The Simpsons,Family Guy,Rick and Morty, these are just some of the many adult animation series that fans just can’t seem to get enough of. Each of them utilize the cartoon medium to tell jokes and craft narratives that are aimed at a more mature audience. Many people may associate animation with children’s entertainment, but these series thoroughly break that stigma, and prove that cartoons are just as much for adults as they are for kids - and the same goes for their comics.
Even the most die-hard fan of any one of these adult animation series may not know that they go beyond the animated medium right into the realm of comic books. And, just like the stigma surrounding many people’s viewpoint on cartoons, these series disprove the notion that comics are just for kids by expertly continuing the style and tone of their original animated series - with some doing a better job than others.
Some of these comic book continuations are little more than random ‘episodes’ that take place within any given universe, and offer little (if anything at all) to the wider canon of said universe. Others, however, expand the lore of their series greatly, adding key details, informative backstory, and integral character development that allow fans to become even more immersed in the series they love. While both styles are entertaining, that extra care in lore expansion is what sets certain comic series apart from the rest. Above them all, these are the10 best adult animation comic series, ranked!
10South Park Released Annual Comic Specials From 2010 to 2014
South Park Annualby Pedigree Books
South Parkis one of the few adult animation series that has so expertly merged social commentary and satirical comedy with irreverence and toilet humor - and that is felt in theSouth Parkcomic. Between 2010 and 2014,South ParkreleasedAnnualspecials that gave fans an extra ‘episode’ in the form of a comic, with storylines that perfectly fit the style and tone of the cartoon.
However, theseAnnualspecials don’t exactly count as a series (even a limited series), as they are four individual stories with an entire year separating each of them. These comics are a lot of fun, and are basically like reading aSouth Parkepisode, but they add little toSouth Park’s established canon(the little bit of canon a mostly episodic show likeSouth Parkeven has), making this one of the least impactful comic book continuations of an animated series.
9The Family Guy Comic is a 3 Issue Series of Random (& Hilarious) ‘Episodes’
Family Guyby Devil’s Due Publishing
There are few animated series that have adopted a more true episodic format thanFamily Guy, as there’s almost no through-plot or established continuity to speak of, and the same is true for its comic miniseries. Devil’s Due Publishing’sFamily Guyis a three-issue miniseries that is basically just three random episodes. The first followsStewie as he’s trying to ‘kill Lois’, the second follows Peter as he’s explaining what it takes to be the ‘perfect father’, and the third follows Chris, who doesn’t do much of anything.
Each comic spins into a full story completely separate from the rest, andwhile that stays true toFamily Guy’s formula, the comic doesn’t add anything that fans aren’t already getting from the show. Of course, forFamily Guyfans, that’s probably the best reason why this comic is a must-read, as it’s simply more of what they love.
Beavis and Butt-Headis the dumbest animated series in the most hilarious way imaginable, and it’s all because of the titular characters. Beavis and Butt-Head are seemingly too stupid to exist, yet they stumble through life, somehow making it through another day. They’re the most extreme examples of ‘dumb teenagers’, with all the interests (and disinterests) associated with that. The show brings these two idiots to life perfectly, and the comic does the same.
The most significant way the comic expands upon the animated series is with Beavis and Butt-Head’s iconic commentary. Usually, they comment on MTV music videos, but in the comics,Beavis and Butt-Head offer their commentary on Marvel Comics issues. This one change makes theBeavis and Butt-Headcomics well worth the read, as is how true the comic stays to their established characters.
7Bob’s Burgers Comic Series Stays True to Specific Storylines from the Show
Bob’s Burgersby Dynamite Entertainment
Bob’s Burgersis a beloved yet relatively new addition to the adult animation subgenre, and the reason why fans have taken to it so quickly is due entirely to the characters. The Belchers are a total subversion of the classic ‘American family’, not in an over-the-top toxic way, but rather quite the opposite. The Belchers are a genuine family that truly love each other, and they’re all super weird - something that’s felt in the comic book continuation.
In the very first issue of this comic series,Tina imagines herself as a horse, and even joins forces with the Equestranauts. Not only is this a perfect depiction of Tina’s personality, but it’s also a hilarious callback to one of the funniest episodes in the TV show (season 4, episode 17). In the first issue alone, this comic perfectly captures the energy of the original show, and fits perfectly into Bob’s Burgers canon.
6Futurama Gives Its Iconic Characters Even More Sci-Fi Adventures in the Comics
Futurama Comicsby Bongo Comics
There’s a reason why every timeFuturamabriefly goes off the air, fans demand its return, as the series is equal parts hilarious comedy and epic Sci-Fi adventure - with shockingly smart and understated jokes sprinkled between moments of outlandish absurdity. That magic is captured perfectly in the comics (indeed, Matt Groening founded Bongo Comics), including one that was a perfect expansion of a storyline from the show.
In the comic titled, “Xmas Time is Fear”, it’s revealedhowFuturama’s evil robot Santa is defeated(before the time-travel shenanigans in season 11). Apparently, Nixon put a virus in the milk and cookies offered to Santa, effectively deleting the robot’s urge to kill. That’s a detail TV fans never would have known - and that’s just one of the 83 issues in this series.
5The Simpsons Comics Catalog is Nearly as Extensive as the Animated Series
The Simpsons Comics/Bart Simpson’s Treehouse of Horrorby Bongo Comics
The Simpsonsis the longest-running American animated series, and the franchise’s comic book presence reflects that. The Simpsons doesn’t have just one comic, but a great number of series stemming from the flagshipThe Simpsons Comics(which alone has more than 200 issues). But, there’soneSimpsonstitle that really makes the entire comic book format stand out:Treehouse of Horror.
Treehouse of Horroris a staple inSimpsonslore - anthology horror/comedy specials that parody famous scary movies/books. That means any addition to the Treehouse of Horror is an expansion of The Simpsons’ established canon, and the comics have no shortage of them - parodying the likes of Little Shop of Horrors and Alien, just to name a few.
4Aeon Flux Connects the Animated Series and the Live-Action Movie
Aeon Fluxby Dark Horse Comics
Aeon Fluxwas a standout-animated series that stemmed from MTV’s Liquid Television, which established a cult following that remains strong to this day. But, fans who fell in love with the show were sorely let down by the live-action film, as it failed to capture the postmodern/psychedelic imagery of the animation (among other failures). However, before the film was released, Dark Horse Comics launched a prequel comic that was designed to ease fans of the show into the new film, effectively bridging the gap between them.
Dark Horse’sAeon Fluxwas integral to the series’ wider lore, as it connected the cartoon to the filmin an interesting (and slightly meta) way. Plus, for die-hard fans of the MTV series, there’s also the graphic novelAeon Flux: The Herodotus File, which offers amazing insight into the lore of the animated series, proving thatAeon Fluxcomics really do fire on all cylinders.
3Duckman is More than a Comic Continuation, but a True Return to Form
Duckmanby Topps Comics
Duckmanis a cult classic animated series about an anthropomorphic duck private eye that aired on the USA Network in the ‘90s, but before that, it was a comic series published by Dark Horse Comics. The original comic was black and white, super underground, and had all the indie charm of the animated series. Then, once the show gained a following,Duckmanbecame a comic once again under Topps Comics, which literally continued the continuity of the animated series.
TheDuckmanTopp Comics series is so much more than a spin-off or tie-in, but a direct continuation of the show, as well as a true return to form.Duckmanoriginated in the comics, and when it returned to that medium, it did so to further the story of the animated series, making it a must-read for fans.
2Harley Quinn: The Animated Series Comic is Seamlessly Woven into the Show’s Narrative
Harley Quinn: The Animated Series - Eat. Bang! Kill. Tourby DC Comics
There are some comics that continue the events of their animated counterparts, and others that act as perfect spin-offs/add-ons to that continuity, and then there are comics likeHarley Quinn: The Animated Series- specifically theEat. Bang! Kill. Tour. This series picks up right whereHarley Quinn: The Animated Seriesseason 2 left off, with Harley and Ivy driving away together in a car with a “Just Married” banner on the back.
The comic literally takes place moments after the credits roll on season 2, and it’s viewed as canon in regard to the later seasons as well (not just immediately retconned or ignored). That means,to get the full picture of this version of Harley Quinn’s story, the comic is required reading.
1Rick and Morty Comic Expands the Animated Show’s Lore More than Any Other Series
Rick and Mortyby Oni Press
Duckman might be a perfect continuation of its animated series, andHarley Quinn: The Animated Seriesmay be woven seamlessly into the show, butOni Press’Rick and Mortygoes a step further than any other comic on this list: it adds to the lore immensely. TheRick and Mortycomics have explained why Morty, Rick, and Summer are flying away from Cthulhu in the opening credits, it fleshes out the full backstory of Rick’s relationship with Mr. Nimbus, and it explores what happens to a Mr. Meeseeks that lives way too long, just to name a few.
Not only does the comic explain elements introduced in the show, it also introduces new characters that serve to make the wider lore feel even more rich and full. Those characters include a genius Mr. Goldenfold, a Thanos-like Noob-Noob, and a Jerry who took down the Citadel of Ricks. EveryRick and Mortycomic ever published must be read by fans of the animated series, as it expands the show’s lore more than any other adult animation comic - even compared to the likes ofThe SimpsonsandFamily Guy.
Rick and Morty
Cast
Rick and Morty is an animated science fiction series that follows the eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez and his impressionable grandson Morty Smith as they embark on perilous adventures across space and alternate dimensions. The show explores the impact of these exploits on Morty’s tumultuous family life and personal challenges.
