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Just a few days ago, we unveiled a massive list of over 25 books and novels Netflix has optioned behind the scenes for future movies and series. But that wasn’t the whole story. Digging deeper into our 2026 options report, Netflix is also continuing to explore on-screen adaptations of indie comics and graphic novels.
If you missed our first report on Friday covering the massive 2026 slate of thriller, romance, and non-fiction options, you can catch up on that right here.
Netflix has consistently turned to independent comic publishers (like Dark Horse, BOOM! Studios, and Image) to fuel their live-action and adult animation pipelines (think The Umbrella Academy, Sweet Tooth, or Heartstopper). Now, it looks like they are raiding the libraries of publishers like IDW and Ghost Machine for their next big genre hits.
As a reminder: a comic option simply means Netflix has struck a deal with a publisher, creator, or rights holder to secure the rights to potentially adapt the work into a series or film. It does not guarantee the project will ever see the light of day, but it gives us a fantastic peek at where Netflix’s development money is currently going.
Netflix declined to officially comment on any of these options.
Geiger
Authors: Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, and Brad Anderson
Option Date: July 2026
From the powerhouse creative team behind Ghost Machine Productions comes Geiger, an epic, action-packed post-apocalyptic comic series. Set in the year 2050 after an unknown nuclear war has ravaged the planet, the story centers on Tariq Geiger, a family man who miraculously survived the blast. Now, transformed into a radioactive, glowing protector, he defends a wasteland version of Las Vegas from irradiated mutants and power-hungry warlords. Interestingly, a television adaptation of Geiger was previously in development over at Paramount TV back in 2022 with Dear White People creator Justin Simien attached as showrunner. With that deal seemingly lapsed, Netflix has boldly snatched up the rights to bring this sprawling dystopian wasteland to life themselves.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees
Author: Patrick Horvath
Option Date: December 2025
If you are looking for a completely original, delightfully twisted premise, look no further than this massive breakout hit from IDW Publishing. Critics have universally described the graphic novel as “Dexter meets Richard Scarry” or a blood-soaked game of Animal Crossing. The story follows Samantha, an adorable, unassuming brown bear who runs the local hardware store in Woodbrook, a picturesque town populated by friendly anthropomorphic animals. However, Samantha just so happens to be a calculated, psychopathic serial killer who murders tourists in the woods to satisfy her dark urges. When another killer brutally strikes within city limits and threatens to expose her peaceful life, Samantha has to hunt them down herself. A stylized, animated adaptation of this would be an absolute massive hit for Netflix’s adult animation division, but we’re expecting it to be a series of some sort.
The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night
Author: Marjorie Liu
Option Date: January 2026
Netflix has also secured the rights to the first volume of this wildly acclaimed horror graphic novel trilogy from Next Step Productions LLC, written by Marjorie Liu and illustrated by Sana Takeda (the incredible duo behind Monstress). The story follows Chinese-American twins Milly and Billy, who are struggling to keep their failing restaurant afloat when their parents come for an extended visit. However, their mother isn’t just overly critical—she’s a seasoned, badass demon hunter. When she forces the twins to help her clean up the dilapidated, creepy house across the street, they accidentally awaken a terrifying supernatural threat. It’s a perfect blend of generational family drama, biting humor, and terrifying body horror that could easily translate into a hit live-action series.
Radio Spaceman
Author: Mike Mignola
Option Date: April 2026
Legendary Hellboy creator Mike Mignola crafted this pulpy, steampunk space adventure, and it looks like Netflix is ready to bring his unique visual style to their platform. The story is a throwback to classic sci-fi serials, centering on a mysterious, hulking robotic spaceman who is remotely controlled by an earth-bound scientist. When a ship crashes on a hostile, unknown alien planet, the Radio Spaceman is deployed on a rescue mission, only to discover ancient alien temples, terrifying monsters, and a dark mystery. Given Mignola’s heavily stylized, shadow-drenched artwork, this option practically screams for a high-budget animated feature film adaptation. Dark Horse Comicsis the publisher.
The Infinite Horizon
Authors: Gerry Duggan and Phil Noto
Option Date: June 2026
Written by Gerry Duggan and beautifully illustrated by Phil Noto, the comic is a gripping, near-future sci-fi retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey. The story follows a nameless soldier—a Captain serving in the Middle East—who miraculously survives a brutal global war. With the world thrown into absolute chaos following EMP blasts and water shortages, he is stranded halfway across the globe. Getting back home to his wife in New York means surviving a harrowing, modern-day mythological hell: navigating shipwrecks, battling a giant wearing advanced cycloptic combat armor, and resisting the pull of predatory, lawless societies. It’s a gritty, dystopian survival epic that feels tailor-made for a massive live-action sci-fi blockbuster or a high-end prestige limited series.
Invisible Emmie
Author: Terri Libenson
Option Date: January 2026
To bolster its growing family programming slate, Netflix has optioned this wildly popular middle-grade graphic novel. It tells the coming-of-age story of two very different middle school girls: Emmie, who is quiet, shy, and artistic; and Katie, who is popular, outgoing, and athletic. Their separate lives unexpectedly and hilariously intersect when a highly embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands. It is the perfect foundational IP for a sweet, relatable live-action or animated family series.
That’s it for this year’s options – we’ll be on the lookout for anything else that’s interesting for individual reports but otherwise, we’ll see you again next year!
