It’s easy to think of the kind of stories that get told in the comic book world as just one genre or tone, but as seen below, graphic novels, comic strips, and other sequential art have offered up an incredible range of storytelling. And these stories have been inspiring great TV shows for years, even before superhero stories dominated the box office.
There were plenty of options that nearly made the list, like the WB’s “Smallville,” which squandered its early potential after running just a few seasons too long. Because one of the most exciting things about these stories is that there’s a rich variety to choose from.
With editorial contributions from Liz Shannon Miller, Ben Travers, and Hanh Nguyen.
25. “Jeremiah”
Based on the Belgian comics by Hermann Huppen and created by J. Michael Straczynski (“Babylon 5,” “Sense8”), this intriguing post-apocalyptic drama ran for two seasons on Showtime. The excellent premise — a virus wipes out everyone on Earth “over the age of innocence,” and 15 years later the world is still in ruins — springboarded a number of twist-packed storylines, as star Luke Perry proved his ability to play characters who aren’t some form of Dylan Walsh, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner got to kick ass and swear. While the original run ended rather ignominiously, the show is now available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime, and is worth checking out.
24. “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”
Archie Comics has been going through a revival with The CW’s “Riverdale” putting a murder mystery twist on the classic high school story and Netflix now starting to cast its darker take on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” But before that Kiernan Shipka-starring series begins, it’s helpful to remember that the title once existed in a sunnier form. As Sabrina, Melissa Joan Hart exuded an endearing goofiness that set the tone for the frothy series that lasted a whopping eight seasons. Bad puns, teen angst, and ridiculous situations were the show’s bread and butter, and despite the show’s title, we all know who the real star was.
Voiced to pompous purr-fection by Nick Bakay, the witch-turned-cat Salem Saberhagen had all the best lines and cat-oure. His animatronic puppetry somehow complemented Bakay’s delivery, and to this day, there’s a Salem gif appropriate to almost every situation.
23. “Supergirl”
Mistakenly launched on CBS, “Supergirl” eventually settled into her true identity on sister network The CW. And this is where she really earned the cape and flew. Once you move past the overly schmaltzy, inspiration-heavy first season spent bafflingly in the office for much of the time, the series takes off with the type of female-led superhero action that we’ve been all been craving.
“Supergirl” fulfills a need that some other superhero shows may not, bringing positivity — hell, even the production is lighter and brighter — and a strong moral code to the forefront. As much as we appreciate the grittier and more morally gray Marvel shows on Netflix, there’s something to be said about Kara Danvers, played by the luminous Melissa Benoist, having an unshakable instinct for what’s right and wrong. The supporting cast has brought in some surprising depth to the show as well, with Calista Flockhart as the intriguing mentor Cat Grant stealing scenes that are only rivaled by that more famous cousin, Clark Kent, played to perfection by Tyler Hoechlin. But most of all, “Supergirl” is just pure joy.
22. “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”
This charming take on Superman made stars out of the perfectly cast Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher, who for a generation were the Clark Kent and Lois Lane, their classic will-they-won’t-they love story depicted in balance with Superman fighting to protect truth, justice, and the American way. What “Lois & Clark” did best was capture the spark of goodness that makes Superman such an enduring character, while also not forgetting the Lois part of the equation — giving the show a “His Girl Friday”-esque screwball energy we still remember fondly.
21. “X-Men: The Animated Series”
‘X-Men: ’97’ Courtesy of Marvel Animation
The X-Men of Marvel Comics have always been the most melodramatic superheroes of all. Between the twisted love triangles, false identities, and convoluted family trees in the Mutant Protectors’ history, their stories often resemble soap operas with heat vision and shapeshifting more than your average action romp. From 1992 to 1997, “X-Men: The Animated Series” faithfully adapted the convoluted mythology of the heroes every Saturday morning on Fox Kids, guiding a new generation through all the time travel plots and Dark Phoenix sagas that made the franchise so complicated, with just enough focus on the character’s central discrimination metaphor to give it some grounding. It’s hyper-accurate to the comics’ storytelling, including its flaws, but at its best, “X-Men: the Animated Series” was a blast of pure enjoyable ’90s comics cheese. The show’s recent revival, “X-Men ’97,” freshens up the animation a bit, but otherwise leans completely into the heightened, soapy tone that made the original such a delight, because it knows not to ruin a good thing — including that unskippable theme song.
20. “The Walking Dead”
One of the biggest strengths of “The Walking Dead” is that its characters will always be subservient to the world around them. Because these are desperate people living in desperate times, the show will always follow the humans still alive, whether it’s Sheriff Rick and Co. or not. These characters have an expiration date, but the show itself might not. (At the very least, it’s set up a full universe that’s already birthed one spinoff and could likely sustain a few others.) That’s part of the dramatic appeal, knowing that the heroes of the story are fighting what is essentially an unwinnable fight. While the show has failed many times in being restrained at showing just how massive the horrors of this world are, it’s also whipped up human characters that are just as monstrous as the flesh-eating walkers that haunt them at every turn. Through the intense moments of doom to the quieter introspective moments of temporary peace, “The Walking Dead” has managed to maintain a rabid fan base, even as the ground underneath its characters has shifted an impossible amount of times.
19. “Spawn”
There have been a number of attempts to translate Todd McFarlane’s grim cursed superhero tale from the page to the screen (there’s even another one in development right now, courtesy of Blumhouse Productions) but the best one may be HBO’s first foray into adult-themed animation. The story of a murdered soldier (the always welcome voice work of Keith David) who makes a deal with the devil to return to Earth, “Spawn’s” dark sensibility and hyper-violence redefined how we thought about comic book-based storytelling years before these tales hit the mainstream.
18. “Black Lightning”
While all of the Greg Berlanti-produced comic book adaptations do a nice job of balancing the fun of superhero stories with a real-world component, the CW’s newest superhero drama stands out as perhaps its best, thanks to the mature storytelling of executive producers Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil, Cress Williams’ notable gravitas as the titular hero, and the world-building that makes the fictional city of Freeland feel thoroughly grounded in the real world, dealing with all-too-relatable issues of race and power. All that, plus an inclusive cast, including a lesbian woman of color getting her own chance to suit up, and we feel comfortable saying that “Black Lightning” has risen to the top of the heap fast.
17. “The End of the Fucking World”
It’s difficult to capture authenticity when dealing with incredible extremes, but for as dark as the Netflix original series “The End of the F***ing World” can get, it manages to hold onto the truth through its characters. Alyssa (Jessica Barden) is an angry young woman with good reason to be angry. James (Alex Lawther) is a nervous, disturbed young man with good reason to be nervous about his disturbing hobbies. When they first come together, it feels like a doomed pairing — especially considering what James originally plans to do to Alyssa. But “The End of the F***ing World” is all about a glimmer of hope in a dark universe, so it’s only fitting a tender romance emerges from such troubled beginnings. Though the series makes a few key changes from Charles Forsman’s comic book, in both, it’s the kids that hold it all together.
16. “iZombie”
Like a zombie who has just had a second helping of cerebellum, viewers can’t help but find “iZombie” supremely satisfying for its hilarious, sick, and surprisingly touching twist on the classic horror monster. You see, zombie and morgue assistant Liv Moore (Rose McIver) still has a conscience and uses her newfound powers — accessing abilities, memories, and occasional personality quirks of a murder victim’s brains after she’s consumed them — to solve crimes. The procedural element of the series would be more than enough, especially given McIver’s remarkably elastic comedic skills that allow her to shift from acquired personality to personality with infectious glee. You really haven’t lived (more) until you’ve seen the actress play a frat bro or a dominatrix or a hopeless romantic or a D&D dungeon master and yet still maintain that essential bit of self that understands that she’s “on” a brain temporarily. While this formula is ripe for comedy, a slew of death-related puns, and winking pop culture references, the show is also surprisingly affecting when it wants to be. After all, “iZombie” asks what it means to live, even if you’re technically not dead.
15. “Gotham”
For every bat in the batcave, there’s a reason “Gotham” shouldn’t work. It’s a dark and gritty take on Batman’s origin story that airs on a broadcast network (where dark and gritty often comes off bright and goofy). Its first season bounced between a police procedural and a serialized take on James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) before finding its footing. And oh yeah: Batman is nowhere to be found. But within these limitations, the Fox drama has thrived. McKenzie’s grizzled performance keeps things humming. The writers have come up with compelling season-long arcs to push the overall story forward. (Season 2’s “Rise of the Villains” is particularly well done.) And even when villains like Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy show up, fans aren’t missing Batman. There are enough heroes to root for — including a young Bruce Wayne — to make the present what counts, instead of just waiting for The Dark Knight to show up.
Before “Black Lightning” and “Black Panther,” Netflix brought a relatable black superhero to life with Luke Cage (Mike Colter). That he’s a bulletproof hero who proudly wears a hoodie makes a statement about how we perceive blackness in America. Creator Cheo Hodari Coker is a diehard comics fan, and it shows. In the series’ first season, he crafted a charming but inspiring hero, complete with a colorful origin story, kickass action sequences, and plenty of Marvel Easter eggs to spare.
Each of the allies and villains that populate Harlem — which Coker took pains to bring to vibrant, pulsating life — are appropriately larger than life, as well. Alfre Woodard, Mahershala Ali, Theo Rossi, Simone Missick, and of course, Rosario Dawson, all comprise a meaty cast with some standout moments. While Season 1 falters a bit in the later episodes (the Netflix 13 episodes bloat is real, y’all), its overall energy and attitude make it well worth watching. Bring on more Power Man.
The Marvel Netflix series had a lot of issues: overly drawn-out runtimes, spotty casting, and occasionally mistaking “grit” for “depth.” “Daredevil” demonstrated all of these problems over its three-season run, and its quality fluctuated wildly, particularly during its massive slump of a second season. But at its best, it was a genuinely riveting and enjoyable street-level story, boosted by some genuinely impressive action and directing. It helped that they found the perfect hero for the story in the form of Charlie Cox as the blind vigilante Matt Murdock, with the British actor delivering a consistently great performance even when his material proved less than stellar. There’s a reason why Cox was the representative of the Netflix shows to make the jump to Disney+: He’s really just that good.
12. “Preacher”
Dominic Cooper and Ruth Negga, “Preacher” Skip Bolen/AMC
Danger and whimsy is a tricky combination. This adaptation of the Garth Ennis comics doesn’t always find the perfect calibration of those two warring tones, but the show’s best episodes have been delightful spits into the faces of mortality and authority. One man’s search to reconcile his past and the cosmic power that has been entrusted to him, “Preacher” has told his story with reckless abandon across Texas and New Orleans. With Dominic Cooper as Jesse Cutler, anchored by two of the best supporting performances from any of the shows on this list — if Ruth Negga and Joe Gilgun ever want to do a spinoff, we will donate our own money to the cause — “Preacher” has wrestled with God and still managed to come out alive. Toss in some of the best action sequences anywhere on TV and you have a series that’s doing just as much visually as it is philosophically.
11. “WandaVision”
“WandaVision” Courtesy of Marvel Studios
Like many MCU projects, “WandaVision” stumbles toward the end when it struggles to balance its contained story with the demands of a greater mythos. And yet, the Disney+ series is still the best TV show you can find in the cinematic universe, because its first two-thirds are truly compelling and thoughtful television. Starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany as Avengers turned homemakers Wanda and Vision, the series cycles through decades of sitcom history through loving homages to the format, while slowly unveiling the darker truths behind the two’s domestic bliss. Olsen and Bettany are terrific together whether goofily parodying “I Dream of Jeannie” or engaging in superheroic battles, resulting in a comic book love story that proves genuinely tearjerking.
10. “The Boys”
“The Boys” Courtesy of Amazon Studios
One of Prime Video’s biggest hits, “The Boys” consistently gets social media talking with its affinity for bloody violence and ludicrously uncomfortable sex scenes. But while the adaptation of Garth Ennis and Darick Robinson’s comic book has a vulgar spirit that proves undeniably appealing, it is also deeper than just surface-level thrills. At its best, it’s a genuinely smart and intelligent show about institutional corruption and capitalism running rampant (yes, it’s weird that a show of its nature is produced by Amazon). And it’s boosted by a uniformly great ensemble — especially Antony Starr, whose sociopathic Homelander is one of the great TV villains in recent memory.
9. “The Boondocks”
Aaron McGruder’s anime-influenced art translated surprisingly well into animation, and the stories he was able to tell outside of the four-panel format showcased his unique voice as a creator. The premise — two brothers move with their grandfather from Chicago to the suburbs — remained consistent from the strip, while the show’s examination of politics and black culture got even more intense. Occasionally controversial but never lacking for insight, “The Boondocks” wasn’t a perfect show, but Regina King’s double role as both activist Huey and thug-life enthusiast Riley is a truly undersung voice acting feat.
8. “The Middleman”
This lively, ultra-nerdy riff on genre tropes was a cult favorite for its brief run, thanks to the charms of stars Matt Keeslar and Natalie Morales and the snappy scripts by creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach (who wrote the original comic as well) and his team. Loaded with pop culture references and over-the-top fun action, “The Middleman” was exactly what you think of when you think of “comic book television,” but in the best way. Over the course of just 12 episodes, the show spotlighted lucha libre wrestlers, trout-craving zombies, succubi, a hyper-intelligent gorilla, secret islands, vampire puppets, and alternate universes. It’s a shame we never got to see what they would have done going forward.
7. “The Tick” (1994 and 2001)
“The Tick” is the rare show shepherded to series multiple times by the same creator. Ben Edlund, the original comic book author, is the credited creator on both early versions of “The Tick” on TV: the beloved 1994 animated series and the brief but glorious live-action season from 2001. Each take highlighted the weird wonders of the wild blue yonder while maintaining a strong sense of character. The Tick and his sidekick Arthur make for one of the strangest duos to ever fight crime, yet their endearing spirits and hilarious super-friends have immortalized them in comic lore. Despite brief stints on TV, the cult following from both shows led to yet another interpretation in 2017 that’s still running on Amazon. Who knows? In few years, maybe it’ll be a three-way tie, but for now, “The Tick” has proven itself to be one bug you can’t squish.
6. “Justice League”
Created by the same team behind “Batman: The Animated Series,” this take on Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and more fan favorites did what millions of dollars and movie stars couldn’t — make these iconic figures also feel like relatable, sympathetic characters. The first two seasons culminated in an epic finale that set up a follow-up iteration, “Justice League Unlimited,” which expanded its scope to include the entirety of the DC universe. With an all-time great voice cast (including Phil LaMarr, Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Clancy Brown, Brian George, Powers Boothe, Ron Perlman, Rene Auberjonois, Gary Cole, Dennis Haysbert, Hector Elizondo, Elizabeth Peña, Keith David, David Ogden Stiers, Enrico Colantoni, Pam Grier, Danica McKellar, Arleen Sorkin, Robert Englund, David Paymer, Stephen Root, Alfred Molina, Virginia Mad, Tara Strong, Udo Kier, Rob Zombie, Garrett Morris, and Michael Jai White), “Justice League” was one for the ages.
5. “Marvel’s Agent Carter”
How did ABC ever let Peggy Carter go? Hayley Atwell is a gem whose talents can elevate any role (we’re going to conveniently forget about “Conviction”), and she was made to play the kickass post-World War II spy in all of her glamorous glory with magnetism, strength, and just enough humor to wink at the whole superhero label.
Despite the action-adventure series’ excellent period trappings (and Christopher Lennertz’s vigorous score), the show’s themes were distinctly modern. Had the show lasted beyond its measly two seasons, it would’ve been a good reminder of how the #MeToo movement has been long, long overdue. Agent Carter works for the Strategic Scientific Reserve, where she’s met with period-accurate sexism in the workplace, despite her obvious bonafides. (Hell, she worked with Cap!) The underlying themes, however, never overshadow the plain ol’ fun of the series, which has plenty of shadowy intrigue, colorful villains, and satisfying fight scenes. With so many superhero shows glutting our channels, “Agent Carter” was a rip-roaring good time that also had artistic flair and distinct point of view. We still miss her.
4. “Marvel’s Jessica Jones”
Jessica Jones drinks. She drinks whiskey, mainly, but she’s not particular about it. American whiskey or bourbon, Four Roses or Tin Cup , Jones is a hard-drinking private eye who owns every ounce of her bad attitude through every shot she slams back. Drinking can often be a writerly over-reliance; something to fall back on when you want to illustrate internal turmoil, depression, or just someone having a hard day. But booze isn’t merely a message in “Jessica Jones”: It’s part of an identity that’s become the strongest of all modern superheroes. She stands out in a crowded landscape of not just Marvel characters, but all of television. How? Because when the curtain is slowly pulled back on Jones’ present and past demons, it’s clear she’s earned a drink (or five). “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” isn’t afraid to make Jones face annoying foes or complicated big bads; it’s a show that’ll push boundaries just as its hero pushes her limits; it’s noir with a twist, drama with a punch, and a superhero story that embraces the comic book it came from — one drink at a time.
Yes, Batman is a brooding creature of the night with trauma and a thirst for vengeance and blah blah blah blah blah. Throw all your preconceived notions for the character out the window and watch the (in)famous 1966 live-action adaptation of the character and you’ll realize something very quickly: it absolutely rules. Starring Adam West as the detective and Burt Ward as Robin, the three-season “Batman” series is a perfect slice of swinging sixties camp, gleefully embracing the lunacy of the comic book world with its tongue firmly planted in cheek. Its two-parter villain-of-the-week format, once standard at the time, feels like an oasis in a desert in today’s age of bloated 13-episode pilot seasons, allowing the unflappable West to go against a delightful rogue’s gallery that includes utterly iconic takes on Batman’s most famous villains, from Cesar Romero’s maniacal Joker to Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt’s purringly sexy takes on Catwoman. “Batman” 1966 has aged like fine wine because it remembers that comics, above all else, are meant to be fun.
2. “Legion”
If the other shows on this list are graphic novels come to life, Noah Hawley’s anti-Marvel Marvel series seems to be working from a dense 800-page tome. Incomprehensible at points, but certainly never boring, it’s a series that captures the fickle and unknowable inner workings of the human mind better than nearly any other show on TV. It has its clear ancestors — it’s impossible not to think of this as the superhero world’s answer to “Twin Peaks” — but it’s clearly setting the bar for ambitious and visually sumptuous storytelling within genre confines. To be able to make something tethered to the real world while existing in a universe of its own making is a near-impossible task, one that continues to pay off with the work of some stellar direction and a truly inspired lead performance from Dan Stevens. With villains ranging from all-powerful shapeless beings to merry pranksters of the mind, this is a show that dips its toe in the superhero pool right before delivering the world’s most graceful and enigmatic cannonball. It’s a world you may never want to live in, but it’s one you can’t stop watching.
1. “Batman: The Animated Series”
With striking visuals, an exceptional voice cast, and writing that effectively danced to either end of the entertainment spectrum, “Batman: The Animated Series” is iconic beyond the bat: The half-hour “kids’ show” combined delightful moments of utter amusement (Harley Quinn began here, after all) and poignant stories of loss and rebirth. (“Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” is one of the best Batman features to date, right up there with Christopher Nolan’s films.) In just four seasons (and a movie), Mark Hamill’s Joker and Kevin Conroy’s Batman became such beloved mainstays they’ve resurrected the roles again and again in new stories on and off screen . That “The Animated Series” appealed to children and adults alike certainly helped its longevity, but it never catered explicitly to either: “Batman” embraced the origins of its comic book and hit home with its core audience: everyone.
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