10 Overlooked Superhero TV Shows That Deserve a Rewatch

In addition to those who are part of the very successful MCU And DCUThere are many other superhero TV shows that are criminally overlooked and deserve to be revisited. With the rise of the superhero genre to the forefront of pop culture consciousness, there has been huge interest in comic book stories on both the big and small screens. For example, the MCU TV shows have achieved widespread success in terms of viewership and engagement.

However, outside of franchises like the MCU, the massively successful DC animated universe of TV shows and the Arrowverse, there haven’t been that many series to meet with the same success. For one reason, many superhero TV shows are criminally underrated or otherwise forgotten, despite being more than worthy of the same popularity afforded to mainstream Marvel or DC releases. With that in mind, here are 10 overlooked superhero TV shows that deserve a rewatch.

10

No ordinary family has a super fun concept

Aired for: 1 season (20 episodes)

No ordinary family First aired in September 2010, and ran for just one season before being cancelled. Her story centers on the Powell family, a typical American family who gain superpowers after surviving a plane crash in the Amazon. Its first season introduced a handful of characters, including a supervillain known as the Watcher and the straight villain Dr. Dayton King.

With Michael Chiklis, Julie Benz, Kay Panabaker and Jimmy Bennett as the Powell family, No ordinary family Also featured Autumn Reeser, Romani Malko, Steven Collins and Josh Stewart in lead roles. The show’s exploration of a traditional family dynamic with added superpowers seemingly took inspiration from The Incredibles and various other superhero storiesLending itself perfectly to a TV format. Despite a great cast and a solid premise, No ordinary family Failed to achieve the recognition it deserved, led to its premature cancellation.

9

Mutant X was Marvel’s answer to X-Men rights issues

Aired for: 3 seasons (66 episodes)

when Mutant X First published in 2001, Fox’s X-Men The movie franchise had only just begun, and Marvel did not own the rights to the iconic mutant heroes. As a result, Marvel Studios instead created a show unrelated to the comics of the same name. Instead, it focused on a group of New Mutants who gained their powers through genetic engineering. The series ran for three seasons before coming to an abrupt end, ending on an unresolved cliffhanger that has haunted fans ever since.

Mutant X It simply didn’t get the attention or the recognition it deserved. In all but name, it was a live-action X-Men series with the backing of Marvel Studios, and surely should have achieved greater success. His innovative approach to his characters and storytelling was excellentmaking Mutant X One of the most criminally overlooked superhero TV shows of the ’00s.

8

Power was held back by a limited release

Aired for: 2 seasons (20 episodes)

In 2015, Sony Pictures TV created Powers Exclusively for the PlayStation Network. Based on the Image Comics (and later Marvel Comics) comic book series of the same name by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming, Powers was met with mixed reviews upon release. After airing for two seasons, it was unceremoniously canceled in the summer of 2016.

Powers was a show with massive potential, and it deserves much greater recognition. Critics praised the show’s excellent world-building and narrative innovationsAnd a stellar cast with Sharlto Copley, Susan Heyward and Noah Taylor helped support Powers‘ Presentation with capable star power. Unfortunately, the release exclusively for the PlayStation Network finally backfired, because the limited release of the show held it back from achieving any real success or widespread popularity. Despite an interesting premise that puts an interesting spin on the superhero genre, Powers It was heavily scrutinized.

7

Gotham is overlooked because its Batman was a child

Aired for: 5 seasons (100 episodes)

when Gotham was first announced, the idea of ​​a prequel series following the youth of Bruce Wayne, the rise of James Gordon, and the early careers of some of Batman’s most iconic enemies was an enticing prospect. However, many quickly lost interest in this idea, because the focus of the show was not on Batman, but on the many supporting characters in his mythos, as well as a young Bruce Wayne. The hype surrounding the show failed to translate to mainstream success, after five seasons of GothamThe show eventually ended.

in truth, Gotham Deserves much more attention than it received. His innovative approach to Batman characters put an interesting spin on the mythos of the characterWith a number of fascinating original additions to its history. Despite occasional missteps, Gothams best scenes proved exactly why the show is incredibly rewatchable, despite being overlooked by many for its lack of Batman.

6

Gargoyles remains an underrated gem

Aired for: 3 seasons (78 episodes)

Now hailed as a cult classic, Gargoyles It may not be traditional superhero fare, but it has all the hallmarks of the genre. The 1994 series followed a group of ancient nocturnal gargoyles reawakened in modern New York City, using their abilities to fight crime at night. The series, although aimed mainly at a younger audience, featured some dark and complex themes that helped lift it far beyond all expectations.

Unfortunately, Disney prematurely axed the show due to the misconception that it was too dark for children. however, GargoylesWillingness to embrace dark visuals has earned it favorable comparisons to Batman: The Animated SeriesAnd the show’s use of Shakespearean themes and innovative character arcs also helped set it apart. Although it never received the attention it desperately deserved, Gargoyles‘ Continued popularity has earned the show its cult status, as well as a planned reboot in Life.

5

Rising Dion added drama to the superhero genre

Aired for: 2 seasons (17 episodes)

Rising Dion is an often overlooked entry in the superhero genre. As well as not sticking to an established franchise, the show, which first aired in 2019, took a decidedly different approach to its superpowered story. Instead of following a cast of heroes, it focused on a young mother trying to keep her son, Dion, safe after he began to exhibit powerful abilities.

Rising Dion Putting a much more dramatic spin on a typical superhero story, instead exploring the human side of those with powers and the people around them. The show has been praised for the performances of its actors, its general world-building and its innovative take on the genre.But critical success did not help the show’s overall success. Rising Dion Ended after a two-season run, but the overall quality makes it more than worth a rewatch.

4

Teen Titans is unfairly dismissed as a children’s show

Aired for 5 seasons (65 episodes)

2003s Teen Titans It earned a five-season run that saw it reach a level of popularity, with many fans looking back on the series fondly. However, upon release, the show was marketed specifically to a young audience, which did it a criminal disservice. Focusing on the exploits of Robin, Starfire, Raven, Cyborg and Beast Boy, the show also adapted many other DC characters during its run.

As well as many lesser-known characters and story arcs from DC Comics, Teen Titans was a huge success in its day. It was among Cartoon Network’s most popular series and helped elevate its characters into pop culture as more recognizable figures. Its dynamic storytelling and visuals combined with a solid sense of humor Teen Titans An exceptional superhero TV show Which sadly faded into relative obscurity after its run ended. their tension, Teen Titans Go!All but eclipsed its predecessor in pop culture consciousness.

3

The live action reboot of Tick should have done much better

Aired for: 2 seasons (22 episodes)

The Tick is a character that exists on the fringes of the superhero genre, simply because of the depth of satire he embodies. Everything about The tic is set to lampoon the genre in almost every way imaginable, with a vein of humor running through every supporting character and narrative development. Finally, the depth of its spoofing has kept The tic Back in many ways, but the 2016 reboot deserved to be much better than it ultimately did.

After two previous attempts to adapt the tick to the small screen, the 2016 series with Peter Serafinowicz should have been much more successful. Unlike the 1994 and 2001 adaptations, the 2016 show was released at a time when superhero stories were at the forefront of most forms of entertainment. Despite the timeliness and clever writing of The ticThe show is tragically overlooked.

2

The big box office and critical acclaim of Doom Patrol did not translate to success

Aired for: 4 seasons (46 episodes)

Dum Patrol is one of the most egregious examples of an overlooked comic book show in the history of the genre. Adapting the titular team of characters from DC Comics, Dum Patrol Featuring an exceptional cast with Brendan Fraser, Matt Bomer, Timothy Dalton and Alan Tudyk, among many others. Despite critical success, Dum Patrol Failed to appeal to a wider audience, ending after a four-season run.

The tragedy of Dum Patrol is that it achieved critical success in almost all metrics. It was praised for the performances of its cast, its innovative quirkiness and unconventional storytellingBut the series never reached the levels of widespread popularity it deserved. As it was overlooked by many during its run, it remains an underrated superhero TV show after its cancellation. Even so, it’s one that thoroughly deserves to be rewatched.

1

Legion deserved so much more recognition than it got

Aired for: 3 seasons (27 episodes)

Despite being one of the more complicated comic book characters to adapt to the screen, Legion is undoubtedly a powerful figure in the Marvel Universe. First airing in 2017, the character’s eponymous show earned considerable critical acclaim, running for three seasons before ending in 2019. Considering the show’s overwhelming critical acclaim, it’s safe to say that it has been tragically overlooked by general audiences.

Legion Takes a mind-bending premise and brings it to life with visual originality in a way that pushes the boundaries of the superhero genre. As one of the most complex mutants of Marvel, adapting Legion to the screen was with many challenges, which the show was generally considered to be cleared by a considerable margin, thanks to extensive creativity and the talents of its cast. Sadly, it was incredibly overlooked, standing out among all the television shows of the MCUThe DCUAnd beyond as one of the most underrated superhero shows of all time.