5 Great Image Comics That Could Be Amazing TV Shows

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Image Comics launched in 1992 and dramatically changed the comic book world. Unlike Marvel and DC, where creators typically didn’t own their work, Image focused on letting writers and artists fully own the rights to their creations. This encouraged them to tell more original stories, moving beyond typical superhero themes. This new business model led to innovative and popular comics like Spawn and The Walking Dead, proving that independent titles could become just as successful – if not more so – than those from the major publishers.

With more and more viewers tuning into ongoing TV dramas, Image Comics has become a go-to source for streaming services looking for their next big hit. The success of the animated series Invincible proves that Image creators’ willingness to try new things works well for high-quality television. Because Image gives its artists a lot of freedom, their collection is full of unique and complex stories that are perfect for adapting into TV shows.

5) Phonogram

Created by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, Phonogram imagines a world where music is a real source of magical power. The story follows “phonomancers” – people like David Kohl and Emily Aster – who use the feelings evoked by popular and indie songs to perform spells and explore a secret supernatural society. This blend of pop music and the occult makes it perfect for a TV series, offering a chance to use a carefully chosen soundtrack to enhance the storytelling.

Many fantasy stories use standard magic systems, but Phonogram is different – it portrays listening to music as a powerful, changing experience. The series has a cool, modern style, mixing fantasy with the history of British music. A TV show based on Phonogram could focus on different musical periods or genres in each season, similar to how the comic book is organized (like The Singles Club). Though the creators later became very popular with The Wicked + The Divine (which explores similar ideas), Phonogram’s smaller scale and realistic feel would be ideal for a streaming series with a unique, focused approach.

4) Criminal

Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips redefined modern noir comics with Criminal, a series of connected stories about heists and revenge, all taking place in the made-up city of Center City. The stories focus on families involved in crime, showing how the mistakes of the past often impact future generations.

The popular comic book series Criminal is being adapted into a major television show for Prime Video, slated to premiere in 2026. The series boasts a strong cast, with Charlie Hunnam playing the strategic Leo, Emilia Clarke as the alluring Mallory, and Luke Evans as the driven Tracy Lawless. The creators are working with co-showrunners Ed Brubaker and Jordan Harper to capture the gritty realism and suspenseful atmosphere that made the original comic so well-received. If the show successfully portrays the story from multiple characters’ viewpoints while keeping the complex criminal world consistent, it has the potential to be a big success for Prime Video.

3) Pax Romana

Jonathan Hickman’s Pax Romana is a thrilling political story that asks big questions about the morality and practical challenges of time travel. It centers on a Vatican research team who unlock the ability to travel through time and choose to send a skilled military unit back to 312 CE. Their mission: to guarantee the Catholic Church’s power by equipping Roman Emperor Constantine with advanced weapons from the 21st century.

I’m really intrigued by the idea behind Pax Romana. It takes this cool alternate history approach and dives into what happens when modern soldiers try to change the past – they quickly learn it’s not so simple, and new problems always pop up. I remember hearing Syfy tried to make it into a show a few years back, but it never quite happened. Now, with shows like The Man in the High Castle and For All Mankind being so popular, I think a new take on Pax Romana would be amazing. It could really make you think about power, religion, and what happens when technology gives one side too much of an advantage.

2) DIE

Often called “Goth Jumanji” by its creators, Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans, DIE is a comic that takes apart the typical fantasy role-playing game. Instead of focusing on classic fantasy elements, it explores the psychological impact of the game on its characters. The story centers on a group of adults who are pulled back into a terrifying fantasy world they first entered as teens, and they must now deal with the lasting consequences of their childhood decisions. This thoughtful look at why people escape into fantasy worlds makes DIE a strong candidate for a TV series, especially now that role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons are becoming more popular.

A TV series based on DIE could be visually striking, contrasting the ordinary lives of the characters with the fantastical and often frightening world of the game. With a new comic book sequel, DIE: Loaded, coming out in late 2025, the series remains popular. A television adaptation would provide a darker, more mature fantasy option compared to many of the hopeful fantasy shows available now.

1) Tokyo Ghost

In the cyberpunk story Tokyo Ghost, Rick Remender and Sean Murphy powerfully explore the dangers of technology overuse and our need for validation online. Set in Los Angeles in 2089, the comic follows peacekeepers Debbie Decay and Led Dent as they navigate a society completely hooked on digital stimulation and social media. Their mission to Tokyo—the last place on Earth without technology—becomes a touching story about finding real human connection amidst all the artificial distractions.

Originally, Legendary Entertainment planned to make a movie based on Tokyo Ghost, with Cary Fukunaga directing. However, the story, which follows the characters’ travels across various locations, might work better as a high-quality TV series. The story’s themes of corporate power and environmental issues also fit well with the current trend of thought-provoking science fiction. Tokyo Ghost has the potential to be a truly memorable addition to the world of cyberpunk television, offering both stunning visuals and a powerful emotional impact.

What Image Comics series do you think would make the best TV show? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-21 03:41