The Avengers continue to be powerhouses in all forms of media. Their comic books and animated shows are tops for many fans. Their last live-action film, Avengers: Endgame, smashed several records.
Yet, this popularity hasn't been transformed into a live-action television series. Nevertheless, those who have joined this iconic group have appeared individually or in pairs on various small screen programs. It has continued in this way since the early 1970s.
10 Spider-Man (1977) Is the First Marvel Character To Go Live
Technically, CBS' primetime Spider-Man series isn't the first place the Wall-Crawler premiered as a live-action superhero. It is actually the PBS educational series The Electric Company. From 1974 to 1977, the Web-Slinger starred in the segment Spidey Super Stories where he spoke in comic balloons.
It wasn't until his network debut that Spider-Man found his voice. The show was popular enough that it had a two-season run. The Incredible Hulk probably had something to do with this.
9 The Incredible Hulk (1977) Introduced Bruce Banner & The Jade Giant
Some don't recall the Hulk's history with the Avengers. After all, he is a founding member of the group. However, because it was only for a few issues, this part of the team's origin is all but forgotten.
Still, the character's popularity was strong enough to add a live-action version of the character to the CBS primetime schedule in 1977. The Incredible Hulk remained in the television landscape for five seasons and three made-for-TV movies made toward the end of the 1980s.
8 Dr. Strange (1978) Was Introduced In A Failed TV Pilot
With the success of The Incredible Hulk and the DC Comics property Wonder Woman, CBS was on a superhero tear in the late 1970s. However, unlike the enormous successes these beings have in The CW's Arrowverse, it didn't go so well for the Eye Network.
For instance, the 1978 release of the made-for-TV pilot film Dr. Strange. Although Stan Lee consulted on it, the movie garnered a poor reception. Thus, the development of a live-action project for the mystic didn't take place until nearly a half-century later.
7 Captain America (1979) Received Two TV Movies
Dr. Strange maintains some semblance to the Marvel Comics series. On the other hand, the two movies introducing a live-action Captain America were totally off the mark. The character's name is Steve Rogers and his costume is similar. Overall, those are the only recognizable items.
In the movies, which aired on the CBS primetime schedule in 1979, Steve is a contemporary who is a former Marine. He makes his living as an artist while driving across the country in a conversion van. After sustaining critical injuries, he's given a Full Latent Ability Gain (FLAG) serum that increases his strength and agility. Wearing a helmet with his insignia, the hero takes to America's roads in a souped-up motorcycle.
6 Blade (2006) Went To TV After A Successful Cinematic Run
Nearly three decades passed before Marvel decided to take another stab at a live-action television series based on its characters. Instead of heading to the major networks, it decided to rebuild on cable. Blade became the first endeavor from what was to become Marvel Television.
Based on the theatrical film series of the same name, it took place after Blade: Trinity. The script is written by comic book veterans David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns. The pilot episode became the most-watched show in Spike's history at that time. However, weaker episodes that followed caused the viewership to falter. Thus, Blade only lasted for four months. For the uninitiated, Blade became an official member of the Black Panther-led Avengers at the start of 2019. Avengers vol. 8 #10, to be exact.
5 Daredevil (2015) Went From The New Avengers To TV Show
Before Disney+, Netflix was the home for live-action representations of Marvel superheroes. The first one to appear on the streaming service in 2015 was Daredevil.
The Man Without Fear helped various incarnations of the team. At the start of Brian Michael Bendis' New Avengers, the hero's real-life persona, Matt Murdock, helped wrangle escapees of a prison known as The Raft. He officially joined the group from issues 16-34.
4 Jessica Jones (2015) Is A Different Kind Of Hero
Of the Marvel-based Netflix shows, Jessica Jones is the most popular. It lasted through four seasons. Furthermore, Jones participated in the 2017 Defenders series with the characters of the other Marvel streamers.
Over in the comic book world, the superhuman private detective joined her husband, Luke Cage, in the second volume of New Avengers. She also helped him rebuild the third incarnation of the Mighty Avengers into a street-level team.
3 Luke Cage (2016) Is A Next Generation Avenger
In the comics, Luke Cage, formerly the superhero known as Power Man, isn't a huge fan of teams. True, he was part of Heroes for Hire with Iron Fist and had a stint on The Defenders. However, those weren't as organized as the Avengers. So, it came as a bit of a surprise that he joined the first version of the New Avengers and eventually began to lead various teams.
Meanwhile, on different types of small screens, Luke Cage made its Netflix premiere in 2016. With positive reviews behind it, the show was renewed for a second season. Unfortunately, due to creative differences, Luke Cage ended in 2018.
2 Iron Fist (2017) Joined His Friend Luke Cage In The New Avengers
Call it coincidence, but it seems like all the Netflix-based Marvel shows starred street-level heroes that eventually became new generation Avengers. In other words, they were part of one incarnation or another after the first volume release of New Avengers.
In this case, Iron Fist joined his friend Luke Case in the second volume of the series. He was there until it ended with issue #34. One year after his pal got a show, Iron Fist debuted and ran for one season.
1 WandaVision (2021) Gives Fans A Pair Of Avengers
Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe didn't begin on the big screen. It started on the Disney+ streaming service. Its introduction was the series WandaVision.
Of the two characters on the show, Wanda Maximoff, the superhero known as Scarlet Witch, has a longer role with the team. A former villain, she became a part of Captain America's 1965 lineup called the Kooky Quartet. The Vision made his initial appearance with the team toward the end of the Silver Age.