The 10 Best DC Comics Shows of All Time, Ranked

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Being a leading force in the world of comic books and superheroes since 1937, DC Comics has been a widespread staple of superhero storytelling and American culture as a whole, creating countless iconic characters and stories over the years. From some of the most instantly recognizable heroes of all time, like Superman and Batman, to legendary villains like The Joker and Darkseid. There have been many different adaptations and evolutions of these classic characters and stories over the years, with few being as acclaimed and recognized as the various television shows.

From beloved shows that helped establish and introduce the characters to wider audiences to modern universe-building explorations in the streaming era, there have been many successful shows built upon various DC worlds and characters. With so many exceptional shows to choose from, it’s difficult to decide on the absolute best of the best, as these series have had a substantial lasting impact and legacy within their respective mediums. It’s a testament to how enduring and fascinating DC characters are that shows like Doom Patrol, Watchmen, and The Sandman narrowly missed the top 10.

10

‘Harley Quinn’ (2019 – )

Created by Justin Halpern, Dean Lorey, and Patrick Schumacker

One of the most successful and entertaining animated DC series in recent memory, Harley Quinn paints a more absurd and chaotic look at the lives and world of Gotham’s villains. The series follows the misadventures of Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco), having recently broken up with the Joker and finding unexpected refuge from a blossoming friendship with fellow Gotham villainess Poison Ivy (Lake Bell). They soon form their own villain crew, creating a plot to get revenge on the Joker as well as form their own villainous plots to take over Gotham City.

What initially started as a raunchy and overly violent take on the animated DC world has evolved into one of the most distinct and individual experiences that animated DC has to offer. The character dynamics and overall core of the show have evolved and changed a variety of times across its now 5 seasons, from expanding beyond the confines of Gotham City to creating a relationship between Harley and Ivy. It’s far from the most consistent animated series quality-wise, yet it’s easily one of the strongest animated series that DC has created in a long time.

9

‘Peacemaker’ (2022 – )

Created by James Gunn

Expanding on the same type of limitless charm and entertainment that the character had in James Gunn‘s The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker further fleshes out John Cena‘s standout mercenary character. Having just been revived after his near-death experience in the film, the series sees Peacemaker joining the mysterious black ops squad A.R.G.U.S to help them on their mission to eliminate the mysterious “Project Butterfly”. It soon becomes apparent that this mission of destroying parasitic creatures could threaten to destroy humanity if not accomplished.

Peacemaker features the same electrifying sense of humor and top-notch R-rated action that made The Suicide Squad so effective, allowing Cena to truly shine and flourish in the leading role. Even with the characters featured not nearly being as iconic as the massive DC icons, the show weaves together an effective tale of self-discovery and growth in its own chaotic, ultra-violent way. While the future of the series is still a mystery considering that it will now take place in the new DC Universe, it will assuredly continue the streak of high quality from season 1.

8

‘The Penguin’ (2024)

Created by Lauren LeFranc

A villain-led crime drama miniseries that expands upon the world and scope of Matt Reeves‘s fan-favorite blockbuster film The Batman, The Penguin follows Colin Farrell‘s take on Oswarl Cobb as he rises to power in Gotham’s underworld. Taking place immediately after the events of the 2022 film, the series sees Oz fighting to fill the power vacuum left behind by the death of Carmine Falcone, fighting off rival gangs and facing long-lasting enemies on his quest to the top. The series made effective waves as one of the best streaming shows of 2024.

As opposed to the wild and over-the-top origins of the character, The Penguin serves to ground the character and world of Gotham City to something more akin to a hardened crime drama like The Wire or The Sopranos. It works as the perfect complement to Reeves’s already exceptional worldbuilding and style established in The Batman, giving the character of Oz the true depth and excitement that he’s always deserved as one of Gotham’s greatest threats.

7

‘Batman Beyond’ (1999 – 2001)

Created by Alan Burnett, Bob Kane, and Gerry Conway

Sequel series that sees a new, inexperienced youth taking up a beloved mantle always have the risk of alienating and disappointing longtime fans of the original, yet Batman Beyond proves to be the best rendition of this classic trope. The series takes place in a far-off future, with Bruce Wayne now in his 50s and failing to take down criminals like he used to. After a painful experience where he almost broke his no-killing rule out of weakness, he decides to train a young apprentice in Terry McGinnis to take on the mantle of Batman and be Gotham’s new protector.

Combining the creativity and limitless possibilities of a high-tech future version of Gotham City with transforming Bruce’s role into a hardened and stoic mentor makes for an unexpectedly compelling addition to the Batman mythos and legacy. The series features many of the strengths of previous animated DC shows of the era, not shying away from deeply mature and impactful themes per episode while also fully embellishing the creativity and possibilities of the DC world in animation.

6

‘Arrow’ (2012- 2020)

Created by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg

One of the most acclaimed and beloved series in the aptly titled Arrowverse of DC shows on the CW channel, Arrow transformed the relatively middling hero of Green Arrow into a true icon of vigilante justice. The series follows billionaire playboy Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell), who has a reawakening and major shift in his lifestyle after being shipwrecked on a mysterious island for 5 years. As he returns home, he now spends the nights fighting crime and taking down an underground conspiracy as a mysterious yet deadly hooded figure.

Especially for a series that has been as long-running and consistently entertaining as Arrow, there is a bountiful amount of plot threats, long-lasting development and iconic renditions of beloved characters that Arrow has to offer for DC fans. The series catapulted the character of Oliver Queen into the forefront as one of DC’s most charming and entertaining heroes, made further impactful by the show’s use of legendary villains.

5

‘Justice League’ (2001 – 2004) and ‘Justice League: Unlimited’ (2004 – 2006)

Developed by Bruce Timm

While each legendary DC superhero on their own has an array of exceptional stories and legacies tied to them, they at the same time can manage to create a powerful and legendary television experience when combined into a single super team. While the Justice League has seen various adaptations in film and animation before and after these iconic series, Bruce Timm‘s Justice League and Justice League: Unlimited are still the gold standard for stories utilizing the most iconic superhero team of all time.

This complementing duo of animated series does just about everything that any great Justice League story needs, featuring a great mix of chemistry between the heroes, massive ventures on a cosmic scale, and staying true to each member of the team. As opposed to one of these series being greater than the other, they act better as a duo that complement one another in seamless storytelling, making it impossible to choose one over the other.

4

‘Smallville’ (2001 – 2017)

Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar

An extended look at the often-overlooked origins and teenage years of Clark Kent, long before he became the iconic figure of Superman, Smallville takes an in-depth look into the buildup and origins of the world’s most recognizable superhero. The coming-of-age series follows the ventures of Clark growing up in his hometown of Smallville, Kansas, including a complicated romance with neighbor girl Lana Lang, and his best friendship with future nemesis Lex Luthor. However, as the series went on, it would end up introducing more and more iconic members of Clark’s life, even including Lois Lane and various other DC heroes and villains.

What started off as a quaint prequel television series quickly transformed and evolved into the quintessential adaptation of a DC hero to television, even now continuing to have massive influence and legacy on DC stories, prequels or otherwise. The one-of-a-kind series tackles the concept and world of Superman unlike any story before or since, adding further humanity and connection to the character and further solidifying him as an icon of reliability and justice.

3

‘Teen Titans’ (2003 – 2006)

Created by David Slack, Bob Haney, and Bruno Premiani

Initially hated by longtime DC fans due to its drastic changes to the classic DC animated formula and adoption of anime-inspired visual stylings, Teen Titans eventually overcame its initial reactions to become the quintessential version of the teenage group. The series follows a group of teenage superheroes including the likes of Robin, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyclops taking on various supervillain threats in each episode, connecting further as a team, and making mistakes as they grow into fully fledged heroes.

The fast-paced and electrifying animation style of Teen Titans served to equally amplify the comedy, action, and emotion of each story being told, giving it an individual style while not taking away from the core tenets of its characters. While it’s certainly much more comedically charged than previous DC animated series, it doesn’t ever go full comedy, always featuring either exciting action or genuinely compelling storytelling to ground it amidst the visual flair.

2

‘The Flash’ (2014 – 2023)

Created by Greg Berlanti, Geoff Johns, and Andrew Kreisberg

Easily the most iconic and acclaimed series in the CW’s cinematic universe of DC shows and characters, The Flash revitalized and revolutionized the character and his story for a new generation to fall in love with. The series follows the rise and venture of Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), who after a freak laboratory accident ends up being gifted the power of superhuman speed. As he adjusts to his new life and powers, he dons the mantle of The Flash and becomes a crime-fighting hero, taking on other super speedsters and villains in the process.

It’s difficult to treat The Flash as only an origin story for Barry Allen, as it quickly became the cornerstone and centralizing story for the entire CW multiverse, furthering the scope, scale, and possibilities with each additional season. Still, it’s the core heart and emotional strengths of Barry’s story that make the series such a compelling watch, seeing him further his drive to not just be a better superhero, but also be a better person for the sake of those he loves. While the later seasons are certainly not as compelling as some of the earlier seasons, the show’s beginning proves to be so compelling that it makes up for any downsides in its latter half.

1

‘Batman: The Animated Series’ (1992 – 1995)

Created by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm

Batman as a character is one of the most prolific and acclaimed when it comes to adaptations in both television and film, making it that much more shocking that the undeniable best rendition of the character is a 90s animated series. However, those who have bore witness to the greatness that is Batman: The Animated Series will be quick to scream from the rooftops the series impeccable sense of quality, easily being one of the greatest superhero TV shows of all time.

Batman: The Animated Series seamlessly combines action, emotion, and masterful visuals to revolutionize and further amplify what were already widely beloved aspects of one of DC’s greatest characters. The series has loving care for everything that makes Batman’s world and characters work so well, from the emotional weight given to various villains to sticking true to the heroic and likable nature of Batman as a symbol of justice. The series would even end up influencing the comics and mythos of Batman himself, with new characters made originally for the show becoming icons in their own right, like Harley Quinn.

NEXT: The 10 Best DC Comics Movies With Great Acting, Ranked

“}]] From All-Time classics like Batman: The Animated Series to recent hits like The Penguin, DC has had many exceptional TV show adaptations.  Read More