An adaptation is a fascinating thing. It can completely transform a story and add something entirely new. We often think of adaptations as a shadow or spinoff of the source material, but sometimes an adaptation can be so powerful that it turns around influence the source material itself.
This is especially true for superhero comics. Superhero comics are one of the few types of media that continue indefinitely. Since comics are constantly ongoing, they have to evolve to meet the standards of a changing public.  Superhero comics are also a niche market, so their adaptations on TV and the big screen inevitably reach a much wider audience than the source itself. Therefore comics end up changing to reflect their adaptations more than any other media simply because it’s a sound business strategy. Comic need to attract a wider range of customers to survive and the adaptations are what bring that in.
So let's explore some of those adaptations that changed the face of comics forever!
The Adventures of Superman (Radio Show) (1940-1951)
The Superman radio show may be the greatest example of the power an adaptation can have. It had a tremendous impact on the comic book presentation of the character. The radio show not only helped influence America to largely reject the KKK, but gave the world of Superman many of it’s essential elements.
These elements include the name of the newspaper Clark Kent works for, The Daily Planet, and the invention of characters Perry White and Jimmy Olsen. Kryptonite was also a creation of the show. The rock had previously been referred to as “K-Metal” in the comics. The show is also responsible for the “It’s a bird! It’s a plane!” catchphrase.
 The Batman serial. Columbia Pictures
The Batman Movie Serials (1943)
These movie serials was also the origin of an essential part of the Batman mythos, namely  the Batcave.  Before, Bruce Wayne had used a barn connected to his mansion as his base. But a mansion was too expensive for the serial, so they decided to use a cave. This has a lot more mystique than a barn (and is on-theme with the whole bat thing), so the comics decided to adopt it. Alfred also changed to match up with the serial. He became a thin guy with a mustache where he’d previously been a bumbling, plump man with no facial hair.
The Adam West Batman Show (1966-1968)
Yvonne Craig's Batgirl from the 1960's Batman TV show, Warner Brothers
We owe Batgirl to the Adam West Batman show.  Barbara Gordon as Batgirl technically appeared in the comics first, but it was at the urging of William Dozier, the producer of the TV show. He wanted Batman to have young female partner he could include in his show. So, enter Barbara.
A few of the show’s campy villains, including King Tut and Egghead, also eventually ended up making their way into the comics nearly half a century after the show ended. There’s the power of nostalgia for you.
Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1996)
The DC Animated universe, or the DCAU, refers to several animated shows based on DC Comics produced by Bruce Timm spanning from 1992 to 2006. The shows share the same continuity and include Batman: The Animated Series.
Harley from the Harley Quinn comics series (2013), DC Comics
The most prominent contribution B:TAS made to the comic books and DC Comics canon in general is undeniably Harley Quinn. The Joker’s peppy henchwoman was first introduce in the 1992 episode “The Joker’s Favor” and she caught on big. She ended up getting several stand-alone episodes and her own graphic novel, Mad Love (which later became an episode). It was inevitable she’d cross over to the main DC continuity and she did in 1999. She's gotten several solo series (one currently ongoing) and is going to star in the upcoming Suicide Squad movie.
It’s easy to see why Harley caught on. Much of the Joker’s original appeal was that even though he was a villain, he was fun and entertaining. However, in recent years, he’s gotten so dark and disturbing it’s hard to find him funny (unless you’re incredibly into dark humor). Harley, on the other hand, while still violent and morally corrupt, isn’t on the “slaughtering piles of babies” level the Joker’s on and therefore she’s filled the void of that villain who can be fun. She’s also a domestic abuse victim at the hands of the Joker, which makes her fascinating and relatable to many, not to mention sympathetic. You have to root for her to give up on the guy and be kinder to herself.
Harley in the upcoming Suicide Squad movie, Warner Bros
Harley is very flexible morally- she can fill the role of villain or anti-hero depending on what mood she’s in, which makes her a versatile character. To add to her versatility, despite the fact she acts like an airhead, she’s often shown to be intelligent and inventive, sometimes outdoing the Joker in her schemes. Her relationship with Poison Ivy (which has finally been confirmed romantic in nature) and sometimes almost friendly relationship with the heroes always makes it uncertain who she’ll side with in any situation. Her unpredictability makes her interesting.
Renee from Batman: The Animated Series, Warner Bros.
Harley wasn’t B:TAS’s only character contribution to the comics. Renee Montoya, a Gotham cop, is another big one who made the transition. The original cartoon gave no information about her personal life, so she really only got truly fleshed out in the comics. Greg Rucka developed her backstory in Gotham Central, eventually revealing her to be lesbian.
She struggled with alcoholism, eventually quit the force and after going on a journey of self-discovery, she became a superhero in her own right. After her friend Vic Sage’s death, she took up his mantle as The Question. She was also revealed to be an ex-girlfriend of Batwoman.
Renee in 2009 The Question backup for Detective Comics, DC Comics
She starred in her own miniseries and back-up feature in Detective Comics. Renee became a well-rounded and ultimately inspiring character.                    Â
Though she was left out of the New 52 for a ridiculously long time, she’s recently made her debut in the reboot, a cop once again. She also appeared in the live-action show Gotham, though she was pretty much wasted, used mainly to cause relationship drama for the main character.
B:TAS’s other major contributions to the comics include comedic villians Roxy Rocket and Condiment King and the portrayal of Mr. Freeze as a tragic villain pining after a lost love.Â
Superman the Animated Series (1996-2000)
This DCAU show’s influence on the main continuity wasn’t quite as huge as the Batman cartoon’s, but there were definitely a few show original characters who made their transitions to the comics proper.
Most notable the electricity-slinging villainous gal, Livewire, and Mercy Graves, Lex Luthor’s henchwomen. (It’s not really surprising that attractive bad girls seems to be hit with the comic book fandom.)  Livewire appeared in the TV show Smallville and will also appear in the Supergirl show. Mercy is going to appear in Superman vs Batman: Dawn of Justice.
(l) Supergirl from Superman: The Animated series, Warner Bros, (r) Linda Danvers post-costume change from the 1996 Supergirl title, DC Comics
The current comics Supergirl at the time of the cartoon, Linda Danvers, switched her outfit to match the midriff baring one of her cartoon counterpart. Ironically, the cartoon Supergirl later switched to a costume more like Linda’s original one...it was a true merry-go-round.
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Warner Bros
The TV show Lois and Clark had a very interesting impact on the comic book couple. Clark actually proposed to Lois in the comics in a story “Krisis of the Krimson Kryptonite” and she accepted. But then the comics writers found out that Lois and Clark was planning a marriage storyline down the road. It was agreed that it would be a sound business decision to have the comics and show marriage happen at the same time, so one could promote the other. Therefore the marriage storyline had to be postphoned.
Suddenly, the year-long storyline the writers had planned out was up in flames and the comic writers had to scramble for something new to do with Superman. In a fit of frustration, Jerry Ordway joked “why don’t we just kill him?” And so the writers decided to do just that and the “Death of Superman” storyline was born.
The Teen Titans Animated Series (2003-2006)
The Teen Titans Cartoon also had a significant impact on the comic books. Like with the Superman and Batman series, original characters from the cartoon made their way to the comics, including the Spanish speedster twins Mas y Menos and show’s childish version of the villain Gizmo. But rather than original characters, the most significant impact the cartoon had on the Teen Titans comics were the on personalities and aesthetics of the prexisting team members.
Beast Boy in the 2003 Teen Titans series, DC Comics
Garfield Logan switched his name back to “Beast Boy” (he’d gone by “Changeling” since the 80’s) to match his show counterpart. He also suddenly gained the pointy ears and sharp teeth of his cartoon verision.
Raven in the 2003 Teen Titans comic series, DC Comics
Raven also switched her costume to be more like the show and her personality shifted as well. Cartoon Raven was a loveably sarcastic, sullen teenager, but comics Raven wasn’t particularly snarky. She was a reserved adult, a pacifist and a shrinking violet. So the 2003 Teen Titans relaunch reincarnated her as a teenager and giving her a slightly pricklier personality. They also amped up her powers a little, allowing them to be slightly more offensive, similar to her cartoon version.
The most interesting impact the show had on the comics was something that didn’t actually happen because of the show but rather the show’s fanbase. In the cartoon, Raven and Beast Boy had a distinctive relationship, where they often bickered and clashed, but also often affectionately supported each other in pivotal moments. The show creators stated they saw the relationship as a sibling-like one, but many fans preferred to see the two of them in a romantic light.
Beast Boy and Raven in the 2003 Teen Titans comic series, DC Comics
So, thanks to the many fans who wanted to see BB and Raven get together in the show, Beast Boy and Raven ended up getting together in the comics. Despite the fact this was an entirely different continuity and characters with a completely different dynamic and history, DC was clearly trying to appeal to fans of the cartoon with this move. It didn’t really work out, due to the whole “completely different” thing and the pair soon broke up.
(l) Starfire in the Teen Titans cartoon (2003), (r) Starfire in the Starfire comic series (2015)
The most recent influence the cartoon has had in the comics is Starfire’s appearance and attitude in her brand new solo series. While her previous New 52 incarnation was basically a poorly conceived and overly sexualized disaster….
Starfire about to snap her spine in Red Hood and the Outlaws, DC Comics
…her new comics self is more like her optimistic and fun cartoon counterpart. Definitely more likely to attract a wider range of fans, and it sure beats the alternative.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2004-present)
There’s no denying the Marvel movies have had an impact on the comics themselves. The most obvious example is the inclusion of Phil Coulson in the comics. The unassuming secret agent really captured the audience, probably due to his everyman nature, relateable fanboying of the heroes and (very temporary) heroically tragic demise. He ended up headlining the Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D TV show. And so he made the leap to comics and currently stars in the S.H.I.E.L.D title.
Other influences have been more subtle. The relaunch of Guardians of Galaxy is doubtless tied to the movie and people have noted the characters acting a bit more like their movie counterparts all over the place.
Some of the changes were definitely not cause to celebrate. Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver have been represented as having a Jewish father and a Roma mother for a long time. But their counterparts in Age of Ultron were white and decidedly not Jewish. And so, by amazing coincidence, the comics version of the twins was revealed to be like that as well. The movies led to Marvel unnecessarily erasing their only characters who were both Jewish and Roma. Yay.Â
The X-Men: Evolution cartoon
X-23 from the X-Men: Evolution cartoon, Warner Bros.
The X-Men:Evolution cartoon is what gave us Wolverine’s teenage female clone, X-23. She was a troubled hero with a dark,compelling backstory and associated with that hairy dude people can’t get enough of, so naturally she caught on. She’s starred in several titles and team books, not to mention several video games.