These Characters Would OWN the Small Screen

From Magic Masters to Underrated Powerhouses, These Characters Are Ready to Shine on Screen

The MCU and DCEU have opened the doors for original ideas and fresh takes on superhero shows within the past decade, and it would be remiss of me to say that there are still characters out there who deserve their own TV series. Yes, the movies are great, but TV series open the door for deeper character exploration, world-building, and an opportunity for characters to make a name for themselves. That is why I believe these seven heroes and antiheroes are the best candidates for a superhero TV series! Time for me to get into why these comic book characters deserve the silver screen spotlight, and what kind of show they’d slay in!

Marvel at Marvel’s Greatness!

Doctor Voodoo and The Supernatural World

Jericho Drumm, AKA Doctor Voodoo, AKA Houngan Supreme, is one of Marvel Comics’ underrated mystic heroes that’s slowly but surely gaining more traction in the pages. Jericho Drumm was a psychologist in the United States who rejected the mystical traditions they upheld in his home in Haiti. His brother’s death not only changed his mind to convince him to pursue becoming a houngan in honor of him, but also to dethrone his brother’s killer. After, he donned the name of Brother Voodoo and was later changed to Doctor Voodoo, to represent the skilled houngan he is, he made it his mission to protect the world using his voodoo and took over as Sorcerer Supreme for a short time. This master of mysticism deserves it all.

A Doctor Voodoo TV series would work perfectly as a mix of Moon Knight, Lovecraft Country, and The Conjuring. It’s the perfect mix of action, Black mysticism, and horror. This would be a leap forward for Marvel and Disney if they decided to go all out and make it an M-rated series that follows the events from his 2009 limited comic series run, Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural, where an ancient evil tricks him and takes hold of New Orleans. Or if they wanted to do something completely original, they could create an original psychological horror TV series with Doctor Voodoo fighting the mystical battles of Earth, post-blip.

A Doctor Voodoo show would showcase Afro-Caribbean representation, dive deeper into the workings of Black mysticism, and expand the world of Marvel’s horror corner. We already have Werewolf by Night, Scarlet Witch, and two Doctor Strange films that bring mysticism to the MCU—so why not bring in this legend?

Cecilia Reyes Serving Medical Drama Realness

You know what would make for good TV? Having an X-Men member who works hard in the danger room and the trauma room. Professor Xavier wanted Cecilia Reyes to join his school and the X-Men, but she ultimately rejected that so she could continue pursuing her career as a trauma surgeon. Three years later, during the Operation: Zero Tolerance storyline, she was approached by Prime Sentinels (as seen towards the end of X-Men ’97 season one) and used her abilities. Shortly after, she returned to work her last days there. Fast forward, she joined the X-Men and lived amongst them as a doctor, still fulfilling her dreams.

A Cecilia Reyes TV series could be a limited series once the X-Men are fully introduced in the MCU, that is a mix of Legion, The Pitt, and 9-1-1. She can take the forefront in the field as a mutant medic using her powers to save people and then head to the trauma room to help Earth’s mightiest protectors survive severe injuries. It’s not a show meant to be constant action, but a story of a hero with personal stakes that showcases trauma care, the troubles of being a mutant in this world, and dealing with the ethical dilemmas of treating the newfound mutants in the MCU. To be honest, it’s quite the intersection, and I know fans of Marvel and medical dramas would tune in!

Black Knight Leaning into Dark Fantasy

I’ve always been a fan of fantasy in all forms. I love reading it, seeing it, watching it, and being enamored by it. That’s why Dane Whitman, aka Black Knight, deserves his spotlight on the silver screen. Dane Whitman made a vow, completed trials, and swore to become the Black Knight after his uncle had fallen. Trying to fix the image of the Black Knight, Dane decided to become a hero. He took down the Masterminds of Evil to earn the trust of the Avengers and ended up joining their team after aiding in defeating Kang the Conqueror. He donned a powerful sword—the cursed Ebony Blade, joined the Defenders, got turned into stone, had his soul sent to the past, journeyed back, broke the blade’s curse with the help of Doctor Strange, and tons of journeys that solidified him as a certified hero.

The Black Knight TV series could be a medieval action-adventure story that takes the current MCU Dane Whitman (from The Eternals) on a quest to earn the right to wield the Ebony Blade. I’m thinking of the show being a mix of Jupiter’s Legacy and Moon Knight. The show can explore the generational trauma of those who donned the mantle of the Black Knight, wielded the Ebony Blade, and dive deep into Arthurian lore while opening the door for more Marvel’s mythic characters to exist in the MCU. Another plus side of the Black Knight having a TV series is that he already exists in the MCU, and it would be a great opportunity to bring life to a new Phase 4 character that was shelved before getting any opportunities (sorry, Hercules, you would’ve been great). The show can also act as a bridge for tie-ins with The Eternals lore, as Dane dated Sersi before Areshem kidnapped her.

The Brave, The Bold, and The Bizarre of DC Comics

Booster Gold vs. the Internet

Believe it or not, Booster Gold is one of my favorite superheroes of all time. He deserves his own show not because he’s a favorite of mine, but because who he is, what he stands for, and how he navigates the 20th century is relevant to people today.

Michael Carter was a star football player in 25th-century Gotham City who began throwing his games to help his mother afford treatment for her debilitating disease. He got caught up in his gambling and was thrown in jail for it. After he was set free, he got a job working for the Metropolis Space Museum, which featured heroes of the 20th century. He stole some artifacts and a security robot named Skeets and traveled back in time to make his public debut by saving the president. His agent stole his money when he was on the road to becoming rich, but that didn’t stop him. Booster Gold joined the Justice League International, befriended the second Blue Beetle, and made a name for himself as a time-traveling hero in the DC universe.

I envision the Booster Gold TV series as a mix of Ted Lasso, Peacemaker, and Doom Patrol. The show can explore the toxic relationship that people have with seeking validation from the internet, and how dangerous parasocial relationships can be. It would be fun seeing Booster Gold trying to become a public face superhero while trying to outrun or get ahead of social media think pieces they have about him. The show can also serve as a way of overcoming impostor syndrome and becoming the person the heroes before you wanted you to be. It could open up room for a possible second Blue Beetle movie featuring Ted Kord or a buddy-cop show with the dynamic duo,

The Wonder Woman from Below

If you aren’t tuned in to DC Comics’ new Absolute universe, I highly suggest you do. The Wonder Woman of this universe is not the one you grew up to know, but one who grew up in worse circumstances and still overcame challenges with the goodness of her heart.

In this universe, Zeus slew the Amazonians, and Apollo gave baby Diana to the Greek sorceress, Circe, on an island in the underworld. Circe was tasked with raising Diana. Over time, Circe began to love Diana as her child and helped build her into the warrior Hecate and Persephone wanted her to be. Her first test was saving the soul of Steve Trevor before making her debut in the overworld. When the time came, Diana made her way to the surface as a badass warrior who helped save the city from Grecian horrors. She had a run-in with Hades and fought her way to permanently stay on Earth while still being able to visit her mother. We’re only seven issues in, and she’s already flexing her iconic status!

The Absolute Wonder Woman show would be a good mix of the show Spartacus and the video game God of War if they took place in modern-day and in a world of other superheroes. This action-packed story would be about finding your identity, honing in on prophesied responsibility, and coming into your true power. Also, seeing Diana’s new lasso, sword, and the special gift from Circe in live action would eat! She’s not the superhero you asked for, but she’s the superhero the world needs!

Fire and Ice with Their Creative Chaos

What happens when you get the dynamic duo together? I’m not talking about Booster Gold and Blue Beetle, I’m talking about Fire and Ice, the two Justice League members who are complete opposites yet think alike.

Beatriz Bonilla da Costa (Fire) and Tora Olafsdotter (Ice) were members who joined the JLI (Justice League International). Fire was originally a Brazilian secret agent, but was later retconned to be a former model and showgirl exposed to a mystical Brazilian flame. Ice was a Norwegian princess from a secret tribe known as the Ice-Folk. Both women from two different backgrounds, yet they came together to form the best of bonds! Fire is wild and impulsive, while Ice is shy and sensitive—yet they make the perfect best friend pairing. Talk about a real sisterhood!

I envision a Fire and Ice TV series that is a mix of Broad City and the film One of Them Days. A series of Tora and Beatriz involved in a nonstop series of unfortunate events like One of Them Days, with them carrying on like Abby and Ilana, would be comedy gold! This show definitely would help DC gain some traction and expand its extended universe! This could come after the Booster Gold show and after Superman: Legacy, where Guy Gardner is introduced—maybe a little after a Justice League movie, and have this be the kickoff to forming a Justice League International show or movie.

Milestone’s Antihero Ensemble

With Milestone’s potential live-action movie, Static Shock, hitting the big screen sometime in the future, the Blood Syndicate would make for the perfect pairing! Milestone Comics’ Blood Syndicate is a gang of metahumans from different street factions who teamed up after the Big Bang and formed a somewhat familial bond through survival. Their existence on Paris Island benefits those who still reside there, as the group wages war on other criminals, newfound foes, and the police involved with causing the Big Bang. The team consists of:

This merry band of misfits deserves a TV series that is dark yet satirical, so they can properly show the world the misconceptions of gangs, and how the police are brutal to the unconventional communities (nothing new for those who understand). The series would be a mixture of The Boys and Snowfall to give it the proper edge needed. The team consists of individuals of many races, a trans-identifying person, and gay man. The characters open up the possibility of a multi-season ride that dives into the complex characters, their conflicting ideologies, and racial tensions, while still delivering those action-packed moments meant for the small screen. The Blood Syndicate TV series would also be the perfect way to bring Milestone’s lesser-known characters into the limelight.

Who Needs A-Listers?

Not only does a TV series allow for more world-building and storytelling, but it also makes room for the heroes and antiheroes who are not A-listers. If studios only released A-list heroes for films and TV, then we would never get to dive into some remarkable stories! And that’s not to say A-list heroes and others alike don’t have complex stories to be told, but that the B-listers and below also wield A-list tier content meant to be shared with the world! We need new characters to bring us new perspectives, transformed genres, and voices for minority communities!

Which character would you greenlight for a TV series? Or who did I miss that you think deserves a solo TV series? I would love to hear from y’all, so comment below or on any of our social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and BlueSky.

Signing off,

Michael