The definitive guide to superhero TV series

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Lifehacker talks about the rivalry between the two most famous comic book publishers in the world - Marvel and DC. You will find out which superhero series you should definitely pay attention to.

How did superheroes appear on television?

Series about people with unusual abilities appeared almost immediately after the first superhero comics. For example, in the 1940s, several Batman serials were released. Marvel only pulled up towards the end of the 70s, when the first episodes of "Hulk" and "Spider-Man" were released.

Weak attempts to attract viewers to the superhero theme were made in the early 2000s. Then there were "Smallville" about Superman's youth and "Mutant X" about the X-Men universe. But the topic did not receive much development.

But now superhero series are flourishing. Just look at the number of shows released: both Marvel Comics and DC Comics have a dozen active TV series. And no less is expected in the very near future.

Are there any differences between Marvel and DC?

First of all, there is a difference in the selection of stories that deserve adaptation. In total, there are about 40,000 characters in the Marvel multiverse, while DC has 20,000. Even if you remove all supervillains, butlers, relatives and parallel versions of the same character from this list, there are still a lot of superheroes. You have to make a careful selection and decide who to shoot a TV show about.

Features of DC series

1. DC makes TV series about superheroes slightly less famous than their main stars Superman and Batman. So, there were TV stories about Green Arrow, Flash, Supergirl.
2. Several TV series are set in the same universe. Therefore, the scriptwriters make a crossover once a season: they send Arrow to help Flash and vice versa. Supergirl also takes part in some of the events of The Flash.
3. DC releases spin-offs to famous stories in TV series format. We've already mentioned the rise of Superman in Smallville. The same situation with the TV series "Gotham", in which you can look at the young detective Gordon and very young Bruce Wayne, the future Batman.
4. A completely different story - TV series based on the Vertigo comics, a DC imprint. "Flash" or "Green Arrow" is often accused of being frivolous and monotonous. But the screen version of Vertigo is definitely not a story for children. The heroes drink alcohol, do not hesitate to swear and blaspheme, in the series there is more blood, drive and cruelty. Shows based on Vertigo comics include The Preacher, Constantine, Lucifer and I Am a Zombie.
5. The DC series and the DC Cinematic Universe have virtually no overlap. The Flash on the show is not the same Flash we see in the movies.

Features of Marvel TV series

1. Marvel shoots stories about characters not even of the second, but of the third tier. Nevertheless, it turns out great. Remember at least this year's novelty "Legion", which many publications have dubbed the best superhero series. But there we are talking about a mutant, known to a rather narrow circle of fans of comics about the X-Men.
2. Marvel has launched a new wave of popularity for superhero TV series. So, in 2013, a show appeared about the organization of SHIELD. led by Agent Colson. Following was released a film adaptation of the comics about Captain America's beloved Peggy Carter, who lives in a difficult post-war period.
3. The great success of Marvel has been brought about by a successful partnership with Netflix. The series "Daredevil", "Jessica Jones", "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist", closely related to each other, were released. Excellent presentation, excellent quality of filming and scripts - all this provided high marks not only from fans, but also from critics.
4. The Marvel serial line does not in the least contradict the line that is developed in the films. So, it is quite possible that someday we will see the heroes of the series on the big screen. The publishing house is trying to expand its universe more and more.

What TV shows are based on DC comics?

Let's move from theory to practice. Here is a detailed list of TV shows that have already been released or are just in development. Some of them you might have missed.

Time-tested series

1. "Arrow"

• USA, 2012.
• Duration: 5 seasons (115 episodes).
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Oliver Queen, the son of a billionaire and a playboy, disappears for five years and returns to town as a different person. Although for those around him he is still the same dolt, in the evenings he changes into a green suit, takes a bow and arrows and sets off to fight crime.

2. "Constantine"

• USA, 2012.
• Duration: 1 season (13 episodes).
• IMDb: 7, 5.

You've probably already seen John Constantine performed by Keanu Reeves. The serial character does the same: he fights against evil spirits, demons and other creatures from hell. The creators wanted to show the real Konstantin from the comics, but the series was quickly closed.

3. "Flash" (Flash)

• USA, 2014.
• Duration: 3 seasons (69 episodes).
• IMDb: 8, 1.

After the explosion at the particle accelerator, the humble forensic scientist Barry Allen has a superpower: he can run at superhuman speed. He has to not only fight with the same fast enemies, but also hide his strength from everyone.

4. Gotham

• USA, 2014.
• Duration: 3 seasons (66 episodes).
• IMDb: 7, 9.

Young detective James Gordon investigates the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne. Yes, the parents of Bruce Wayne, the future Batman. The series also pays attention to future supervillains - Catwoman, Penguin, Joker.

5. "I am a zombie" (iZombie)

• USA, 2015.
• Duration: 3 seasons (45 episodes).
• IMDb: 8, 0.

During one of the parties, an ordinary girl, Olivia Moore, is bitten by a stranger. And she becomes a real zombie. In order not to turn into a monster, Liv gets a job in a morgue, where she has the opportunity to satisfy her hunger. In the same place, she discovers in herself unusual abilities with the help of which she can solve intricate crimes.

New series

1. "Lucifer"

• USA, 2016.
• Duration: 2 seasons (31 episodes).
• IMDb: 8, 3.

The bored lord of the underworld decides to change the situation and goes to Los Angeles. He opens a nightclub and generally has a good time, until one day on the doorstep of his club there is a brutal murder of a young girl - a singer, to whom Lucifer was not indifferent.

2. Supergirl

• USA, 2015.
• Duration: 2 seasons (42 episodes).
• IMDb: 6, 6.

Kara Zor-El was sent to Earth from Krypton to look after her little cousin Superman. But her capsule went off course, so Kara arrived 20 years late. On Earth, she, like Clark, discovered powers that she uses to do good deeds.

3. "Legends of Tomorrow" (DC's Legends of Tomorrow)

• USA, 2016.
• Duration: 2 seasons (33 episodes).
• IMDb: 7, 0.

Seeing a terrible future, time traveler Rip Hunter returns to the past and gathers a team of heroes and villains to avoid the destruction of the planet.

4. Preacher

• USA, 2016.
• Duration: 1 season (10 episodes).
• IMDb: 8, 1.

Jesse Custer, a young preacher from the Texas town of Annville, unexpectedly gets the powers that allow him to rule people. The thing is that the creepy creature Genesis, who arrived on Earth to enslave the whole world, is inhabiting him.

5. Powerless

• USA, 2017.
• Duration: 1 season (9 episodes).
• IMDb: 6, 4.

Comedy (!) Series from DC. True, his characters are not endowed with any superpowers: office workers "Wayne Security" are engaged in the development of equipment for ordinary people living in a troubled superhero world. The series is short: the NBC channel has suspended development due to low ratings.

Expected serials

• "Krypton". A series about Superman's ancestor from the planet Krypton. The script was written by David Goyer, who worked on The Dark Knight and Man of Steel, and directed by Colm McCarthy, who previously worked on Sherlock. Estimated premiere date: 2018
• "Scalped". TV adaptation of the western comic strip. The plot will unfold around an Indian residence in South Dakota, where complete devastation, rampant crime and debauchery reign. Indian Dash will try to put things in order there, albeit not always by legal means. Estimated premiere date: 2018
• "Black Lightning". The story of a former athlete who will fight evil in Metropolis with his ability to manage electrical discharges. Estimated premiere date: 2018

What TV shows are filmed based on Marvel comics?

After significant success on the big screens, Marvel is set to take over television.

Time-tested series

1. "Agents of SHIELD." (Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D.)

• USA, 2013.
• Duration: 4 seasons (88 episodes).
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Chief SHIELD agent Phil Coulson brings together a team of professionals to investigate the world's strangest crimes.

2. "Powers"

• USA, 2015.
• Duration: 2 seasons (20 episodes).
• IMDb: 6, 9.

Homicide detectives investigate crimes involving people with unusual powers - superheroes and supervillains.

3. "Agent Carter"

• USA, 2017.
• Duration: 2 seasons (18 episodes).
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The events of the series unfold in 1946 in the post-war period. Peggy Carter was left all alone after her beloved Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) went missing. At work, too, it is not easy: she is forced to prove to her colleagues again that a woman is good for more than just wearing coffee. The series was canceled after its second season, despite positive reviews.

4. "Daredevil"

• USA, 2015.
• Duration: 2 seasons (26 episodes).
• IMDb: 8, 7.

Hell's Kitchen is an area full of criminals of all stripes. And it was here that two lawyers opened a small law office. One of them is a blind guy named Matt Murdock who turns out to be leading a double life.

5. Jessica Jones

• USA, 2015.
• Duration: 1 season (13 episodes).
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Superheroine Jessica Jones, known as the Warrior and Strong Woman, has completely retired. She is trying to become a regular detective and deal with alcohol addiction. But one day the past catches up with her, and she again meets the man who made her life go awry.

New series

1. Luke Cage

• USA, 2016.
• Duration: 1 season (13 episodes).
• IMDb: 7, 7.

After participating in an experiment where Luke received a serum for super soldiers, he became invulnerable to almost any weapon. Cage began to use his abilities in order to selflessly help people.

2. "Legion" (Legion)

• USA, 2017.
• Duration: 1 season (8 episodes).
• IMDb: 8, 6.

X-Men mutant David Haller, son of Professor Charles Xavier, suffers from multiple multiple personality disorder. And each of these personalities governs different aspects of his power.

3. Iron Fist

• USA, 2017.
• Duration: 1 season (13 episodes).
• IMDb: 7, 4.

The story of Daniel Rand, who, as a child, traveled with his parents to the Himalayas in search of the lost city. There he grew up, mastered kung fu and learned to summon the power of the Iron Fist. At some point, he decides to return to New York and help people.

4. The Defenders

• USA, 2017.
• Duration: 1 season (8 episodes).
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Powerful crossover with the stars of the Marvel and Netflix series. Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist team up to fight New York City crime. Estimated premiere date: August 18, 2017.

Expected serials

• "Supermen". The story of the royal family, which belongs to the race of non-humans. To survive, they have to hide their origins from everyone and live in isolation. Estimated premiere date: August 31, 2017.
• "Gifted". The first joint project about mutants from Marvel and Fox. At the center of the story is a family that is forced to hide and hide their mutant children from the government. Estimated premiere date: October 2, 2018.
• The Runaways. Several adolescents find out that they are endowed with unusual abilities. The discoveries do not end there: it turns out that their parents are supervillains at the head of the Los Angeles underworld. Then they unite their efforts and begin to fight against their own relatives. Estimated premiere date: November 21, 2017.
• "Consequence control". Presumably this year there will be a series about a team of professional rangers of consequences after a showdown between heroes and villains. These are the people who usually stay behind the scenes. But from this show, we learn how important their work is. Estimated premiere date: 2018
• "The Punisher". Frank Castle, known as the Punisher, has already appeared on Daredevil. He, unlike many superheroes, does not consider killing something unacceptable. Therefore, he takes revenge for his family to the mafia and other criminals in the most cruel ways. Estimated premiere date: 2018
• Cloak and Dagger. An adaptation of the Marvel comics about two teenagers, Thandie Bowen and Tyrone Johnson, who unlock abilities when they fall in love. Estimated premiere date: 2018

Is it just DC and Marvel making superhero series?

Of course, not only them. These publishers are not alone in the industry. Just be prepared for the fact that in the series from other publishers you will not see the classic superheroes that you are used to.

1. "Misfits"

• UK, 2009.
• Duration: 5 seasons (37 episodes).
• IMDb: 8, 3.

A group of young people is sent to correctional labor in one of the disadvantaged areas of London. The past thunderstorm changes their lives: losers and petty criminals have abilities that they use, to put it mildly, stupidly. Warning: There is a lot of black humor, vulgar jokes and obscene language in "Dregs".

2. "Four thousand four hundred" (The 4,400)

• USA, UK, 2004.
• Duration: 4 seasons (44 episodes).
• IMDb: 7, 4.

In one day, 4,400 people who went missing in different years of the 20th century suddenly appear as if nothing had happened. They have not changed in any way since they disappeared, except for one little thing: they have strange talents. Federal agents Tom and Diana are trying to figure out what happened to them.

3. "Heroes"

• USA, 2006.
• Duration: 4 seasons (78 episodes).
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Ordinary people discover unusual abilities in themselves: someone knows how to travel in time, someone can read minds or fly. Heroes learn to live with them, in between times saving the city from various cataclysms.

What is better to watch - Marvel TV series or DC TV series?

The correct answer is to watch what interests you. Although, while the giants in the comic book market are fighting among themselves, there are no less heated battles on the fan forums. They are all trying to answer an important question: who is cooler - Marvel or DC? Yes, it's purely a matter of personal preference. But who do you like best?