As year after year we get a new movie of our favorite superheroes, the small screen doesn't lag behind and also offers its own. And this time we recommend the best current superhero series, so grab the popcorn and get comfortable to enjoy a superhero marathon.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013)
This spin-off based on the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization runs alongside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sharing continuity with the films and other TV shows of the franchise. The series revolves around the character of Phil Coulson and his team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, who must deal with various unusual cases and enemies, including Hydra and the Inhumans. But the best part of the series is that over its four seasons it began to add Marvel Universe characters, including some secondary ones like Sif (from the Thor movies) and the recent Ghost Rider who had his own arc in the last season. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is the ideal complement to fill that gap between Marvel movies. If you haven't seen it yet, catch up because the fifth season begins in December.
Arrow (2012)
Based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow, for many Arrow is labeled as a "Batman in green". The comparisons are many: from the dark and violent tone of the series, through some similar roles in the characters, and even the roster of villains borrowed from the Batman. But putting that aside, the series earned its own merit on the small screen, thanks to six seasons to date. Arrow follows the story of billionaire Oliver Queen who, after five years stranded on an island, returns to his city to fight crime and corruption as a hooded vigilante using a bow and arrow as his weapon. The best part of this series is that it gave rise to the Arrowverse, a group of series that share the same universe including The Flash, Vixen and Legends of Tomorrow, also highlighting the crossover Invasion! that brought together the superheroes of those series.
Daredevil (2015)
Created for Netflix, Daredevil is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. This series also runs alongside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sharing continuity with the franchise's films. The story introduces us to Matt Murdock, a lawyer who was blinded in an accident that heightened his remaining four senses and who fights crime every night as a vigilante under the name Daredevil. It is the first of a series of television productions from Marvel Studios, which already includes Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist, and which had their own miniseries recently with The Defenders. It also gave rise to the spin-off The Punisher, centered on the character of Frank Castle, which premieres in a few weeks. With two seasons so far and a third on the way, Daredevil stands out as an effective superhero origin story, following a gritty, comic-faithful procedure through an exciting action adventure.
Jessica Jones (2015)
Like Daredevil, Jessica Jones is the second series from Marvel Studios for Netflix. After the tragic end of her brief career as a superheroine, Jessica Jones tries to rebuild her life as a private investigator, handling cases that involve people with notable abilities in New York City. Over thirteen episodes, the series builds a multifaceted drama about the relationship between Jessica and Kilgrave, one of the best villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Far from the reckless action of the man without fear, Jessica Jones has a darker tone in its season, loaded with social themes, such as the approach to sexuality and the coverage of darker topics like rape, assault and post-traumatic stress disorder. The series also introduces Luke Cage (a character who also has his own series) to help Jessica throughout the episodes.
Legion (2017)
Connected to the X-Men film series, Legion is the debut of mutants on the small screen. The protagonist is David Haller, a mutant diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age. To make matters worse, he is stalked by government officials who believe he may be the most powerful mutant discovered. From there David's doubts arise: Does he really have abilities or is it his schizophrenia that makes him imagine things? The story has a much more complex thematic and psychological structure than most comics, where the representation of David's mind and perspective puts into question what is real in all that we are seeing. The first episodes may seem confusing, especially if you don't know the character, but patience pays off: Legion is a masterfully surreal and brilliant deviation from traditional superhero tropes that is worth watching.
Smallville (2001)
Okay, it's not a current series but... come on! Smallville was the one that paved the way for the whole batch of superhero series we are seeing today. The story follows the origins of Kal-El, now called Clark Kent, in the city of Smallville before he is known as Superman. Over ten seasons we follow Clark's adolescence in high school until he eventually starts his journalism career at the Daily Planet. As usual, in each episode the young Superman has to deal with some villain of the moment, sometimes alone and other times with the help of superheroes. In fact, there is even a prototype episode of the Justice League where we see in action Clark, Bart Allen (Impulse), Arthur Curry (Aquaman), Victor Stone (Cyborg) and Oliver Queen (Green Arrow). Maybe it hasn't aged too well, but Smallville was the first to leave its mark, opening the doors to the current superhero series.
Supergirl (2015)
And if we mentioned Kal-El, we couldn't leave out Kara Zor-El, better known as Supergirl, Superman's cousin. Under the name Kara Danvers, the story begins when the Kryptonian is learning to accept her powers and becomes the protector of National City under the alias Supergirl. Throughout the series, Kara fights against a series of villains like Livewire, Silver Banshee, Non and the organization Project Cadmus, devised by Lillian Luthor (Lex's mother). But Supergirl is not alone and has the help of the superheroes J'onn J'onzz (Martian Manhunter), Guardian and Superman himself. A detail that gradually surprised is the presence of the Arrowverse, first with the participation of Flash in the series, and then in the Invasion! crossover and in the musical "Duet" of The Flash. For this new season, a new crossover has been confirmed where we will see these superheroes together again.
The Flash (2014)
This spin-off of Arrow was the first to be part of the Arrowverse. The story follows Barry Allen, a forensic investigator who after an accident gains the power of super speed and uses it to fight criminals, including others who have also acquired superhuman abilities and are called metahumans. Unlike the dark and violent tone of the hooded archer's series, The Flash maintains a humorous spirit, faithful to its comic counterpart, and dynamic throughout the seasons, even having a musical episode with Supergirl no less. Another interesting point of the Scarlet Speedster is that during the plot he travels to other dimensions and through time, altering the timeline that affects not only Barry's story but also other series, as in the case of Arrow. Two series to watch side by side and enjoy the crossover episodes with your favorite superheroes.
The Gifted (2017)
Together with Legion, The Gifted is the second series premiered this year that is connected to the X-Men movies. Unlike David Haller's story, the series focuses on a family fleeing the government when they discover that their children have mutant abilities, and they join a clandestine community of mutants who have to fight to survive. The Gifted shares many similarities with the animated X-Men series from the 90s, such as the oppression of a government that wants to capture mutants and even social themes like discrimination. The series is currently airing and presents us with a group of mutants that, although not so well known to the general public, these characters had their place in the comics, animated series and even in the movies, as in the case of Blink who appeared in X-Men: Days of Future Past. If you like the X-Men, with Legion and The Gifted you can have a nice marathon.
The Tick (2017)
If you've come this far, you're surely surprised to find a series that isn't from Marvel or DC Comics. Creation of cartoonist Ben Edlund in 1986 for New England Comics magazine, The Tick is a comedic superhero not very smart, in a blue suit with little antennas, who debuted as a comic and then made the jump to the small screen, first as an animated series in 1994 and then in a live action version in 2001. From Amazon, this second adaptation begins when Tick arrives in The City to help fight crime and discover the mysterious figure behind the city's underworld. He befriends Arthur, a depressed young man who becomes his sidekick, and they start investigating an apparently dead supervillain called The Terror, who seems to be controlling the underworld in the city. Currently the first six episodes are available, while the remaining six premiere on February 23, 2018. If you're looking for superhero action and comedy, then you have to watch The Tick.
