Top 10 Graphic Novel based TV series in 2024

From TV series about superheroes to those that depict post-apocalyptic worlds to quirky, comedic ones, many TV series today would not exist were it not for the graphic novels that inspired them. After extensive research and analysis, here is a list of the top 10 graphic novel-based TV series in 2024. Enjoy!

This list is heavily biased towards graphic novels meaning comics-based TV shows were not fairly considered. This is because our experience majorly lies in the realm of graphic novels. Here is a link to our blog article explaining what is the difference between a comic and a graphic novel.

With explanations out of the way, let’s dive straight into our list of the top 10 graphic novel-based TV series in 2024:

10. Essex County

• Genre: Drama
• Director: Sarah Polley
• Airing on: CBC and CBC Gem
• Release Date: March 19, 2023
• Seasons: 2

Essex County is a TV series adaptation of the graphic novel Essex County Trilogy by author Jeff Lemire. The series centres on two interconnected families in the Essex County region of Ontario.

Following the death of his mother, 11-year-old Lester (Wojtak-Hissong) moves in with his uncle Ken (Smith), a stoic farmer, who must raise Lester while coping with his own grief. Lester soon turns to Jimmy (Durand) as a surrogate father although Jimmy can barely look after himself. Meanwhile, Anne (Parker) is struggling with caring for her estranged uncle Lou (McHattie) as well as empty nest syndrome while her daughter heads to university.

Through Lou and Lester, the audience enters a world of magic realism as Lou’s present merges with his past while Lester escapes into his imagination in a bid to escape his grief.

9. Kingdom

• TV Show: Kingdom
• Genre: Historical period, Political Drama, Horror, Thriller
• Director: Kim Seoung-hun, Park In-je(Season 2)
• Airing on: Netflix
• Release Date: January 25, 2019
• Seasons: 2

Kingdom is a 2019 South Korean period horror TV series, the first original Korean series on Netflix. It is based on a graphic novel called “The Kingdom of the Gods” written by Kim Eun-hee.

Set in the 16th century Joseon (modern-day Korea), the TV series combines political thriller and zombie horror genres. The story revolves around Crown Prince Lee Chang investigating a mysterious illness afflicting the King, leading him into a deadly epidemic threatening the kingdom. The first season, directed by Kim Seong-hun and Park In-je, received positive reviews, leading to a second season in 2020. A special episode, “Ashin of the North,” focuses on a supporting character and serves as a sequel to the second season.

8. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

• Genre: Comedy, Action-adventure, Fantasy
• Developed by: Bryan Lee O’Malley, Ben David Grabinski
• Director: Edgar Wright
• Airing on: Netflix
• Release Date: November 17, 2023
• Seasons: 1

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is a Netflix anime series released on November 17, 2023, based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim graphic novels.

The TV series, developed by O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski, features the original cast from the 2010 film reprising their roles. Unlike the faithful film adaptation, Takes Off has a new plot where Scott Pilgrim disappears in the first episode. The TV series follows Ramona Flowers, Scott’s love interest, as she tries to uncover the mystery behind his disappearance. Set in Toronto, Canada, it serves as an alternate retelling of the original story, exploring the consequences of Scott’s apparent demise and the creation of a fictional adaptation of his life

7. End of the F*ing World

• Author(s): Charles Forsman
• TV Show: The End is Near
• Director: Lucy Forbes
• Airing on: Netflix
• Release Date: October 5, 2023
• Seasons: 2

The End of the F***ing World is a British black comedy-drama TV series. The first eight-part series premiered on Channel 4 in the UK on October 24, 2017, and internationally on Netflix on January 5, 2018. The show follows James, a 17-year-old who thinks he’s a psychopath, and Alyssa, his rebellious classmate looking for an escape from her troubled life. The series is based on Charles Forsman’s mini-comics, and it received praise for its writing and performances.

A second series was released on November 4, 2019, continuing the story. Both series were nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series, with the second series winning in 2020. The show is acclaimed for its unique premise and the performances of its lead actors, Alex Lawther and Jessica Barden.

6. Raising Dion

• Genre: Comedy, Superhero, Science fiction, Adventure, Family drama
• Created By: Carol Barbee
• Airing on: Netflix
• Release Date: October 4, 2019
• Seasons: 2

Raising Dion is an American superhero drama TV series on Netflix that started on October 4, 2019. It’s based on a 2015 graphic novel, ‘Raising Dion’ by Dennis Liu.

The story revolves around Nicole, a single mom raising her son Dion after her husband Mark’s death. Things get complicated when Dion begins to show superhero-like abilities. Nicole, along with Mark’s best friend Pat, must keep these powers a secret, protect Dion from exploitation, and unravel the mystery behind his abilities

5. Watchmen

• Genre: Drama, Dystopian, Superhero
• Director: Damon Lindelof
• Airing on: HBO
• Release Date: October 20, 2019
• Seasons: 1

Watchmen is a 2019 American superhero drama series on HBO, based on the 1986 DC Comics series, ‘Watchmen’ by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

The TV series serves as a sequel set 34 years after the events of the original comics. The show explores present-day Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the police wear masks due to threats from a white supremacist group called the Seventh Kavalry. Angela Abar, also known as Sister Night, investigates the murder of the police chief and uncovers secrets about vigilantism. The series received critical acclaim for its performances, writing, visuals, and exploration of historical events.

4. Snowpiercer

• Genre: Climate fiction, Drama, Dystopian fiction, Thriller, Post-apocalyptic
• Director: Boonn Joon-ho
• Airing on: Amazon Prime
• Release Date: May 17, 2020
• Seasons: 3

Snowpiercer is an American post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller television series that aired on TNT from May 17, 2020 until March 28, 2022. It is based on both the 2013 film of the same name, directed by Bong Joon-ho, and the 1982 French graphic novel Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob.

The TV series is set in 2026, seven years after the world becomes a frozen wasteland. It follows the remnants of humanity living on a luxury train designed by Mr. Wilford. The train, with 1,001 carriages, continuously circles the globe to avoid freezing. The passengers are rigidly separated by class, leading to a revolutionary struggle against social hierarchy and limited resource allocation. The show explores themes of class warfare, social injustice, and the politics of survival.

3. The Walking Dead

• Genre: Horror, Serial drama, Zombie apocalypse
• Developed by: Frank Darabont
• Airing on: Netflix
• Release Date: October 31, 2010
• Seasons: 12

The Walking Dead is an post-apocalyptic horror drama television series based on the graphic novel series of the same name by Robert Kirkman.

The Walking Dead is set in a world devastated by a zombie apocalypse. The zombies, called ‘walkers,’ hunt living humans attracted by noise and scents. Bitten or scratched humans turn into walkers. All living humans carry the pathogen causing this transformation. Once someone dies, they become a walker. To permanently kill a walker, their brain must be damaged or their body destroyed. The story follows sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes, who wakes up from a coma to find a world overrun by walkers. Rick leads a group of survivors in Atlanta, Georgia, facing challenges from both walkers and other groups of survivors.

2. Locke and Key

• Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Supernatural, Horror
• Developed by: Carlton Cuse, Meredith Averill, Aron Eli Coleite
• Airing on: Netflix
• Release Date: February 7, 2020
• Seasons: 3

Locke & Key is a fantasy horror drama series on Netflix, based on a graphic novel by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez.

After the murder of Rendell Locke, his wife Nina moves with her three kids – Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode – from Seattle to Matheson, Massachusetts. They decide to live in Rendell’s family home called Keyhouse. In the house, the kids find some special keys that can do magical things when used to open certain doors. Soon, they learn about a demonic entity that’s also looking for these keys for its own malevolent purposes.

1. The Boys

• Genre: Action, Black comedy, Drama, Superhero
• Director: Eric Kripke
• Airing on: Amazon Prime Video
• Release Date: July 26, 2019
• Seasons: 3

The Boys is an American satirical superhero television series. Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson

“The TV series is set in a universe where superpowered individuals, also known as “Supes,” enjoy hero status among the general public while working for the influential corporation Vought International, which exploits them for profit. Despite their heroic facade, most Supes are corrupt and self-serving. The narrative primarily revolves around two factions: the Boys, a group of vigilantes determined to expose and dismantle Vought and its corrupt superheroes, and the Seven, Vought’s premier superhero team overseen by executive Madelyn Stillwell.

Leading the Boys is the charismatic yet violent Billy Butcher, harboring a deep disdain for all Supes, while the Seven is under the command of the egotistical and unpredictable Homelander.

If you enjoyed this list consider subscribing to our email newsletter and get a free graphic novel.