The MCU has been producing feature film projects that haveresonated immensely with viewers sinceIron Manin 2008, and recently they have dived into the television industry with the streaming service Disney+. While the MCU television projects have been incredibly successful and have shown the amazing evolution ability of the MCU, Marvel as a whole has produced many fantastic series regardless of relatability to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel has produced a plethora of television shows, animated and live-action, since the 1960s. The first Marvel Comics animated television adaptations wereThe Marvel Super Heroes(1966),Fantastic Four(1967), andSpider-Man(1967),with live-action series following suit in the 1970s with the likes ofThe Amazing Spider-Man(1977)andTheIncredible Hulk(1977).
For good reason, there was a strong absence of Marvel-branded or adapted live-action television shows between the 1980s and early 2000s. The ability for production companies to create worthwhile series with the technology of the time that held an audience’s attention was extremely limited compared to the more modern techniques used in the 21st century. This fact, coupled with the premise of this article being about live-action series, only, means the best Marvel Comics television adaptions have been released in more recent times. That’s not to say the older Marvel television stuff isn’t awesome and nostalgic; it’s just that it’s not the pinnacle of Marvel TV.
In addition, while all the television series that will compile this list are not directly related to the MCU, some have been indirectly related via slick half-hearted references, quick cameos, or sly Easter Eggs. The concept of the multiverse, alternative dimensions, and differing timelines has been opened up and explored in MCU projects such asLoki(2021) andDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness(2022).With the multiverse being flushed out, it could be argued that all Marvel content (films, television, and even comic stories) is connected somewhere through the multiverse, but let’s be real. The MCU is its own universe in the vast, ever-expanding multiverse and is mostly self-contained with its series and movies.
8Blade: The Series (2006)
Being the second-oldest entry on our list, and one of the shortest-lived,Blade: The Serieshad its faults. Released in 2006, this 13-episode series has received some mixed reviews and feelings. The general-consensus being that the action scenes and overall production were solid, but the show struggled with lackluster villains, a bit of a washed story, and didn’t feature Wesley Snipes as the title character. WhileBlade: The Seriesis meant to be a direct followup to the Blade Trilogy and takes place after the events ofBlade: Trilogy, it falls short of bringing the feel of the film series to television and ends on a bogus cliffhanger.
On the one hand, the series can’t help but feel like a cop-out, while on the other hand, the writers, producers, and main actors (most specifically Kirk “Sticky Fingers” Jones as Blade) do their best to recapture the fire from the previous Blade stories. With a story of revenge, betrayal, and manipulation, featuring hardcore deaths, sexy scenes, and more horror than heroism,Blade: The Seriessucceeded in obtaining some justice for the sorry third film entry and gave audiences some amazing adult content.
7The Amazing Spider-Man (1977-1979)
The Amazing Spider-Man(1977)is the oldest entry on our list, being the first Spider-Man live-action television series geared towards adults, and the first live-action series based on Marvel Comics. This series is undoubtedly nostalgic, and has a simple, yet exciting plot that enticed audiences to the point where new Marvel-based live-action series were green-lit shortly after. With a run-time of three years, two seasons, thirteen episodes, and one preceding film, The Amazing Spider-Man did its best to keep the young adult and middle-aged audience’s attention and intrigue.
Looking back at this effort to popularize mainstream culture with live-action series, sequels, and television projects for Marvel-related properties,The Amazing Spider-Mancertainly succeeded. The series set up other series to come into existence, such asThe Incredible Hulk,a Japanese-producedSpider-Man seriesthat went on to have 41 episodes in two years' time, and eventually the more recent Marvel live-action series we have been able to enjoy. WhileThe Amazing Spider-Mandidn’t strike a chord with the overarching audiences of television in the way the MCU projects have struck gold in the film industry, it did achieve in taking the first step in establishing Marvel’s live-action television presence. For that alone,The Amazing Spider-Mangoes down in history as one of Marvel’s best live-action television series.
6Jessica Jones (2015-2019)
Jessica Jonesis the first of just less than a handful of Marvel/Netflix, a.k.a. the Netflixverse, series that we will touch on in this article. This is a highly-adult television series that deals with alcoholism, deep-rooted trauma, mental instabilities, and many more important personal issues. In the series' three seasons, we follow Jessica, asuperpowered meta-humanwho is a very talented P.I., has very few friends or acquaintances, and holds a great deal of baggage. She has some incredible self-destructive habits and personality traits, in addition to her bad attitude that tends to drive others away. She is a cynic, very lustful, and struggles with doing morally questionable things for, mostly, good reasons.
Seeing Jessica take on her detective work cases, battle with herself, and grow as a person, all while taking down wrongdoers and rekindling relationships from her past, is enough to keep the series going. Though, like many television series,Jessica Joneshas a few shortcomings and less than a handful of boring episodes, the overarching story this series tells can definitely suck in viewers who have a bit more patience for build-up and have a taste for the much more grounded storytelling saturated in normally hard to talk about real world issues. This series is ultimately a very good drama-action with some great mystery elements woven throughout.
5Luke Cage (2016-2018)
The second Netflixverse series being discussed here is going to be the fan-favoriteLuke Cage,about a somewhat broken man with unbreakable skin. A story of a hero of Harlem, a man of incredible power; an individual who wishes to not only help himself but others as well. Luke Cage is an intriguing character who has experienced much wrongdoing in his life but has also earned and learned some incredible life lessons along the way that have shaped him into the strong-willed man he is. Cage goes from a mostly normal guy to a super-powered individual after an experiment he was subjected to is sabotaged, becoming a fugitive in the process. Attempting to regain a life of credibility and normalcy, he does good work for the city and the citizens on the streets of Harlem, attaining the status of a hero.
Throughout the two-season series, we witness Cage’s truly amazing abilities as his feats overcome many powerful enemies and corrupt organizations in Harlem and its surroundings. Cage is a true protector of others, despite maintaining a bit of a temper. His occasional short fuse, on the other hand, can be a real asset when dealing with street-level crooks and unjust thugs. There is also a sizable twist at the end of the series' run, where Luke sees the only way to effectively clean up the streets of Harlem and protect the innocents is to take over the criminal underworld of the city and be somewhat of a kingpin who sincerely looks out for the ‘little guy’. This series has so many pluses and so few negatives that it’s hard not to enjoy the action-packed, street-level, awesome heroism of Power Man himself, Luke Cage.
Related :Krysten Ritter Sparks Jessica Jones Speculation After Sharing Snap With Luke Cage’s Mike Colter
4Legion (2017-2019)
FX’sLegionis one odd and confusing story, which makes the series extremely intriguing, yet somewhat difficult to wrap your head around at times. At its core,Legionfollows a man who has battled with schizophrenia since his adolescence while also having a separate condition, related to his origin, within himself that was unknown to him until the first season. David Haller has been in and out of numerous mental institutions throughout his life and is unable to gain control of his condition and the negative consequences it causes. One of the most significant incidents was the death of his childhood friend Lenny because of him when they were children, which is a major plot point in the series.
This series has huge surprise twists and turns, such as David coming to terms with himself, being of mutant origin, understanding where the true root of his deviance comes from, and learning that his father is none other than the mutant Charles Xavier. David never seems to be able to let go of old grievances or overcome his mental illness, instead attempting to persevere and do what he believes is right. Throughout the series, David is guided by individuals and organizations to help with their cause, really taking advantage of him and his mental instability. This show ishighly twisted and unapologetically dark, a great blend for a story about an insanely strong and superpowered mutant who has some very real mental issues.
3Marvel’s Agents of Shield (2013-2020)
The longest running Marvel-based television series, also being the fourth-longest running comic book TV series ever, sits fairly high on our list.Marvel’s Agents of Shieldis the full package: action-packed episodes with high stakes; a variety of crucial characters who matter greatly in the plot; countless emotional moments and reveals that offer much dramatic feel; an almost family-like team of individuals the audience cares about; and so much more. While this series had its fair share of MCU character cameos, including Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Lady Sif, and one of the title characters, Phil Coulson, it isn’t directly related or set in the main MCU timeline. Though it is a bit confusing when you see Shield’s ex-director Nick Fury show up on screen, or plot points in which, for example,Shield has fallen to Hydra(similarly to the main MCU timeline),Marvel’s Agents of Shieldis absolutely set in a separate universe of the vast Marvel multiverse.
Through its seven seasons and 138 episodes,Marvel’s Agents of Shielddeals with earth-ending threats, alternate timeline catastrophes, extra-dimensional villains, time-traveling quests to save the future (and past), and many other immensely entertaining happenings, missions, and adventures. It offers deep emotional connections, incredibly saddening losses, and visually stunning scenes; we’re just hitting the tip of the iceberg. To say that the series is a rollercoaster, that audiences want to ride again and again, is an understatement; with so many twists, turns, and reveals, this show is one that Marvel and action series fans alike keep returning to.
Related:Daredevil, Jessica Jones & The Punisher Rumored to Return in the MCU, But with a Twist
2The Punisher (2017-2019)
The Punisheris a pretty straight-forward series about an ex-military specialist turned rouge vigilante, taking revenge on those responsible for the murder of his family, uncovering conspiracies that look to derail many aspects of life in the nation, to then attempt to settle down alone and put his murderous vigilantism behind him for good. While that may sound like a big spoonful to swallow, Frank Castle makes the job look easy, other than all the damage and pain he receives during the dealings he lays out with hardcore justice. Frank is not a very trusting man, and for good reason. His family was murdered, and his best friends had a big hand in it, yet Frank finds it in himself to trust a few individuals who, like him, have no one else to look to for comfort or support.
The Punisheris very dark, gritty, and bloody; to say it has a capital R rating is an understatement, and the show is beloved for it. Frank Castle clashes with many people in his attempts to deliver justice, but more importantly, vengeance and punishment to those who are nothing short of evil, twisted, and/or vile. While Frank hasalmost no sense of a moral compass, throughout his time as The Punisher, he learns how to do wrong for the undoubtedly right reasons and to limit the possibility of innocent casualties. If you are into hardcore, toe-curling violence at the hands of a somewhat deranged man hellbent on bringing law and order down on criminals in the form of hot lead and hellfire, this show is definitely for you.
1Daredevil (2015-2018)
Our last entry on this list is yet another show from the age of the Marvel/Netflix contract, and is almost as equally dark and hardcore as the previously discussedThe Punisher.Daredevilis about a blind lawyer with a secret life of crime fighting during the wee hours of the night. Protecting Hell’s Kitchen as the vigilante Daredevil, and defending innocent individuals caught up in the corrupt court system, as Matt Murdock. This story is one of balancing an extremely hectic life with many past traumas, everyday work-related issues, and the often body-beating fights with the criminals of Hell’s Kitchen.Daredevilhas cemented itself as peak street-level comic book storytelling in the form of television, with fantastic side characters and a plot that is second to none.
While Daredevil has some really special abilities, such as heightened senses, incredible acrobatics, amazing endurance, and surefire fighting forms, he is still just a normal man who can become hurt, inside and out. Entrusting very few people with his persona and dealings as Daredevil, he focuses on helping as many people as he can, both on the streets and in the courts. Matt Murdock most definitely has a great moral compass, though he struggles with always doing the right thing, especially in his own eyes and when facing his archnemesis, the ever-so-evil Kingpin of New York. This series aired for three seasons and has audiences clamoring and hoping for a fourth season of the incredibly hardcore, yet beautifully told, story that isDaredevil. With Matt Murdock being introduced into the MCU inSpider-Man: No Way Home, fans can only wait to see what the MCU has in store for everybody’s favorite blind lawyer/vigilante.
