So….this is a list. I could do a big preamble about how we’re in a renaissance for these things and blah-blah-blah but…This is a list. It’s my opinion. Feel free to drop rage-y comments about what an idiot I am. Or tell me I’m right.
Either way, this is a list.
A few ground rules:
- These are just live action, not cartoons. And they are series, not movies or TV movies.
- They must be based on U.S. comics (because I said so—sorry).
- The comic book had to come first—so shows like The Simpsons, which were later made into comics, don’t count.
- Adaptatoins of newspaper comics, i.e. strips, are fair game.
- I grouped shows with multiple seasons together rather than rate each season independently (to allow more variety on the list). But if a show got worse over time, it’s ranking fell. Each series is ranked in totality.
Some I haven’t seen yet, so I can’t include them, but I hear they’re good: Superman and Lois (2021-2024);
Honorable Mentions: Runaways, Sandman (season one was good), Incredible Hulk (the Lou show doesn’t hold up, but man was it good for its time), Constantine.
40. Adventures of Superman (1952-58) (DC)
39. iZombie (2015-2019) (Vertigo)
38. Umbrella Academy (2019) (Image)
37. Echo (2024) (Marvel)
36. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) (Marvel)
35. Watchmen (2019) (DC)
34. Tales from the Crypt (1986-1996) (EC comics)
33. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2022) (DC)
32. Wonder Woman (1975-1979) (DC)
31. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997) (DC)
30. Penguin (2004) (DC)
29. The End of the F***ing World (2023) (Fantagraphics)
28. Wonder Man (2026) (Marvel)
27. The Boys (2019-Present) (Dynamite)
26. Hawkeye (2021) (Marvel)
25. The Flash (2014-2017) (DC)
24. Blade (2006) (Marvel)
23. Arrow (2012–2018) (DC)
22. She-Hulk: Attorney At Law (2025) (Marvel)
21. Lucifer (2016-2021) (Vertigo)
20. Luke Cage (2016-2018) (Marvel)
19. The Tick (2001) (Kitchen Sink)
18. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003) (Archie Comics Group)
17. Gotham Seasons (2014-2019) (DC)
16. Ms. Marvel (2022) (Marvel)
15. Middleman (2008) (Viper Comics)
14. Supergirl (2015-2021) (DC)
13. Smallville (2001-2011) (DC)
12. Spidey Super Stories (appearing on PBS’s the Electric Company) (1974-1977) (Marvel)
11. Doom Patrol (2020-2023)
10. The Walking Dead Seasons (2010–2022) (Image)
Season One was incredible. The next several seasons were a national phenomenon. But, like the comic, it stayed around a bit too long. Still, it’s influence and overall quality are undeniable.
9. Marvel’s Daredevil/Daredevil Born Again (2018-Present)
I’m grouping these because it’s the same cast and because other shows on this list have also jumped networks. Not only is Born Again the first real TV “reboot” of a franchise, but it’s predecessor from Netflix has aged very, very well.
8. Legion (2016-2019) (Marvel)
It’s so hard with lists like this. I’m putting Legion at #4, but frankly several of the ones below it could also take this spot. The last season wasn’t as good as the earlier ones, but still–this was a celebration of both style and substance, coolness and complexity. This is the “thinking person’s comic book show.”
7. WandaVision (2021) (Marvel)
Right up until the last episode, this would have been my #1 pick–but I found the ending a little wanting. Still, the quality here is undeniable. Artsy, cute, heartbreaking, confusing…It had it all.
6. Preacher (2017-2019) (Vertigo)
Fans of the series didn’t think it was possible to adapt for television. Here we are.
5. Loki (2021-2023) (Marvel)
Two words: Alligator Loki.
4. Batman (1966-68) (DC)
Many of the older comic book shows have a high nostalgia rating but aren’t terribly watchable. This is the exception.
3. Marvel’s Jessica Jones (2015-2019) (Marvel)
The Netflix shows were underappreciated when they first arrived, but this one broke ground by remaining relatively true to Brian Michael Bendis’ groundbreaking, superheroes-are-for-adults comic Alias.
2. Peacemaker (2022-2025) (DC)
James Gunn takes a D-list character and makes a masterpiece of ultraviolence, hilarity, dancing, and truly touching emotion. Also, the best opening sequence of all time. And with just two seasons, it never overstayed its welcome.
1. The Punisher (2017-2019) (Marvel)
Possibly a controversial pick, I know. But this is the ONLY series on this list that I have watched end-to-end more than three times, and each time I like it more.
English (US) · 