10 Comic Book Series That Should Get A Telltale Video Game

Telltale Games just released the first episode of their adaptation of Batman and it's pretty damn great (read our review to find out why). That isn't very surprising, since the California-based studio has been on an absolute roll ever since 2012's The Walking Dead. Based on the hit comic book of the same name, Telltale effectively managed to streamline the adventure game genre by having it rely less on absurd puzzle solutions and tweaked it in order to appeal to a larger audience. Ever since then, they've doubled down on their episodic release format and have released video games based on a number of beloved properties. Even other video games such as Borderlands and Minecraft have received the Telltale treatment, but their best work has come with adapting comic books. Due to the success of The Wolf Among Us (based off the Fables line of comics) and now Batman, it's clear that they have a knack for taking comic book storytelling out of the pages they originated and onto gamers' TV screens. Given all this, I couldn't help but think ahead to the future and in particular, what other comic books would be a good fit for a video game by Telltale? After pondering the possibilities, I've come up with 10 very different comics that would be fantastic candidates for an episodic experience like only the developer can deliver. So, on that note, read on to see our picks for 10 comic book series that Telltale Games should adapt next, and as always, leave a comment below with your thoughts on the list. Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Marvel's latest hit series has been Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. Doreen Green, the titular Squirrel Girl, is a likable character and her interactions with other heroes has quickly made her become a fan favorite. Also working for the property is its blend of action and comedy, which would be the perfect fit for Telltale. Furthermore, it would be nice to play a story-driven game that is more fun than stressful. It's important for the studio to diversify after all, and not every game can be a serious, tense tearjerker like The Walking Dead, right? The Omega Men One of 2016's best comics has been The Omega Men. It focuses on a squad that's dedicated to fighting for justice, yet isn't particularly concerned about how they get there. Much like a terrorist organization, they feel like their end goal is noble enough that even if innocent lives are lost, it will be worth it in the end. If Telltale put players in the shoes of former Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, it would be particularly thrilling. He's been forced along on The Omega Men's journey after being kidnapped by the group, and a large story arc has been how he disapproves of how they get their hands dirty. Allowing players to decide whether or not to let Rayner's moral compass slip would make for an interesting game, and definitely one that we'd love to play. Preacher Telltale Games has already had success creating a game that also received an AMC television series, so why not try it again with Preacher? Since the Vertigo comic book (which ended in 2000) is finding a brand new surge of popularity thanks to the show, a video game based on it would make perfect sense. Even if it didn't tell the direct story of Jesse Custer, there are plenty of memorable characters to focus on. The potential is certainly there for a crossover hit, it just needs to be properly done and marketed appropriately. Spider-Man Noir 2010's Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions wasn't a great game, but it did introduce a lot of people to Spider-Man Noir. Set during the Great Depression, this alternate Peter Parker has a gun and isn't above getting his hands dirty. Not only is it an interesting, dark setting for a game, but it's also a unique twist on a character that everyone's familiar with. Spider-Man Noir presents opportunities for Telltale to play with the character's morality while also allowing for more creative freedom, as less is known about this alternate world. Swamp Thing Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing is legendary. It retconned the monster's origin story (changing him from a human-turned-monster to a supernatural defender of the Green) and gave him a much-needed greater purpose. No matter which way Telltale chooses to go with the story, they have a lot of interesting places to start. Its environmental theme is definitely unique and there are a lot of lesser-known DC characters that could appear. Plus, an adaptation of Swamp Thing could also test the market and see if anyone would be interested in a game that starred the antihero from the next suggestion... Hellblazer John Constantine isn't your typical hero. The wisecracking occult detective has his fair share of character flaws, but is ultimately looking to do something good. A detective story is a great setup for an episodic series (and probably why A Wolf Among Us starred Bigby Wolf) and Telltale could either feature a young version of the character or an older version depending on what type of story they wanted to tell. It's also worth noting that John Constantine is already known to mainstream audiences thanks to 2005's Constantine film starring Keanu Reeves, and a 2014 TV series featuring Matt Ryan as the British detective. Ryan has also reprised his role on CW's Arrow, so it's not like the character has been away from viewer's televisions for long. Saga Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples' Saga is a space opera for the ages. It has received widespread acclaim ever since its inception in 2012 and has tackled some heavy topics in its ongoing run. While the duo have stated a TV show or movie adaptation isn't something they are particularly interested in, perhaps they would be open to a video game exploring its universe. It might even be the perfect way to explore some fan-favorite characters like Lying Cat. Sin City Frank Miller's beloved comic book series already has a huge following and a cast of characters that moviegoers are familiar with. A game by Telltale could star a different character in each episode and tell an intertwining story, much like the comic often did. There's a ton of potential for violent thriller and it'd be an exciting direction for the studio to take. Plus, the black and white art style in Sin City is absolutely gorgeous and is practically begging to be used in a video game, even if A Crowd of Monsters' Blues and Bullets and Platinum Games' Madworld already tried to do their best impersonation of the distinct look. Bone Telltale Games have actually attempted to adapt Jeff Smith's beloved Bone series before, so I'm bending the rules here, but with good reason. Back in 2005, the fledgling developer released their second game ever — Bone: Out from Boneville. It was based off the first volume of Bone, and sadly, it wasn't very good. Telltale was still finding its feet as a developer, and they just didn't deliver the quality product that gamers expect from them now. A second episode, called The Great Cow Race, was released in April of 2006. It was a definite step-up in quality from the first, but there was still a lot of missed potential for the series. Since it's clearly one that Telltale has an affinity for (and I am sure they'd love to have a second chance to retell this epic story), I'd love to see them give it a second try. Since there are nine volumes of Fone Bone's misadventures, it's a perfect fit for an episodic release schedule. Sex Criminals Matt Fraction has proved himself to be one of comic's best writers with successful runs on Hawkeye and The Immortal Iron Fist. However, his best work wasn't done under the Marvel fold. In 2013, Fraction teamed up with artist Chip Zdarsky to create Sex Criminals, a comic book about a couple who has the ability to freeze time once they orgasm. Naturally, this leads to a bank heist. The series has a great cast of characters, a rather unique hook and a fun vibe despite its mature nature. Financially, Sex Criminals definitely doesn't have the earning potential of a bigger series like Batman, but I can't help but to think it'd be a lot more fun both for gamers to play and for Telltale to create.