Gotham
Inspired by the characters from the Batman comic book series the crime drama Gotham takes place during Bruce Wayne’s childhood immediately following the death of his parents and is an in depth look at the origins of Batman and the many villains he battles. The show features many characters from the comics including Penguin, The Riddler, Bane and the beginnings of The Joker. The cast includes Ben Mckenzie as James Gordon and David Mazouz as a young Bruce Wayne and the two are joined by Jada Pinkett Smith and Donal Logue. the series has an even 100 episodes over 5 seasons and is one of the better comic book based shows out there.
Buy the complete series on DVD or Blu-Ray here https://amzn.to/2QwWLSr
Buy Batman :The Killing Joke graphic novel here https://amzn.to/2pyKCBG
Preacher
Based on the DC Comics series of the same name by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon the TV series Preacher is one hell of a fun show to watch and I suggest it to everyone that hasn’t watched it yet, I’ll link to my review of the show below.
Check out my review of Preacher here https://bit.ly/2r2KJ8P
Lucifer
Based on the DC Comics character of the same name from the Neil Gaiman comic book series The Sandman revolves around the life of the Devil himself Lucifer and his life as a nightclub owner and playboy. The show is a bit different than most comic book based shows and the show itself, although decent, isn’t really my thing but the musical numbers that Lucifer does at the end or start of some episodes are amazing and make the show worth watching just for those alone. Starring Tom Ellis as Lucifer who’s joined by Lauren German and Tom Welling the series has 67 episodes over 4 seasons available to watch and Netflix has renewed it for a fifth final season of 16 episodes.
Buy seasons 1-3 on DVD here https://amzn.to/2qZITpp
Get the Lucifer Book One graphic novel here https://amzn.to/37diULP
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
More based on The Avengers movie than the comic books themselves but still the movies were based on the comics , so same thing. The action science fiction drama follows the story of Phil Coulson after his supposed death in the film The Avengers, he’s put in control of his own team of agents and although the series starts out a bit slow it does get lots better after the first season. There haven’t been a ton of Marvel characters featured on the show but characters like Quake, Absorbing Man and even Ghost Rider have made appearances or been regulars on the show. The show stars Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson who is joined by Chloe Bennet and Ming-Na Wen and currently has 123 episodes over 6 seasons, giving you plenty to binge on. The final season is set to broadcast sometime in 2020.
Buy the complete first season here https://amzn.to/2OknTl4
Constantine
Based on the DC Comics character John Constantine from the Justice League Dark comic book series the horror drama series Constantine depicted the life of exorcist and occult detective John Constantine as he battles the forces of evil. The show sadly was canceled after only one season but deserved so many more. The show starred Matt Ryan as the title character who has made guest appearances on multiple DC Comics series on the CW since the cancellation of his show. There’s only 13 episodes total but they’re good enough that they leave you wondering how the show got canceled so quickly. There was also a film starring Keanu Reeves about the same character which is amazing!
Buy the complete series on DVD or Blu-ray here https://amzn.to/340tUKb
Buy or Rent the Keanu Reeves film here https://amzn.to/32Y90KH
Arrow
Based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow the superhero tv series Arrow explores his origins and then stretches throughout his entire life and career as a vigilante/superhero. Starring Stephen Amell, Manu Bennett and Colton Haynes the series spawned what is now known as the Arrowverse, a group of shows on the CW all based in the same universe and connected to each other and has 7 seasons currently with an eighth in the works.
Buy seasons 1-7 on DVD here https://amzn.to/2ptknMN
Buy the Green Arrow: Year One graphic novel here https://amzn.to/35eAtt2
The Flash
Based on the DC Comics character of the same name the superhero series The Flash would be the second show to become part of the Arrowverse and would follow the life of the Barry Allen version of the character as he gains his powers and learns to use them and learns what it really means to be a hero. Starring Grant Gustin as the title character the series has 5 complete seasons with season 6 currently airing on the CW.
Buy seasons 1-4 on DVD here https://amzn.to/2XrN2P6
Buy The Flash: Year One graphic novel here https://amzn.to/33TOfRv
Legends of Tomorrow
Featuring various DC Comics characters the superhero series Legends of Tomorrow focuses on the adventures of a group of superheroes who travel through time to set history right. One of the interesting things about the show is they change the lineup a little every season, giving fresh characters and fresh stories. The show currently has 4 seasons available and a fifth season that will air January 2020.
Buy the complete first season here https://amzn.to/37gW0TO
Supergirl
Based on the DC Comics character of the same name created by Otto Binder and al Plastino the superhero series Supergirl follows the life of Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El and her struggles to balance being a superhero with living a normal human life. The series currently has 4 complete seasons with a 5th airing on the CW right now and stars Melissa Benoist as the title character.
But the first two seasons on DVD here https://amzn.to/2CWGi2e
Buy the Supergirl Vol. 1: Last Daughter of Krypton graphic novel here https://amzn.to/32WFk0p
Black Lightning
Based on the DC Comics character of the same named created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden the superhero drama stars Cress Williams as the titular character and shows a retired superhero returning to his hero ways. It adds much needed diversity to the superhero genre and currently has 2 complete seasons with a third now airing on the CW.
Buy the complete first season here https://amzn.to/2Xqz3c1
Buy the Black Lightning Vol. 1 graphic novel here https://amzn.to/35eXQmk
Batwoman
Based on the DC Comics character of the same name created by Geoff Johns the superhero series Batwoman explores the life of Kate Kane(Ruby Rose) and a Gotham missing a Batman so Kate takes on the moniker of the bat but with her own little twist. The series first aired just a month ago and is still somewhere in the middle of its first season but shows lots of promise so far and can currently be watched on the CW as part of the Arrowverse.
Buy the Batwoman Vol. 1: The Many Arms of Death graphic novel here https://amzn.to/2qokYjn
The Walking Dead
Based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman the post apocalyptic horror show depicts the lives of normal people in a world where the dead don’t stay dead and explores how humans become the real monster when put in certain situations. The show is a cultural phenomenon and currently has been nominated for numerous awards. it has 9 complete seasons with the 10th airing currently on AMC and has a great cast including Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Chandler Riggs, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Jon Bernthal.
Daredevil
The Netflix series Daredevil is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name and would be the beginning of a good run of Marvel Comics Netflix series. Starring Charlie Cox as the titular character the show explores the origins of the blind superhero and takes a dark and gritty approach as well as having some of the best fight scenes I’ve ever seen on television. It would spawn multiple spin-off series but sadly was canceled after the third season.
Buy the complete first season here https://amzn.to/2Orl0Pg
Buy the Daredevil: Man Without Fear graphic novel here https://amzn.to/2CR9wzs
The Punisher
Another one of Netflix’s Marvel series based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name The Punisher depicts the tragedy that turns Frank Castle into the anti-hero and is hands down my favorite of the Netflix series. Jon Bernthal stars as Frank Castle and he is absolutely perfect in the role, I can’t imagine anyone else playing the character now, he just portrayed him too perfectly. It’s a crying shame that this show was canceled after only 2 seasons but with the new Disney Plus streaming service who knows what the future might hold for Frank Castle.
Buy the first season on DVD here https://amzn.to/2KyNjdI
Buy The Punisher War Journal graphic novel here https://amzn.to/33YQ3sv
Jessica Jones
Once again a Netflix series based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name Jessica Jones stars Krysten Ritter and portrays her work as a private detective and her apprehension to be a hero. The best part of the show in my opinion was David Tennant’s portrayal as the villain Killgrave or Mr. Purple as he’s known in the comics, he was brilliantly creepy and sent chills up my spine. The show was canceled after 3 seasons but did fit a lot of story into those three.
Buy the complete first season on DVD or Blu-ray here https://amzn.to/2CWNSd7
Buy the Jessica Jones: Blind Spot graphic novel here https://amzn.to/2KA3wzf
Luke Cage
Once again a Netflix series based on a Marvel Comics character of the same name, Luke Cage stars Mike Colter as the hero with indestructible skin and although it’s a decent show is about the point where the quality of the Netflix Marvel shows started to drop off quite a bit. The show was canceled after 2 seasons.
Buy the complete first season on DVD or Blu-ray here https://amzn.to/2CW0Pnm
Buy the Luke Cage: Everyman graphic novel here https://amzn.to/2CTCizx
Iron Fist
Another Netflix series based on a Marvel Comics character of the same name but in my opinion not done nearly as well as the past few entries on this list. Iron Fist falls short of being great television and it almost felt like Netflix gave up trying at this point. Starring Finn Jones in a less than stellar performance as the kung fu fighting hero Iron Fist the series was canceled after 2 seasons and for once I agreed with that decision. I’m not a fan but it was part of the universe Netflix was trying to build so figured I’d list it.
Buy the Immortal Iron Fist: The Complete Collection Volume 1 graphic novel here https://amzn.to/2O1BUp3
The Defenders
The final series released as part of this Marvel Netflix group of shows The Defenders was the culmination of all the Netflix series I just listed, taking the characters from each show and throwing them together as a team. It was a decent show and certainly better than Iron Fist but was canceled after just one season with 8 episodes and was the nail in the coffin for Netflix and Marvel working together.
Buy the Defenders Vol. 1: Diamonds Are Forever graphic novel here https://amzn.to/33V7fz0
Titans
Based on the DC Comics team Teen Titans created by Geoff Johns, Akiva Goldsman and Greg Berlanti the superhero series Titans is one of the first originals that the DC streaming service offered and explores how the superhero team was first formed and how they all found each other. I love the direction DC took with this series, making it gritty and dark and keeping us adult comic book fans in mind. The series currently has 2 full seasons available with a third one the way and is a great start for the newer streaming service.
Subscribe to the streaming service here https://amzn.to/2XqYv13
Doom Patrol
Another great offering from the DC streaming service Doom Patrol is based on the DC Comics superhero team of the same name, who are kind of like the misfits of the superhero world. The series is a great addition to the streaming service and the cast is great including Brendan Fraser, Timothy Dalton and Diane Guerrero(Who I absolutely love and I’ll link to the article that explains why below). The series has 1 full season so far with a second on the way sometime in 2020.
Buy the complete first season here https://amzn.to/2XrGXSC
Check out my article featuring Diane Guerrero here https://bit.ly/2KzZmHw
Raising Dion
Another Netflix Original, this time based on the comic book of the same name by Dennis Liu Raising Dion is about a mom trying to keep her child safe when she finds out he has superpowers. I will link to my review on the series below. The show currently has 1 season available on Netflix.
Check out my full review here https://bit.ly/2QBQdSy
The Boys
Amazon Prime Video is starting to come out with some pretty good series and The Boys is perhaps the best of the bunch. Based on the comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson the show focuses on a group of normal guys that get together to take down the very corrupt and very powerful superheroes of the world. I love how the series shows us how even superpowered beings are flawed and have issues like the rest of us. Karl Urban leads a great cast in a fresh take on the superhero genre and the series has 1 season available so far with a second on the way.
Watch free with Amazon Prime here https://amzn.to/35bvQzO
Buy the The Boys Omnibus Vol. 1 TPB here https://amzn.to/35k5jR7
Legion
Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name the FX series Legion is set in the X-men universe and is perhaps one of the strangest shows I’ve ever watched. In the comics Legion or David Haller is Professor X’s very powerful mutant son, the show hasn’t made it clear as to the background of David Haller and so far only seems loosely connected to the comic book character but nonetheless is an interesting and unique approach to the genre. The show has a total of 3 seasons available with no further ones planned, so it is a neat little binge-worthy package for any comic book fan that wants their mind messed with a bit while watching a good show.
Check out the first season here https://amzn.to/2NW6ZKx
Buy the X-Men: Legion – Shadow King Rising graphic novel here https://amzn.to/2CRrJNn
Cloak & Dagger
ABC takes a crack at the superhero genre with this series about the Marvel Comics characters of the same name starting at their origins and slowly broadening their story from there. I couldn’t really get into this show much but can certainly see why a younger generation of comic book fans might enjoy this show, it’s basically a teen coming of age story but with superpowers thrown in. The series was canceled after just 2 seasons but is worth a watch if you’ve run out of new shows to check out.
Buy or Rent season 1 here https://amzn.to/2XrSRMj
Runaways
The Hulu Original series based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name Runaways explores the formation of the young team and the problems that arise when they find out their own parents are the villains they need to stop. The show that features a pet dinosaur and teenage team of heroes has 2 full seasons available currently with a third and final season due out in December, 2019.
Buy the first season here https://amzn.to/2OjNMBy
Buy the Runaways: The Complete Collection Volume 1 graphic novel here https://amzn.to/2QvlIhm
The Gifted
Although it isn’t based on any comic books specifically the series The Gifted takes place in an alternate Marvel universe where the X-men were wiped out and mutants are in hiding. The show is filled with interesting characters, some from the comics and some made up just for the show and I actually enjoyed this show quite a lot and that’s why it saddens me a bit that it was canceled after just 2 seasons but it’s still worth checking out for sure.
Buy season 1 here https://amzn.to/330lotm
Heroes
Although it isn’t based on any comic books specifically the science fiction serial drama Heroes is based on comic books in general and depicts a world where an eclipse causes ordinary people all over the world to gain extraordinary powers. The series first aired on NBC back in 2006 and had 4 seasons before it was canceled and it also spawned a miniseries in 2015 titled Heroes Reborn, which in my opinion wasn’t anywhere near as good as the original series which to this day remains one of my favorites.
Buy the complete series on multiple formats here https://amzn.to/2KyYMdn
I’m sure I am missing a few shows and there are a ton of new Marvel series coming out in the next year or so on the new Disney Plus streaming service but I wanted to stick to shows I’ve actually seen and can give a real opinion on, any shows I’ve missed I’ll probably write a review about once I do watch them so follow my blog to watch for future posts.
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The Listerzine 
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