5 Great DC Heroes Who Are Long-Overdue an HBO Animated Series

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James Gunn and Peter Safran are fully launching the new DC Universe, and they’re using HBO Max as a central hub to build out its expansive world. The universe began with the adult animated series *Creature Commandos*, which combined action and Gunn’s trademark humor. This was followed by the successful movie *Superman*, which laid the foundation for the franchise’s cinematic future. The story is growing with season two of *Peacemaker*, continuing the anti-hero’s journey and solidifying the universe’s established lore. DC fans can also look forward to more animation, including a *Blue Beetle* series and a *Mister Miracle* show based on the popular comic book series.

As a huge DC fan, I’m really excited about how much focus James Gunn and Peter Safran are putting on animated projects! It feels like they’re truly committed to bringing *all* the DC characters to life, not just the ones we see in the big movies. And an animated series on HBO? That’s a game-changer! It gives creators the freedom to tell more complex stories, explore mature themes, and really get creative with the visuals in a way that a huge blockbuster just can’t. Finally, some of my favorite characters will get the spotlight they deserve!

5) Green Arrow

Oliver Queen, also known as Green Arrow, is a fascinating and complex hero who would be perfect for a mature animated series on HBO. His stories are rooted in realistic crime, but he’s also driven by strong political beliefs. An animated show could really explore his progressive side, tackling important modern issues with honesty and depth – something live-action versions haven’t always done. This would make the series stand out within the DC Universe, showing a hero who fights not just criminals, but also corruption and unfairness in society.

An animated Green Arrow series has the potential to explore the character’s deep history and introduce a wide range of allies and villains. The relationship between Green Arrow and Black Canary is a classic in comics and could be a strong emotional center for the show. Animation would also be ideal for visually demonstrating Green Arrow’s amazing archery abilities. The series could take inspiration from well-regarded comic book storylines by creators like Mike Grell and Jeff Lemire, offering a compelling and exciting new interpretation of the Emerald Archer with meaningful themes.

4) Cassandra Cain

While Cassandra Cain will be featured in the upcoming *The Brave and the Bold*, she deserves her own series to fully explore her compelling story. An animated show on HBO would be a great way to delve into her difficult past – being raised as an assassin by her parents, David Cain and Lady Shiva, and trained to be the ultimate fighter. Her transformation from a silent, isolated weapon into a hero is a powerful story of overcoming trauma and finding herself. Animation is especially well-suited to telling her story, as it can use visuals and action to show her inner world before she develops the ability to speak.

A show centered on Cassandra Cain could really enrich Gotham City, offering a more realistic and personal look at crime than the movies might be able to. Her unique fighting style – predicting opponents’ moves by reading their bodies – would be incredible to see as dynamic and complex animation. Giving Cassandra her own series would allow DCU to fully develop this popular character with the attention she deserves. This approach lets the films focus on the main Bat-Family members while still exploring the more fascinating, hidden parts of Gotham in a significant way.

3) Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is a core part of the DC Universe, alongside Batman and Superman, but surprisingly, she’s never had her own animated series. The new DCU has a great opportunity to fix this with a high-quality show on HBO. Diana Prince’s world, filled with Greek myths, fantasy, and superhero battles, is perfect for a longer, detailed story. An animated series could truly explore the history of Themyscira, showing the Amazons’ complex society and their connections to the Greek gods. It would also allow for a better development of her villains, like Cheetah, Giganta, and the powerful Ares.

An animated Wonder Woman series would need to show both her kindness as a peace ambassador and her incredible fighting abilities. Animation is a great way to bring to life the beautiful world of Paradise Island and the mythical monsters she battles. The show could even take ideas from the famous comic book stories by George Pérez, which updated Wonder Woman for today’s audiences, creating a character who is both strong and relatable. This project is long overdue and would finally give DC’s iconic heroine the animated attention she deserves.

2) Animal Man

James Gunn’s love for unusual, emotional, and thought-provoking superhero stories makes Animal Man a great fit for animation in the new DC Universe. Though the character has existed for years, he became truly special after a critically acclaimed and bizarre comic book run by Grant Morrison – and that’s the version perfect for an HBO animated series. The story centers on Buddy Baker, a relatively unknown hero who’s also a husband and father, and who learns his powers connect him to a much bigger, stranger world. His adventures become a unique exploration of storytelling, animal welfare, and what it means to be a character in a comic book.

An animated series based on Animal Man has the potential to be incredibly original and push the boundaries of superhero storytelling. Buddy Baker is a down-to-earth character, making the story accessible while also cleverly playing with the idea of a character being aware they’re in a comic book. Grant Morrison’s run on *Animal Man* uniquely combines unsettling body horror with touching family moments, something you don’t often see in DC comics. Animation would be the perfect way to bring Morrison’s strange and imaginative world to life, especially the emotional exploration of animal identities and Buddy’s eventual encounter with his creator. This kind of daring and innovative story is exactly what the new DC Universe should be looking for.

1) John Constantine

John Constantine, a chain-smoking detective who investigates the occult, feels like a perfect fit for a horror-driven animated series on HBO. His stories are a dark and gritty mix of supernatural horror, detective mystery, and cynical humor, offering the DC Universe a chance to delve into its scariest possibilities. While Constantine has been portrayed in live-action, animation would allow for a more complete and visually striking depiction of the truly horrifying elements of his world, free from the limitations of live-action effects budgets. An animated series could bring the most unsettling and memorable moments from the original *Hellblazer* comics to life, including terrifying demons and the frightening landscapes of Hell.

A show focused on John Constantine would be a great way to introduce the magical side of the DC Universe, laying out the rules and dangers hidden just below everyday life. Constantine himself is a fascinating character – a clever con artist who often ends up doing the right thing, even when he doesn’t want to. His stories are full of compelling creatures like demons, angels, and other magic users, building a rich and intriguing world. An HBO series could finally give us the definitive, uncompromised version of Constantine that fans have been hoping for – a dark, complex, and truly frightening story.

Besides the heroes who already have HBO animated series, which DC character do you think would be great to see adapted into an animated show? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-14 02:13