7 DC TV Shows That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

As a fan, it’s really exciting to see what DC Studios is doing with its TV shows! They’re moving away from making things in separate pieces and building a connected universe where stories all feel part of the same world. We’re already seeing it work with the first season of Creature Commandos and the latest season of Peacemaker – James Gunn’s creative touch is really keeping us hooked! And it sounds like they’re planning even more ambitious projects like Lanterns and Mister Miracle that will dive deeper into the characters and stories we love. On top of that, they’re still giving us fun, standalone stories like My Adventures with Superman and Harley Quinn that aren’t tied to the main universe, which is great too. It feels like there’s something for everyone!

Even though superhero shows are incredibly popular right now, DC Comics has a strong background in television, consistently delivering shows that focus on well-developed characters and creative visuals. Remarkably, many of these older shows still hold up today, remaining high-quality despite changes in how television is made and what audiences expect.

7) Constantine

Even though it only lasted thirteen episodes on NBC, the show Constantine is still considered one of the best adaptations of DC’s supernatural characters. The series followed the jaded and world-worn John Constantine (played by Matt Ryan), staying true to the Hellblazer comics with its focus on creating a creepy and unsettling mood. A dedicated fanbase grew largely because of Matt Ryan’s excellent portrayal of the lead role – he played the character so well that he later appeared in other DC shows and animated projects. Constantine stood out visually thanks to its use of practical effects and a realistic, gritty style, which holds up better today than many shows that relied heavily on computer-generated imagery. Ultimately, the series continues to draw in new viewers because it perfectly captures the down-to-earth magic and sense of weariness that are central to the character’s most popular comic book stories, proving that a compelling story is more important than a show’s length.

6) Green Lantern: The Animated Series

Premiering in 2011, Green Lantern: The Animated Series stood out with its innovative and still-striking 3D animation style. Under the leadership of executive producer Bruce Timm, the show moved beyond typical Earth-bound storylines, sending Hal Jordan (voiced by Josh Keaton) and Kilowog (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) on an exciting space adventure. The series began by focusing on a conflict with the Red Lantern Corps, introducing compelling new characters like Razer (voiced by Jason Spisak), a character seeking redemption, and Aya (voiced by Grey DeLisle), an evolving artificial intelligence. By prioritizing the development of its universe and the lore surrounding the emotional spectrum, the show felt like a grand, unified story rather than just individual episodes. The continuous storyline also allowed characters to grow and develop in meaningful ways, delivering emotionally powerful moments that were uncommon in children’s television at the time.

5) Wonder Woman

The 1970s Wonder Woman series, starring Lynda Carter, is a truly memorable part of television history and still enjoyable to watch today. The show cleverly moved from a World War II setting in its first season to a modern 1970s backdrop. Its lasting appeal comes from its genuine approach to the superhero story; instead of playing up the campiness common at the time, it treated Wonder Woman’s heroism with respect and seriousness. The show’s practical action scenes and iconic costume have become instantly recognizable and have influenced every Wonder Woman adaptation since. The strong chemistry between Lynda Carter and Lyle Waggoner, who played Steve Trevor, gave the more fantastical storylines a relatable emotional core. Even with advances in television technology, Carter’s captivating performance and the show’s hopeful tone make this a definitive and endlessly rewatchable version of the character.

4) Batman

The 1966 Batman TV show is unusual because it’s actually gotten better over time. It’s now seen as a prime example of intentionally over-the-top style and pop art. Adam West played Bruce Wayne with a very straight face, which perfectly highlighted the wild and colorful villains of Gotham City. The show embraced the silliness of comic books with exaggerated sound effects and dramatic cliffhangers, creating a distinct visual style that’s very different from the darker, more serious Batman adaptations we see today. Many now recognize the series as a clever satire of the superhero genre, rewarding viewers who appreciate the smart humor hidden within its bright and playful presentation. It continues to appeal to audiences of all ages because it works equally well as a fun adventure for kids and a witty comedy for adults, cementing its place in the DC universe.

3) Smallville

For ten seasons, Smallville offered a fresh take on the superhero origin story. Instead of focusing on costumes and powers, the show was a character-driven drama about Clark Kent growing up. A key rule – “no tights, no flights” – meant the writers had to really develop the other characters and the complex relationship between Clark and Lex Luthor, something many shows today struggle to do. The series followed Clark (Tom Welling) as a teenager in rural Kansas, dealing with the challenges of being an alien. Over time, Smallville grew from a simple “problem of the week” format into a large-scale story that introduced the Justice League and explored the wider DC universe. Thanks to its high quality and strong performances, Smallville remains influential, and it heavily inspired the serialized superhero shows of the Arrowverse.

2) Doom Patrol

Doom Patrol is a truly unique superhero show – a peak of DC’s boldest TV experiments. It’s a surprisingly emotional story about trauma and finding yourself, using the weirdness of the original comic books to dig deep. The show follows a group of broken, outcast heroes – Cliff Steele, Larry Trainor, and Rita Farr, among others – who gained their powers through terrible accidents. Instead of typical superheroics, Doom Patrol focuses on the lasting emotional damage these events caused. They face bizarre challenges, like a street that’s come to life or a world-dominating cockroach. But the show masterfully balances its strange humor with genuine explorations of grief and learning to accept yourself. This willingness to take big creative swings makes Doom Patrol a standout series that gets better with each viewing and promises to remain a compelling and thoughtful piece of science fiction for years to come.

1) Batman: The Animated Series

Starting with Batman: The Animated Series, the DC Animated Universe has had a lasting impact on how these characters are seen, even more so than some of the original comics. Led by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, the series developed a unique “Dark Deco” style – a blend of 1940s film noir and futuristic technology. This look helped the show avoid feeling old-fashioned, creating a world that was both recognizable and different. The show’s success led to a whole interconnected universe, including Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and the large-scale team-ups in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited – all of which deserve recognition. This universe consistently delivered high-quality, mature stories that treated viewers with respect, making it a benchmark for superhero storytelling in any format.

What DC TV show currently airing do you think will still be popular and well-regarded years from now? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-26 00:14