7 Times Superhero Shows Got Surprisingly Dark

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As a movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed that the superhero genre is remarkably versatile, often exploring a broad spectrum of tones. Some of these tales have taken a surprisingly somber turn, even on our television screens. Superheroes captivate us not just because of their strength and powers, but due to the optimism and potential they symbolize – a reminder of what we can achieve for the world, and the alluring idea of wielding immense power for the greater good.

However, it’s important to remember that light cannot exist without shadow, and this truth resonates deeply within superhero narratives as well as in other genres. For every uplifting, cheerful superhero story found in comics, films, animation, or any other medium, there is a counterpart that is just as dark and dismal. The world of superheroes is rich and complex, mirroring the duality that exists within us all.

Television series, particularly those featuring superheroes, share a narrative structure similar to comic book issues, making it easier for them to transition seamlessly from lighthearted and optimistic to a more somber and ominous tone. As a result, superhero television has been known to present some of the darkest scenes involving DC or Marvel characters organically. Here are seven TV shows with particularly grim moments:

1. “Arrow” – The Arrowverse series that introduced Oliver Queen’s grittier side.
2. “Daredevil” – A Netflix original show focusing on Matt Murdock’s struggle as the Man Without Fear.
3. “The Punisher” – Another Netflix series centered around Frank Castle’s vengeful crusade against crime.
4. “Jessica Jones” – A complex and troubled private investigator dealing with her past traumas.
5. “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” – An episodic exploration of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s darker corners.
6. “Luke Cage” – The Harlem-set series that delved into themes of power, corruption, and redemption.
7. “Gotham” – A prequel focusing on the early days of Commissioner Gordon and the rise of iconic Batman villains.

1) Harvey Dent’s Origin As Two-Face – Batman: The Animated Series (Season 1, Episodes 10 & 11)

The Animated Series” is widely appreciated for its mature themes and content, even among children’s shows, due to its dark portrayal of characters like Two-Face. This series, in particular, presented a powerful origin story for Two-Face in the two-episode arc titled “Two-Face.” Here, Harvey Dent (voice by Richard Moll) starts showing signs of a split personality, with one side being his normal self and another becoming “Big Bad Harv.” His conflict with Gotham City’s crime boss, Rupert Thorn, culminates tragically when Harvey gets severely scarred on half of his face in their final encounter, leaving Batman unable to prevent this. The revelation of Harvey’s disfigured face is one of the most chilling moments in “Batman: The Animated Series,” and it could be argued as the darkest scene throughout its entire duration.

2) Peter Parker Morphs Into the Man-Spider – Spider-Man: The Animated Series (Season 2, Episodes 7 & 8)

In a charming and kid-friendly fashion, “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” often ventured into darker themes. A standout instance is when Spider-Man (portrayed by Christopher Daniel Barnes) discovers that his spider bite mutation persists. This plot point culminates in the episodes “Enter the Punisher” and “Duel of the Hunters,” where Spidey, hunted by The Punisher (voiced by John Beck), undergoes the final stage of his mutation and metamorphoses into a monstrous being known as the “Man-Spider.” This creature, dubbed so by New York City’s media, is a colossal, arachnid-like humanoid, retaining all of Peter Parker’s powers but lacking the responsibility and humanity that typically come with them. Fortunately, Spidey manages to reverse this transformation, yet the scene of him turning into the towering Man-Spider remains the most chilling moment in “Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

3) Tommy Merlyn Dies in Arrow’s Season 1 Finale – Arrow (Season 1, Episode 23)

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, the series Arrow ignited the expansive DC universe known as the Arrowverse on the CW, paving the way for shows like The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, Batwoman, and Black Lightning to follow suit. What’s remarkable is that despite its initial season’s gloomy and despair-laden finale, the light-hearted tone of the Arrowverse often masks this somber beginning.

In the episode “Sacrifice,” the heroic Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) valiantly attempted to save Starling City from Malcolm Merlyn’s (John Barrowman) destruction, but his best friend and Malcolm’s son Tommy (Colin Donnell) tragically perished in the final moments. The sorrow of Tommy’s loss would linger long after, casting a shadow over Oliver even as the second season concluded on a more optimistic note. Yet, it is the first season of Arrow that remains indelibly etched in my memory for its unrelenting darkness and grim narrative arc.

4) Dick Grayson’s First Alley Fight Scene – Titans (Season 1, Episode 1)

The Teen Titans are known for their ability to adapt tones flexibly within the DC Universe, ranging from the humorous style of “Teen Titans Go!” to the serious approach taken by the streaming series “Titans.” The debut episode of “Titans,” titled “Titans,” begins with Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) transitioning from his role as a Detroit detective to once again wearing his Robin suit, brutally confronting a gang in a tense alley brawl. From the get-go, “Titans” makes it clear that Dick and his mentor from Gotham City aren’t on good terms, with him uttering, “Fk Batman,” when one thug assumes he is the Dark Knight. Throughout its run, “Titans” maintained a somber atmosphere, and its opening fight scene effectively set this tone in a striking manner.

5) Kingpin Murders Ben Urich – Daredevil (Season 1, Episode 12)

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Man Without Fear first appeared in a significant role during the Netflix series “Daredevil”, preceding both “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and the upcoming “Daredevil: Born Again”. Despite its grim atmosphere, the initial season of “Daredevil” contains one of the most startling moments in superhero television history. In the penultimate episode titled “The Ones We Leave Behind”, journalist Ben Urich (played by Vondie Curtis-Hall) is brutally murdered by Wilson Fisk. Despite Fisk’s ongoing conflict with Daredevil (Charlie Cox), it’s not just Ben’s attempts to bring down the Kingpin that infuriate him, but rather the fact that Ben sought information from Fisk’s ill mother. This act, in Fisk’s mind, is unforgivable, and his sudden violent reaction – leaping from his chair to strangle Ben – leaves a lasting impression of darkness and shock on viewers of “Daredevil”.

6) Lex Luthor Kills His Father Lionel – Smallville (Season 7, Episode 16)

In the 10-season television series titled “Smallville,” which follows the story of Tom Welling’s character Clark Kent as he transforms into Superman, a significant part is also dedicated to Michael Rosenbaum’s character Lex Luthor’s evolution into his ultimate adversary. The Season 7 episode “Descent” starts with an unexpected scene considering the series’ initial premise. John Glover’s character, Lionel Luthor, who had reformed from his villainous past and became one of Clark’s closest allies, is pushed out of a Luthorcorp window to his death by Lex, his son, marking the transformation of Lex into a true villain. Although “Smallville” occasionally delved into darkness, few instances can match the gravity of Lionel Luthor’s demise, symbolizing his long journey from a villain to a hero.

7) Lois Lane Is Diagnosed With Cancer – Superman & Lois (Season 3, Episode 2)

Lois Lane, played by Elizabeth Tulloch, is diagnosed with breast cancer. This shocking disclosure resonated deeply with viewers as it mirrors a distressing experience many people have faced – learning about a loved one’s serious illness. Throughout the series, Lois’ cancer diagnosis becomes a recurring theme and surpasses even Superman’s death in the fight against Doomsday as the darkest moment in “Superman & Lois.

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2025-07-28 23:40