10 Lesser Known Comic Characters (to Casual Fans) That MUST GET A TV Show/Movie

There are countless superheroes meandering their way across the comic book landscapes -- I'm looking at you Codpiece -- but these heroes are fit for television series or movies because of their obscurity, a relatively untapped part of the graphic novel landscape can be rife with TV/Film gold. So without further ado, here are 10 heroes/anti-heroes and what medium suits them best. Side note: There is far too much continuity to go into heavy detail here. I present the basic premise of the characters. Should you want more info there are tons of wiki's on the character, even better: hit up your local comic shop and read for yourself. The industry can always use more fans. Happy reading!!

10. The New warriors( & Speedball) - Best option: TV Series

Via thefwoosh.com

Let’s all face facts; Speedball shares a name with a cocaine and heroin mixture, but honestly, a bevy of jokes can come from the name alone. Speedball is a lighter character, save for a darker period where he was known as Penance (Civil War, read up people). He can create a field that absorbs kinetic energy which he mostly uses to bounce around, a lot. He is a member of the New Warriors, a group of super powered teens formed by Night Thrasher (Think Batman but African American). Like most teams, the roster changes throughout the years. Some mainstays are Night Thrasher, Nova, Namorita and Justice. The revolving door membership could give show runners options for a diverse team that hits all the TV tropes: the father figure, the joker, the rebel, and so on.

One story line in particular would easily lend itself to television. For a time the New Warriors were re-branded as a super hero reality show. The team would hit the road helping the every man of small town America. Picture Parks and Rec meets Heroes, it would be a mockumentary similar to the office but with high quality special effects. This would be perfect for a shortened season on HBO or even NETFLIX (due to budgetary constraints). Considering the recent Marvel/Netflix shows in the works this could be next in line for binge-worthy Television.

9. The Darkness-Best option: Feature Film

Via wall.alphacoders.com

Most casual fans know the Darkness from his video game of the same name. Jackie Esposito is the current wielder of "the darkness", an ancient force that allows him to create anything his mind can conjure up. The only weakness is a susceptibility to light. Jackie can be categorized as a villain, at best an anti-hero. His profile reads like to-do list of top tier villainy. He has been a Mafia hit man, was formerly Don of his own family, and for a time was even a despot of a country. His ability usually manifest in a magic armor and a horde of small demons with sadistic personalities.

The saving grace for a film on the darkness is the fact that he is a three dimensional character. Even a hit-man can be cast as the protagonist if portrayed in the right light. After all, didn’t we root for Don Corleone, the head of a crime family? He isn't void of morals however; he tends to be protective of those near and dear to him. He is an orphan who can kill with tact, harboring a serious sex addiction, yet can’t have intercourse. If that isn't a prime source for conflict, I don’t know what is. This has R rated popcorn flick written all over it.

8. Umbrella Academy -Best option: Live action film

Via mychemicalfreak.com

A series created by former My Chemical Romance front man Gerard Way, this limited series (more are on the way) is about a dysfunctional family of superheroes. Due to a cosmic eruption, 43 super powered infants are born at random. The Monocle, a disguised alien entrepreneur adopts them, their live spent preparing to save the world from an undisclosed event. The Group is basically a mash up of the Adams Famiy and Pixar's The Incredibles.

Spaceboy’s head sits on the body of a gorilla, Kraken is the team’s street level hand to hand combatant, The Rumor can alter reality by lying, The Séance has the power of levitation, telekinesis, and the ability to contact the dead, although his powers only work when he is not wearing shoes. Number Five has the DNA of the best killers in history and “microjumps” in time, perpetually cursed to an adolescent body. The Horror contains monsters from another dimension under his skin, and the White Violin releases destructive waves of force using her violin powerful enough to flatten a building.

The group is odd, at odds with one another, and oddly endearing. They tend to forgo the obvious team personalities and the stories are often quirky yet poignant. Considering the limited source material on this one, a feature film seems perfect. An animation would work well, but also suggests to a common audience that this is child friendly; Umbrella Academy is anything but – you can’t cater to the Frozen audience on this one. I would recommend going the anime route but this is a business and American audiences aren't as open minded as our friends to the east. A live action film works best.

7. Savage Dragon-Best option: live action film

Via comicvine.com

Erik Larson’s Creation is essentially the incredible Hulk with the personality of a stoic police officer pulled from classic film noir. First discovered in a burning field and holding no memory of his past (the memories eventually returned) he was duped by the man that found him, Lt. Frank Darling, into joining the police force. The Chicago PD now has a super powered means to take on the rising power of a Mafioso styled super group known as the Vicious Circle, led by Overlord.

Since Marvel doesn't seem too keen on giving its own green Goliath the film treatment, Savage Dragon seems like a practical next step for studios. While the hulk is a Dr. Jekyll/ Mr. Hyde scenario, Savage dragon is a man struggling to discover himself and protect a city bent on corruption. No offense to the Hulk, but Savage dragon boasts a more diverse personality, he is always the Dragon, and his career logically puts him in the line of fire. He has a sassy yet lovable partner in Alex Wilde. It’s basically a super hero buddy cop film with some neo-noir thrown in for good measure.

This version of Chicago is a cesspool of crime, corruption, and super powered villains that rule with the proverbial "Iron Fist". Savage Dragon isn't alone either. His efforts lead to growth of Hero's ready to follow suit. This could be pure fun adrenaline ride on film and high stakes. In the savage dragon world no one is safe.

6. Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu-Best option: TV series

Via kungfumagazine.com

I feel a confession is in order, I adore Martial Arts films. From classics like 36 chambers of Shaolin to more modern affairs like the Raid (watch it, NOW). Seeing pure martial arts on screen can be like watching a finely tuned expressive dance, with the addition of bones breaking. I know that Iron Fist -- another Marvel Martial Arts Master -- is next in line for a Netflix series, but I believe there is more than enough room for the master of Kung Fu. Shang Chi’s story can take place in Asia, but also be a globe hopping adventure. Imagine the classic Kung-Fu series with a modern touch.

Let’s start with the fact that the Marvel Universe can use a little more diversity, women need more representation, but so does the Asian market, outside of villains that is. Best of all this needn't be a special effects heavy series, instead hire tried and true choreographers (*cough* Donnie Yen) to give the series validity, but more importantly, hire an actual martial artist to portray the titular hero. Many names come to mind. If the proper actors/creators are given a chance this can be a Martial Arts epic for the ages.

5. The Red Hood-Best option: TV series

Via razorfine.com

What if one Batman’s former sidekicks came back as anti-hero vigilante similar to the Punisher? That is the premise behind Judd Winnick’s Red Hood story line. Jason Todd was the second young man to wear the Robin symbol and fight alongside Bruce Wayne’s alter ego. He was murdered by the Joker and has returned with a chip on his shoulder. Unlike Batman he has no moral compass holding him back from taking the lives of the unjust and unlawful.

For anyone who hasn't already seen it, DC’s direct to video animated film titled the Red Hood is a superb take on Jason’s wanton revenge on the Bat and Gotham’s criminal underbelly. He now runs a group known as the Outlaws featuring Starfire from teen titans fame and Arsenal, Green arrows former side kick. I’m not sure if Marvel’s deal with Disney relegates their franchises to PG-13 status but Warner Bros. doesn't appear to have this problem. This would make for a great series. A man trained by Batman with additional training in the deadlier forms of destruction with a penchant for brutality and hardcore violence. It could even serve as a spin-off of Arrow or its own standalone series. Currently he seems to be on a path of redemption, but the series should be a darker take on the character.

4. Birds of Prey-Best option: Film

Via deviantart.com

Whether or not you love it or hate it, we can all admit a female infused Superhero franchise will bring audiences to theaters and simultaneously gives young girls relatable characters to look up to. Instead of having one female lead, go all in and have an entire team of femme fatales, namely the Birds of Prey , we will all pretend the show from a few years ago is just a bad dream. The Birds of Prey is an organization involving an all-women roster. The group is part of the new 52, starring in their own ongoing series. Since the relaunch, the Birds of Prey are established as a covert ops team founded by Black Canary with a roster that included Starling, Batgirl, Katana and Poison Ivy. The team has changed since then for reasons that I won’t get into (spoiler avoided).

Pick some of Hollywood’s top leading ladies to fill the roles, ensure that the chemistry is right, get a seasoned director and this could be something for the ages. A team of super powered ladies who can boast a formidable roster able to compete with the best of them can put butts in seats. They can toe the line between street level heroes and taking on major super powered threats. The roster is negotiable, but there are three must-haves: Batgirl, Black canary, and Huntress. They are longstanding members that are the heart of the team.

3. Cassie Hack & Vlad-Best option: Film (R rated)

Via craveonline.com

We all love horror movies, we also love comics; many of us have a penchant for gore and a good team up. So how has nobody managed to tap into the Hack/Slash franchise? It’s an amalgam of all the aforementioned genres, mixed into one bloody, fun, intense ride. The story is about Cassie Hack, a survivor of an attack by a “slasher”, said slasher was her mother, known as the “Lunch Lady”. Now Cassie travels the world with her monstrous partner and friend, Vlad, hunting down and destroying slashers wherever they may lurk.

It seems obvious that in order to do Hack/Slash any justice it would have to be a series of hard R rated films. If done properly and maybe with some of horrors top directors helming (Eli Roth, Guillermo Del Toro perhaps) this could be a grossly massive hit. Body parts, blood, and an adrenaline rush of fun could make this stand out from the rest of the graphic novel film pack. She has even had some crossover’s with notable horror characters, Ash William, of Army of Darkness Fame is just one such crossover that could be silver screen gold.

It has been rumored that this one is making it to the screen, directed by Marcus Nispel of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Pathfinder and Friday the 13th. That was back in 2012. Horror fans are holding their collective breaths.

2. Invincible-Best option: Big budget film

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Take one part Superman alien origin; add a dash of Spider man’s ever day problems, and sprinkle in quality story telling from a comic’s mainstay like Robert Kirkman and what do you have? You have Invincible. Invincible tells the story of Mark Grayson, a half Viltrumite half human teenager with Super Strength, Flight, Invulnerability, Speed, etc. What makes Invincible stand out isn't his fairly common power set, but the wonderful stories they serve to tell. A film was in the works from paramount but nothing came to fruition and the rights to Invincible have reverted back to Robert Kirkman. Considering Kirkman’s current success it wouldn't surprise me if some movie exec has taken a second look at the property. MTV recently started a digital TV show of Invincible but it’s basically an animated comic book, and it is available on iTunes.

Considering Robert Kirkman currently seems to have plenty of clout for another one his series --a little thing called The Walking Dead -- I’m sure he has already heard from quite a few of Hollywood’s elite about this long standing franchise. I’m not sure if there is truth to the Super Hero bubble wearing thin, but if so this needs to happen sooner than later. The battles in Invincible can only be described as brutal. If the intention is to stay true to the source material then a film would be ideal, if however a series is in the cards, only cable television would allow such violence and graphic real world scenarios. Considering the many stories to tap into (like most comics) a series would be able to tell the majority, but a movie could be on a grander scale better suited for Mark Grayson’s heroic exploits.

1. Power Pack-Best option: Animated Films

Via mcsaurus.deviantart.com

This one seems like a no-brainer. The Power siblings are imbued with abilities from a dying alien – stop me if this origin rings a bell – and each of them are granted one of his abilities. Alex (12) can control the effects of gravity on both himself and objects he touches; Julie (10) can fly at the speed of light, Jack (8) can compress his weight or become a cloud, and Katie (5) has the ability to absorb molecules and convert them to energy.

Although the team is a little more obscure, a film or television series based on a family of children struggling to come to terms with both their new-found abilities and the hardships of adolescence seems perfect. It can appeal to both children and adults alike. This is a natural fit for an animated film similar to Big Hero 6. Since the group is esoteric, excluding comic fans mostly, some liberties can be taken with their origins. As a bonus, animated films would allow the group to age at the creator’s desire. We all remember Walt from Lost; he had to be written off in order to counter his flourishing puberty from breaking the illusion of a few short months passing over a few seasons of serialized television. Let’s get on this Marvel.