Netflix and Dark Horse Comics have teamed up in both multiple ways over the past few years and plenty more is to come thanks to a renewed “multi-year, first-look film and TV deal”. Here’s a full breakdown of every upcoming Dark Horse Comics project, the series and movies you can already watch on Netflix right now.
Established 35 years ago, Dark Horse Comics has become one of the biggest names in comic publishing and, much like all of their counterparts in the space, is aggressively moving into TV and movies.
Helping them achieve this is Netflix who have already released a number of adaptations since 2019 and will be doing so aggressively, thanks to a first-look deal struck in 2019 and renewed in 2022.
Released Dark Horse Comics Adaptations on Netflix
Polar (2019)
Released on Netflix: January 25th, 2019
Picture: Netflix
The first Dark Horse Comics adaptation to come to Netflix was headlined by Mads Mikkelsen (best known for NBC’s Hannibal).
The action movie directed by Jonas Åkerlund with a soundtrack provided by Deadmau5 didn’t do particularly well with critics, with it only carrying a measely 19 on Metacritic.
Audiences have taken to the movie far better but it’d be hard to say the movie has any significant lasting legacy.
The Umbrella Academy (TV Show)
Picture: Universal Television
The most popular Dark Horse Comic title to make the jump over to Netflix so far is The Umbrella Academy, which is produced by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá.
The series tells the story of the former adopted child heroes all with unique powers reuniting after their father’s passing.
Steve Blackman serves as the showrunner with the show having seen three seasons released thus far. Season 1 debuted on Netflix back in February 2019. No word on any fourth season as of August 2022.
Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles (Series)
Picture: Gaumont Animation
Produced by 88 Pictures, this new animated TV show will adapt the Samurai Rabbit comics (that seems to be Netflix’s equivalent to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.)
The series follows a teenage rabbit that is a descendant of the great warrior Miyamoto Usagi who embarks on an epic quest.
Among the voice cast assembled for the series so far includes Darren Barnet, Shelby Rabara, Aleks Le, and Mallory Low.
The first season was released on Netflix in April 2022 and season 2 hit in September 2022.
Upcoming Netflix Dark Horse Comics Shows & Movies
Grendel (Series)
Picture: Dark Horse Comics
Andrew Dabb will be writing and showrunning this new action-fantasy series based on the comic by Matt Wagner.
The series will follow a gifted fencer who doubles as an assassin who is looking to avenge his one true love but rather than directly taking them on, he joins the criminal underworld.
Madeline Zima, Jaime Ray Newman and Kevin Corrigan are on board to star.
Lady Killer (Movie)
Picture: Dark Horse Comics
Blake Lively is on board to star in this adaptation written by Diablo Cody. Lady Killer is a comic book series by Joelle Jones and Jamie S. Rich. It was first released in 2015 to critical acclaim.
The story of Lady Killer follows a 1950s housewife who is hiding a dark secret.
Dept. H (Movie)
Picture: Dark Horse Comics
This movie will follow the daughter of a murdered scientist discovering what led to his death in a deep-sea research facility. Alice Waddington, the director of Paradise Hills is on board to direct this feature film.
It’s in early development as of late 2021.
Mystery Girl (Movie)
Picture: Dark Horse Comics
Tiffany Haddish is on board to play the role of Trine with McG set to direct this mystery thriller.
The movie is about a girl with psychic abilities teaming up with a useless cop to solve crimes and find out about where her powers came from.
Mystery Girl is expected to begin production in 2022.
Revenge Inc.
First announced in late 2021, this new drama series that’s being helmed by Matthew Arnold (best known for Emerald City and Siberia) is about a secret underground company that specializes in revenge.
Bang! (Movie)
Picture: Dark Horse Entertainment
As part of a renewed deal with Dark Horse Comics in August 2022, a feature film with Idris Elba both producing and starring was announced based on the comic book by Matt Kindt (writer) and Wilfredo Torres (artist).
The comic, first released in February 2020, promised “action, mystery and altered reality,” and it certainly delivered.
The movie will see Elba play the role of a secret agent who is sent to track down and kill the author responsible for a series of novels meant to brainwash readers to start an apocalypse.
87North Productions and Green Door Pictures are producing the movie.
Mind MGMT
Picture: Dark Horse Entertainment
Just like Bang!, this comic series was written by Matt Kindt and will be getting a 60-minute series at Netflix. Curtis Gwinn, who worked on Stranger Things, serves as an executive producer on the project.
Here’s what you need to know about the premise of the series:
“A young woman stumble onto the top-secret Mind Management program. Her ensuing journey involves weaponized psychics, hypnotic advertising, talking dolphins, and seemingly immortal pursuers, as she attempts to find the man who was Mind Management’s greatest success — and its most devastating failure.”
That’s all we have, for now. We’ll update this list as and when we learn of new projects or projects in development progress significantly.
Let us know which Dark Horse Comics adaptation you’re looking forward to coming to Netflix in the comments below.
