Once dismissed as pulp entertainment, comic book adaptations are now garnering Emmy nominations and earning accolades once reserved for historical dramas or high-minded thrillers. This year, HBO’s The Penguin has racked up 24 Emmy nominations, joining the ranks of Watchmen and WandaVision. The staggering Emmy nominations for The Penguin cement its place among the most acclaimed comic book adaptations in television history. This HBO Max crime drama, spinning out of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, continues a growing tradition of graphic novels and superhero comics being transformed into television. From Alan Moore’s deconstructive masterpieces to Marvel’s multiversal adventures, comic books have...