Summary
The very firstDCgame released all the way back in 1979 on the Atari Video Computer System, and they haven’t stopped releasing since. Over the course of the last 40+ years, DC video games have taken inspiration from all corners of theDC comics universe, whether it’s Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Justice League, or any of the other countless characters and teams under the DC banner. But while many beloved DC comic stories have been used as inspiration, it’s extremely rare for a game to directly adapt a single comic arc.
Even Rocksteady’sBatman: Arkhamtrilogy, what is widely considered to be the greatest DC video game series of all time, isn’t an adaptation of just one Batman story, but instead a culmination of multiple sources of inspiration ranging fromFrank Miller’sBatman Year Oneto Grant Morrison’sArkham Asylum, to Alan Moore’sBatman: The Killing Joke. While this allowed Rocksteady to have full creative freedom over its own original story while still providing plenty of throwbacks to iconic Batman stories, it might be interesting to see a direct DC comic video game adaptation in the near future. There are more than enough popular stories still to choose from.
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Teen Titans: The Judas Contract
Originally released in 1984,Teen Titans: The Judas Contractwas a short run in theTales of the Teen Titansseries, and is widely regarded as one of the best in the team’s history. For years, fans have been asking fora proper Teen Titans game, and there’s no better form of inspiration thanThe Judas Contract. This run sees a newcomer, Terra, join the Titans and slowly rip them apart from the inside, all while working alongside fan-favorite DC villain Deathstroke. This run also saw Robin finally take on the Nightwing mantle, which still feels like a moment that should be adapted properly for video games.
The Dark Knight Returns
One of the most popular Batman stories ever made, and one that’s already been cited as an inspiration for just about every Batman movie, TV show, and video game of the last 30+ years,The Dark Knight Returnsis more than worthy of its very own direct video game adaptation. Written by comic legend Frank Miller,The Dark Knight Returnssees an older Batman giving up the mantle afterthe death of Jason Todd, but returning to his crime-fighting ways when a ruthless gang of “Mutants” begins to terrorize Gotham. With a more brutal Batman at the center, theDark Knight Returnswould make for a perfect mature-rated game, with the potential for a show-stopping boss fight at the end.
Kingdom Come
Another one of DC’s most highly-rated comic lines,Kingdom Comeis a story that naturally fits a video game adaptation. After a new wave of metahumans appears across America, Superman and the rest of the Justice League decide to hang up their capes, but as this new wave of supposed heroes begins to get increasingly violent and reckless, the Justice League is forced to return, leading to a battle on a scale that’s never really been seen since in comics of this quality.
Watchmen
Alan Moore’sWatchmenis an expert commentary on the entire superhero genre and its deep connections with its audience, and it’s a commentary that still holds up just as well almost four decades later. WhileWatchmen’s many nuances and intricate themes would be hard to nail down in a video game, it’s definitely worth trying at some point.
All-Star Superman
Another iconicDCcomic story that might be a bit tricky to adapt, but could be incredible if done right is Grant Morrison’sAll-Star Superman. Told that he’s dying from overexposure to the Sun’s radiation, Superman attempts to commit as many good deeds as possible in the little time he has left to live, and along with the help of a temporarily-superpowered Lois Lane, he tries to stop Lex Luthor one last time.
DC
DC is a brand of superhero comics, television shows, movies, video games, merchandise, and more. The company owns the rights to popular characters like Batman, The Suicide Squad, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and many more.
