7 Great Image Comics Characters That Need a Movie Franchise

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Although several animated TV shows have been successfully adapted from Image Comics-with Invincible being a standout example-there haven’t been many movies based on their characters. No comic book publisher has achieved the same level of success as the Marvel Cinematic Universe in terms of both film and television adaptations. The DC Universe, now under James Gunn’s leadership, is a potential competitor, but Image Comics still hasn’t launched any major movie franchises. The company isn’t as high-profile as it was in the 1990s, when creators like Rob Liefeld and Todd MacFarlane were instrumental in its founding. Because Image Comics prioritizes creator ownership, developing movies is more challenging compared to the larger Marvel and DC universes.

As a movie fan, I’ve seen some comic book adaptations really hit – like Kick-Ass back in the 2010s. Others, though… well, the Spawn movie from the 90s wasn’t great, but thankfully it led to a much better animated series! But thinking beyond the big names like Saga, which already has a fantastic and diverse cast, I think there are a lot of individual characters from Image Comics who really deserve their own movie series.

7) The Darkness

Back in 2001, Warner Bros. created a live-action TV series inspired by the Witchblade comic books from Image Comics. But another series from those same comics has the potential to become a really successful movie franchise: The Darkness. This series centers around Jackie Estacado, an ex-member of the mafia, who gains a powerful, supernatural ability also called the Darkness. The Darkness is portrayed as the primordial chaos that existed before light came into being in the universe.

I think this has the potential for some really compelling narratives, especially knowing Jackie’s history with the mafia before he turned into the hero we know. The Darkness really leans into that morally gray area, presenting him as a dark antihero, and I can easily see this evolving into a whole series of films or even a TV show, really digging into the rich mythology. Plus, it opens the door to finally bringing Witchblade to the big screen, since those two worlds are so connected.

6) Savage Dragon

Many people who grew up in a certain era recall the Savage Dragon cartoon that aired in the 1990s for two seasons. Though fans generally have positive memories of it, the series’ creator, Erik Larsen, wasn’t happy with how his character was portrayed. This dissatisfaction might explain why Larsen has resisted making a movie based on the comic, and why a film adaptation seems unlikely. Still, a Savage Dragon movie series would have great potential.

Naturally, any movie adaptation would need to follow Erik Larsen’s vision – a darker, more realistic, and violent storyline than what viewers saw in the animated series. The films would also need to stay true to Kurr, the character Larsen originally created for the comics, meaning he’d require significant creative control over the project. But if all of that aligned, it could become a hugely successful and popular movie franchise.

5) Gertrude

Although it would probably require animation, the I Hate Fairyland comic series from Image Comics has strong potential as a movie franchise. The story centers around Gertrude, now called Gert, who was magically transported to Fairyland when she was a child. After 27 years, Gert hasn’t aged, but she’s grown to strongly dislike her life in Fairyland and has become someone who avoids and even despises people.

This story might work even better as a TV series on a streaming platform like Prime Video, but it could also make for a really unique and enjoyable movie experience. A studio like DreamWorks could really bring it to life, perhaps with a style similar to Shrek, but with a bit more action. And the character Gert would likely become incredibly popular with audiences if she appeared in a film.

4) Pitt

Pitt is a comic book series from Image Comics that would be a great role for an actor like Dave Bautista in a movie adaptation. Pitt is a being who is half-human and half-alien, possessing incredible strength. Interestingly, he actually *gains* power when injured, much like the Hulk’s most dangerous ability.

This character shares similarities with Hulk in how they could function within a story. However, it also opens up possibilities for more frightening narratives, particularly given Pitt’s backstory involving the Creed – an alien race that engineered him as a weapon. Introducing Pitt and Timmy would give a director like Guillermo Del Toro a great opportunity to create something truly exceptional. It’s a chance for a unique blend of action and horror, leveraging Pitt’s established lore.

3) Hack/Slash

Hack/Slash is a perfect fit for a movie adaptation. Considering how well horror films do in Hollywood, this comic series has strong potential, as it’s heavily inspired by classic slasher movies. Cassie Hack is a survivor – a ‘Final Girl’ – who takes the fight to the monsters, protecting those who are being targeted. She teams up with Vlad, a large, scarred man, who assists her in hunting down killers.

As a huge horror fan, I’ve always thought the villains Cassie faces – the Slashers – deserve more recognition. She really should be a major horror icon by now, but for some reason, it hasn’t quite happened. What excites me most about Hack/Slash is the potential for it to launch its own franchise. Imagine if it took off and then we got crossovers with classics like Friday the 13th or even Evil Dead! That would be amazing and create some truly fan-pleasing event movies.

2) The Maxx

I’m a huge fan of The Maxx, and it’s awesome that this Image Comics series already got an animated show back in the ’90s on MTV! There was even a video game made, and I’ve heard whispers about a possible movie starring Channing Tatum, but it never materialized. Still, I really think The Maxx deserves a movie – it just *needs* to happen. It’s a shame the comic moved from Image to IDW, but that shouldn’t stop it!

The Maxx is a character existing in two different realms: the everyday, real world and a fantastical alternate reality called the Outback. He serves as the guardian of the Leopard Queen, who is secretly a social worker named Julie. However, Julie has no knowledge of the Outback. This story lends itself to a fantasy series, and with current CGI advancements, it could be brilliantly brought to life as a mix of live-action and animation. It also has the potential for rich mythology and expansion into a full-fledged franchise.

1) Criminal

Criminal isn’t focused on a single character; instead, each story features a new set of people, which has the potential to become a great movie series with the right filmmakers. These comics, created by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, offer a fresh take on crime stories while still feeling realistic. The first story centered on a pickpocket named Leo who found himself in a robbery gone wrong. The second followed a soldier who deserted his post while searching for his brother’s killer.

I think these stories would really shine as gritty crime thrillers. The way each one focuses on a different character within the criminal world reminds me of what Sin City could have been if the sequel hadn’t lost its way. Actually, Sin City proves that a movie franchise format could be absolutely perfect for Criminal. This has the potential to be the best movie adaptation of an Image Comics property *ever*. I’m excited to hear a Prime Video series is happening, but honestly, a full-blown movie franchise would be an even *better* idea.

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2025-09-30 21:21