7 Perfect Image Comics That Should Be Blockbuster Movie Franchises

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Most people think of DC and Marvel when they picture comic books, but some of the most creative work actually comes from smaller, independent publishers. Image Comics is a leading example, providing a space where writers and artists can fully own their creations. This freedom allows them to tell stories that aren’t tied down by the rules and limitations of the bigger companies. As a result, Image has become known for unique, ambitious stories that blend different genres – like fantasy, crime, and science fiction – into epic, self-contained tales.

Image Comics has proven its unique approach works, with several of its titles becoming huge hits worldwide. Shows like The Walking Dead and Invincible are now major cultural forces and leaders in their genres, but they both started as independent comics published by Image. Other titles, such as the quirky Happy! and the long-running Spawn, also show Image’s talent for adapting complex stories for TV and film. Despite these successes, Image still has a wealth of creative, large-scale stories with compelling characters that could form the basis for entirely new movie universes.

7) The Wicked + The Divine

The Wicked + The Divine, created by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, offers a fresh take on mythology by exploring it through the world of modern celebrity. The story follows twelve gods—collectively known as “The Pantheon”—who are reborn as teenagers every ninety years. Each time, they become hugely popular pop stars, gaining worldwide fame and sparking intense debate for just two years before tragically dying.

The comic series The Wicked + The Divine cleverly examines what happens when god-like figures meet passionate fans. Through a diverse cast, it explores themes of power, fame, and the awareness of death. The series is famous for its vibrant and unique style, creating a visually stunning world. While a TV adaptation was considered in 2015, it never materialized, leaving the possibility open for a well-deserved movie franchise.

6) Nocterra

Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel created a gripping, imaginative thriller called Nocterra. It’s a post-apocalyptic story set in a world where the sun disappeared ten years ago, throwing the Earth into perpetual darkness. This event, called “The Big PM,” turned many living things into terrifying creatures known as shades. The story follows Valentina “Val” Riggs, who works as a ‘ferryman’ – driving an illuminated truck through the darkness to deliver supplies and rescue people. The lack of light creates a consistently tense and frightening atmosphere, making it the central source of danger in the story.

Netflix revealed plans in late 2021 to create a live-action series based on the comic Nocterra. Roberto Patino was set to lead the project as showrunner and writer, and it was being produced with James Wan’s Atomic Monster. However, as of 2026, the series hasn’t been released.

5) Black Science

Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera’s Black Science is a grand, multi-dimensional story that focuses just as much on flawed characters as it does on complicated science. The story centers on Grant McKay, a scientist who creates a device, the “Pillar,” to travel between realities. However, this leaves him, his team, and his family lost in a series of dangerous and strange dimensions. Instead of relying on familiar faces from other universes, the comic presents its multiverse, called the “Eververse,” as a truly hostile and alien place, where each jump to a new reality brings fresh and deadly challenges. The comic’s incredibly varied and imaginative visuals—ranging from robotic Native Americans to parasitic fungi—set a new standard for creative world-building.

Rick Remender has hinted at a possible animated series based on Black Science, and many critics believe it would make a great, high-budget sci-fi show or movie. Although a live-action film hasn’t been officially approved yet, the comic’s complete 43-issue story provides a satisfying conclusion, making it ideal for a long-running adaptation.

4) East of West

I’m completely blown away by East of West. It’s an incredible story that mixes the feel of a classic Western with huge science fiction ideas, and the world-building is just phenomenal thanks to Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta. Imagine an America broken into seven different countries, where the Civil War never really stopped, and the Four Horsemen are actually walking around! The story follows Death himself – a cool, black-and-white gunslinger – who’s turned against his fellow Horsemen to find his family. It’s a really unique and captivating read.

East of West is a sprawling story that combines complex political games between nations with a looming, supernatural doomsday. While Amazon Studios initially planned to adapt it into a TV series in 2018, the project fell through, as confirmed by the creator in 2019. Despite this, the series remains popular, and its distinctive mix of end-of-the-world themes and political intrigue makes it an attractive option for studios looking for a mature, large-scale epic.

3) Monstress

In 2026, the critically acclaimed comic series Monstress, created by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda, will celebrate its tenth anniversary. Known for its breathtaking artwork and intricate story, Monstress is set in an alternate Asia during the 1900s, where a brutal war between humans and magical beings called Arcanics has shattered the world. The story follows Maika Halfwolf, a young woman connected to a powerful, ancient monster, as she journeys through a world filled with steampunk inventions and colossal gods.

The beautiful art deco style of Monstress gives it a unique look that would be very expensive to create for a movie. Though the creators are currently focused on continuing the comic, which has already released over sixty issues, its consistent popularity has led to ongoing speculation about a potential adaptation. The series expertly blends themes of racism, the effects of war, and terrifying cosmic elements, making it a strong foundation for a new, sophisticated fantasy franchise that values diverse cultural viewpoints.

2) The Department of Truth

James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds created a gripping story in The Department of Truth, exploring the idea that what people collectively believe can actually change reality. The series centers on Cole Turner, a former FBI agent who joins a secret government group dedicated to controlling dangerous conspiracy theories and preventing them from becoming accepted as fact. From well-known events like the JFK assassination to fringe beliefs like the Flat Earth theory, the story questions how easily history can be rewritten when the most powerful story gains traction. The series is a suspenseful thriller, enhanced by its unique, artistic visuals that recall the feeling of 1970s paranoid films.

In 2021, Sister, the production company behind the hit series Chernobyl, won a competitive bid to adapt The Department of Truth for film and television. James Tynion, the creator of the comic, is expected to write the screenplay and serve as an executive producer. With the increasing prevalence of misinformation today, the story’s premise—that lies can alter reality—offers a compelling and frightening basis for a major film franchise.

1) Saga

Often compared to a mix of Star Wars and Romeo and Juliet, Saga is a hugely popular comic book from Image Comics that hasn’t been adapted into a movie or TV show yet. Created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Fiona Staples, this sci-fi story centers on Alana and Marko, soldiers from enemy alien worlds who fall in love and have a daughter named Hazel. They’re forced to go on the run across the galaxy, trying to protect Hazel from the armies of both their home planets. Along the way, they meet a strange and colorful group of characters, including a spider-like assassin and a royal family with TV sets for heads.

The comic book series Saga has been incredibly popular and critically acclaimed, earning numerous awards and a loyal following. Despite many requests for a movie or TV show, the creators, Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, have always insisted that Saga works best as a comic. Vaughan has said they might consider an adaptation, but only if someone could truly capture the spirit of the original. As the series heads towards its conclusion in 2026, Saga is widely considered the most respected comic currently not adapted for other media.

If Image Comics were to create a huge, interconnected movie universe like Marvel or DC, which series do you think would be the best fit? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-22 01:15