10 Superhero Shows That Failed to Impress

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In terms of television programming, the fanbase for superhero shows has been thriving significantly. It’s become challenging to envision a period devoid of such superhero series gracing our screens. The genre has evolved remarkably since the days of “The Adventures of Superman” or Adam West’s “Batman”. Shows featuring an assortment of characters, such as “The Flash”, “Daredevil”, “Supergirl”, “She-Hulk”, “Doom Patrol”, “The Sandman”, “Legion”, “The Umbrella Academy”, and “Invincible”, have garnered favorable responses from both fans and critics alike.

Despite its successes, the medium has had its misfortunes. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just the early 1990s or 2000s that have produced less-than-stellar superhero series. In fact, several recent attempts have fallen short of their potential. For every critically acclaimed show like “WandaVision”, there is a “Secret Invasion”. The 2000s may have gifted fans with “Smallville”, but many networks struggled to replicate its formula for success. From Marvel and DC to original superhero creations, these are the television shows that missed their mark in the world of superheroes.

10
‘The Cape’ (2011)

To clarify, The Cape is not a fictional series created as a recurring joke on Community. Instead, it’s an original series that debuted in 2011 on NBC. The story follows a police officer who is framed for a crime and seemingly killed in an explosion. However, he is taken in by a criminal circus and trained to master deception and illusion. He then assumes the persona of his son’s favorite hero, “The Cape”, embarking on a mission to take down the corrupt criminals responsible for attempting to kill him and clear his name.

In the 21st century, “The Cape” was an endeavor to redefine well-known pulp characters such as The Shadow and The Phantom, but it failed to surpass those narratives and felt quite imitative. Unfortunately, it tried to emulate the formula used in “Batman Begins,” a strategy that would be more effectively realized the next year with the debut of “Arrow.” At this time, “The Cape” found itself in an unusual moment for the superhero genre, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe was just starting to push the boundaries of what could be accomplished on screen.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I can’t help but notice how live-action shows like “The Cape” and the more favorably received “No Ordinary Family” appear to be rooted in the past of network superhero television. It’s no surprise that “The Cape,” despite its potential, was axed after just one season and never managed to secure a six-season run and a cinematic conclusion.

9
‘Birds of Prey’ (2002 – 2003)

Initially, the Birds of Prey didn’t receive the recognition they deserved with their DCEU film, having had an earlier unsuccessful live-action adaptation that aimed to capitalize on the successes from Smallville and was a curious artifact from the early 2000s, during a time of uncertainty regarding the Batman film series. The Birds of Prey series subsequently focuses on Helena Kyle/Huntress, daughter of Bruce Wayne/Batman and Selina Kyle/Catwoman, who joins forces with Barbara Gordon/Oracle and Dinah Redmond/Black Canary to combat crime in New Gotham. Originally intended as a continuation of the live-action film series, it was later clarified that this series would have its own distinct continuity.

Although it seemed that the maker aimed to broaden the Batman lore by introducing the first live-action Harley Quinn, “Birds of Prey” appears to be a relic from its era. Similar to the X-Men films of the 2000s, where colorful costumes were swapped for black leather, this film lacked the grounding that its contemporaries like “Smallville” possessed. Unfortunately, unlike its peers, “Birds of Prey” often falls short in developing compelling stories and characters, giving off an impression of being a blend of shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Alias,” and “Dark Angel.

The show “Birds of Prey” gives an impression of how the “Batman” films could have evolved in the 2000s following “Batman & Robin”. Although it ran for just one season and is generally overlooked in DC television lore, it was enjoyable to witness Ashley Scott and Diana Meyer reprising their characters as Huntress and Oracle in the Arrowverse’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths”.

8
‘Inhumans’ (2017)

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must say, the Inhumans had an undeniable allure. Originating from Marvel Comics’ Fantastic Four #45 back in December 1965, these extraordinary characters were poised to become a significant part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during Phase 3. The plan was evidently for the Inhumans, this race of super-powered beings, to serve as the MCU’s proxy for the X-Men, given that we didn’t hold the film rights for them at the time.

It became apparent that Ike Perlmutter was behind this business decision, not Kevin Feige. Soon afterward, Marvel Studios shifted from reporting to Marvel Entertainment and started reporting to Disney, leading to the abandonment of the initial plan. Marvel Entertainment swiftly transformed “Inhumans” into an ABC series, with tenuous links to “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, a move that unfortunately did little to strengthen the Inhumans’ mythology.

Regarding the ABC show Inhumans, despite its TV budget constraints, Marvel Entertainment opted to debut the initial episodes on IMAX screens prior to the official series launch. This move, however, turned out to be a misstep that underscored the series’ low-budget appearance. Although there are some positive aspects, the production values fall short of delivering the grandiose cosmic visuals or lofty narrative aspirations found in the comics. One glaring example is the quick sidelining of Lockjaw, the teleporting Inhuman dog, whose absence diminishes the potential for CGI-heavy scenes featuring him and hinders his growth as a breakout Marvel character.

7
‘Heroes Reborn’ (2015)

The initial run of “Heroes” left behind a complex impact. While its first season was critically acclaimed as one of the finest written for television, drawing global attention, it soon lost quality and by the time its original broadcast ended, the once popular cultural sensation faded away quietly. Five years post-conclusion, NBC made an attempt to resurrect it with a new series titled “Heroes Reborn“. This move can be seen as overconfidence, trying to evoke nostalgia for a show that had barely been off the air and capitalizing on the surge of superhero popularity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Arrowverse CW series.

In the revival series called Heroes Reborn, they intensified all the disappointing aspects that emerged in the later seasons of Heroes. They attempted to present it as something fresh and innovative, but it merely felt like a rehash. The return of characters from the initial show was noticeable, yet the absence of key figures such as Claire Bennett, Sylar, and Peter Petrelli made it appear as a subpar copy of the original.

In just one installment, it seemed overly complex and difficult to follow, not expanding upon its precursor nor offering a fresh start for newcomers. It aimed to rekindle the enchantment of Heroes from 2006 but missed the essence of what made the original so compelling, also failing to grasp how the superhero TV genre has evolved since the initial series launched. Heroes Reborn fell short of its potential and seemed like the last straw in the decline of this franchise.

6
‘Spider-Man: Unlimited’ (1999 – 2001)

Spider-Man Unlimited can be considered as an extension of the storyline from Spider-Man: The Animated Series, although its official continuity is uncertain. It appears that many, including the creators of X-Men ’97, have chosen to disregard it. Unlike traditional Spider-Man tales where Peter Parker juggles his crime-fighting duties in New York City with his personal life, Spider-Man: Unlimited places Peter in a different reality called Counter-Earth. Here, he joins forces with resistance fighters against The High Evolutionary and his army of animal-human hybrids, the Beatles. This series was unique compared to other Spider-Man shows, but unfortunately not in a positive manner.

The animated series, Spider-Man: Unlimited, showcased the surge in popularity of villains Venom and Carnage during the 1990s. From its design elements to the concept of Spider-Man leading a group of rebels in a cyberpunk world, it embodied the ultimate ’90s definition of what was considered ‘cool’. However, it failed to maintain its popularity when compared to shows like Pokemon and Digimon, eventually being canceled after just one season. Interestingly, this marked the end of a significant Spider-Man adaptation until 2002’s live-action film debut, making it a challenging period for fans of the iconic superhero as they entered the new millennium.

5
‘Helstrom’ (2020)

Back in May 2019, I was thrilled to learn about the upcoming series, Helstrom, just as Marvel Studios took over the reins for live-action productions and started weaving shows that would seamlessly tie into the grand Marvel Cinematic Universe. This chilling tale was set to share the screen with an Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spin-off featuring Robbie Reyes’ Ghost Rider, under the ominous umbrella of the MCU known as Adventure into Fear, a horror-themed corner that promised to send shivers down our spines.

Despite the cancellation of the Ghost Rider series, Helstrom successfully navigated through its developmental phases, casting, and filming. Eventually, it aired independently from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) on Hulu on October 16, 2020, with minimal promotion.

The Helstrom series focuses on Damion and Ana Helstrom, two Marvel characters who are known as the Son of Satan and Satana respectively. However, this series fails to deliver chilling supernatural horror that one would expect from a Hulu Original series. Instead, it resembles a mediocre CW show. The story lacks suspense, excitement, and fear, moving at an excruciatingly slow pace with unidimensional characters who, despite the actors’ valiant attempts, are unable to rise above subpar writing that undermines the fun, horror-comic origins of these characters by transforming them into a generic “horror” series. Regrettably, Helstrom appears to be a forgotten Marvel show, and it seems that Marvel is content with this outcome.

4
‘Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation’ (1997 – 1998)

Among all adaptations of everyone’s beloved pizza-dwelling ninja turtles, the live-action animated series titled “Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation” stands out as the least favorable, even surpassing the 2014 reboot produced by Michael Bay. Airing for a single season from 1997 to 1998 on Fox Kids, “Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation” serves as a semi-continuation of the original trilogy from the ’90s. This series introduces a long-lost sister of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who has recently been found.

As a diehard TMNT fan, I must express my thoughts on the fresh addition to the team, Venus de Milo. She’s sparking quite a controversy among us loyal fans and even the original minds behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. The unexpected love triangle between Leonardo, Venus, and Raphael has left many of us puzzled. To alleviate concerns about the romantic entanglement being on par with “Game of Thrones” levels of creepiness, the creators have decided to clarify that our beloved turtles are not biological siblings after all. This change in their family dynamics is intended to smooth over any unease surrounding this love triangle.

In a unique twist, instead of being armed like Venus, the female turtle is named after a work of art rather than an artist. She often takes on the role of the party pooper within the group, which appears to be an attempt to make viewers dislike her further. Unfortunately, not even the exciting prospect of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles teaming up with the Power Rangers could revive this struggling series.

3
‘Jupiter’s Legacy’ (2021)

Jupiter’s Legacy seems to perfectly represent Netflix’s strategy for approving shows, giving off a vibe that it’s aiming to capitalize on the success of DC series on their platform, particularly those from CW, as well as the triumph of greenlighting an obscure comic series such as The Umbrella Academy. In other words, if they could make The Umbrella Academy work, why not give Jupiter’s Legacy another shot?

According to its 2013 comic book origin by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, the Netflix show Jupiter’s Legacy aims to recreate the superhero genre in the style of Watchmen, and it seeks to fill the gap left by the end of Marvel’s Defenders Saga. However, what the audience gets is not a reimagining of those series but rather a disappointingly lackluster production.

Regardless of having a budget of $200 million, the costumes and production design appear less impressive than those on CW shows, which manage with significantly smaller funds. The costumes are reminiscent of poor quality from as far back as 1997, even earning comparisons to movies like “Batman & Robin” and “Spawn”. The show seems to suffer from the typical Netflix bloat, moving at a slow pace that makes its eight episodes feel like 15 – but unfortunately, not in a positive manner. None of the characters make a lasting impression or manage to transcend the stereotypes they represent.

Jupiter’s Legacy aired following the completion of two seasons of The Boys and almost simultaneously with Invincible. Both shows delivered what Jupiter’s Legacy aimed for, but they did it even more effectively. It’s no surprise that Netflix decided to end Jupiter’s Legacy after only one season due to this fierce competition.

2
‘Iron Fist’ (2017 – 2018)

The initial Iron Fist installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) can undeniably be labeled as a less-than-stellar debut, although its connection to the broader MCU is still under discussion. Netflix’s Marvel productions had been enjoying significant acclaim with critically and audience-adored series like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage. Iron Fist served as the crucial series for establishing the grand crossover event, The Defenders. Iron Fist made its debut on March 17, 2017, and those who persevered through the extended 13-episode first season found it to be a crushing letdown. In essence, Iron Fist is a poorly executed series, and while Season 2 shows some minor enhancements, they don’t manage to salvage it.

In its initial run, Iron Fist’s first season portrays Danny Rand as one of Marvel’s least effective heroes, and it also overlooks the sensitivity of basing the storyline around a white protagonist who aims to reclaim his wealth while incorporating aspects of Asian culture without ever addressing this as problematic, ranging from awkward at best to downright poor in execution.

In a less engaging way than intended, the Iron Fist narrative within The Defenders Saga was deprived of its captivating mythology, resulting in a watered-down version similar to Arrow. Unlike previous portrayals, they didn’t dress him as Iron Fist and omitted key elements from his origin story, such as the thrilling battle with the dragon, presumably due to cost-cutting measures on behalf of Netflix and Marvel Television. The lone saving grace of Iron Fist is Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing; her performance is the only aspect of this series that stands out.

1
‘Secret Invasion’ (2023)

As a devoted fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s hard to deny that among all its offerings, the series “Secret Invasion” stands out as one of the most disappointing. Premiering in the summer of 2023, this production was met with both tepid audience and critical reception.

Additionally, the underperformance at the box office of films like “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “The Marvels” only served to make 2023 a particularly challenging year for the franchise, marking what could arguably be its least successful period yet.

Drawing inspiration from the 2008 comic book series, the show chronicles a Skrull infiltration that has been gradually unfolding over the years, with Nick Fury as the lone figure who can thwart this threat. Remarkably, he is also deeply implicated in the root of the issue, yet the narrative does not delve into his personal repercussions stemming from these actions.

The series Secret Invasion is a total mess from start to finish. It erroneously believes that a somber mood and slow tempo equate to maturity. Unfortunately, it’s not Marvel’s take on Andor, as they had hoped. Following the brilliant reimagining of the Skrull in Captain Marvel, Secret Invasion seemed like a step back. Rather than progressing with fresh narratives, they chose to revert the Skrulls to an earlier stage because they were eager to adapt this particular storyline due to its well-known brand name.

Transforming “Secret Invasion” into an Avengers film wouldn’t have addressed the fundamental problem: “Secret Invasion” doesn’t align with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as it currently stands. The choice to adapt “Secret Invasion” in general, and especially in this particular format by eliminating numerous characters who could have heightened tension, appears to reflect a desire from Disney’s CEO at the time for Marvel to produce content irrespective of its quality.

The show appears to be a disorganized blend of themes that seem careless, leading to problematic political undertones not initially intended by Marvel. The portrayal of a hidden alien group seeking asylum on Earth, functioning covertly to overthrow the government, echoes distressing rhetoric frequently used by extremist groups, with potentially harmful repercussions when accepted as truth. The series’ climactic scenes showing gunmen assassinating journalists and politicians live on TV, revealing some could be Skrulls, is disturbing in its symbolism and seems to endorse the violent acts that in reality result in many innocent casualties.

The Marvel series in question is so poor that subsequent series such as “The Marvels” and “Captain America: Brave New World” have chosen to disregard it. If the Marvel Cinematic Universe were to resurrect characters who died in this series, like Maria Hill and Talos, and pass off “Secret Invasion” as a dream or a storyline similar to the one on “Community”, where they claim it was all just a dream or a gas leak, many of us would likely go along with their explanation.

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2025-02-20 03:04