Like most TV shows, superhero series experience peaks and valleys. However, some have consistently delivered excellent seasons. While the huge success of Marvel and DC movies has dominated conversations about superheroes since the early 2000s, focusing on their cinematic universes and box office numbers, superhero stories have also thrived on television. Both animated and live-action superhero shows have been popular for decades, especially as the superhero movie craze gained momentum in the 21st century.
It’s common for TV shows, especially those with multiple seasons, to have both really good and not-so-good episodes or seasons. Superhero shows are no exception. But some superhero series manage to stay consistently excellent, from the very first episode to the last. Here are four examples of superhero TV shows that do just that.
1) Spider-Man: The Animated Series
For a lot of superhero fans, including me, *Spider-Man: The Animated Series* was more than just a fun, action-packed show about Spider-Man. It was a fantastic way to discover the wider Marvel Universe and all of Spider-Man’s friends. The series skipped the usual origin story and jumped right in, following Peter Parker – a college student and photographer for the Daily Bugle (voiced by Christopher Daniel Barnes) – as he balanced his life with being the Amazing Spider-Man. The show’s bright, dynamic animation and compelling stories immediately grabbed the attention of Spider-Man fans.
Each episode of *Spider-Man: The Animated Series* is packed with exciting action, and the show quickly introduces many of Spider-Man’s classic enemies. It also brilliantly portrays the difficulties Peter Parker faces as he tries to balance his everyday life with his responsibilities as a superhero. What’s more, the series was ahead of its time with heroic team-ups and guest appearances from characters like the X-Men, Daredevil, Captain America, the Fantastic Four, and even Blade. *Spider-Man: The Animated Series* is still considered one of the best and most faithful animated versions of the Spider-Man comics. Although the show ended with a cliffhanger – Spider-Man searching for Mary Jane Watson who was lost in another dimension – the recent comic book sequel, *Spider-Man* ’94, provides a satisfying conclusion to the story.
2) Daredevil
Netflix’s *Daredevil* was the first of Marvel’s gritty, street-level hero shows, and it’s still considered one of the best Marvel TV series ever made. The show follows Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer in Hell’s Kitchen, who secretly fights crime as the masked Daredevil. At a time when most Marvel stories were lighthearted and funny, *Daredevil* explored much darker themes, focusing on Matt’s work as a lawyer, his dangerous battles with the villain Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) and the shadowy group known as the Hand, and his relationships with Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) and Elektra Natchios (Elodie Yung).
The team-up between Daredevil and other heroes – Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist – in *The Defenders* not only continued the strong storylines from Daredevil’s first two seasons, but also set the stage for its incredible third season, which adapted the famous “Born Again” comic book arc. Charlie Cox’s performance as Matt Murdock perfectly captured the character’s mix of charisma, rage, and resolve, making for a truly compelling portrayal. *Daredevil* also raised the bar for superhero action sequences, particularly with its increasingly ambitious and impressive one-take fight scenes. The show’s success and popularity were undeniable, leading to Cox’s Matt Murdock appearing in the 2021 film *Spider-Man: No Way Home*. This ultimately led to the Disney+ series *Daredevil: Born Again* being reworked during production to essentially function as a fourth season of *Daredevil*.
3) Justice League/Justice League: Unlimited
The Justice League is arguably the most iconic DC superhero team, a reputation solidified by the popular animated series *Justice League* and its sequel, *Justice League Unlimited*. These shows built upon the success of *Batman: The Animated Series* and *Superman: The Animated Series*, finally bringing DC’s heroes together in grand, sweeping stories. With a more mature style and impressive animation, *Justice League* appeals to fans of all ages and generations.
As a fan, I have to say *Justice League Unlimited* really took things to the next level. The stories were grander, the fights were bigger, and they brought in so many more heroes! What I especially loved was how deeply they dove into Jack Kirby’s world, particularly New Genesis and Apokolips, and truly made Darkseid – with Michael Ironside’s incredible voice – feel like the Justice League’s ultimate foe. The series culminated in a finale that felt truly epic, a fitting conclusion for everything the DC animated universe had built towards. Superman’s speech to Darkseid about finally being able to let go – to really fight someone who could *take* it – still gives me chills. Honestly, across all five seasons of *Justice League* and *Justice League Unlimited*, this package absolutely deserves its reputation as one of the greatest DC animated shows ever made – and that amazing opening theme doesn’t hurt either!
4) Superman & Lois
As a critic, I’ve watched a *lot* of superhero TV, and The CW really made a name for itself with shows like *Smallville* and the entire Arrowverse. But honestly, their biggest triumph in the genre is *Superman & Lois*. The show imagines a world where Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) has been our protector for two decades, but it’s not just about saving the world. It’s a surprisingly moving family drama, focusing on Clark Kent’s life as a husband to Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) and a father to his teenage sons, Jordan (Alex Garfin) and Jonathan – played by Jordan Elsass for the first two seasons and Michal Bishop for the last two. Over four seasons, *Superman & Lois* truly captivated me with its compelling portrayal of a father navigating the challenges of raising teenage sons who are *also* discovering their superpowers, all set against the backdrop of Smallville.
Unlike previous live-action Superman shows, *Superman & Lois* feels like a movie with its exciting action and impressive depiction of Superman’s abilities. The series expertly draws from Superman’s rich history, featuring lesser-known villains like Morgan Edge, Parasite, and Bizarro, alongside allies like John Henry Irons and his daughter Natalie. Michael Cudlitz delivers a memorable performance as a particularly gritty Lex Luthor. The show’s final seasons offer a unique and thrilling take on “The Death of Superman,” ultimately concluding the series by powerfully solidifying Superman’s lasting impact on the world – something no other film or show has quite achieved. *Superman & Lois* proves that superhero TV shows can be just as grand, powerful, and well-told as blockbuster movies, and many consider it the best Superman series ever made.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/superhero-tv-shows-deserved-better-endings/embed/#
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Windows 11 Notepad will soon let you generate text using on-device AI models — no subscription required
- Attack on Titan Unveils New Project to Commemorate a Major Milestone
- Christy – TRAILER
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Tipped to Take Off on PS5 This November
- Just like Bill Gates, Zoom’s CEO now says that AI could enable a 3-day workweek — at the cost of entry-level jobs
- Crazy Sandbox Detective Game Shadows of Doubt Snags a Huge ‘Modifiers’ Update
- The Housemaid – TRAILER
- Did Tom Brady Violate Rules in Raiders’ Coaching Booth? NFL Says…
- Marvel’s AI Character Raises Alarming Questions
2025-09-22 03:16