As someone who’s spent countless hours immersed in the vibrant world of animation, I must say these series truly stand out. Each one offers a unique blend of action, humor, and darkness that appeals to a more mature audience.
As a devoted fan, I used to think that superheroes and cartoons were strictly for kids, but my perspective has shifted dramatically over time. Nowadays, some superhero cartoons are specifically designed for mature audiences. These productions frequently offer grittier, more adult-oriented interpretations of iconic comic book characters from DC Comics, Marvel, and even the ones we grew up watching on Saturday mornings.
Some cartoons delve into a grittier universe to create intense, action-filled or dramatic narratives. On the other hand, some opt for humor, satirizing traditional superhero stories or presenting utterly bizarre scenarios instead.
Superheroes aren’t always the focus in these cartoons either. Sometimes, it’s the villains who get to be the stars of the show. After all, getting older often means realizing a story’s villain might have been on to something. Of course, there are also a few adult superhero cartoons made specifically to give viewers who grew up with a classic character new stories to enjoy. Here are the best animated superhero shows that definitely weren’t made for kids.
10 SuperMansion (2015)
SuperMansion, an upcoming stop-motion series from the minds behind Robot Chicken, features Titanium Rex, a veteran superhero leading his team, The League of Freedom, stationed within their headquarters, the SuperMansion. Several of the team members are humorous takes on well-known superheroes, such as Black Saturn, who might be similar to Batman if his parents hadn’t passed away. There is also American Ranger, a comical rendition of Captain America, complete with the political correctness, or lack thereof, typical of times gone by.
Superheroes Living Under One Roof
As a devoted film enthusiast, I must say that this show truly shines for me due to its exceptional voice acting. Take Bryan Cranston, for instance, breathing life into Titanium Rex, or Chris Pine embodying the menacing Dr. Devizo. The stop-motion animation adds another layer, setting it apart from other superhero animated series.
Initially planned for broadcast on Adult Swim, the pilot show fought its way through competition to secure approval. Remarkably, it succeeded, yet the entire series eventually shifted to Crackle. However, Adult Swim still aired reruns of the series.
9 Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. (2021)
In this stop-motion series titled “Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K.”, Patton Oswalt voices the main character, who is the villain himself. As Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.) experiences financial troubles and his personal life becomes chaotic, M.O.D.K. grapples with a midlife crisis.
“M.O.D.O.K. Will Have It All!”
The stop-motion series cleverly combines typical superhero and villain archetypes with a sitcom setting. Specifically, the villainess Monica Rappaccini is reimagined as M.O.D.O.K.’s professional rival. Interestingly, M.O.D.O.K.’s daughter possesses his powers but primarily employs her intelligence to bully her way through school. Additionally, there’s a time-displaced version of M.O.D.O.K. called “Anomaly,” who harbors resentment towards his future self for not conquering the world, which serves to further fuel M.O.D.O.K.’s own feelings of inadequacy.
To put it another way, the show often had a grim tone when necessary. Notably, because the series was abruptly ended after only one season, it concludes with MODOK’s family meeting a tragic end as part of his global conquest plans. This scene seems to have been designed as a suspenseful finale, with MODOK vowing to retrieve them.
8 Kite Man: Hell Yeah! (2024)
In the series titled “Kite Man: Hell Yeah!“, our protagonist, the notorious supervillain Kite Man, buys a bar with his girlfriend, Golden Glider. This unique watering hole primarily serves villains and is nestled in the vicinity of the Legion of Doom. The cast also includes other nefarious characters such as Malice Vundabar, who’s introduced as Darkseid’s protege, and Bane, who can be found working at the bar along with our main characters.
Come Down to Noonan’s
As a passionate comic book enthusiast, I must say, witnessing Kite Man’s transformation into a leading character in this show feels like a personal triumph in my ‘hero’s journey.’ Interestingly, just like the captivating series Harley Quinn, it offers an intriguing perspective by delving deep into the lives of villains. Characters from the previous installments also reappear here, such as the Queen of Fables, who not only graces our screens but even manages to acquire multiple bodies in this new series.
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7 Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law (2000)
One of Cartoon Network Studios’ initial adult-oriented animated series, titled “Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law,” depicts the former superhero from “Birdman and the Galaxy Trio” switching professions to become a lawyer. In his new role, Harvey assists various characters from Hanna-Barbera with their legal issues. Interestingly, some of Harvey’s past adversaries have also ventured into law, like Judge Mentok the Mind-Taker.
Who Is the Man In the Suit?
The show is likely most recognized for satirizing popular cartoon figures and longstanding fan speculations. For instance, Harvey takes on the roles of Scooby-Doo and Shaggy in a plot about drug allegations. Moreover, it gained fame due to its talented voice actors like Gary Cole and Stephen Colbert. Later on, it led to the creation of the spin-off series, Birdgirl.
6 Batman: Caped Crusader (2024)
The show, titled “Batman: Caped Crusader“, delivers a gritty and stylish portrayal of our renowned hero. Set in the 1940s version of Gotham City, it follows Batman as he continues his mission to keep the city safe from wrongdoers. Notably, this series draws inspiration from the early Batman comic books, as evident in the design of Alfred.
The Dark Knight Goes Noir
While designed as a continuation of Batman: The Animated Series, this new show caters to an older demographic by incorporating increased levels of violence, corruption, and mental distress, although it’s worth noting that the original animated series had its share of darkness as well.
This series boasts a well-known voice acting team, consisting of Hamish Linklater, Christina Ricci, Jamie Chung, and Minnie Driver. Notably, the crew is also recognizable to fans of Batman, as it includes Bruce Timm from Batman: The Animated Series, Matt Reeves from The Batman, J.J. Abrams, and comic author Ed Brubaker.
5 Invincible (2021)
The series titled “Invincible” takes inspiration from the Image Comics comic book with the same name. It centers around teenager Mark Grayson who is being mentored to become a superhero by his father, Nolan, who goes by the alias Omni-Man in his superhero identity. In a manner similar to a satire of Superman, Omni-Man is an alien hailing from the planet Viltrum. Yet, there are deeper mysteries surrounding the Viltrum Empire than Mark can fathom.
“In the Grand Scheme of Things… Yes.”
Fundamentally, this animated series provides a satirical perspective on the universe of superheroes, setting it apart from many other adult-oriented superhero shows that typically lean towards comedy. It delves deeper into a more serious narrative, appeasing fans of both DC and Marvel by subtly mocking iconic characters from both universes. A prime example is Omni-Man, who embodies the essence of both Superman and J. Jonah Jameson, with J.K. Simmons lending his voice to the character.
4 Spawn: The Animated Series (1997)
Todd McFarlane’s character Spawn initially unfolds when Lieutenant Colonel Al Simmons experiences betrayal and meets his end at the hands of his closest friend. Consigned to the depths of hell, he vows retribution, holding onto the belief that he will be reunited with his wife Wanda once more. In a twist of fate, the demon Malebolgia offers him a chance to return to Earth, but this comes at a cost: Al agrees to serve as Malebolgia’s “Hellspawn.
A Hero Straight Out Of Hell
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that a significant amount of time has elapsed since his demise, with Wanda tying the knot again and his physical form now concealed behind a mask due to decay. Yet, Spawn remains steadfast in his commitment to safeguard the women he cherishes. Interestingly, the true challenge could be uncovering the true motive for Spawn’s return to Earth.
As I emerge from the depths of Hell, it’s clear that this saga is tailored for mature viewers. In truth, this show was renowned for being one of the darkest animated productions during its time and continues to hold a top spot among the darkest, even today. The grittiness undeniably contributed to its enduring popularity as a cult favorite. Notably, the artwork aligns remarkably well with the source comics. Moreover, Keith David’s portrayal of Spawn has resonated deeply with fans, adding to the series’ allure.
3 Harley Quinn (2019)
In the animated series titled Harley Quinn, the long-suffering accomplice to the Joker, portrayed by Kaley Cuoco, breaks free from his grasp and embarks on a personal exploration. Choosing to carve out a reputation in Gotham’s criminal underworld, she allies herself with an assortment of villains such as Poison Ivy, Clayface, and Doctor Psycho. Consequently, numerous DC characters appear within the series, frequently displaying eccentricities that surpass their usual levels of madness.
“It’s Got Comedy, Action, Incredibly Gratuitous Violence…”
Fundamentally, this show delves into Harley Quinn’s identity as an anti-hero and the complexities of being a villain, which are predominant roles throughout the narrative. Over the years, Harley has been a beloved character among fans, and aspects such as her relationship with Poison Ivy resonated well with viewers. Additionally, the series sparked several spin-off comic books, including the “Kite Man: Hell Yeah!” series.
2 X-Men ’97 (2024)
In essence, the animated series X-Men ’97 picks up where X-Men: The Animated Series left off. Set a year after the series finale, Professor Xavier is recuperating in space following an assassination attempt. Notably, the team has a new commander now – none other than their past adversary, Magneto.
A Superhero Show That Grows Up With Its Audience
The show, titled X-Men ’97, is a spin-off of a family-friendly series, but it’s designed for mature audiences due to its depiction of intense action, violence, and adult language. It’s likely targeted at viewers who originally watched the series in the 1990s, since they would have grown out of the kid demographic by now. Interestingly, several actors from the original cast have returned to reprise their roles or voice new characters. Additionally, the series is intentionally set in the 1990s.
1 Space Ghost Coast to Coast (1994)
The 1990s television show “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” humorously imitates traditional talk shows by featuring the iconic 1960s superhero from Hanna-Barbera, Space Ghost, in a leading role. Unlike its original, straightforward superhero series, this version embraced the bizarre and unusual, with the main character serving as both the host and interviewer of live-action celebrity guests. Notably, characters from the original series such as Zorak and Moltar are compelled to work behind the scenes on the show.
Cartoon Network’s First Fully Produced Series
The series not only spawned a couple of offshoots like the kid-oriented “Cartoon Planet” and the sitcom parody “The Brak Show,” which features a former adversary of Space Ghost turned for comic relief. This series was among Cartoon Network’s initial original productions, as well as one of the earliest targeted towards adults. Remarkably, it is attributed to both the inception of Adult Swim and Cartoon Network’s expansion into creating their own animated shows. In fact, Williams Street Productions, Adult Swim’s internal production division, originally started as Ghost Planet Industries.
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2024-09-15 04:33