7 Great Sci-fi Comic Books That Still Need a Movie Adaptation

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Many comic books have been made into movies, including big franchises like Marvel and DC, as well as independent titles. However, fewer science fiction comics have become successful films. The most well-known example is probably Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, with its three movies and Disney+ special remaining incredibly popular. Supergirl is on the way, and it looks like a sci-fi Western in space, similar to Firefly/Serenity. Beyond that, we’ve seen some good sci-fi comic adaptations like V for Vendetta, and some that didn’t quite hit the mark, such as Bloodshot.

There are a lot of fantastic science fiction comics out there just waiting to be adapted into movies or TV shows.

7) Annihilation

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is setting the stage for more stories set in outer space. While a Nova series on Disney+ is often discussed, many fans believe the Annihilation storyline would be perfect for a big-screen adaptation – if Marvel builds the groundwork carefully. The seeds for this story are already planted, as the Fantastic Four unintentionally alerted Annihilus to the universe’s existence when Reed Richards discovered the Negative Zone. An adaptation of the Annihilation Wave could be an epic, large-scale war movie and a huge win for the MCU.

6) Ex Machina

I recently revisited the Wildstorm comic Ex Machina – don’t mistake it for the sci-fi film! – and I’m still amazed it hasn’t been adapted for the big screen. Running for 50 issues from 2004 to 2010, created by Brian K. Vaughan (of Y: The Last Man fame) and Tony Harris, it’s a really compelling story. It centers on Mitchell Hundred, who becomes a national icon after 9/11, and then unexpectedly ends up as the Mayor of New York City. The series brilliantly blends superhero action with sharp political drama – imagine the possibilities! New Line Cinema saw its potential way back in 2005, and even Oscar Isaac signed on to help develop it in 2020, but sadly, we’re still waiting for this one to materialize. It really feels like a missed opportunity.

5) Black Science

From 2013 to 2019, Image Comics published Black Science, a 43-issue comic book series created by Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera. The story centers on Grant McKay, a scientist with a rebellious past, and his family. After an accident with a device they built, they’re flung across dangerous dimensions and struggle to find their way back home. Many fans consider Black Science a brilliant work, and believe it would make an excellent film or TV show.

4) Birthright

Now that it’s complete, Birthright is a must-read comic series from Image Comics. It would also make a fantastic movie or TV show. The story centers around a family devastated when their young son vanishes, only for a young man to reappear a year later, claiming to be him. He says he was raised in another dimension where time flows differently and has returned to prevent a major catastrophe. Full of unexpected twists, the truth behind his disappearance is far more terrifying than he lets on. This story has the potential to become a huge fantasy franchise, jumping between our world and the fantastical realm of Terrenos, or it could be a successful animated series, similar to Invincible.

3) Transmetropolitan

Transmetropolitan is a science fiction comic book series published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics. It centers on Spider Jerusalem, a journalist heavily inspired by Hunter S. Thompson, who investigates corruption and abuses of power by two U.S. presidents in a bleak, futuristic world. He’s determined to prevent things from getting even worse. Originally written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Darick Robertson between 1997 and 2002, the series remains remarkably relevant today, and is arguably one of the most timely sci-fi comics out there.

2) We3

We3 is a science fiction comic created by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely in 2004 for Vertigo Comics. It centers around three animal prototypes – Babdit the dog, Tinker the cat, and Pirate the rabbit – who were secretly turned into robotic weapons by the government. Equipped with armor, limited speech, and weaponry, they were designed for assassination missions. When the government decided to replace them with newer models, their creator helped them escape certain death. The comic follows their desperate flight as the military hunts them down. While a film adaptation was considered by New Line, it never materialized, though some elements appear to have influenced Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

1) Saga

Over the past ten years, Saga, an Image Comics series created by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, has become the most beloved and successful science fiction comic. It’s a space opera about a married couple from enemy worlds who go on the run with their daughter, Hazel, constantly battling to protect their family and their love. Many believe it would make a fantastic movie or, even better, a streaming series. However, the author, Brian K. Vaughan, has stated he prefers the story remain solely as a comic book and has no plans for adaptations.

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2025-12-16 22:16