Weirdest TV Show Tie-In Comics That’ll Surprise You

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Comic book spinoffs provide an excellent method for franchises to progress further, especially when additional episodes aren’t feasible within a series. Many well-known and adored franchises have persisted in this manner. For instance, Stranger Things isn’t solely a Netflix show – it also has a comic book series that delves into the backstories of characters who appeared before Eleven, as well as numerous other escapades. This approach can help develop a universe or allow different creative minds to innovate with an established structure. However, it’s important to acknowledge that on occasion, these spinoff choices might seem unexpected or peculiar.

For those not familiar with the term, a tie-in refers to a situation where a franchise expands from one form of media to another. To illustrate, consider the show “Stranger Things,” which initially aired on Netflix. However, it has also spawned comic book series and even books. Some might find it odd that Stranger Things has comics, but considering the gap between seasons, it makes sense as a way to keep the franchise going. It’s worth noting that some tie-ins can be quite unexpected, so buckle up for more examples!

Happy Days (1979)

Looking back now, it feels logical that the popular show known for the phrase “jumping the shark,” Happy Days, would eventually spawn its own comic series. However, given that the show had run out of fresh ideas (which led to the famous shark incident), some might argue that saving those storylines for the original TV series could have been more beneficial. First released in 1979 and running for just six issues, the Happy Days comics take us on a nostalgic trip back in time. Titles like “Dial F-O-N-Z for Fantastic!” are particularly reminiscent of the past. Among these stories, we find Fonzie winning a $100,000 grand prize and reuniting with an old friend.

Gold Key Comics, operating under the label Whitman Comics, was responsible for publishing the “Happy Days” comic book series. Bill Williams served as the illustrator for this series.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Fervent followers of the hit animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, likely recognize that following its conclusion, many comic book adventures were penned for the beloved characters. Essentially, these stories didn’t end with the show; they continued to unfold in comics. Among these tales are graphic novels such as “The Promise,” “The Search,” “The Rift,” and “Imbalance.” The narratives span from Zuko’s journey to find his mother to Toph honing her metal-bending abilities (and even starting a school) – encompassing everything in between.

The Avatar: The Last Airbender graphic novels are available from Dark Horse Comics, perfect for those who still crave more of this beloved series. And if you’re a fan of Aang and company, don’t forget to check out the comics based on Avatar: The Legend of Korra as well!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

It’s fair to conclude that “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” made a deep impact on its viewers, an influence that seems likely to persist for a long time. The show gained such a massive following that it spawned its own comic book series. At first, these comics were not intended to be part of the official storyline; they served as lighthearted entertainment during breaks between seasons and the like. However, once the TV show concluded, they became the continuation of the series. Essentially, before any reboot news surfaced, reading the comics was the primary way for fans to keep up with the evolving “Buffy” universe. Besides the main “Buffy” series, there are also “Angel,” “Fray,” and “Spike” comic books. Diving into this collection is quite an intricate journey!

From 1998 to 2018, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics were released by Dark Horse Comics. However, in 2019, the responsibility for publishing these comics shifted to Boom! Studios.

Firefly

In a related vein, the TV series Firefly was unfortunately limited to just one season, yet its fan base was so passionate that they managed to persuade the cast to reunite for a farewell film. However, the story didn’t end there; it carried on through Boom! Studios in various comic book series. These series explore different paths, with some following on from the movie (Serenity) and others delving into Mal’s past to provide more insight. Furthermore, certain tales will seem otherworldly, especially when beloved characters make unexpected returns.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t hide my excitement over the extensive Firefly series published by Dark Horse Comics and Boom! Studios. From the original Firefly (2018-2022) to the latest additions like Firefly: Brand New ‘Verse (2021), All New Firefly (2022), and the ongoing Firefly: The Fall Guys (2023-2024), each new installment offers a fresh take on this beloved universe. And let’s not forget Firefly: The Sting, another captivating tale that’s currently unfolding! Keep in mind, this is just a glimpse into the vast Firefly comic book series – there’s plenty more where that came from, so don’t miss out!

Animaniacs

The popular animated series “Animaniacs” has made a comeback, demonstrating its enduring popularity among viewers. Yet, some fans might not realize there’s a wealth of comic books to explore related to this show. In total, there are over 60 “Animaniacs” comics available, along with another set dedicated solely to the characters of “Pinky and the Brain.” These two sets joined forces for another series called “Animaniacs! Featuring Pinky and the Brain“. Although this might seem complex, it led to even more comic books being produced. Fortunately, these comics manage to preserve the distinctive style of satirical humor that the show is renowned for.

The Animaniacs comics ran from 1995 to 2000 and were published by DC Comics.

Invader Zim

Are there any fans of the animated series “Invader Zim” here? Although Netflix released a movie for this show, its unique blend of dark humor, science fiction, and chaos has been kept alive through comic books for quite some time now. Initially aired on Nickelodeon, the series is back in the form of comics, with the original creator ensuring that the writing style and humor remain consistent. If you’ve been yearning for more “Invader Zim,” I highly recommend diving into its comic book archives as it continues the tale of an alien and a human boy filled with all the hilarious antics one could wish for.

Oni Press published the comic series “Invader Zim,” amassing more than 50 issues from 2015 to 2021. This production was a collaborative effort by creators such as Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Trueheart, Aaron Alexovich, Dave Crosland, and numerous others.

Fringe

The television show “Fringe,” created by J.J. Abrams, was incredibly popular, and with stories about multiple dimensions already set for a comic book adaptation, it’s no surprise. The comics are divided into three sections: the first explores the history of “Fringe” as depicted in the Prime Universe (the main series universe). The second series, titled “Tales from the Fringe,” continues this narrative, while “Beyond the Fringe” dives deeper into the “Fringe” lore, Peter’s story, and a broader exploration of other dimensions. Essentially, these comics are essential reading if you want to delve deeper into the technology, mythology, characters, or alternate realities featured in “Fringe.

DC Comics produced a comic book series based on the TV show Fringe, which consisted of three different titles: Comics from the Fringe, Stories Beyond the Fringe, and More Tales from the Fringe. Notable creators for these comics include Alex Katsnelson, Matthew Pitts, Christine Lavaf, Joshua Jackson, Mike Johnson, Danielle DiSpaltro, Kim Cavyan, Federico Dallocchio, Shawn Moll, Dave Lapham, Fiona Staples, Tom Mandrake, and Simon Coleby.

gen:LOCK

gen:LOCK was an animated series about mecha warfare that surprised viewers, balancing technology and personal identity, all while delivering suspense, drama, and intense conflict. Although the show received a second season, it fell short of fan expectations for many (some argue there wasn’t even a second season, and their opinions are valid). On the upside, there is a comic book series (and novel!) set in the gen:LOCK universe. Essentially, the events depicted in the comics could offer a more satisfying continuation compared to the second season, despite being left open-ended. The comics depict the gen:LOCK team venturing to Japan to tackle a Union blockade, providing some interesting insights into Kaz’s history.

The comic book titled “gen:LOCK” was produced by DC Comics, with writing credits to Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, and artwork contributions from Carlo Barberi, Waldon Wong, and Photobunker.

Charmed

When you imagine “Charmed”, it’s likely you’re thinking about the TV show that debuted in 1998 (or perhaps its subsequent reboot, no judgment here). Yet, before the TV series, there were comics set within the same universe. These comics align with the continuity of the storyline and make for an enjoyable read if you’ve been yearning for more adventures featuring these characters. Interestingly, the comic series includes content equivalent to two additional seasons compared to the original TV show, which ran for eight seasons in total. That’s correct! The comic series was structured around the television format, making transition between formats smoother.

Zenoscope Entertainment was the publisher of the “Charmed” comic series from 2010 to 2016, with a brief hiatus in between. Notable creators involved were Paul Rudits, Raven Gregory, Pat Shand, Dave Hoover, Marcio Abreu, Tess Fowler, Carlos Granda, Dean Kotz, Reno Maniquis, Elisa Feliz, Daniela Di Matteo, and several others.

Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour

To clarify, we’re not expressing any dissatisfaction about receiving more of Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy in their animated form. Instead, it’s amusing to consider a comic series that originated from a TV show, which itself was inspired by a comic book universe. Despite its convoluted nature, DC manages to pull it off quite well, or perhaps it’s all Harley Quinn’s doing! The comic series, titled “Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour“, is a spin-off set between seasons two and three of the main show. As you might guess from the title, it’s every bit as chaotic as one would expect! It all starts with a botched wedding and a frantic attempt to lift the spirits of Harley’s best friend.

The animated series “Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour” was produced by DC Comics. This comic book was penned by Tee Franklin, with illustrations from Max Sarin, Marissa Louise, and Taylor Esposito.

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2025-04-27 16:41