7 Superhero TV Shows To Watch If You’re New To The World Of Marvel And DC
I honestly don’t know what I would do if the worlds of Marvel and DC were to suddenly disappear. I know I would be devastated, along with millions of other fans, to say the least. So, take my advice when I say once you truly enter the Marvel and DC universes, you’ll find it impossible to leave them. I slowly got acquainted with Marvel and DC over the years, and didn’t truly show in an interest in them until I reached my junior year of high school. Sure, I’d seen a majority of the Marvel and DC movies that came out, but I was never really a fan until I saw Captain America: The First Avenger, which set me down the path of becoming much more interested in not just Marvel, but DC as well. Naturally, I fangirled all over the place once I heard, about seven to eight years ago, that they would be making modern live-action TV show adaptions of some of my favorite Marvel and DC characters. From 2013 to now, there have been many amazing live-action superhero TV shows that are in one word, awesome. So, if you’re one of those people who like the Marvel and DC movies, and want to know more, but aren’t really sure how to delve into the universes properly, then these seven Marvel and DC shows can help you out with that.
1. Gotham
This is hands-down my favorite superhero TV show from DC; it’s tough getting into the world of DC without first becoming overly familiar with Batman. I mean Batman is iconic, and virtually everyone knows who he is, or has at least heard of him. If you’re interested in learning more about the character himself and beyond, then Gotham is an amazing show to watch. Naturally, it begins with Bruce Wayne’s parents being murdered in the alley, and young Master Wayne’s first encounter with Detective Jim Gordon. Throughout the show we watch Bruce grow from a scared young boy into the confident strong man we’re more familiar with in the Batman movies. And it’s not just Bruce we watch transform into the man he’s meant to be, we also get to witness how each major Batman villain got their start, and how Jim Gordon goes from a rookie detective to commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department. Gotham is truly a dark and gritty show, and is a must-watch for those of you that would like to know the world of DC that much better.
2. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
There’s no possible way to accurately explain just how excited I was when I found out that Marvel was making an Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. show. This superhero TV show is ideal for those of you who want to get better acquainted with the mysterious Marvel organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D.; the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Throughout this seven season show, we follow Agent Phil Coulson and his ragtag team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents through many exciting adventures, and dangerous missions. This show also ties in with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so you might hear mention of some well-known characters such as Thor and Hulk. The first season also ties in heavily with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and if you have not seen that movie, I highly recommend watching that first so as to avoid any possible confusion. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is the epitome of dynamic, and will not leave you with any dull moments. I literally cannot recommend this show enough!
3. Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones is another superhero TV show from Marvel that focuses on rough around the edges Private Investigator Jessica Jones, who just also happens to have superhuman strength. I love how Marvel finally decided to focus on some of the lesser-known characters, and gave them some of the spotlight to share with the more iconic characters. Jessica Jones is a great Marvel show to watch because even though she is a more minor character, she’s still important to the Marvel universe. You also get a better understanding of just what Marvel is all about, and how everything is connected in one way or another. Throughout this noir superhero TV show, we witness Jessica Jones chasing all sorts of bad, and naturally, being an ex-superhero, she meets her match a couple of different times. The most nefarious being someone from her past in the first season. Jessica Jones is both exciting, and explores some fairly touchy topics in a compassionate and mindful way. If you’re looking to dive a bit deeper into the world of Marvel, then Jessica Jones is the show for you.
4. Lucifer
I can say with confidence that Lucifer is my favorite show when it comes down to pure entertainment; what’s funnier than the Devil himself waltzing around Los Angeles doing basically whatever he pleases? This superhero TV show is one that I highly recommend watching that’s a bit more on the unconventional side of DC, but still amazing none-the-less. Throughout the show, we follow fallen angel Lucifer Morningstar, aka the Devil, as he decides to abandon his throne in Hell, and take up as a nightclub owner in L.A. He also becomes a consultant for the LAPD after meeting the beautiful Detective Chloe Decker of whom he forms an attachment to, and shares in many dangerous adventures. Sometimes I forget that Lucifer is even a part of the DC universe due to its lack of grittiness that seems to be the theme with most DC TV shows and movies, although it still does have its decidedly dark moments. Watching Lucifer is yet another fantastic way with getting acquainted with the world of DC.
5. Agent Carter
I’m definitely upset that this amazing superhero TV show from Marvel only lasted two seasons, but still glad in the end that they went through with making it. Agent Carter is a great watch for those of you who want to know a bit more about the origins of S.H.I.E.L.D. This fantastic period piece follows Agent Peggy Carter (whom some of you may recognize as the same character from Captain America: The First Avenger), and finding her place in the world of the Strategic Scientific Reserve after the conclusion of World War II. We witness Miss Carter battle many formidable foes, and how she proves to the men she works with time and again that she is just as good an agent, if not better, than they are. I do love how they tie in Agent Carter with the first Captain America movie, and portray how Peggy is still struggling emotionally with the loss of Steve Rogers, but reinforce the idea that she is still a strong young woman. Agent Carter is the ideal way of delving into the beginnings of one of Marvel’s most iconic organizations.
6. Daredevil
Daredevil is yet another Marvel TV show that has loose connections to Jessica Jones. When I say loose, I mean that both shows take place in Hell’s Kitchen, and that a character from Daredevil makes a brief appearance in Jessica Jones. Daredevil is a more recognized Marvel character than Jessica Jones is thanks to the 2003 nightmare of a movie. I sincerely advise not to watch that movie, especially if you want to get a better grasp on who Matt Murdock is as a character. Throughout this superhero TV show, we witness the slow transformation of blind lawyer Matt Murdock into the “devil” that stalks the streets at night fighting all varieties of crime. Daredevil is a great origin show that really portrays his past, and why he is always in confliction of who he wants to be; Matt Murdock the lawyer or Daredevil who protects the innocent of Hell’s Kitchen at any cost. I definitely recommend this show for those of you wanting to expand your knowledge on the Marvel universe.
7. The Flash
Here is another iconic DC character that you’ve more than likely at least heard of. The Flash is an ideal superhero TV show to watch because it dives into the origin story of Central City Police Department CSI Barry Allen, how he gains his powers and becomes the Flash; a superhuman with the power of speed. Throughout the show, we follow Barry Allen with his many dangerous adventures in fighting not just formidable criminals, but other metahumans with dark intentions as well. We also witness Barry grow as a person who learns to live with what happened to him at S.T.A.R. Labs, and how he takes on the responsibility of protecting the innocents of Central City where the police simply can’t. So, if you’re looking to understand more of who Barry Allen is as a character, and how he exactly fits in the DC universe, then The Flash is a superb choice to watch.
