DC Comicshas released some legendary games over the years, includingInjustice: Gods Among Us, where Superman becomes a dictator and sparks a war among DC’s greatest heroes, and the fan-favoriteBatman: Arkhamseries, which allowed players to truly immerse themselves in the world of Gotham. While these games, along with others, have inspired comics, it’s time for some of DC’s best comic series to inspire their next game.
One of the strengths of DC’s vast comic catalog is the abundance of material to draw from when developing a hit video game. While DC typically adapts its games into comics, it’s time to reverse the process and use successful comic storylines as the foundation for its games. This approach could prove valuable, especially following the flop ofSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. By starting with well-loved source material, DC can ensure greater success in both comics and gaming.Here are 7 comic series that would make for epic video game adaptations.
7Absolute Superman (2024-)
Created by Jason Aaron & Rafa Sandoval
Absolute Supermanby Jason Aaronand Rafa Sandoval is one of DC’s best-sellingAbsolutetitles and has taken the comics world by storm. The story is set in the Darkseid-created Absolute Universe, which reimagines DC’s iconic characters with darker, more hardcore twists. It gives them grittier origin stories and removes the advantages they enjoy in Earth-Prime continuity. In this version of Kal-El,he has been stripped of the Kents and their loving upbringing in Kansas, leaving him without a home on Earth. At the same time, he lives with the knowledge that Krypton and his birth parents are also lost to him.
What makes this narrative particularly unique is that it shows Kal’s childhood on Krypton, giving fans plenty of content centered around both Krypton and Earth. Since Kal is the connection between these two worlds, he would be the perfect viewpoint character in a game.It would be incredibly cool for fans to play a game that begins on Krypton, where players take on the role of a young Kal-El and experience the destruction of his home alongside him. From there, the adventure would pick up on Earth as he battles the Lazarus Corps and its Peacekeepers, along with other rising threats such as Brainiac and Ra’s al Ghul that would make for epic gameplay.
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6DC vs. Vampires (2021-)
Created by Matthew Rosenberg & Otto Schmidt
Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’sDC vs. Vampiresran from 2021 to 2023 but has since spawned several sequels, including the ongoingDC vs. Vampires: World War V. This series is part of DC’sElseworldsimprint, which explores alternate realities.TheDC vs. Vampiresuniverse takes place on Earth-63 and depicts a vampire uprisingthat turns former allies against each other as more heroes fall to the vampiric infection, losing their morals and values completely. It stands as one of DC’s bloodiest and most brutal series, with a death toll rivaled perhaps only by Tom Taylor’sDCeased.
This series would be the perfect source material if DC ever wanted to explore a first-person shooter(FPS) game mode focused on cooperative survival gameplay. Instead of traditional firearms, the emphasis would be on character-specific weapons. Since Damian Wayne’s Robin, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Green Lantern Alfred Pennyworth are among the few characters still standing from the original DC vs. Vampires, they would make for ideal playable characters. These heroes are also often underutilized in DC’s video games, which would give fans a refreshing gameplay experience.
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5Justice League Unlimited (2024-)
Created by Mark Waid & Dan Mora
Mark Waid and Dan Mora have changed the status quo of the DC Universe with their ongoingJustice League Unlimitedseries. In this title, they not only revived the previously disbanded Justice League but alsoexpanded its roster in an unprecedented way by granting membership to every hero on Earth. Since literally every hero is now part of the League, this results in endless possibilities for gameplay and character utilization. By basing a video game on this series, developers could spotlight underutilized heroes and finally give them the attention they deserve.
Justice League Unlimited#5 also recently revealed that the League’s primary antagonist, Inferno, is actually the Legion of Doom. Thanks to future issue solicitations, fans also know that time-traveling shenanigans were involved in the Legion’s return, with its members being versions of DC’s most iconic villains from the past. This development raises the stakes significantly while also incorporating nearly all of DC’s most infamous villains, making it a perfect source of inspiration for a video game. Given the expansive hero and villain roster,Justice League Unlimitedwould be an ideal foundation for aMortal Kombat-esque game.
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4Justice League Dark (2011-2015)
Created by Peter Milligan & Mikel Janín
Peter Milligan and Mikel Janín’s run ofJustice League Darkfollowed magically inclined characters like Shade the Changing Man, Madame Xanadu, Deadman, Zatanna, and John Constantine as they took on threats beyond the scope of even Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.This series cast a darker, more supernatural light on heroics, making it stand out from typical superhero tales. For that reason, it would serve as excellent inspiration for a future game, offering DC fans something distinctly different from what they’ve encountered in other DC-related game plays.
Given thatJustice League Darkfeatures a core team of heroes, it would make for an exceptionally fun multiplayer game, allowing multiple friends to play together. When imagining the potential for a game based on this series,it would be exciting if the gameplay resembledPhasmophobia, a co-op experience that relies heavily on strategy and teamwork. It would be incredibly fun to explore the supernatural side of the DC Universe, take on cases, and play as some of the comic publisher’s most iconic magic users.
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3Batman: The Black Mirror (2011)
Created by Scott Snyder, Jock, and Francesco Francavilla
Some might groan at the idea of yet another Batman game, butBatman: The Black Mirrorby Scott Snyder, Jock, and Francesco Francavilla offers a completely unique premise. This time,it’s Dick Grayson under the cowl instead of Bruce Wayne.Dick’s time as Batman in the comics was iconic, and it would be epic to see this era brought to life in a video game, especially given how distinct this Batman story is. In addition to featuring Dick as Batman, the series introduces new and darker criminals rising in Gotham City, most notably James Gordon Jr., Commissioner Gordon’s serial killer son.
This premise would translate well into gameplay that mirrors theBatman: Arkhamseries, with players stepping into the role of Dick. The comic provides plenty of action and intense fight sequences, while alsolending itself perfectly to the fan-favorite detective and mystery-solving elements that define a great Batman game.It could also explore a fresh and intriguing dynamic between Dick and Commissioner Gordon, one that’s rarely showcased yet holds immense potential for compelling storytelling.
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2Absolute Wonder Woman (2024-)
Created by Kelly Thompson & Hayden Sherman
The fact that DC scrapped its Rocksteady Wonder Woman game was heartbreaking for many fans who were incredibly excited for the release. However, that doesn’t mean DC won’t revisit the idea of a solo Wonder Woman game, especially given the tremendous success of Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman’sAbsolute Wonder Woman, which many fans are calling the bestAbsolutetitle released so far.Absolute Wonder Womanwould provide epic inspiration for a game, particularly sinceit goes beyond Earth-Prime’s Diana and presents a darker, grittier version of Wonder Woman.
This would be a fantastic game for solo play, especially one driven by quests and storytelling.TheAbsolute Wonder Womannarrative is the perfect kind of story for a game centered around completing tasks, such as casting spells, and battling raid-worthy bosses like the Tetracide and the Harbinger. The gameplay could also focus on Diana’s time growing up in the Underworld, where she faced numerous challenges and trained to become the hero she is today. Thompson has crafted some of the most impressive, intriguing, and dynamic Absolute lore yet, and this story would thrive as a video game adaptation.
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1Absolute Batman (2024-)
Created by Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta
Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’sAbsolute Batmanredefines the Dark Knightin the Absolute Universe, making him bigger, more violent, and far more dangerous.This version of Batman is a walking weapon, equipped with an arsenal of gadgets that puts his Earth-Prime counterpart to shame. What sets him apart is his willingness to use these weapons to their full potential, delivering brutal, over-the-top violence against Gotham’s darker, more menacing rogues. These intense, blood-soaked battles are not just satisfying; they redefine Batman’s approach to justice.
Absolute Batmanoffers the perfect foundation for a video game. With its vast array of weapons, gear, and vehicles, it would provide players with the loot and creation-driven experience they crave. The gameplay would thrive as a solo experience, similar toAbsolute Wonder Woman, where the focus is on engaging in unique and strategic boss fights. Enemies like Black Mask and the newly reimagined cryptid Mr. Freeze would offer fresh and dynamic challenges. With such rich source material,DChas a golden opportunity to create a game that captures the raw intensity ofAbsolute Batman; all it takes is the courage to bring it to life.
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