These twelve comic book projects need a reboot. Here’s how they can go from canceled or awful to must-see movies and shows.
We currently live in what could be described as the golden age of comic book movies and shows. If you have a favorite character or team there’s a good chance someone will add them to a project. It’s too bad the best ideas don’t always work out.
Anything from the streaming service/channel it’s on to how it’s changed from the source material can ruin a project. Regardless of the reason, if it’s a successful story, it should work in film or on tv. The only thing that’s needed are a few tweaks so it can fit the format.
With that being said, here are twelve comic book projects that deserve a second chance. Here’s why they originally failed and how they can succeed going forward.
12. Injustice
Comic book company: DC Comics
There’s no reason that this project should have been as bad as it was. Injustice: Gods Among Us had enough material in the comics to make this a successful show. Unfortunately, that was the problem. Instead of an animated series, five years in the comic book was done in a short cartoon movie.
The character development that made Injustice: Gods Among Us special was non-existent. Sometimes relationships were rushed and other times they killed off important characters for shock value. That was the main thing that destroyed what could have been a top-tier show. Hopefully, HBO Max or Warner Bros takes another shot at this in a few years. Just slow things down and everything will work.
11. Y: The Last Man
Comic book company: Vertigo
This writer can’t say enough positive things about Brian K. Vaughan’s comic book, Y: The Last Man. Out of all the projects on this list, this one has more potential than any of them. It had a flawed lead character who has major growth, a story about different kinds of love, and enough action to keep things moving at a steady pace. There’s also a host of characters that are easy to root for, detest, and get emotional over. Somehow, Hulu missed the mark on all of this and ruined what made this series special.
The biggest problem was the lead character, Yorick. Instead of a lovable and annoying fool, he was an irritating jerk with no redeemable qualities. He wasn’t even funny. At least that would have been entertaining. Thankfully, Ashley Romans balanced the scenes by being the perfect representation of Agent 355. When this show returns, she should *not* be recast.
This writer would like to say more about the show, but he stopped watching it. They took so much away from the source material that it wasn’t worth continuing. Apparently, it wasn’t just someone who was a fan of the comic book. Viewers must have felt the same way since the show was cut short.
Plain and simple, follow the comic book. Everything is right there and doesn’t need tweaking. It also seems relatively inexpensive to make. There aren’t a lot of special effects and making it animated isn’t necessary. Just give Brian K. Vaughn the keys and let him drive the show across the finish line.
10. Helstrome (Hellstrom)
Comic book company: Marvel Comics
Daimon Hellstrom (the literal son of satan) is one of the most entertaining characters in Marvel Comics. The idea of Daimon Hellstrom solving crimes with his personality should have been a hit. To say that the ball was dropped here is an understatement. Nothing about this show resembled the amazing Son of Satan in comics. They didn’t even spell his name right. The good news is the premise of the show can stay the same.
Daimon and his sister Satana (whose name was changed for no reason) can do exactly what they were doing before. The only thing that needs to be changed is staying closer to the source material and changing where the show can be watched. It’s clear Hulu isn’t the right place.
9. Paper Girls
Comic book company: Image Comics
Paper Girls is a story that people who don’t read comic books would love. It’s a throwback to 80’s shows and movies. Four girls from the 1980s who end up time traveling and getting into sci-fi shenanigans. It’s like Strange Things except this is better. It’s a shame Amazon Prime canceled the show.
There was nothing wrong with Paper Girls on Amazon Prime. Each of the four main characters was cast perfectly and have a bright acting career ahead of them. They followed the source material and only changed a few minor things. And, considering everything that was going on, the story was easy to follow. This show suffered from not being animated. Bring in Kat Coiro (She-Hulk and Dead to Me) and let her redo this project.
8. Luke Cage
Comic book company: Marvel Comics
Netflix’s Luke Cage had one major flaw and that was the antagonists. After Cottonmouth died, the show went downhill quickly. Mariah (Alfre Woodard) was good, but not the villain viewers needed and Diamondback was awful. Bushmaster was ok, but the final fight lacked the emotion a final fight deserves.
Marvel Studios must bring in a villain that people will gravitate to. Otherwise, people will check out of the show early. Tombstone solves that problem. He was the strength, unbreakable skin, and savviness to work opposite of Cage. More than that, they’re mirror images of each other. This writer suggests Black Lightning’s Marvin Jones III. His role as Tobias mirrors Tombstone. Plus, he was flawless on that show.
7. Deadly Class
Comic book company: Image Comics
This writer is on record saying that making Deadly Class live-action was a mistake. It should have been an animated series. The other problem was putting a show about assassins on the Syfy Channel. There was nothing science about it. In Deadly Class issue No. 54, it appeared that writer Rick Remender made a joke about that. Instead of his comic being on Syfy, his Sci-Fi show is on the Crime Network and is a channel known for, “low-budget shlock.” There’s no way that wasn’t a shot at Syfy.
Deadly Class belongs on Amazon Prime. It’s a streaming service where the creative team can go wild and the show will stay close to the source material. It’s also where this writer believes Rick Remender will love. Both The Boys and Invincible have found homes there without sacrificing the important parts of the story. In fact, some could say it improved once they started streaming.
6. Wanted
Comic book company: Top Cow Productions
There’s taking liberty with a story and then there’s the 2008’s Wanted. This writer wouldn’t even call this loosely based on Mark Millar’s comic. Other than the origin, Wanted is a watered-down, tainted version of an amazing story. Throw that version in the trash, forget it exists, and start all over using the source material.
Wanted was supposed to be about supervillains taking over the world after killing all of the heroes. That’s the story people would gravitate to. It’s fun, gritty, and creative. Curving a bullet and a loom that says when people should die was so terrible that people don’t care enough to make fun of it.
Going forward, removing some of the offensive moments would help sell this. Some of the humor and things Wesley did aren’t suitable for everyone. The good thing is eliminating some of it wouldn’t ruin the movie. Or, if someone wanted (pun intended) to be bold, make it a limited TV series and keep everything. Some people may get upset, but it wouldn’t negatively affect the streaming numbers. People would actually tune in to see what will happen next.
Writer’s note: If villains taking over the world sounds familiar it’s because Wanted writer Mark Millar used a similar story when he wrote Marvel Comics’ Old Man Logan.
5. Black Lightning
Comic book company: DC Comics
Black Lightning went four seasons on the CW and it was good. At times it was great. The subject matter was something to be admired. They made it a point to focus on social justice issues and didn’t hold back. Unfortunately, a lot of the acting was either phenomenal or unwatchable and could make a powerful scene bad.
This writer won’t say which of the performers were good or bad. Black Lightning is worth checking out and seeing for yourself. In fact, the bad acting in this show shouldn’t deter anyone from watching. It was a small part of the show.
The villains Black Lightning and his family faced made up for that. And not just Tobias (played by Marvin “Krondon” Jones III). Everyone causing issues for Freeland was well-played and deplorable. It helped make the heroes look strong with their powers and made their defeat enjoyable.
When (not if) Black Lightning gets a reboot, things will change. The CW may not have had the budget to pay the right actors to do the job. Warner Bros and HBO do. It also helps that James Gunn said animated movies will be going to theaters. A cartoon film may be the best route for Black Lightning. His powers will look better when they’re animated.
4. Agent Carter
Comic book company: Marvel Comics
Agent Carter‘s cancellation was shocking. Fans loved the ABC series because it was based on such a popular character. Their love for Peggy Carter was even more apparent in recent years after Hayley Atwell’s return as Captain Carter in What if…? and again in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. People applauded both times she appeared. Now that Marvel Studios has seen her popularity, it’s time to bring her back.
If Agent Carter were to return for a third season, it doesn’t have to be a live-action show. With the Marvel Studios shows being a staple of Disney Plus, an animated series would be right at home. That would allow Hayley Atwell to continually voice the character as long as the program aired, while also doing other projects. If Marvel wanted to be bold, they could make it about Captain Carter from What If…? or the universe in Doctor Strange 2.
3. Elektra
Comic book company: Marvel Comics
Jennifer Garner was in the middle of her run as the star of the popular show, Alias. It makes sense that she would be cast to play Elektra. Alias was an action show and she was its’s star. Garner is also accomplished and talented but the script wasn’t worthy of Elektra. A woman who’s regarded as one of the world’s greatest assassins.
The movie’s failure doesn’t mean Elektra shouldn’t get a solo movie. It just needs a story that fits better. As fans may have seen in Daredevil and Defenders on Netflix, the character works. Elodie Yung (who played Elektra) was vicious throughout her time on Netflix. However, she doesn’t appear that way in real life. Hopefully, the next person to play her shows how deadly she can be.
2. Gotham Knights
Comic book company: DC Comics
Gotham Knights on The CW was doomed before the show even premiered. No Batman, Robin, Nightwing, or Red Hood – all of which would have been an easy way to get people not to watch. Not even a masterful performance by Misha Collins as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, and Olivia Rose Keegan as Duela Dent could get people to watch. It’s too bad because the show improved with every episode.
If the show were to return (which is unlikely given everything happening at both The CW and Warner Bros. Discovery), this writer doesn’t think anything needs to change. All that Gotham Knights needed was a better series premiere.
Turner Hayes (played by Oscar Morgan) wasn’t the right person to immediately focus on. He was a typical, bland CW teen protagonist. It also didn’t help that Hayes isn’t a DC Comics character. That left fans with no connection to him. Being the son of Bruce Wayne/Batman isn’t enough. Meanwhile, every other character on the show was more interesting right out of the gate. Gotham Knights would have stood a better chance of getting a second season if the show focused more on everyone instead of him in the beginning.
This writer suggests really giving Gotham Knights a chance. All 13 episodes are available to stream on Max. Maybe binging the show will help people get into it. Sometimes having every episode available can help a show. Or maybe the CW was in the wrong spot. According to CBR, Gotham Knights did well on HBO Max. So who knows? Maybe one day it could return.
1. Constantine (with Matt Ryan)
Comic book company: DC Comics
It must be difficult to find a fictional character that’s worth putting faith in to lead a TV series. Some characters may be interesting in the comics but not good enough to captivate an audience on television. Then there’s John Constantine. A warlock and flat-out awful human being. He smokes, drinks, exorcizes demons, and sleeps with anyone who will have him. To put it simpler, he’s the perfect person to lead his own adult series.
When it comes to portraying a comic book character, Matt Ryan is on the level of Ryan Reynolds and Robert Downey Jr. When he starred as the warlock in NBC’s Constantine series (and later Arrow and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), he brought the character to life flawlessly.
He had Constantine’s mannerisms, look, and the acting skill to bring him to life. His show was dark, terrifying at times, and different from any comic book project. It’s exactly what anyone would want from a Constantine series. It didn’t even need guest appearances from any of the Justice League. They would have just slowed him down. Why did it fail? It was on NBC.
Everything on this show was flawless from start to finish. Bring back the performers, the entire creative team, and anyone else involved. The only change needed is a switch from NBC to Max. This way, the show won’t be held back by censors. John Constantine can be as vulgar as he wants and the series can truly frighten its viewers. It helps that Max is becoming a home for horror movies and shows.
If James Gunn and Peter Safran bring John Constantine back in a new DC Universe show, Matt Ryan should play the role.
What do you think, readers? Are there other comic book projects that need resurrecting? Let us know in the comments below.