Column by Craig Byrne
Last year on KryptonSite, I detailed ten Marvel and DC Comics characters or groups that I think would work for TV. As much as I like superhero movies — after all, if I didn’t like them I would not have Avengersite set up for them — my first love definitely goes to the weekly television format. Unfortunately for Marvel, they’ve only had one real success in that market, with the Incredible Hulk TV series that starred Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno thirty years ago.
Sure, there was the Spider-Man series with Nicholas Hammond, which deviated a bit from the comics but also never really had a chance, bouncing around the late-70′s CBS schedule. I admit there’s a certain charm to that old Spider-Man show, and I’d like to see it on DVD. But we’re talking about the future, so let me move on…
Now, it’s been announced that Jeph Loeb will be spearheading Marvel’s TV plans, and I am REALLY curious where this will lead. DC has had great success in the past decade with Smallville, but the closest we’ve had to an actual Marvel TV series in the past decade was Mutant X which, perhaps also due to legal intervention, had no real connection to the comic book of the same name. Going back even earlier, we had the David Hasselhoff Nick Fury movie and Generation X… not a lot to write home about.
I’m really excited about Jeph Loeb’s appointment. Jeph has worked on some really good TV (Smallville, LOST, Heroes) and has worked with some very talented people, all of whom he can and will probably bring to the table — although I would imagine his buddy Geoff Johns is off-limits as he is doing similar things for DC. Loeb is one of those people that artists have lined up to work with. Even projects that might not be so critically acclaimed (like Ultimatum) have sold well. I’m confident that he’s a good choice for Marvel in running their TV division. So now that the people are in place to bring some good TV to the forefront, most likely somewhere like ABC, let’s take a look at some choices that seem to be made for the television screen. I’m not the first to make such a list and I’m surely not the last – and I fully acknowledge that some aspects on this year’s list might be different from the one I wrote on KryptonSite. So, without any more babbling, I’ll get to the point… my list of ten Marvel concepts I’d love to see on TV. In no particular order:
1. Daredevil
Why it would work: It’s Law & Order meets Spider-Man. Daredevil is also likely to be one of the more financially feasible characters to bring to the television screen. One must, however: Much like The Equalizer had New York as a “character” in the 1980′s, so, too, should a Daredevil show – you just have to film there. Bonus? Law & Order got some great New York-based guest actors who would surely like to do something different for a change. DD also has a solid supporting cast that can be used, including Foggy Nelson, Karen Page, Ben Urich, and the Kingpin.
Things to watch out for: The costume could look really stupid if done badly. See the “Trial of the Incredible Hulk” movie if you don’t believe me. But on the bright side, it could be a fantastic breakout role for the right actor.
2. Hawkeye
Why it would work: It’s no secret that Hawkeye is my favorite Marvel character, so I fully admit a bias. But to be more serious… Hawkeye is one of those characters with strong ties to the Avengers, but isn’t one of the “big three.” Perhaps a Hawkeye TV series could exist on a limited run between Avengers movies. (That’s another concept that would be fun – do a series as a “limited run” – sell a lot of DVD’s, then move on to another project). An actor like Josh Holloway – long rumored to be involved in something Avengers-related – would be great.
Things to watch out for: A purple costume might look silly on TV. Although I wasn’t the biggest fan of the 2004 Hawkeye comic where he barely wore his costume, such an approach might work well on television, provided the character is well-cast and well-written.
3. Moon Knight
Why it would work: It’s Batman. With schizophrenia. And without the expectations that a Batman TV series would have. That, and the white costume, if done well, would look cool. This was proposed for TV a few years ago but it didn’t go anywhere. Moon Knight’s recent exposure in the Secret Avengers comic book series surely would help with character recognition.
Things to watch out for: If badly realized you could enter Night Man territory. Still, Marc Spector and his multiple personalities could make for some really good television.
4. Power Man & Iron Fist
Why it would work: It’s Lethal Weapon with super-powers. Ever since the announcement of Loeb’s new position, I’ve seen people calling for this…. and I have to agree. Throw in Bendis favorite, Luke Cage’s wife, Jessica Jones and you could have the Alias factor as well. (That’s Alias the comic book, not the TV series) The powers of a strong invulnerable guy and a guy with a glowing fist could be easy to pull off. It could go for the kind of buddy vibe a show like The Good Guys has.
Things to watch out for: It could have the kind of ratings a show like The Good Guys has.
5. The New Warriors
Why it would work: Everyone knows the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. I grew up at a time, though, when the New Warriors were cool. UPN at one point wanted to develop a TV series based on the character the Night Thrasher; but if a series expanded on that, including young heroes from Marvel’s past who may or may not have been Warriors, throwing in a dash of CB Cebulski’s Loners or characters from recent Marvel series Young Allies, it could be really interesting.
Things to watch out for: The New Warriors haven’t sold well as a comic book since 1994 or so, so it might be a tough sell. Also one of the coolest Warriors – Nova – might be too expensive to do on TV, not to mention that I’m unsure how the legal stuff between Marvel and Nova creator Marv Wolfman went down.
6. Runaways
Why it would work: Creator Brian K. Vaughan has worked in television, including on LOST. Some issues of Runaways were written by TV favorite (and possible Avengers director) Joss Whedon.
Things to watch out for: The Runaways might not be a well-known enough brand. I’d enjoy it, but I wouldn’t get as excited for a Runaways TV show as I would get over a longer-running Marvel property.
7. The Punisher
Why it would work: The Punisher has failed three times as a movie, for the most part. But a true-to-the-original-comics television series, about a man who becomes a vigilante to protect those in need and stop scum? Always a great concept. I think it might even work better as a TV show, where you don’t have to worry about the origin for more than one episode and can learn little bits about the character from week to week. As a bonus, stories could be largely self-contained.
Things to watch out for: Movie producers seemed to do whatever they could to change the Punisher to make him less like the character we know from the comics. Stick to the source material. Keep the black suit with the skull. Maybe you think it looks silly, but it’s practical for what Frank Castle wants to do. And if anyone dares turn him into Franken-Castle, I will smack someone.
8. The Incredible Hulk (again)
Why it would work: Mr. Loeb himself is a fan of the original series and has experience with the character. Assuming he’s only in the first Avengers movie, surely The Hulk will have some adventures to follow, right? The role would probably be recast (don’t see Edward Norton doing TV), but it wouldn’t be the first time.
Things to watch out for: It’s been done before, and people will inevitably make comparisons to the original versions.
9. The X-Men
Why it would work: Heroes was popular, right? Now imagine a series with some powered folks/mutants that people have actually heard of.
Things to watch out for: Right now the rights to the X-Men are tied up by Fox, and X-Men: First Class is due out next year, so chances are slim to none. Although… a spin-off from the First Class movie, brought to TV, might be the thing to do. I’m not suggesting using the same characters from the films, but as long as you have the concept of mutants and a library of recognizable characters to use, I think it could still fly.
Bonus: It might sound blasphemous to have a Wolverine who is not Hugh Jackman, but if any actor (or heck, even Jackman) is capable of pulling it off, a Wolverine TV series could also be really interesting.
10. Spider-Man
Why it would work: Does Marvel seriously want their own answer to Smallville? The only way to truly do that is to play with Marvel’s biggest gun. The closer to Ultimate Spider-Man, the better. Spidey’s instantly recognized and he already has a fantastic supporting cast.
Things to watch out for: I don’t think Sony will be willing to give up on a movie franchise in favor of TV. Which is unfortunate, because the long-standing effects of a several years-running TV series might ultimately make more money than a Spider-Man 4 when all is said and done. And aren’t Smallville’s creators contracted to Sony’s TV division anyway? Just saying…
In the end…
I’d love it – especially if whatever we do get all airs on the same network – if there was some interconnectivity, much like what we’ve had between the two Iron Man movies and The Incredible Hulk. Stan Lee and co. built a universe out of that interconnectivity, and it’d be a treat to see it all come together on a large scale. I hope Marvel and Mr. Loeb consider that when moving forward.
When compiling this list I was also tempted to include the Rick Jones/Genis version of Captain Marvel, mostly because I loved the interplay between all of the characters there, though I know that such a TV series would probably either confuse people who know DC’s Captain Marvel or just serve to irritate DC who don’t have the rights to the name.
Comments or suggestions? Leave them below. Thanks for reading.