Ever since the very early days of home gaming, there have been countless games based on comic book IP hitting consoles, PCs, and smartphones alike. From 1983’s Asterix and Obelix for the Atari 2600 to Gotham Knights (2022) another installment in a long line of gaming adaptations of the Dark Knight’s comic book saga, the video game market is saturated with titles based on graphic novels.
Even in more specialized gaming genres, like the online slots sector of the iGaming market, you’ll find multiple jackpot games inspired by comic book heroes and heroism, such as one of PokerStars Casino’s popular titles, Captain Wild. And let’s not even get started on movie adaptations of games based on comics…
But what about comics based on games and gaming? While there are plenty of comic books based on games (we’ll run through our top ten at the end of this article), how many exist that are centered on gaming and gamers themselves?
We’ve found six essential comic books with gaming and gamers as a core theme that you should check out if you want to keep your gaming geek status.
Six Essential Gaming and Gamer-Focused Comic Books
The Adventure Zone by Clint, Griffin, Justin, and Travis McElroy, Carey Pietsch
Based on the popular podcast of the same name, this graphic novel series follows a group of friends as they play a Dungeons & Dragons-style tabletop role-playing game. With humor, drama, and plenty of unexpected twists, it offers a unique look at gaming culture.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World by Bryan Lee O’Malley
While known for its film adaptation, the original comic series follows Scott Pilgrim as he battles his crush Ramona Flowers’ seven evil exes. With its references to video games and pop culture, the series captures the essence of experiencing the world through a gamer’s eyes in a quirky and fully engaging way.
Rat Queens by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch
Rat Queens is a fantasy comic series that follows a group of dubious mercenaries as they embark on various adventures. While not explicitly based on gaming, it nevertheless incorporates familiar gaming elements innovatively, including character quests, and builds them into an action-packed narrative.
Genshiken by Kio Shimoku
This popular manga series follows a group of college students who are all members of the
Gendai Shikaku Bunka Kenkyūkai, aka The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, is a society dedicated to all things manga, anime, and video gaming. The series is centered on exploring otaku culture and presents an interesting take on the social dynamics of gaming and visual culture communities.
Level Up by Gene Luen Yang and Thien Pham
Dennis Ouyang is a promising medical trainee torn between his parents’ expectations for him to become a doctor and his passion for video gaming. This graphic novel follows his conflicted journey as he navigates the pressures of medical school while grappling with his dreams and his identity.
The Gamer by Sung Sang-Young and Sang-Ah
This Korean webtoon follows Han Jee-Han, a student who discovers he can observe the world as though he is seeing through a video game interface. As he gains experience and navigates various challenges, both in the real world and in the game-like realm he inhabits, he “levels up” to move on to the next stage of his life.
The All-Time Best Comic Books Based on Video Games
While comics based on gaming culture itself are rare, there’s no denying the fact that comics based on video games are still some of the most engaging and exciting examples of the medium. With this in mind, here are our top ten all-time favorite comics based on video games to get stuck into:
- Assassin’s Creed (Titan Comics)
- Injustice: Gods Among Us (DC Comics)
- Cyberpunk 2077 (Dark Horse Comics)
- Dragon Age (Dark Horse Comics)
- Minecraft (Dark Horse Comics and Mojang Studios)
- Life is Strange (Titan Comics)
- Bloodborne (Titan Comics)
- Mass Effect (Dark Horse Comics)
- Batman: The Arkham Saga (DC Comics)
- Silent Hill (IDW Publishing)
About Author
