Today, not only are high-quality superhero movies being produced, but Arrow and The Flash prove tip-tier superhero television shows are feasible, too. However, like superhero movies, superhero TV shows haven't always had success.
There have been many attempts over the years to bring original or classic superheroes to the small screen, but only recently have some found success. Many superhero shows fail to connect with audiences because of the writing or because TV's lower budgets can affect the show's production value and overall quality. These factors ultimately lead to cancellations.
The Cape (2011) - 5.7
By 2011, the superhero movie craze was in full swing so NBC decided to capitalize on it with their original character The Cape. On the show, a police officer is left for dead and is given a special cape that he can use to simulate superhuman abilities and fight crime as The Cape; the name comes his son's favorite comic book character.
Unfortunately, superheroes not based on any pre-existing material are a risk and the show failed to draw an audience. NBC reduced the number of episodes and finally cancelled the show, airing the final episode on their website instead of on television. However, the show became notable because it would often be mentioned on Community where Abed expresses his love for The Cape and disappointment over its cancellation.
RoboCop (1994) - 5.8
On the heels of the unsuccessful sequel RoboCop 3, original RoboCop screenwriters Edward Neumeier and Michael Milner brought RoboCop: The Series to television. Being that it's on TV, it lacked the first two films' graphic violence and instead followed the PG-13 tone of the 3rd movie.
The pilot was a TV movie that utilized an unused script for RoboCop 2. Original actor Peter Weller was even in discussion to return to the role but ultimately didn't and Richard Eden took the part. Unfortunately, RoboCop was a very expensive show to produce and the ratings didn't justify making such a costly show; so it was cancelled after only one season.
Night Man (1997-1999) - 5.9
Night Man was a television show based on the Malibu Comics character of the same name. Malibu Comics was eventually purchased by Marvel Comics so he's technically a Marvel superhero. Matt McColm played saxophonist Johnny Domingo, who gets struck by lightning that makes him a permanent insomniac but gives him the ability to hear evildoers' thoughts.
However, the show never caught on, possibly due to Night Man not being as recognizable a character as Batman or Superman, and the show only lasted for 2 seasons with 44 episodes. The comic it's based on is no longer in print, as well.
Blade (2006) - 6.3
Following the third and final chapter of the Blade movies, Blade: Trinity, original screenwriter David S. Goyer brought the half-human/half-vampire to television where it would be fledgling network Spike's first scripted series.
Replacing iconic Wesley Snipes in the role was rapper Sticky Fingaz and ratings and reviews were initially very good. However, the show proved to be too expensive for the young network to afford so Spike cancelled it after only one season and 13 episodes.
M.A.N.T.I.S (1994-1995) - 6.3
M.A.N.T.I.S was an original Black superhero show created by Darkman and future Spider-Man director Sam Raimi along with Batman 1989 screenwriter Sam Hamm. The pilot starred Carl Lumbly as a scientist confined to a wheelchair following being shot by a sniper's bullet; so he invents an exoskeleton suit that not only gives him the ability to walk but also superhuman strength. The pilot featured many political overtones, as racism played a big part in the story, and it featured strong roles for many Black actors.
However, the network was uncomfortable with the political overtones and demanded changes so Raimi and Hamm left and the show, and The Flash show creators Paul DeMeo and Danny Bilson took over. M.A.N.T.I.S' urban-sci-fi aspect was dropped along with the number of Black cast members. The show was eventually cancelled due to poor ratings and Carl Lumbly's title character was killed off in the final episode.
Birds Of Prey (2002) - 6.4
Before there was a Birds Of Prey movie, there was a more accurate depiction of the comic book characters. The WB show revolved around Batman and Catwoman's daughter, Huntress, along with former Batgirl, now Oracle, and Black Canary doing battle in New Gotham following Batman's disappearance.
The show's pilot even included a voice cameo by Mark Hamill as the Joker and Mia Sara played a supposedly reformed Harleen Quinzel as the main villain. Despite good ratings for the pilot, they began to drop and the show was cancelled after 13 episodes. However, in 2020, Ashley Scott as Huntress and Dina Meyer as Oracle reprised their roles for the Arrowverse's Crisis On Infinite Earths crossover event.
The Crow: Stairway To Heaven (1998 - 1999) - 6.5
Based on The Crow comic book that inspired the classic Brandon Lee movie, The Crow: Stairway To Heaven starred future Iron Chef America "Chairman" Mark Dacascos as Eric Draven, who returns to Earth to seek revenge for his murdered lover Shelley. The show would be a lot less dark than the movies.
Despite decent ratings and reviews, the show was cancelled after only one season due to the production company being sold to Universal, who opted not to continue the series. Talks of a movie to wrap up the series' cliffhanger never materialized, but the show found popularity when it was shown in reruns on the Sci-Fi network.
The Flash (1990-1991) - 7.2
Following the massive success of 1989's Batman, Warner Bros decided to attempt similar success on television with another popular DC Comics character, The Flash. Created by The Rocketeer screenwriters Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo, The Flash starred John Wesley Shipp as Barry Allen/The Flash. The show even included a great theme by Batman composer Danny Elfman and featured Mark Hamill as the villain, the Trickster. CBS heavily marketed the show as event television to inspire Batman 1989 level excitement.
Unfortunately, the show was extremely expensive to produce; in fact, at that time, it was the most expensive TV show ever made. Due to a shifting time slot, the ratings suffered, and combined with the show's high cost, CBS cancelled it after one season. However, fans fondly remembered it and in 2014, John Wesley Shipp was cast as Henry Allen, Barry Allen's father on the new CW Flash TV show. As seasons went on, more cast members from the original show appeared and Shipp got to play The Flash once again during the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.
Constantine (2014-2015) - 7.5
Inspired by the comic book character Hellblazer that also inspired the Keanu Reeves movie Constantine, Matt Ryan starred as the title character, an occult detective. However, the NBC show never had high ratings and was expensive to produce so NBC cancelled it after 13 episodes with many involved feeling that had the show been on a different network, it would have survived. Similarly, Supergirl was originally on CBS, but following low ratings, was moved to the more appropriate CW network where it found success.
Following the show's cancellation, Matt Ryan's Constantine returned in an episode of Arrow's fourth season. Matt Ryan then joined the cast of Legends Of Tomorrow's fourth season where Constantine has been a regular ever since.
The Tick (2001 - 2002) - 7.8
Based on the comic book of the same name and after the success of the animated show, The Tick was brought into live-action; the title hero was portrayed by Seinfeld's Patrick Warburton. The Fox sitcom was both a superhero show and a clever parody of superheroes. The Tick was an amnesiac superhero who gets tricked into protecting "The City" after annoying the employees of a bus station he usually protects.
The show garnered critical praise but was never ratings gold and, once again, very expensive to produce, which led to its cancellation after one season. It has since become a cult favorite. However, The Tick got a second life in 2016 as an Amazon Prime series with a new cast and with Patrick Warburton as a producer. Unfortunately, it suffered a similar fate and was cancelled after two seasons.
