show, which one would you choose? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-11 22:12