10 TV Show Comic Spin-Offs That Are Surprisingly Awesome
The best TV shows that somehow made the jump from the screen to the page.
Whether it's fighting crime in alleyways or exploring the furthest reaches of outer space, the comic book industry is home to some of the craziest stories out there. Perhaps that's why many of the best shows of the last decade have been at least somewhat based on graphic novels.
Watchmen, The Walking Dead, and The Boys are only some of the properties to make the jump to the small screen, all to critical acclaim.
This is fairly common, however, what many people don't know is that this relationship between the mediums is a two-way street. Countless shows have found life after cancellation in comic book stores, while others have created spin offs to their ongoing series, which allow them to add more depth to their worlds.
It's no surprise then that many TV shows often plagued with ideas larger than their budgets allow, end up with comic book sequels or spin-offs. With the only limitations being the artist's imagination, there are countless shows out there that found a second life in comic book stores.
There have been some mixed results in this process, but don't worry. Today we'll take you through the best of the best TV shows that had their own comic spin-offs or sequels, as well as which issues to jump in with.
10. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Despite having ended over fifteen years ago, Buffy The Vampire Slayer has years of comics following her adventures in Sunnydale and beyond.
While there are hundreds of issues to get through, the trades with the most critical acclaim are found in the “Seasonal” stories.
Published years after the show ended, these series were each given season numbers starting with eight and going up to twelve, with series creator Joss Whedon even returning as a writer for many issues. It concluded in 2018 with Season Twelve, meaning it’s great if you don’t want to be waiting around for each issue.
That said, if you do get through it all and crave more, you’re in luck. Dark Horse may have finished their seventeen year run of Buffy, but luckily for us Boom! Studios have taken up the mantle and begun publishing their own series, which completely reboots the Buffy Universe.
Set in modern-day Sunnydale, Boom’s ongoing run retells the original story as if it took place today. It may have similar beats to the original show, but with just enough twists to keep things interesting.
Recommended Reading: Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Boom! Studios) Issue #1