5 Dark Horse Comics Characters That Need a Movie Franchise

Dark Horse Comics has carved out a unique space for itself in the publishing world, often acting as a haven for some of cinema’s most iconic properties. For decades, the publisher has been the official comic book home for titans of science fiction and horror, expanding the lore of franchises like Alien, Predator, and Planet of the Apes. While its licensed properties are a major part of its legacy, Dark Horse is also the birthplace of some of the most successful original characters in independent comics. The publisher’s most famous creation, Hellboy, has spawned four feature films, becoming a globally recognized icon.

Yet, many filmgoers are unaware that other cinematic hits, like the wacky superhero comedy The Mask or the sci-fi television series Resident Alien, also originated from Dark Horse properties. These successes demonstrate the publisher’s incredible track record for fostering unique concepts with massive mainstream potential. Still, for every character that has made the leap to the big screen, there are many more waiting in the wings for the franchise they deserve.

5) Miyamoto Usagi

Miyamoto Usagi is an anthropomorphic rabbit ronin who wanders a world populated by animal characters in a setting that mirrors feudal Japan. Created by Stan Sakai, Usagi is a master swordsman who lives by the strict moral code of bushido, often finding himself protecting the innocent from bandits and corrupt lords. His stories blend historical fiction, Japanese mythology, and thrilling samurai action, creating a rich and immersive world. His quiet dignity and unwavering commitment to justice make him a deeply compelling protagonist, a classic wandering hero in the vein of the most legendary samurai tales.

Though Miyamoto Usagi has never had a solo film, he is no stranger to the screen. The character has a long and storied history with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, frequently crossing over with them in the comics and appearing in multiple animated series. Most recently, Netflix produced an animated show titled Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles, which focused on one of his descendants. However, the definitive story of the original rabbit ronin has yet to be told in film, and his epic adventures are perfectly suited for a sprawling movie franchise.

4) Grendel

Grendel is not a single character but a legacy, a mantle of violence and aggression passed down through generations. The original and most iconic Grendel was Hunter Rose, a brilliant novelist, gifted fencer, and ruthless assassin who took control of New York City’s criminal underworld. Motivated by lost love and a profound sense of boredom with his own genius, Hunter Rose becomes a sophisticated and terrifying figure, a villain who operates with the precision of an artist.

The character’s complex mythology, which follows the Grendel identity through different hosts and far into the future, makes it an ideal concept for a multi-film saga. Netflix had an eight-episode series based on the Hunter Rose storyline in development, with Abubakr Ali cast in the lead role, but the project was unfortunately canceled before its release. Still, Grendel is a villainous force of nature, and a film franchise could explore the darkness he represents in a way that no other comic book property can.

3) Ghost

Elisa Cameron was a journalist investigating the corrupt underbelly of the city of Arcadia before she was brutally murdered. Instead of passing on, she returned as a spectral vigilante known as the Ghost. Trapped between worlds, she uses her newfound supernatural abilities, including teleportation, intangibility, and invisibility, to wage a one-woman war on the crime that infests her city. Her primary mission is to uncover the truth behind her own death, a quest that pulls her deeper into a web of conspiracy and darkness.

The Ghost is a perfect street-level hero with a supernatural twist, a character whose stories blend gritty crime noir with otherworldly horror. Her search for her own identity provides a powerful emotional core, making her more than just a vengeful spirit. The character has never had a major screen adaptation, though she was part of Dark Horse’s short-lived “Comics’ Greatest World” initiative in the 1990s, which included a crossover with DC’s Batgirl. A film franchise centered on the Ghost could offer a unique take on the superhero genre, delivering a hard-boiled detective story where the hero’s death is also the central mystery.

2) Baltimore

Lord Henry Baltimore is a captain in the British army during World War I whose life is shattered by a fateful encounter on the battlefield. After wounding a primeval vampire, he incurs the creature’s wrath, leading to a horrifying plague of vampirism sweeping across Europe and the brutal murder of his entire family. This tragedy transforms him from a soldier into a relentless hunter, a man driven by pure vengeance. Armed with harpoons, knives, and an unyielding will, Baltimore travels the war-torn landscape, fighting all manner of gothic horrors on his quest to kill the vampire who destroyed his life.

Created by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden, Baltimore is the protagonist of a dark and epic horror saga. The world he inhabits is a bleak and atmospheric nightmare, filled with beautifully designed monsters and a pervasive sense of dread. Lord Baltimore’s quest for revenge is a powerful and cinematic narrative, perfectly suited for a dark fantasy film franchise that could explore the stunningly grim world Mignola and his collaborators have created.

1) The Goon

The Goon is a hulking, muscle-bound enforcer for the mysterious mob boss Labrazio, and his job is to collect debts and crack skulls in a town plagued by zombies, ghosts, robots, and fish-men. He is a quintessential tough guy, a brawler with a hidden heart of gold who protects his community from the endless parade of supernatural threats orchestrated by the sinister Zombie Priest. Alongside his fast-talking, sociopathic sidekick Franky, The Goon navigates a world that is a brilliant and bizarre fusion of pulp noir, slapstick comedy, and grotesque horror.

The singular tone of The Goon comics makes it one of the most unique and beloved independent series of all time. An animated film adaptation has been in development for over a decade, with director David Fincher championing the project and a successful Kickstarter campaign funding a story reel, but the movie has remained stuck in development hell. The last we heard of it, Netflix was developing the project with director Patrick Osborne at the helm. The Goon is a character with a powerful personality and a rich world that is begging to be explored on screen, making him the most deserving Dark Horse creation for a major movie franchise.

Which other Dark Horse Comics character do you think needs a movie franchise? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

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