Comicsenjoyed a massive boom in the ’50s and ’60s, which was coincidentally the same time that TV came into its own. Consequently, many savvy business people made the decision to make comic book adaptations of some TV shows that struck a chord with audiences at the time (and still do today).
Some of the classic TV series that received comic book adaptations seem like they were tailor-made for the comic book format. Meanwhile, others are a bit more off the beaten path of what you’d expect from comic book source material.Some series that have received the comic book treatment are from the early days of television, while others are more recent — but classic nevertheless.
10The Twilight Zone
1959-1964
An anthology series decades before shows likeAmerican Horror Storywas even an idea,The Twilight Zonesaw every episodeas a standalone story that usually featured strange or discomforting events that often had some sort of moral revealed at the end.The Twilight Zonewas such a huge part of the cultural zeitgeist that it has been used, and still is today, as a term to describe bizarre things or occurrences.
The comic book adaptation actually lasted longer than the original TV show by almost 20 years.
A mammoth success, there have been countless references toThe Twilight Zoneas well as reboots and films.Likewise, there has been a comic book adaption that was published by Gold Key Comics.The comic book adaptation actually lasted longer than the original TV show by almost 20 years. The comic books even had Rod Serling, or at least his likeness, appear, introducing the stories much like he did in the actual TV series.
9Charlie’s Angels
1976-1981
Charlie’s Angelsfollowed three crime-fighting women who worked at an L.A private detective agency, which sounds like a premise destined to be a comic book. Moreover, a hit show,Charlie’s Angelslaunched the careers of its leads, Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith, and Kate Jackson. One of the most popular shows of the ’70s,Charlie’s Angelsgenerated multiple movie adaptions, reboots, merchandise, and even comics adaptations.
10 Things You Never Knew About Charlie’s Angels (2000)
Charlie’s Angels was rebooted into a movie franchise in the 2000s. Here are 10 things you never knew about the beloved reboot
A June 2018Charlie’s Angelscomic book series that was only six issues was published by Dynamite Entertainment.While there was a previous comic book adaptation ofCharlie’s Angelsin the 1970s, the 2018 adaptation was the first American comic ofCharlie’s Angelsto be published. Dynamite Entertainment decided to go a step further with theCharlie’s Angelsbrand when they made a crossover between the classic TV show and another classic show of the ’70s,The Bionic Woman.
8The Beverly Hillbillies
1962-1971
Following the rags-to-riches story of the Clampett family,The Beverly Hillbillieswas a fish-out-of-water sitcom that saw the poor and backwoods Clampetts of the Ozarks move to the posh Beverly Hills after they strike oil on their land.The Beverly Hillbillieswas a major success, being the number one series of the year during its first two seasons and was among the top 20 most watched TV shows for the majority of its airing.
Banking on the popularity of the show,a comics adaption by Dell Comics was published throughout the ’60s and into the early 1970s, ending when the show wrapped in 1971.The comic book version ofThe Beverly Hillbillieshad similar storylines to what audiences would have seen in an episode of the series.\
7I Dream Of Jeanie
1965-1970
A fantasy comedy sitcom,I Dream of Jeanniewas about a 2000-year-old genie who fell in love with an astronaut named Tony and the shenanigans that would ensue as a result. Starting out in black and white before eventually being shown in color,I Dream of Jeannieis a beloved pop culture icon of the 20th century that continues amassing fans today. Barbara Eden as the titular Jeannie became a household favorite for her mischievous character that audiences could not help but love.
Given that the show had such a large and devoted following, a comic series comprised of two issues was published in 1966.The ’60s version was not the only comic adaption of the series though, with an early 2000s adaption also being released. Running from 2001 to 2002, Airwave Comics ran three stand-aloneI Dream of Jeanniecomicbooks.
6Sesame Street
1969 - Present
You’d be hard-pressed who does not know whatSesame Streetis, with numerous international versions of the classic children’s educational program. One ofthe longest-running showsin the entire world,Sesame Streethad a profound impact on children all over the globe, starting with its humble beginnings in late 1969. With all kinds of reading material made usingSesame Streetcharacters, settings, and plots, it is no surprise that comic books were just one of the many sources of literature that kids (or kids at heart) could read about theSesame Streetlovable bunch.
Oni Press, in collaboration with Sesame Worksho,p made the 2024 comic series that has had four issues so far.One issue follows the character Grover as he tries to help each of his friends on Seasme Street with their respective problems.
5Bewitched
1964-1972
A fantasy series that would later inspire the creation of another sitcom, the aforementionedI Dream Of Jeannie,Bewitchedwas about a witch living as a suburban housewife after she marries a mortal. An iconic opening that was animated byThe FlintstonesandJetsonscreator, Hanna Barbera,Bewitchedwas the second-rated show in its debut season, an impressive accomplishment.
With several spin offs, crossovers and remakes,Bewitchedwas made into a movie with Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell. The impact of Bewitched is still seen today withWandavisionreferencing the classic series. With as many adaptions asBewitchedhas had, a comic adaption is pretty par for the course.In the later half of the ’60s, Dell Comics made a 14-issue comic book series that used the show’s humor and types of storylines in its comic issues.
4Charmed
1998-2006
Taking place in San Francisco,Charmedchronicled the Halliwell sisters, an extremely powerful trio of good witches that uses their powers to protect the world from evil. The show may have ended, but the series still enjoys a devoted cult following. Moreover, audiences lovedCharmedfrom the beginning, with its debut episode being the most-watched first episode for the entire network of the WB (the WB channel was discontinued but is now the CW channel).
Charmedwas the second highest rated TV show of the network, only being surpassed by the family drama,7th Heaven.
With audiences not satisfied with the escapades of the Halliwells only being confined to TV,Charmedwas given a comic series that acted as a continuation of the show. For instance, comics were numerated by seasons like a TV show rather than volumes like a traditional comic book would. Published by Zenescope Entertainment,Charmedcomics were published from 2010 to 2016.
3Alf
1986-1990
A story about an alien that crash lands in the garage of a California family and then becomes a member of the gangisAlf. Thecharacter of Alfas well as the show itself enjoyed immense popularity, with Alf having a hold on pop culture of the ’80s, his likeness featured on myriad merchandise. He even had his own animated series that revolved around his time before he was on Earth and an Alf talk show.
Alf also had his own comic book published by Marvel (under Star Comics).Surprisingly long-running, theAlfcomic was published for almost four years, having 50 issues and 3 annuals.The comic series stayed more or less close to the continuity of the TV show as well as the cartoon series that was all about Alf,.
2Gunsmoke
1955-1975
Starting as a radio show before making the jump to television,Gunsmokewas a Western drama series that centered on Marshal Matt Dillon and the American West in 1870s Kansas.Gunsmokeran for a whopping 20 seasons, spawning a massive 635 episodes. In addition to being immensely popular among audiences, it was also a critical smash, with the series winning 15 Primetime Emmys.
Gunsmokehas had a sizable impact on pop culture, with museums, toys, and brand endorsements for products as strange as cottage cheese and cigarettes being marketed using the show’s brand.
One of the longest-running primetime live-action television series ever,Gunsmokehas had a sizable impact on pop culture, with museums, toys, and brand endorsements for products as strange as cottage cheese and cigarettes being marketed using the show’s brand.Likewise, books and comic books were also part ofGunsmoke’s legacy, with Dell Comics publishing 7 issues of the adaptation. Moreover, Gold Key Comics also published comic adaptations with 6 issues from 1969 to 1970.
1I Love Lucy
1951-1957
As iconic as Lucille Ball’s red hair,I Love Lucyis a titan of American pop culture and one of the most famous sitcoms ever. Regarded as one of the most influential television shows,I Love Lucyachieved a lot of firsts. For instance, it was the first show to have an ensemble cast. The show was about the misadventures of Lucy, much to the annoyance of her husband Ricky, and her schemes concocted with her neighbors Fred and Ethel, especially her best friend Ethel.
10 Quotes From I Love Lucy That Are Still Hilarious Today
I Love Lucy is a beloved sitcom with good reason… and it’s still serving up the jokes, after all this time.
As big a success asI Love Lucywas and still is, there have been all sorts of adaptions, including comic books.Dell Comics, who published many other TV-based comic book adaptations, published a comic book version ofI Love Lucy.35 issues were made of theI Love Lucycomic book series, published from 1954 until 1962.
