10 Superhero Comics You Didn’t Know Were Written By Celebrities

Some days, it feels like there are as many superhero comics as there are stars in the sky. On the bright side, this means there are plenty of stories for fans to dive into, from classic superhero tales to surprising takes. Some superhero comics are written by celebrities, and many fans may not have even realized it.

Many celebrities who have written a superhero story enjoy the one-off nature of comics, writing a single issue here and there. Other celebrities went all out, diving into the industry with both hands and significantly adding to the lore. Either way, the fans win. These comics can involve fan-favorite superheroes or establish a new hero.

10

Batman: The Widening Gyre

Kevin Smith Has Worked on Several Batman Stories

Kevin Smith has been invested in comic and geek culture for years. As the director of Clerks, many fans would argue that he gets it. He even runs a pop-culture podcast, delightfully called Fatman on Batman. Readers who are hoping to learn more about Kevin Smith’s adventures in the comic book world absolutely have to give it a listen.

As a lover of comics, Kevin Smith has been involved with several projects, including Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet. He is also one of the minds behind Batman: The Widening Gyre, a six-issue mini-series that follows The Dark Knight as he takes on a new (old) partner to get a handle on crime. Naturally, things don’t go quite according to plan.

9

JLA: Welcome to the Working Week

Patton Oswalt’s Unique Humor and Perspective Resulted in a JLA One-Shot

Patton Oswalt is a treasure who has left a mark on countless fans. He is famous for his standup comedy, acting, and even his screenwriting, but he’s also a comic book author! Patton Oswalt seems to enjoy the one-off and shorter forms of comics, but he isn’t afraid of tackling an event attached to a long-running series or universe, such as with Serenity: Farewell. This issue hit Firefly fans hard, as it gave a final and proper goodbye to a beloved character.

Other projects Patton Oswalt has worked on include The Goon: Noir and JLA: Welcome to the Working Week. The latter is a one-shot that took the time to look at classic superheroes through a different lens. Welcome to the Working Week is written from the perspective of an amateur writer who self-publishes a magazine about superheroes.

8

Mayhem!

Mayhem! Follows a Vigilante in Los Angeles and Was Created by Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson’s talent knows no bounds. He’s more than a triple threat, as he’s a famous R&B singer, actor, author, producer, and comic book author. A creative at heart, he felt compelled to create a limited-issue superhero series. Tyrese Gibson’s Mayhem! released in 2009, and it has a look and feel that will be familiar to any vigilante fan.

The story follows Dante, a vigilante in a red mask who puts his life on the line to keep Los Angeles safe. Unlike a certain bat-themed character, Mayhem refuses to pull his punches. He doesn’t have the luxury of doing so, as the stakes have been clear from the beginning. Working alongside Dante is Malice, the perfect counterbalance to this dark hero.

7

Superman: True Brit

John Cleese Portrays a Version of Superman Who Landed In Somerset, England

How many generations have grown up with Monty Python? Regardless of the number, it’s safe to say that John Cleese is a legend – he’s an actor, comedian, producer, screenwriter, and comic book creator. The latter may be a bit of a surprise for fans until they see what he created. John Cleese agreed to team up with DC Comics to try a new take on one of the most famous superheroes of all time.

In case the name didn’t give it away, Superman: True Brit asks the very important question: what would it have been like if Superman had landed in the English countryside instead of on an American farm? The one-shot comic is as humorous as it is creative, which is to say it’s overflowing at the seams.

6

The Black Pearl

Mark Hamill’s Slightly Darker Yet Comedic Take on Vigilante Life

Calling Mark Hamill famous feels like an understatement. Hamill’s creative works have solidified his presence in many fandoms, from Star Wars to Batman. While Mark Hamill is arguably best known for acting on-screen and as a voice actor, he’s also a writer. In 1996, he penned The Black Pearl, which was originally intended to be a script but later converted into a five-issue comic series.

The Black Pearl follows Luther Drake, a vigilante with a dark past. The series is unique, even among the superhero crowd, as it’s more of a crime thriller, focusing more on the sensationalist stereotypes of media. In other words, while it portrays a vigilante’s life, it feels less like a superhero story than one might expect.

5

M.O.M.: Mother of Madness

Emilia Clark, Marguerite Bennet, and Leila Leiz Imagine Deadpool as a Single Mom

Emilia Clarke made waves with her introduction as the Mother of Dragons. Famous for her role as Daenerys Targaryen, Emilia Clark has a growing list of noteworthy acting roles, appearing in Star Wars and Terminator franchises alike. She also tackled her own mini-comic series, ironically named M.O.M.: Mother of Madness, co-written by Marguerite Bennet.

Mother of Madness follows Maya, a single mother juggling two jobs. During the day, Maya is an overworked weather scientist. At night, she’s a superhero more similar to Deadpool than not. Whenever she isn’t working or kicking butt, Maya is at home being a loving mother. It should be an impossible balance, yet it quickly grows into a full-fledged story. It’s a must-read for fans looking for a more unique twist on an already chaotic character.

4

Daredevil: Guardian Devil

Kevin Smith Had a Say In How Daredevil’s Story Unfolded

Sometimes, a celebrity is such a fan that they can’t help but work for two of the biggest comic publishers. Kevin Smith has worked on Batman and helped pen a heavy-hitting Daredevil miniseries. The series consisted of eight issues, with Smith working alongside Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palimotti. This miniseries affected Daredevil’s lore—in the comics and in the Netflix adaptation.

Daredevil: Guardian Devil forces Matt Murdock into the role of caretaker and protector after he finds an infant child whom he believes will save the world. Other people believe the child to be more like the Antichrist than a potential savior, putting Daredevil’s faith to the test. Many details and elements of the story made it into the third season of Daredevil.

3

Deadpool

Brian Posehn Teamed Up With Gerry Duggan for Deadpool

Brian Posehn is one of those talents who’s worked across several industries. He’s a famous American stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor with memorable appearances in Mr. Show with Bob and David and The Big Bang Theory. Posehn is also a musician; his first album was released in 2006. Naturally, Brian Posehn is also a writer; he co-wrote The Last Christmas for Image Comics and later got an even bigger opportunity.

Not content to write a one-off or miniseries event, Brian Posehn took the reins of Deadpool alongside Gerry Duggan. Their run lasted from 2012 to 2015, totaling 45 issues. In other words, Posehn had a direct and lasting impact on one of the most unpredictable Marvel characters in the universe.

2

Spider-Man: The Short Halloween

Comedians Bill Hader and Seth Meyers Had Fun With This Spider-Man One-Off

Bill Hader is another creative who has worked across several industries, including acting, directing, and writing. He’s also a famous comedian, to put it lightly. Meanwhile, Seth Meyers is an American comedian, host, writer, and podcaster. Thanks to SNL, seeing these two together is not unheard of. In 2009, they put their heads together to create a Spider-Man comic.

The Amazing Spider-Man: The Short Halloween is a more comical view of the web-slinger’s adventures. A shabbier version temporarily replaces the hero, “borrowing” the suit in the process. All the ensuing mayhem occurs while the real Spider-Man is unconscious following a Halloween party. For those wondering why the title sounds familiar, the comic is clearly having a little bit of fun with Batman’s The Long Halloween.

1

The Umbrella Academy

The Frontman of My Chemical Romance Captivated Readers With a Unique Merger of Music and Comics

Thanks to the Netflix adaptation, even casual fans have heard of Umbrella Academy​​​​​​. However, people may be surprised to learn about the mind behind the series. Gerard Way is a famous and talented musician, perhaps best known for being the frontman for My Chemical Romance. While Gerard Way has continued his musical career, he’s also become known in another industry as a writer.

Gerard Way has touched on dozens of comics over the years, from founding DC Comics’ Young Animal Imprint to series like The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys and The Umbrella Academy. The series follows a family of orphans who were collected due to their superpowers and the natural disasters, drama, and chaos that follow. The series was a hit and eventually led to the Netflix adaptation.