Grant Gustin Screams As The Flash in CW Poster
By
Richard Craig
Published 19 minutes ago
Richard Craig is Senior Author at Screen Rant, covering everything superhero related. Richard has also written extensively about horror and film soundtracks, contributing a chapter to the first major academic collection on the folk horror genre, The Routledge Companion to Folk Horror. Richard is also a performing musician and holds an MA in Music and Sound Art.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account
Summary
Generate a summary of this story
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
Superhero TV has delivered some of the most ambitious storytelling on the small screen, but not every great show quite managed perfection. Some Marvel and DC series start with incredible promise, only to stumble just shy of being a superhero TV masterpiece. These aren’t failures by any stretch; they’re beloved favorites that reached for greatness and very nearly grabbed it.
Even when these shows faltered, they frequently delivered iconic episodes, performances, and innovations that shaped the entire genre. Many viewers still passionately defend them because their highs were that good. Yet whether it was messy finales, dragging seasons, or awkward production challenges, each had something holding it back from true TV immortality.
Titans (2018)
Beast Boy, Raven, Robin, and Starfire standing together in the DC TV show Titans (2018-2023)
Titans had an incredible superhero foundation from the start. It offered a darker, grittier take on the Teen Titans built around compelling character arcs for Nightwing, Starfire, and Raven. The sleek action sequences and character chemistry hinted at a nearly perfect live-action adaptation of the beloved team.
However, the show frequently struggled with pacing and narrative focus. Characters would disappear for long stretches, and entire arcs felt rushed or abandoned. Titans constantly teased greatness but rarely maintained momentum long enough to reach it.
With more consistent writing and better season structure, Titans could have been DC’s ultimate team show. Instead, uneven execution and scattered plotlines kept it just shy of superhero TV excellence. Nevertheless, it’s a thrilling and mature take on characters often relegated to children’s adaptations.
Heroes (2006)
Hayden Panettiere as Claire Bennet in Heroes, dressed in the cheerleader outfit, staring up at the sky
The first season of Heroes remains one of television’s most thrilling superhero stories. It was suspenseful, full of intriguing mysteries, and brimming with fascinating powers. It introduced an ensemble that audiences immediately connected with and proved original superhero shows could succeed without comic-book IP.
However, Heroes’ ambitions became its own weakness. Later seasons ballooned with new characters, slowed the pace too far, and stretched cliffhangers past the point of excitement. Storylines meandered without payoff, and the show lost the tight focus that made it special.
Heroes was so close to being a long-running masterpiece. Had it maintained the urgency and cohesion of its early storytelling, it could’ve defined the genre for a decade. Instead, it stalled out in frustrating fashion, collapsing under the weight of its own ambition.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013)
the team knocked unconcious in Agents of SHIELD
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. evolved from a generic MCU tie-in into an incredibly creative sci-fi epic. Characters like Coulson, Daisy, and Fitz-Simmons became fan favorites thanks to emotional arcs and bold late-season storytelling. When the show hit big, it really hit big.
Still, not all seasons were created equal. The series’ need to react to MCU films (especially early on) created awkward narrative stalls. Tonal shifts between spy drama, cosmic adventure, and time-travel epic sometimes felt disjointed. While most of these were brilliant, they weren’t entirely cohesive.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. achieved greatness many times. Unfortunately, the uneven road to get there held it back from a consistent 10/10 score. A bit more focus might’ve made it the definitive MCU show.
Hawkeye (2021)
Kate Bishop and Clint Barton firing arrows in the Hawkeye season 1 finale
Hawkeye had several great ideas working for it. It boasted street-level Christmas action, Clint Barton finally receiving emotional depth, and Hailee Steinfeld’s scene-stealing debut as Kate Bishop. The grounded tone and archery-focused fights were refreshing within the MCU’s multiverse madness.
However, the series often felt like a transition tool more than a story with its own purpose. The pacing dragged, and some key plotlines, like the thrilling Kingpin twist and resultant MCU rivalry, arrived late and undercooked. Hawkeye felt largely like it only existed to introduce the next generation’s Hawkeye while retiring the original.
Hawkeye was a fun MCU team-up, but it didn’t really have much to offer. With more narrative conviction and stronger emotional stakes, it could’ve hit its mark. Instead, viewers were left with something tremendously entertaining yet was ultimately forgettable.
Superman & Lois (2021)
Lois Lane kneeling over an injured Superman in Superman & Lois season 4
Superman & Lois began with real emotional power. It explored Clark Kent’s identity as a father while still delivering cinematic superhero spectacle. This offered a different kind of superhero series and focused on an aspect of Clark Kent’s life not often explored in Superman adaptations.
While respected the Man of Steel mythos, it grounded him effectively in relatable family struggles. Unfortunately, the show gradually over-complicated itself. It introduced too many villains, had numerous shifting arcs, and big twists that didn’t always land.
Superman & Lois’s strongest moments were intimate character interactions – not multiversal crises. It’s incredibly close to greatness, but an occasional identity crisis keeps it from fully cementing itself as the definitive Superman TV story. The heart is there – the focus isn’t always.
The Flash (2014)
Grant Gustin as The Flash in the DC seriesThe CW/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Flash delivered one of the strongest first seasons in superhero TV. Barry’s optimism, the emotional father-son storyline, and the Reverse-Flash twist were executed nearly flawlessly. It cemented Grant Gustin as the greatest live-action Flash and quickly became one of the most popular shows in the CW’s Arrowverse.
However, as time went on, The Flash became quite repetitive. Speedster villain after speedster villain, constant time-travel resets, and stretched-out arcs dragged down its once-sharp storytelling. Cast chemistry remained strong, but the writing lost all sense of urgency.
With a shorter run and tighter plotting, The Flash could’ve stayed lightning-in-a-bottle. Instead, the spark dimmed and quietly fizzled. While still celebrated for its masterful depiction of the beloved speedster, it ultimately left a legacy of highs and lows.
Smallville (2001)
Tom Welling as Clark Kent looking emotional in Smallville
Smallville achieved something ambitious: a decade-long pre-Superman epic that explored Clark Kent’s formative years with emotional depth and iconic characters like Lex Luthor. At its peak, it was extraordinary television. It managed to deftly combine superhero action with heartfelt teen drama, truly exploring the childhood that turned Clark Kent into the Man of Steel.
Unfortunately, its 217-episode run included plenty of filler. “Villain of the week” stories and occasional narrative stalling slowed the march toward Clark’s destiny. While there were many great arcs, Smallville sometimes drowned in forgettable ones.
When Smallville soared, it truly soared. Trimming weaker episodes and accelerating major developments could have made it a near-perfect Superman journey. While in many ways these clunky episodes have some charm and nostalgic factor, they hampered Smallville’s true potential.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994)
Spider-Man swings towards the camera in fron of his rogues gallery in Spider-Man the Animated Series
Spider-Man: The Animated Series brought Peter Parker’s world to life with serialized storytelling and a strong emotional core. It treated Spider-Man with seriousness and ambition few cartoons matched. It offered some of the most quintessential renditions of Spidey’s rogue’s gallery and had one of the greatest endings in superhero TV history.
Sadly, strict censorship undercut the drama in Spider-Man: TAS notably. There were no realistic punches, awkward language restrictions that required character changes, and toned-down consequences that often disrupted tension. Visually, it couldn’t quite reach the standard set by the dark Batman: The Animated Series.
Still, Spider-Man: TAS remains the Web-Head’s most effective television portrayal. It captured everything that made Spider-Man so beloved, especially through his internal monologue and emotional conflict. Without its creative restraints, it may have swung into the same tier as the all-time greats.
Gotham (2014)
Cameron Monaghan as the Joker in Gotham
Gotham offered a stylish, chaotic, and wildly entertaining dive into Batman’s city before Batman. Many performances (especially Penguin and Riddler) were instantly iconic, and the escalating madness was often gripping. It boasted a distinctive retro-gothic style that felt like the surreal Batman: The Animated Series come to life.
Yet Gotham ran long enough to tie itself in knots. The Joker-esque arcs grew confusing, with the show changing its mind over whether Jerome/Jeremiah would in fact be the Joker. The shortened final season forced rushed payoffs everywhere, with some gripping narratives completely abandoned or abruptly curtailed.
Gotham was almost a masterpiece of villain-driven world-building. Indeed, the first few seasons are very nearly flawless. Sadly, inconsistency and overextension kept it from ascending as high as its best moments deserved.
What If…? (2021)
Steve Rogers with a sword in 1602 in What if...?
Marvel’s first animated series had an amazing premise: exploring infinite alternate realities full of wild twists and reimagined heroes. Several What If…? episodes delivered dynamic and inventive storytelling that felt just like the iconic Marvel Comics' series. As it wasn’t hamstrung by MCU continuity, it meant that long-awaited characters or variants could finally appear.
Unfortunately, the animation style was incredibly underwhelming. The stiff movement and stylistic choices lacked the visual punch needed for grand multiverse storytelling. It seems as though What If…? was striving for realism and uniformity with the live-action output. This completely undermined the more fantastical and action-packed potential that the medium allows for.
It looks incredibly flat, and is more akin to a motion comic than an animated series. Additionally, like many anthology shows, not every episode landed equally. What If…? is a great experiment – fun, bold, and occasionally brilliant. Sadly, its visuals and uneven execution kept it short of animated Marvel perfection.
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Titans Drama Action Adventure Superhero
5/10
6.5/10
Release Date
2018 - 2023-00-00
Network
HBO Max
Cast
See All-
Brenton Thwaites
-
Chelsea Zhang
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Heroes TV-14 Drama Sci-Fi
6/10
36
8.8/10
Release Date
2006 - 2010-00-00
Network
NBC
Showrunner
Tim Kring
Directors
Allan Arkush, Jeannot Szwarc, Adam Kane, Greg Yaitanes, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Roxann Dawson, Paul A. Edwards, John Badham, Donna Deitch, Kevin Dowling, Seith Mann, Ron Underwood, Paul Shapiro, Lesli Linka Glatter, S.J. Clarkson, Daniel Attias, David Straiton, Kevin Bray, David Semel, Holly Dale, Ed Bianchi, Nathaniel Goodman, Christopher Misiano, Ernest R. Dickerson
Writers
Tim Kring
Cast
See All-
Hayden Panettiere
Ezekiel
-
Santiago Cabrera
Simone Deveaux
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV-14 Drama Action Adventure Science Fiction
6/10
81
8.7/10
Release Date
2013 - 2020-00-00
Network
ABC
Cast
See All-
Clark Gregg
Phil Coulson / Sarge
-
Chloe Bennet
Daisy 'Skye' Johnson / Quake
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Hawkeye PG-13 Adventure Crime Action Comedy
7/10
53
8.5/10
Release Date
2021 - 2020
Writers
Don Heck, Jonathan Igla
Cast
See All-
Zahn McClarnon
-
Fra Fee
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Superman & Lois TV-14 Drama Action Science Fiction
6/10
213
8.8/10
Release Date
2021 - 2024-00-00
Network
The CW
Cast
See All-
Geoff Johns
Self - Executive Producer, Superman & Lois
-
Greg Berlanti
Self - Executive Producer
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed The Flash TV-14 Drama Action Sci-Fi Superhero
4/10
124
8.5/10
Release Date
2014 - 2023-00-00
Network
The CW
Cast
See All-
Grant Gustin
Barry Allen / The Flash
-
Danielle Panabaker
Khione
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Smallville TV-PG Drama Adventure Science Fiction Action
8/10
211
9.0/10
Release Date
2001 - 2011
Network
The WB, The CW
Cast
See All-
Tom Welling
Clark Kent
-
Allison Mack
Chloe Sullivan
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Spider-Man: The Animated Series TV-Y7 Animation Action Adventure Science Fiction 45 9.3/10 Release Date 1994 - 1998 Network FOX, Fox KidsCast
See All-
Christopher Daniel Barnes
Peter Parker / Spider-Man (voice)
-
Sara Ballantine
Mary Jane Watson (voice)
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed Gotham Drama
5/10
18
8.4/10
Release Date
2014 - 2019-00-00
Network
Fox
Cast
See All-
Sean Pertwee
-
Erin Richards
Expand
Collapse
-
-
Your Rating
close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a ReviewYour comment has not been saved
Like Follow Followed What If...? Superhero Animation Action Adventure
6/10
94
7.6/10
Release Date
2021 - 2024
Showrunner
Ashley Bradley
Cast
See All-
Samuel L. Jackson
-
Stanley Tucci
Expand
Collapse
-
-
DC Extended Universe
-
Titans
-
Heroes
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
3 hours ago
George Clooney Reacts To His Worst-Reviewed Film Ever: "It Was Just A Disaster"
37 minutes ago
Long Live Goku: A Veteran Dragon Ball Star Promises the Anime Is Far From Dead
4 hours ago
Predator: Badlands VFX Team Explain In Detail The Challenges Of Creating First Yautja Protagonist
18 hours ago
How Many Times Wicked: For Good Says “Clock-Tick” (The Actual Number Is Surprising)
More from our brands
How To Watch Every Superman TV Show: Your Streaming Guide to the Man of Steel’s Small Screen Appearances
The 25 Best Shows on Crave to Watch Right Now
The 69 Best TV Shows to Binge Watch Right Now
25 Best R-Rated TV Shows of All Time, Ranked
The 10 Best DC Comics Shows of All Time, Ranked
90s Cartoons You Watched But Can't Remember The Name Of
Superman Movies in Order: How to Watch Chronologically and by Release Date
Trending Now
Linda's Lasting Blue Bloods Legacy Unconsciously Sabotages Danny's Future In Boston Blue
How The Stranger Things Season 5 Cave Connects To First Shadow Prequel Confirmed By Creators
December Will Be An Early Gift For Supernatural Fans
