7 Incredibe Fantasy Comics That Put Most Fantasy Movies To Shame

by

Fantasy comics are known for their amazing stories. They draw on myths, magic, and the supernatural to build immersive and exciting worlds filled with adventure, wonder, and often, darker themes. Because they’re so expansive and visually rich, some of these comic book stories are actually more compelling than what you’d find in a movie.

These seven comic books showcase the incredible potential of fantasy storytelling. Each one transports readers to unique and imaginative worlds – some fantastical, others surprisingly grounded in reality – and takes them on journeys filled with adventure and wonder, though not always happy ones. They’re all fantastic reads, and could even inspire some great movies!

7) Once and Future

Blending urban fantasy and horror, Once and Future reimagines the King Arthur legend for today. Created by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora, the story follows a resurrected Arthur who isn’t quite the hero everyone expected. When a group hoping to revive the legendary king instead unleashes a dangerous force, retired monster hunter Bridgette McGuire and her grandson Duncan must intervene. Arthur’s rampage threatens not only lives but also the potential arrival of other mythical creatures, and they’re the only ones who can stop him.

This book offers a fresh and imaginative take on the King Arthur story, which is a key part of what makes it so compelling. By setting the story in modern times and acknowledging that there are many different versions of the Arthurian legend, the book explores the power of storytelling itself – how stories can inspire, but also be misused.

6) Fables

Bill Willingham’s Fables is a long and intricate story that reimagines classic fairy tale and folklore characters. The comic series, which has run for hundreds of issues with art primarily by Mark Buckingham and others, centers on these characters—known as Fables—who created a secret community called Fabletown in New York City. They did so centuries ago after being forced from their homes by a powerful enemy called The Adversary. The story, set in the present day, follows the Fables as they navigate both everyday problems and a growing conflict, ultimately leading to a confrontation with the enigmatic Adversary.

The comic book series Fables is a wonderfully detailed collection of fantasy stories, brimming with characters and plotlines. While not every issue is a masterpiece, the world is so vast and imaginative that even individual stories feel like watching a movie. It’s been considered for both TV and film adaptations, but so far, none of those projects have gotten off the ground.

5) The Many Deaths of Laila Starr

Ram V and Filipe Andrade have created something truly special with The Many Deaths of Laila Starr. The premise is fascinating: what happens when Death itself is cast down to Earth and forced to live as a human? We follow Laila Starr, the avatar of Death, as she navigates this newfound mortality and fixates on the man destined to discover immortality. The core of the story is this incredible dilemma Laila faces – does she prevent humanity from conquering death, or does she allow the natural order to change forever? It’s a thought-provoking and beautifully told story that really stuck with me.

With beautiful writing, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr thoughtfully explores what it means to be human, and what happens when we face death. It uses magical realism to present a unique and compelling story about life, choice, and mortality, creating a truly captivating read that surpasses many films in its depth and intrigue.

4) Saga

Saga is one of Image Comics’ biggest hits, and it’s an incredibly ambitious story that goes beyond typical fantasy. It centers on Alana and Marko, a married couple on the run from both sides of a huge galactic war, as they try to raise their daughter, Hazel. The story blends science fiction, fantasy, political drama, and adventure into a sweeping narrative. It’s a large-scale story known for its surprising twists and willingness to put any character in danger.

Thanks to its incredibly detailed world and compelling characters, Saga is truly one of the greatest fantasy books ever written. It’s a captivating story full of surprises, and its worldbuilding is remarkably creative – only rivaled by another book on this list.

3) DIE

Okay, so while DIE isn’t quite on the same massive worldbuilding scale as Saga, it does have some seriously impressive worldbuilding going on. It’s another fantastic series by Kieron Gillen, and the premise is just so cool: a group of friends get sucked into the tabletop RPG they used to play when they were younger. Basically, the game becomes real life! It’s a pretty dark story, kind of like Jumanji, but it’s totally gripping and fascinating – especially if you’ve ever been into gaming yourself.

The great thing about the comic DIE is that even though the initial story arc finished, the adventure continues! A new series, DIE Loaded, has just been released, immediately throwing readers – and the characters – back into the game.

2) Monstress

This comic boasts world-building as impressive as the acclaimed series Saga. Monstress, created by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda, is an award-winning epic set in a magical world ruled by women, but it’s far from a typical beautiful fantasy. The world is gritty and dark, filled with magical creatures and forces often used for cruel purposes. It’s a richly-told dark fantasy with stunning artwork that doesn’t shy away from truly horrific and disturbing themes.

Even with its dark themes, Monstress manages to maintain a sense of hope throughout the story. Filled with action, adventure, and compelling personal journeys for its main characters, it’s surprising this hasn’t been adapted into a movie series. It’s a complex story, but it’s easily one of the most detailed and well-crafted fantasy comics available today.

1) The Unwritten

It’s been a decade since The Unwritten concluded, and it still stands out as a unique fantasy series. Created by Mike Carey and artist Peter Gross for Vertigo, the story centers on Tom Taylor, a man who unknowingly served as the basis for a hugely popular children’s book series, similar to Harry Potter. But being the inspiration for such a successful franchise has serious consequences – Tom’s life is disrupted by fans constantly comparing him to the fictional character. Things become even more complicated when it’s suggested that Tom might actually be the boy-wizard brought to life.

If you enjoyed Harry Potter and are looking for a new adventure with more mystery and intrigue, The Unwritten is a great choice. The story follows Tom as he unravels a complex puzzle that spans the history of storytelling, and discovers his own role within it. It’s a fast-paced, layered, and exciting story from beginning to end.

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/7-horror-comics-as-good-as-any-live-action-movie/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-14 17:15