Summary

• Actors like Nicole Maines and Iman Vellani are diving into comics to continue the stories of their beloved characters.
• From Dreamer to Ms. Marvel, the actors are not just portraying the roles but writing the next chapters for these superheroes.
• Whether it's exploring the psyche of the Riddler or the future of the Pink Ranger, actors like Paul Dano and Amy Jo Johnson are shaping the comic world.

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

Whether it’s for a short story or for a longer run that blazes a new trail in the comics, it's always a delight 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 on screen, Nicole Maines’ journey with Dreamer started out the total opposite. Maines debuted as Nia Nal, ancestor to Legionnaire Dream Girl, in the CW’s Supergirl’s season 4 premiere, "American Alien," as a meek reporter before eventually suiting up as Dreamer. While Dreamer’s journey could have ended with Supergirl’s sixth and final season, Maines 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 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. Marvel, which set up the character to in on the fun in The Marvels. Shortly after that, Iman Vellani co-wrote Kamala’s comics revival in Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant alongside Sabir Pirzada after her character’s untimely death in Amazing Spider-Man #26. The series saw Kamala Khan come back to life as a mutant, a new characteristic for the hero, which was something introduced with Vellani’s portrayal.

The series saw Kamala Khan come back to life as a mutant, a new characteristic for the hero.

Vellani and Pirzada got to continue their version of the character with Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace miniseries, which started in March 2024. The series sees Kamala returning home to Jersey City as an X-Man only to find her community has turned against her due to hostility towards mutants — something Vellani’s live-action version of Kamala might have to eventually face.

8 Batwing

Camrus Johnson Starred in the CW's Batwoman as Luke Fox

Camrus Johnson played Luke Fox, son of businessman Lucius, in all three seasons of the CW’s Batwoman. While his character started out on hand for tech issues for Kate Kane, Johnson finally suited up as Batwing in the show’s second season finale alongside Ryan Wilder in his iconic advanced suit. Though the show only lasted for three seasons, Johnson’s time in the suit was fruitful as he made his DC Comics debut to write 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 “Jace” Fox, who later would become Future State’s 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's The Riddler: Year One is a Prequel to Matt Reeves' The Batman

Paul Dano took his comprehension 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 One, a six-issue miniseries first released in 2022, leading up to the events of Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Throughout the series, Dano explores Edward’s psyche and the downward spiral that would eventually lead him to terrorism.

Dano explains Edward’s fascination with Batman as an iration for someone willing to do something to change the city.

Dano explains Edward’s fascination with Batman as an iration for someone willing to do something to change the city. Instead of depicting him as a killer speaking to computers, Dano scales Edward's life back to when he was a forensic ant, discovering the true darkness in Gotham City. It’s not the typical Riddler portrayal, but a more realistic one akin 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 Stargirl, bringing to life Courtney Whitemore, Geoff Johns’ star-spangled teenage superhero. The show spanned three seasons, showcasing Courtney’s journey to bringing back the Justice Society of America after discovering her step-father, Patrick Dugan, used to be a sidekick to Starman. While the show ended before Courtney could lead a full Justice Society, Bassinger contributed to Stargirl Spring Break Special #1, which sees Courtney taking on the Clock King beside Justice Society past and present.

Bassinger contributed to Stargirl Spring Break Special #1, which sees Courtney taking on the Clock King beside Justice Society 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 addressed to her discontented teachers. While Courtney reveals to one teacher the true reason behind her absences, describing the Gentlemen Ghost in a way only a teenager can, the excuse 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 write for the Penguin, despite not playing the character since 1992’s Batman Returns. Gotham City Villains Anniversary #1 celebrates the anniversaries of many of Batman’s iconic villains with an oversize 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 halts the world.

Together, the Penguin and Catwoman work to secure the funds and resources their scheme needs, taking them out of Gotham and across the world. Readers might 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 is an epic takedown of governmental 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 Supergirl’s 50th issue, Helen Slater, the actress who portrayed Kara in 1984’s Supergirl movie, returned to co-write a story for her character titled "A Hero’s Journey" alongside Jake Black. Unlike other actors who came 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 in the CW’s Supergirl series.

"A Hero’s Journey" centers on whether or not Supergirl is a hero, noting several 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 good heart, and this shines through in her exploration of Supergirl's individual journey.

3 Shazam

Zachary Levi Teamed Up with D. J. Cotrona for "Door to Death"

Zachary Levi is no stranger to team-ups, having worked with actor Asher Angel to bring Billy Batson and his alter ego Shazam to life. In anticipation of the second Shazam movie coming out, Zachary Levi and many of his co-stars worked with DC writers and artists for Shazam! Fury of the Gods Special: Shazamily Matters #1. Zachary Levi co-wrote “Door to Death” with fellow writers D. J. Cotrona and Colleen Doran, which sees the Shazam family ditching movie night to investigate their array of magical doors and finding a lot more than they expect.

While the comic never focuses on Billy specifically, Levi uses his familiar comedic voice to fill the s with family bickering. Given how Shazam! Fury of the Gods focuses similarly on the entire family of heroes, the comic fits perfectly with what Levi achieves on screen.

2 Pink Ranger Power Ranger

Amy Jo Johnson's 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 scenario and my heartfelt love letter to the entire generation that has kept these characters 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 Ranger missing, while opening with a memorial in honor of Trini Kwan, the original Yellow Ranger. Johnson celebrates the franchise with this thrilling 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 Trek's original actor for Pavel Chekov, Walter Koenig, wrote one of his character’s most difficult decisions in Koenig’s comic debut back in 1985. In Star Trek #19, Koenig penned a story called "Chekov’s Choice," which sees his character face his guilt in order to save the lives of everyone aboard his ship. Koenig is well-known for originating the character in Star Trek: The Original Series, where he is a young navigator, aboard the Enterprise. He most recently returned to Star Trek in Star Trek: Picard to voice Chekov’s son, the President of the United Federation of Planets.

Star Trek #19 tells of a difficult time in space. After the Enterprise is unable to save a ship full of innocents from self-destructing, Chekov struggles with the guilt of letting the engers 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 Koenig 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 that lead them to writing epic stories about these comic book characters, whether they be short or a long run.