Your Guide to The Hottest Comic Book TV Shows

With the San Diego Comic-Con International comes a barrage of news, spoilers, and star-laden photo ops. To say that the television landscape is saturated with comic book adaptations right now would not only be an understatement but might perhaps be the understatement of the year. And guess what, there are LOTS more to come!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry because you’re definitely not the only one! Have a look below where we break down 25 (twenty-five!) of this year’s current comic book shows:

Jessica Jones – Netflix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSvnepZS26s

Universe: Marvel Comics

Jessica Jones is undoubtedly one of Marvel’s darkest heroes, and this role is certainly one of Krysten Ritter’s most memorable. Don’t forget that she (among others) was also featured in last year’s limited Netflix series, The Defenders.

The Gifted – Hulu | Fox | DirecTV Now | Yahoo View

Universe: Marvel Comics, X-Men Series

In Stephen Moyer’s first television series since the beloved HBO show True Blood, he plays district attorney Reed Strucker who finds himself overseeing many mutant cases, all the while believing he is just doing his job. When he and his wife (played by genre-vet Amy Acker) discover that their twin teenagers are actually mutants, the family is forced to go into hiding, seeking refuge with those who Reed had once sought to prosecute.

The Punisher – Netflix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIY6zFL95hE

Universe: Marvel Comics

The Walking Dead vet Jon Bernthal is perhaps the perfect person to play Frank Castle, a character which first appeared in Netflix’s Daredevil. Here, Bernthal is absolutely in his element as the heartbroken and vengeful Castle.

Legion – Hulu

Universe: Marvel Comics, X-Men Series

This FX series just wrapped its second season in June and has already been renewed for a third. Part of the X-Men series, the show follows the character David Haller, a mutant who was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a young child.  

Iron Fist – Netflix  

Universe: Marvel Comics

Part of Netflix’s line-up of Defender series, Iron Fist follows Danny Rand who has returned to New York after being missing for 15 years with new abilities and powers.  

Cloak & Dagger – Hulu | Yahoo View  

Universe: Marvel Comics

Not yet renewed for a second season, Cloak & Dagger follows two teenagers who shared a remarkable experience when they were young and discover that they have more in common than they could have imagined. This series stars newcomers Aubrey Joseph (as Cloak/Tyrone) and Olivia Holt (as Dagger/Tandy).

iZombie – Netflix

Universe: DC Comics

Liv Moore is just another perky med student with her whole life ahead of her. Until she winds up at the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up a zombie. This show’s strength lies in its ensemble cast and witty sensibility, thanks to series creator Rob Thomas.

Preacher – Hulu

Universe: DC Comics

Reuniting Ruth Negga and Joseph Gilgun (who both starred in Misfits), Preacher is an adaptation of a different sort. Following a Texas preacher by the name of Jesse Custer who finds himself connected to a mysterious entity, Preacher is a totally good time.

Luke Cage – Netflix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB1in0KkoG4

Universe: Marvel Comics

Another in Netflix’s Defender line, Luke Cage stars Mike Colter as the title character, a man gifted with super strength and impenetrable skin.

The Walking Dead – Netflix

Universe: Image Comics

Some things need no introduction and this show is one of them. Soon to premiere its ninth season, and inspiring its own spinoff (see below), this (not-so-cuddly) zombie series has been dominating the airwaves for nearly a decade.

Fear the Walking Dead – Hulu

Universe: Image Comics

Premiering in 2015 and already in its fourth season, Fear the Walking Dead, is set in the same universe as its predecessor and is based on the same comic book series.

Black Lightning – Netflix | The CW | DirecTV Now

Universe: DC Comics

Another of CW’s dive into the world of comics, Black Lightning stars CW-vet, the always-charming Cress Williams as a high school principal with a secret past, who is compelled to take the law into his own hands when a dangerous gang threatens his community. This show has already been renewed for its second season.

Krypton – Syfy

Universe: DC Comics

Surprisingly, this is Syfy’s first real foray into this genre. They’ve stepped up in a big way, with this prequel to the Superman series. Set 200 years in the past on his home planet, Superman’s grandfather, Seg-El, is given news of the future from a time-traveling human.

Riverdale – Netflix

Universe: Archie Comics

A neo-noir take on the Archie universe, Riverdale is stylish, mysterious, sexy, and fun.

Daredevil – Netflix

Universe: Marvel Comics

Daredevil follows the tale of Matt Murdock. Blinded as a child, Murdock is a lawyer by day, crime-fighter by night. This is the first in Netflix’s Defender series.

Arrow – Netflix

Universe: DC Comics

Oliver Queen, shipwrecked and presumed dead, turns up five years later with a score to settle.

Flash – Netflix

Universe: DC Comics

In the grand tradition of Spider-man, this is the story of a young man named Barry Allen who is imbued with special powers after an unexpected event. Gifted with the gift of super speed, Barry finds himself an unwitting hero.

Supergirl – Netflix

Universe: DC Comics

Another in the Superman franchise, Supergirl is the story of Superman’s cousin, who was sent along with the young boy in order to protect him. When her ship got waylaid, she arrived to earth 24 years later.

Gotham – Netflix

Universe: DC Comics

A prequel to Batman lore, Gotham is dark and dank. You can almost smell the rain. Starring Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, and David Mazouz as a young Bruce Wayne, this series tells the story of how many of Gotham’s inhabitants came to be how they are.

Runaways  – Hulu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plyJQG-nRN0&t

Universe: Marvel Comics

In this Hulu original series, a group of teenagers with special abilities discover that their parents are actually super villains. When they are discovered, the troupe is forced to go on the run.

The End of the F***ing World – Netflix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbiiik_T3Bo

Universe: The End of the Fucking World by Charles Forsman (a graphic novel)

This dark comedy based on the graphic novel by Charles Forsman follows 17-year-old James, who has come to believe that he is mentally ill. When his attempt at choosing a victim to murder ends in a hijinx-filled road trip with one of his classmates, things may not end up as he intended.

The Tick – Amazon Prime

Universe: New England Comics

The Tick is an Amazon Prime original comedy based on the comic by the same name. A spoof on superhero comics, this series is definitely not one to take itself too seriously.

Legends of Tomorrow – Netflix

Universe: DC Comics

A culmination of the CW’s DC Comics series, Legends of Tomorrow, puts together a group of lesser known superheroes Atom, White Canary, Firestorm, Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Captain Cold, and Heat Wave.

Lucifer – Hulu

Universe: DC Comics

So the devil went down to Georg… um, Los Angeles, and he was looking for some R&R. Such is the case with Lucifer. Tom Ellis stars as Lucifer Morningstar, who has become bored at his post and decides to resign in order to open a nightclub in the city of angels. Yes, really. You’ll love it.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Netflix

Universe: Marvel Comics

Reprising his fan-favorite role as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson, Clark Gregg returns to the Marvel universe in this ABC series that has now been renewed for its 6th season.