10 great shows based on comic books to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar

Comic book adaptations have been at the pinnacle of box office success for a long time. But the mainstream Marvel and DC movies aren't the only works that have attracted huge audiences. Streaming services have provided a platform for more great stories and introduced us to authentically-produced shows beyond the much-loved superhero films. Ahead, we list out 10 series based on comic books that are sure to enhance your appreciation for the genre.

The Umbrella Academy

A unique story of a group of estranged crime fighters, the show opens with 43 women giving birth on October 1, 1989, despite not being pregnant at the start of the day. An extremely wealthy man, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, adopts seven of these gifted kids and turns them into a superhero team, called The Umbrella Academy. Circumstances lead them to disband and they reunite in the present after learning of Reginald's passing. As they reconcile amidst tragedy, an inevitable global apocalypse calls for action.

Streaming on Netflix

The Boys

The Boys is set in an alternate reality where super-powered individuals are owned by Vought International, a superhero corporate firm that markets and employs them across the globe. Contrary to popular belief, these heroes aren't big fans of justice and truth. Most of them abuse their abilities and have no regard for regular human life. One such mere mortal is Billy Butcher who hates superheroes, and gathers more like himself to form a vigilante group that hunts 'supes'. He aims to bring down Homelander (Antony Starr), the leader of The Seven, the biggest super team in the world.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Gotham

The series is named after the fictional city in the DC universe, which is home to none other than the caped crusader, Batman. The show follows the early days of Inspector Jim Gordon in the GCPD and the life of young Bruce Wayne post his parents' murder. As he struggles to cope, Bruce is on a relentless quest for justice with his butler Alfred. Gotham also gives origin stories to Batman's fiercest enemies including Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Mr Freeze, Ra's al Ghul, Nyssa al Ghul, Bane and The Joker.

Streaming on Netflix

Agents of Shield

The Marvel series follows the escapades of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D). Led by Agent Phil Coulson, Shield deals with threats that may not be worth alerting the Avengers. The show ties directly into the events of the main Marvel Cinematic Universe films and explains certain background events that take place during them. This includes the major takeover of Shield by the evil organisation, Hydra, from within its ranks.

Streaming on Netflix

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Based on comics from the Archie universe, the show revolves around Sabrina Spellman who is half-witch and half-mortal. She has her work cut out for her as she tries to live a normal life while trying to thwart evil forces using her powers of witchcraft. This is a darker take on the comics and includes intense horror elements. Set in the town of Greendale, it has slight crossover elements with the Netflix show named after the neighbouring town, Riverdale, which is based on Archie and his friends.

Streaming on Netflix

Lucifer

Adapted from the DC Comics character, this version of Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis) gets bored with his job as the devil, and abandons his post in hell as defiance to God. He then decides to take human form and open a nightclub in Los Angeles. When Lucifer gets entangled in a murder, he is invited by the LAPD to work on the case with detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German). He also deals with the aftermath of his decision to abandon his duties and fights with various angelic and demonic threats on the earth.

Streaming on Netflix

Titans

This show is a darker adaptation of DC's Teen Titans comics. It centres around young superheroes who join forces to fight against all evil. Batman's former partner and the first Robin, Dick Grayson, takes a group of inexperienced people under his wing to help them harness their abilities. The team is joined by Kory Anders as Starfire; Rachel Roth as Raven; Garfield Logan as Beast Boy; the new Robin, Jason Todd; and Connor Kent as Superboy. They go head-to-head against many famous DC villains including the deadly assassin, Deathstroke.

Streaming on Netflix

I Am Not Okay With This

17-year-old Sydney has serious anger management issues as she tries to lead a normal high-school life flushed with parental problems and teenage romances. She has a difficult time coping with her father's death as well as checking her feelings for her neighbour, Stanley Barber. Eventually, her life starts getting worse when she discovers that she may have some superpowers. The show is based on the comic book series of the same name by Charles Forsman.

Streaming on Netflix

The Walking Dead

Georgia sheriff, Rick Grimes, suffers a gunshot wound in the line of duty and goes into a coma. He awakens into a zombie apocalypse and begins a desperate search for his missing family. He meets a group of people struggling to survive in this dangerous environment and decides to lead them to safety. This world is all about survival and the risks one needs to take to live another day. The group soon finds out that the zombies aren't humanity's worst enemies.

Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar

Warrior Nun

A 19-year-old orphan gets the shock of her life when she wakes up in a morgue with a mysterious artefact embedded in her back. The revelations don't stop there, as she realises that she has superpowers due to now being a halo bearer for an ancient order. The order comprises warrior nuns who are tasked with hunting demons on the planet. Her troubles are never-ending— malicious forces from heaven and hell strive to control her.

Streaming on Netflix 

Also read:

8 new movies and shows coming to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar this week

9 movies about pandemics that you should watch while you quarantine, on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video

5 exciting movies and shows (including a Sherlock Holmes spin off) that are coming soon on Netflix