I did some research for my book club to catalog DC Comics story arcs that have been adapted into animated films and/or novelizations. Sharing to the world and also so I don’t lose this information! We are adding comics to our list of discussion topics in our book club, but for those who want to read a novel or watch an animated feature, below are some option. ‘Where to Stream’ is not complete; many of these (most?) are also available to rent on Amazon Prime for example.
| Publisher | Comic Arc (Issues, Year) | Adaptation Detail | Where to Stream (per IMDb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC | Crisis on Infinite Earths (#1–12, 1985–86) (Multiverse-wide cast) | Animated Adaptation: Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Parts 1–3 (2024) | Max (Parts 1–2), Part 3 pending |
| DC | The Dark Knight Returns (#1–4, 1986) | Animated Adaptation: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 1 & 2 (2012–13) | Blu-ray / DVD; limited digital availability |
| DC | Batman: Year One (Batman #404–407, 1987) | Animated Adaptation: Batman: Year One (2011) | Blu-ray / DVD; sometimes Max |
| DC | Death of Superman (Superman #73–83, 1992–93) | Novelization: The Death of Superman (1993); Animated Adaptation: The Death of Superman (2018) and Reign of the Supermen (2019) | Max; digital purchase (bundled as The Death and Return) |
| DC | Knightfall (Batman #492–510+, 1993–94) | Novelization: Batman: Knightfall by Dennis O’Neil (1994); Knightfall and Beyond by Alan Grant | No animated version |
| DC | Kingdom Come (#1–4, 1996) (Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Shazam, Green Lantern) | Novelization: Kingdom Come by Elliot S. Maggin (1998) | No animated version |
| DC | Superman: Red Son (2003) (Alternate Superman) | Animated Adaptation: Superman: Red Son (2020) | Max, Blu-ray |
| DC | Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (#1–6, 2003) (Superman, Batman) | Animated Adaptation: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009) | Max, Amazon, Blu-ray |
| DC | Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (#8–13, 2003) (Superman, Batman, Supergirl, Darkseid) | Animated Adaptation: Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010) | Max, Blu-ray |
| DC | Batman: Hush (#608–619, 2002–03) | Animated Adaptation: Batman: Hush (2019) | Max, Tubi (free), Amazon, Google Play |
| DC | Under the Hood (2004–06) (Batman, Red Hood) | Animated Adaptation: Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010) | Max, Amazon, Blu-ray |
| DC | Emerald Knights (anthology, 2011) (Green Lantern Corps) | Animated Adaptation: Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011) | Max, Blu-ray |
| DC | Flashpoint (#1–5, 2011) (The Flash, Thomas Wayne Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman) | Animated Adaptation: Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013) | Max, Blu-ray |
And here are some Marvel comic arcs likewise adapted. Marvel has produced fewer direct animated movie adaptations than DC, relying more heavily on the MCU for live-action reinterpretations.
| Publisher | Comic Arc (Issues, Year) | Adaptation Detail | Where to Stream (per IMDb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel | Infinity Gauntlet / Infinity War (1991+) (Avengers, Thanos) | Adaptation: Avengers: Infinity War (2018) & Endgame (2019) | Disney+ |
| Marvel | Astonishing X-Men: Gifted/Dangerous (2004–06) (X-Men) | Animated Adaptation: Motion comic DVD | DVD only |
| Marvel | Iron Man: Extremis (Iron Man vol. 4 #1–6, 2005–06) | Animated Adaptation: Extremis motion comic; basis for Iron Man 3 (2013) | DVD (motion comic); Iron Man 3 on Disney+ |
| Marvel | Civil War (2006–07) (Captain America, Iron Man, Avengers) | Adaptation: Captain America: Civil War (2016) | Disney+ |
Leave a Reply