Top 10 Tuesdays: 10 Movie/TV-to-Comic Continuations That Need To Happen

Dark Horse has just released issue one of "Prometheus: Fire & Stone," a follow-up to Ridley Scott's 2012 sci-fi/horror flick. "Fire & Stone" is the first title in DH's new initiative to meld together the existing canon of "Alien," "Predator" and "Prometheus" films for one sprawling but cohesive comic universe. In honor of that we're counting down 10 Movie/TV-to-Comic Continuations that need to follow in its footsteps!

10) Daria

Come on. You know you want this. As spin-off of MTV's inexplicably "Beavis and Butthead," the sharp and sardonic "Daria" won the hearts of many an outcast and misanthrope during it's 1997-2002 run. In this new-fangled world of the 24-hour political news cycle and 25-hour celebrity gossip cycle, Daria Morgendorffer has to have something to say. It be awesome for this new title to pick-up during Daria's college career. She was so great at taking apart the stereotypical high school hierarchy B.S. and I'd love to see her take on Greek culture and schools that worship at the alter of **~FOOTBALL~**. An update on series faves like Jane, Trent, Jodie, Mac, Quinn, Kevin, Brittany, etc would also be a welcome addition. BOOM!, make it happen!

9) Mission: Impossible

Seeing as the "Mission: Impossible" franchise seems to get better and better with each installment, it's no surprise that there's another film in the works. However, that film is probably going to be another Tom Cruise vehicle - and while there's nothing wrong with that (see: "Edge of Tomorrow") - the last outing, "Ghost Protocol" introduced us to a character with a lot of potential: Agent Jane Carter, played by Paula Patton. This would be a fantastic opportunity to introduce a new female hero of color to the comics landscape and by fleshing out Carter in the comic, we could see the "M:I" universe expand beyond Cruise's Hunt in a positive and progressive way.

8) Almost Human

Gone way too soon, guys. Fox's "Almost Human" was the type of high-concept sci-fi television that has been slowly disappearing from both network and cable TV for a while now. It starred "Dredd"'s Karl Urban and Michael Ealy as future cop John Kennex and Dorian, Kennex's synthetic android partner. The show started of with an interesting premise but not definitive voice or direction and as soon as it started to find its footing, Fox dropped the ax (as we sci-fi/western hybrid Whedonites know so well). The title could wrap up the central mystery that the show never got around to addressing and take the clean, sanitized "Blade Runner"-ness of the series and turn into something really weird, freaky and awesome.

7) Pirates of the Caribbean

Jack Sparrow is a not a character, he is a foil. That's not to say he isn't entertaining; when he's on, he's on. But why he became the central focus of the movies, they just got worse and worse. But even with the last two or three films registering on the mediocre side, I think there's still plenty of gas left in the "Pirates" universe. Bring back Captain Jack, of course, but put him in a great arc, surround him with some truly compelling characters and make the villain something fresh and sinister (think Gorr the God Butcher in the Jason Aaron's fantastic "Thor: God of Thunder" run). There's tones of pirate lore from around the world to pick from and twist to make this title live up to (at least) the potential of the film franchise.

6) Gargoyles

I shouldn't even have to explain this one but "Gargoyles" is ripe for a comic reboot. Disney's brilliant animated series followed a group of ancient gargoyles transplanted from war-torn medieval Scotland to present day New York City. The show went for three seasons and is considered one of the greatest animated series of all time. The title itself doesn't even have to continue the storyline of the series - it got a little wonky near the end - but rather a re-imagining featuring the characters in a less obvious, non-kids-show version of 90s NYC. It be a great vehicle for a newbie creative team to test out but I honestly think Tradd Moore would beast on "Gargoyles."   

5) Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

This one's just a dream but a pretty awesome dream nonetheless. As a fan of both the "Toy Story" trilogy and the "Star Command" series, I feel Disney truly dropped the ball on what could have become a very lucrative franchise. The series followed the titular space ranger and his team of misfits on various missions to the far reaches of space and sometimes it was "Star Wars," most times it was "Star Trek" and sometimes it was even "Logan's Run." After his wonderfully dry take on the Hawkeye's solo title, Matt Fraction is at the top of my list for this one. Fraction using his trademark eccentric storytelling style for a series of sarcastically awesome Buzz Lightyear adventures? You know you want it.

4) Clone High

Before "The Lego Movie" and before the "Jump Street" reboot, there was "Clone f***in' High." "CH" was the brilliant and hilarious Canadian animated series from the then-unknown team of Phil Lord and Chris Miller that followed a science experiment in which a mad professor studied a high school attended by teenaged clones of historical figures like Abe Lincoln, Cleopatra, JFK, Joan of Arc, Gandhi and the like. Not only are their millions of new and different historical figures that could be introduced (I'm pushing for radical eco-feminist Susan B. Anthony, myself) there's tons of true to life high school shenanigans that the show didn't get to during it's original run. Get a decent writer who could work with a team of comedians (seriously, "SNL" just axed a ton) and this could make for one funny treat of a title. 

3) Æon Flux

As lead animator on Nickelodeon's popular "Rugrats" series, Peter Chung grew tired of the constricting level of movement and flexibility that having toddlers as subjects burdened him with. So when Nick's parent channel, MTV, came a-courtin' for a new animated series, Chung created "Æon Flux," an acrobatic, avant-garde toon about revolution and incredibly detailed action/make-out scenes. "Flux" was incredibly ahead of its time and in this world of NSA monitoring and reactionary sexual repression, its anti-government hero, psycho-sexual body politics and fluid design are in desperate need of a return. And what better way than with a new comic?

2) Futurama

YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. YOU WANT A "FUTURAMA" ONGOING. *All glory to the Hypnotoad*

1) The Incredibles

What IP is more ripe for continuation, comic or otherwise? Disney/Pixar's tremendous superhero film, "The Incredibles," has left many a fan in desperate hope for a sequel. And even though one is currently in the Mouse House's pipeline, let's dream of a perfect world. A world with no AIDS, where eating tons of really good food gives you washboard abs, Beyoncé is your best friend and there's a good ongoing about the continuing misadventures of the Parr family. Just pick up right where the film left off. Sure, Metroville is happy that the Incredibles and Frozone are back in town but what about the rest of the country? Or the world for that matter? Are supers coming back now? How will the public react? The government? Did the Parrs Jack-Jack proof the house? Better yet, the neighborhood? So many questions to answer that the book has second no, third printing written all over it!

Did you like any of the suggestions? What are some of yours? Do you love the Hypnotoad Leave a comment and let us know!

And be sure to join me next week for another Top 10 Tuesday.