10 comic characters written by the actors who played them

In our current age of pop culture, Comic book characters are brought to life every day in properties like the DCEU and the MCU. After all, actors and their comic book characters rarely cross paths, except when an actor's love for their character compels them to Create the next chapter in their character's story.

Whether it's for a short story or a long run that blazes a new trail in the comics, it's always a joy to see an actor return to their character through comics. Not only does it show their gratitude for the role, but it also highlights their connection to the character's heart and soul. Here are 10 comic characters written by the actors who brought them to life.

10

dreamer

Actor Nicole Maines brought Dreamer to comics in DC Pride: 2021

While most comic book characters existed before they made it to the screen, Nicole Maines' journey with Dreamer started the opposite. Maines debuted as Nia Nal, ancestor of Legionnaire Dream Girl, on The CW's SupergirlSeason 4 premiere, "American Alien," as a fat reporter before eventually fitting in as Dreamer. While Dreamer's journey may have ended with Supergirl's sixth and final season, Mines took the opportunity to take Nia even further.

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Dreamer made her comic book debut in DC Pride: 2021 Before officially entering the DC Universe in Superman: Son of Kal-El #13. Since then, Maines has been busy writing Dreamer to Be A key player in DC events Lazarus planet And Dawn of DC. She even made her graphic novel debut with Bad Dream: A Dreamer's Story, Which re-imagined Dreamer's origin and saw her interacting with fellow trans alien galaxy.

9

Ms. Marvel

Iman Vellani resurrected Kamala Khan in Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant

Iman Vellani introduced the Marvel Cinematic Universe to Kamala Khan through her 2022 series Ms. MarvelWhich sets the character to participate in the fun The Marvels. Soon after that, Iman Vellani co-wrote Kamala's comics revival in Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant Along with Sabir Pirzada after her character's unpleasant death in Amazing Spider-Man #26. The series saw Kamala Khan come back to life as a mutant, a new characteristic for the hero, who was introduced with Vellani's portrayal.

Vellani and Pirzada had to continue their version of ​​the character with Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace Miniseries, which started in March 2024. The series sees Kamala returned home to Jersey City as an X-Men Only to find that her community has turned against her due to hostility towards mutants - something that Vellani's live-action version of Kamala may have to face eventually.

8

Batwing

Camrus Johnson starred in the CW's Batwoman Like Luke Fox

Camrus Johnson played Luke Fox, son of businessman Lucius, in all three seasons of The CW Batwoman. While his character was on hand for tech issues for Kate Kane, Johnson finally suited up as Batwing in the show's second season finale Along with Ryan Wilder in his iconic advanced suit. Although the show only lasted for three seasons, Johnson's time in the suit was fruitful as he made his DC Comics debut writing Luke's takedown of the Riddler in Batman: Urban Legends #4.

in Batman: Urban Legends #4, Luke spends some much-needed time away from his brother, Timothy "Jas" Fox, who would later become Future stateS Batman. Despite Luke's siblings never entering the show, Johnson connected Luke's memories of his brother to Luke's crime fighting techniques, Delivering Killer Croc a well-deserved punch to the jaw.

7

Riddler

Paul Dano The Riddler: Year One is a prequel to Matt Reeves The Batman

Paul Dano took his understanding of his character from the screen to the page. After portraying Edward Nashton, a serial killer trying to destroy Gotham, Dano wrote The Riddler: Year OneA six-issue miniseries first released in 2022Leading up to the events of Matt Reeves' The Batman. Throughout the series, Dano explores Edward's psyche and the Downward spiral Which would eventually lead him to terrorism.

Dano explains Edward's fascination with Batman as an admiration for someone willing to do anything to change the city. Instead of depicting him as a killer talking to computers, Dano scales Edward's life back to when he was a forensic accountantDiscover the true darkness in Gotham City. This is not the typical Riddler picture, but a more realistic one, similar to the story told in Riddler: One bad day. Whether or not Dano will return on screen as The Riddler is still up in the air.

6

Stargirl

"Excuses" by Brec Bassinger featured in Stargirl Spring Break Special #1

Brec Bassinger played the titular character in CW's StargirlBring to life Courtney Whittemore, Geoff Johns' star-spangled teenage superhero. The show ran for three seasons, Showcasing Courtney's journey to bring back the Justice Society of America After discovering her step-father, Patrick Dugan, was a sidekick to Starman. While the show ended before Courtney could lead a full Justice Society, Bassinger contributed to Stargirl Spring Break Special #1, in which Courtney takes on the clock king at Justice Society members past and present.

Stargirl Spring Break Special #1 centers on Courtney's spring break, which starts late due to Courtney's missed classes landing her in detention. Brec Bassinger contributed to the comic With three letters from Courtney, she addresses her dissatisfied teachers. While Courtney reveals to one teacher the true reason behind her absences, describing the gentleman's ghost in a way only a teenager can, the apology is met with disbelief.

5

Penguin

Danny DeVito returned to the Penguin for an anniversary celebration

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Danny DeVito returned to writing for The PenguinDespite not playing the character since 1992s Batman Returns. Gotham City Villains Anniversary #1 Celebrates the anniversaries of many of Batman's iconic villains with an oversized anthology. DeVito wrote "Bird Cat Love" with art by Dan Mora, which sees Penguin and Catwoman team up in an alternate timeline to pull off a Robin Hood-esque scheme as a pandemic grips the world.

Together, The Penguin and Catwoman work to secure the money and resources their scheme needs, taking them out of Gotham and around the world. Readers may find it odd to see the Penguin and Catwoman develop a romance while working so closely, with their scheme resulting in the entire planet being vaccinated while Batman and his allies watch in shock. It's an epic takedown of government greed for the Penguin and an epic return to the character for DeVito.

4

Supergirl

Helen Slater co-wrote "A Hero's Journey" for Supergirl #50

to celebrate SupergirlThe 50th issue, Helen Slater, the actress who portrayed Kara in 1984 Supergirl movie, returning to co-write a story for her character titled "A Hero's Journey" alongside Jake Black. Unlike other actors who went back to write for their characters, Slater examined Supergirl's reputation and legacy through the eyes of Metropolis reporters and everyday people. This wouldn't be the first time Slater returned to the world of Supergirl, as she later went on to play Kara's adoptive mother Eliza Danvers on The CW's. Supergirl Series.

"A Hero's Journey" centers on whether or not Supergirl is a hero, noting some of her comic book crossovers with the Justice Society of America and the Teen Titans. Reporters Cat Grant and Ron Troupe, and anthropology professor Dr. Cartwright, examine Supergirl's effect on Metropolis and her connection to Superman. Having witnessed two versions of the character, Slater is no stranger to Kara's kind heartAnd that shines through in her exploration of Supergirl's individual journey.

3

Shazam

Zachary Levi teams up with DJ Cotrona for "Door to Death"

Zachary Levy is no stranger to team-ups, having worked with actor Asher Angel to bring Billy Batson and his old self Shazam to life. In anticipation of the second Shazam Zachary Levy and many of his co-stars are working with DC writers and artists for the movie Shazam! Fury of the Gods Special: Shazamily Matters #1. Zachary Levi co-wrote "Door to Death" with fellow writers DJ Cotrona and Colleen Doran, Which sees the Shazam family ditching movie night to investigate their array of magical doors And find a lot more than they expect.

Although the comic never focuses specifically on Billy, Levy uses his familiar comic voice to fill the panels with family bickering. Given how Shazam! Wrath of the Gods similarly focuses on the entire family of heroes, The comic fits perfectly with what Louis achieves on screen.

2

Pink Ranger Power Ranger

Amy Jo Johnson limited series explores her character's future

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' Original Pink Ranger actress, Amy Jo Johnson, returned to the franchise with a limited series that posed a "what if" scenario with the original Rangers team. Co-written by Johnson with co-writer Matt Hotson, and art by Nico Leon, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #1 is described by Johnson as being a "'What if script and my heartfelt love letter to the entire generation that has kept the letters alive for 30 years!'

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #1 opens 22 years after the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers disbanded in the wake of saving the world. The series sees the Red Rangers missing, while opening with a memorial in honor of Trini Quan, the original Yellow Ranger. Johnson celebrates the franchise with this exciting take on what could have been. The final issue released in May 2024.

1

Pavel Chekov

Pavel Chekov faces difficult emotions in "Chekov's Choice"

Star TrekPavel Chekov's original actor, Walter Koenig, wrote one of his character's most difficult decisions in Koenig's comic debut back in 1985. Star Trek #19, King wrote a story called "Chekov's Choice," Which sees his character face his guilt in order to save the lives of everyone on his ship. Koenig is known for originating the character in Star Trek: The Original SeriesWhere he is a young navigator, aboard the Enterprise. He recently returned to Star Trek in Star Trek: Picard To vote Chekov's son, the president of the United Federation of Planets.

Star Trek #19 tells about a difficult time in space. After these Enterprise Unable to save a ship full of innocents from self-destruction, Chekov struggles with the guilt of letting the passengers die. This sends him spiraling down a path that leads to the entire ship mutinying against Kirk. It's a character-driven story, best told by King himself.

Across franchises, an actor's connection to their character is clear. It allows them to write deep and emotional stories that hit hard with readers. While actors rarely return to their roles, It's gratifying to have so many actors carry emotional ties to their characters Which lead them to write epic stories about these Comic book charactersWhether they are short or a long run.