Marvel Comics and DC Comics are both known for their extensive catalogue of superhero of all kinds. These superheroes have appeared in comics, but also in movies and television series over the years. While some of them have blown in out of the park, some have failed in capturing the essence of the story, So, here are the 10 Worst Superhero Television Shows:
10 Worst Superhero Televisions Shows
Marvel’s Inhumans (2017)
The television show ‘Marvel’s Inhumans’ was created by Scott Buck based on the Inhumans comics written by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. It starred Anson Mount, Serinda Swan, Ken Leung and Eme Ikwuakor in major roles. The show premiered on the television network ABC in 2017.
Despite having incredible source material, a great budget and a perfect opening into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this show failed to deliver on all fronts. The plotline was uninteresting and was found boring by most of the audience. The VFX effects were also mediocre at best. Due to its poor performance, the show was cancelled after its initial one-season run.
Marvel’s Iron Fist (2017)
‘Marvel’s Iron Fist’ is a television series created by Scott Buck for Netflix. The series, along with shows like Jessica Jones, Daredevil and Luke Cage, is a part of a smaller universe known as the NMCU (Netflix Marvel Cinematic Universe). It was based on the comics, Iron Fist written by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane. The show stars Finn Jones, Jessica Henwick Rosario Dawson and Tom Pelphrey in major roles. The characters from this show also appeared in the crossover series, ‘The Defenders’ (2017).
The show follows Danny Rand, a billionaire, who through ancient knowledge of being a Buddhist monk, becomes capable of summoning an Iron Fist, gaining him the alias. This title also makes him the protector of the mystical land of K’un Lun. The show did not receive good engagement, especially when compared to the rest of its contemporaries. Despite the audience’s disinterest in the show, it ran for two seasons.
Batwoman (2019)
Developed by Caroline Dries, this television series is based on the DC Comic character, Batwoman. Premiering on the CW in October, 2019, this show became a part of the larger ‘Arrowverse’, which includes other CW shows like The Flash, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl. The show starred Ruby Rose, Rachel Skarsten, Megan Tandy and Javicia Leslie in significant roles. There were also crossover episodes featured between the other shows of the Arrowverse.
The story follows Kate Kane, who upon discovering her cousin is Batman, begins fighting crime around Gotham city in her own suit. Soon, she becomes known as Batwoman. Unfortunately, Kate is believed to have died in a plane crash and the mantle of Batwoman gets passed on to Ryan Wilder, who uses it to avenge her mother’s death.
Blade (2006)
The TV series ‘Blade’ (2006) is based on the Marvel comic of the same name created by Mary Wolfman and Gene Colan. The comics first received a film adaptation which is what inspired the TV show. It was developed for TV by David S. Goyer who also worked on the ‘Blade’ film. The film cast Kirk Jones in the role of Blade, Jill Wagner, Nelson Lee and Jessica Gower in supporting roles. The series ran for only one season on the network, Spike, after its premiere on June 28, 2006.
Over the course of 13 episodes, the story follows Krista Starr, who returns from her service in Iraq in search of her brother, whom she finds has become an indentured servant for vampires. Krista forms an unlikely alliance with another vampire, Blade to find what she needs.
Flash Gordon (2007)
The television show, ‘Flash Gordon’ (2007) was first released on August 10, 2007, on the television network, Sci-Fi. The show was based on a comic strip revolving around a space adventurer by the name of Flash Gordon created by Alex Raymond. The show was developed for television by Peter Hume and starred Eric Johnson in the titular role, he would later also appear on another superhero TV called ‘Smallville’ in a different role. The rest of the cast includes Gina Holden, Karen Cliche and John Ralston. The show ran only for one season before it was cancelled.
The story follows a 25-year-old, Steven ‘Flash’ Gordon and his inter-planetary adventures along with a cast of side characters. Gordon believes his father to be dead, though when a rift in space allows him to travel between Earth, his home planet and a distant planet Mongo, things take a mysterious turn.
Birds of Prey (2002)
‘Birds of Prey’ (2002) is based on the DC comics of the same name and was developed for television by Laeta Kalogridis. The show premiered on the television network, The WB on October 9, 2002 and was able to garner the highest rating on the network at the time. The cast included Ashley Scott, Dina Meyer, Rachel Skarsten and Shemar Moore. The show lasted for only one season with thirteen episodes.
The show is set in the city of Gotham, though it has been abandoned by its protector the Batman and while the Oracle and Huntress and Dinah Lance have taken over his responsibilities, the threat of the villains, masterminded by Harley Quinn is growing.
The Tick (2001)
‘The Tick’ (2001) was created by Ben Edlund as a comic which later got adapted into a television sitcom. The show premiered on November 8, 2001, on the television network Fox and comprised only 9 episodes in total. The cast of this show included Patrick Warburton (The Tick), David Burke (Arthur), Liz Vassey (Captain Liberty) and Nestor Carbonell (Batmanuel).
The 2001 Fox adaptation was a live-action adaptation of the comics by Ben Edlund and followed a sitcom pattern. The show was supposed to work as a parody of superheroes while being a superhero show itself. Unfortunately, the show was not well-received and faced cancellation only after the first nine episodes aired.
The Amazing Spider-Man (1977)
‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ (1977) was the very first live-action adaptation of Marvel’s Spider-Man comics on television. The show was created by Alvin Boretz and was broadcasted on the television network CBS. It ran for a total of two seasons spanning over two years, after its premiere on September 14, 1977. The show featured Nicholas Hammond in the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, along with others in the cast like Robert F. Simon, Chip Fields and Ellen Bry.
The show revolves around Spider-Man, the comic character created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The pilot when broadcasted was able to garner a high rating of 17.8, though CBS was sceptical about picking the show up as the rating did not represent the lucrative demographic of ages 18-50. The show was picked up for a limited series, with only 5 episodes. When the show continued to do well, it was picked up for another season, which would be it’s last. The show was cancelled by CBS as they did not wish to seem like a one-dimensional, superhero network.
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993)
Based on the incredibly famous DC superhero created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, ‘Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman’ (1993) was developed for television by Deborah Joy LeVine. It starred Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher in the lead roles of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, respectively, along with Lane Smith, Eddie Jones and many others. The show premiered on September 12, 1983, on the television network, ABC and ran for four seasons.
The show focuses on Clark Kent, as he moves to the city of Metropolis from his small town and begins working as a journalist at the Daily Planet. While on an assignment, Clark meets Lois and immediately falls in love with her, while Lois is in love with Clark’s alter-ego himself, Superman. The show follows the two as they go on adventures and fall in love.
The Flash (1990)
The television show ‘The Flash’ (1990) was developed by Danny Bilson and Paul de Meo for television. It is based on the character of Barry Allen created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino for the DC Comics. The Flash was released on the network, CBS in 1990 and ran for only one season. It starred John Wesley Shipp, Amanda Pays and Alex Desert.
The story revolves around the forensic scientist of the Central City Police Force, Barry Allen, as he gains the powers of superspeed after a mixture of being hit by lightning and some chemicals.
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