Marvel and DC on the TV series

May 18, 2018

We may be able to come to a decision quicker if we look at the movies of Marvel and DC universes, but I think the competition is fiercer when it comes to the TV series. Each group has the great ones and less impressive titles. Which one do you think wins on the small screen?

Zack T · May 18, 2018

My opinion is incomplete due to still having not yet watched season 2 of Daredevil, any of Luke Cage, any of Punisher, any of Jessica Jones - I intend to watch them. I'll probably watch Inhumans too at some point just to see it.

As it is, I HAVE watched Daredevil season 1, all of Marvels Agents of Shield (except a few recent episodes just in case it ties in to Infinity War since I haven't seen that yet), Arrow, Flash, and Gotham. At some point I intend to watch Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow, I just haven't yet (Except for the big cross-over stories)

So, obviously when it comes to the movies, Marvel kicks DC's ass bad. Only a few DC movies have been really good - Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy is amazing, older Superman movies...but while I personally enjoyed Superman Returns, Man Of Steel, and Batman vs Superman, those films fell flat to most everyone else (I'm a giant mark for Superman so sue me)

On TV though, DC has done a lot better. Gotham is a freakin brilliant prequel for Batman - Seriously, if you've not yet watched Gotham, DO IT. The series is coming to an end this year it would appear - Looks like we'll finish Season 4 and then get a half season for Season 5 and honestly that'll be perfect. You get to follow James Gordon as well as lots of notable villains, particularly Penguin and Riddler (main characters), as well as see the development of so many other villains, from Selena Kyle to Ivy to Joker to Scarecrowe to more, as well as watch young Bruce Wayne grow and see Alfred be pretty badass. Seriously, I can't say enough about how good this show is.

Arrow and Flash are both excellent too. I think I've grown to like Flash slightly more, but they're both super good and differently toned from each other. Arrow is a little more dark and gritty, Flash is a little more bright and vibrant.

Comparing the quality of those shows to the Marvel shows I've watched and honestly I'd call it even right now. Agents of Shield is really really good, I love how they tie it in with Marvel movies when it makes sense to do so (Captain America: Winter Soldier completely changed the series direction) and the stories/writing have been stellar. Daredevil Season 1 was really good too, I've been slowly catching up on shows and I'm sure I'll love Season 2 as well.

May 21, 2018

On TV though, DC has done a lot better. Gotham is a freakin brilliant prequel for Batman - Seriously, if you've not yet watched Gotham, DO IT. The series is coming to an end this year it would appear - Looks like we'll finish Season 4 and then get a half season for Season 5 and honestly that'll be perfect. You get to follow James Gordon as well as lots of notable villains, particularly Penguin and Riddler (main characters), as well as see the development of so many other villains, from Selena Kyle to Ivy to Joker to Scarecrowe to more, as well as watch young Bruce Wayne grow and see Alfred be pretty badass. Seriously, I can't say enough about how good this show is.

Absolutely yes. Practically everyone knows Batman and so watching Gotham gives them the extra info the producers can't pack in 2-hour movies which helps to expand the universe with depth. This is the strength of TV series format. Despite some confusing parts, the fourth season ended on a high note for me.

Marvel is a bit inconsistent with their TV series. Agents of SHIELD is okay, The Punisher is awesome, and some others which fail (Inhumans, Iron Fist, Agent Carter). I count more awesome movies than awesome TV series with Marvel.

Zack T · May 21, 2018

Oh right I watched Agent Carter too. I rather enjoyed Agent Carter, though I wish there had been more Howard Stark.

May 29, 2018

Now I wonder why the answer seems easy enough for both of you. Parts of Marvel's TV series that I have seen are visually interesting with a great cast and realistic themes compared to the movies. That usually helps to get viewers attached. Why do they fail to impress us?

Zack T · May 30, 2018

I don't know. Maybe you aren't particularly interested in the smaller screen characters/stories if they're not big productions like Iron Man? I personally love the smaller stories for seeing how the rest of the world handles the crazy crap that happens in the big movies.

May 31, 2018

It's interesting to call the TV series as smaller stories. Marvel designed a separate universe for its TV series (the Marvel Netflix Universe, if I remember correctly), so I think they want to treat all their franchises equally. I wonder if that's the reason; we are too used to the format, so the dynamics don't surprise us anymore. DC, on the other hand, seems to give more plot and development to their TV series which we barely find in their movies.