There are few things more universally beloved than a superhero story. In recent years, the genre has risen to prominence through the CW's Arrowverse, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unfortunately, Tragedy tends to follow heroes wherever they go, and sometimes their loved ones pay the ultimate price.
With so much happening in a show filled with action, some of these deaths may happen off-screen, bringing a disappointing end to a character's narrative. Good characters are at the core of any good superhero show, and it's always a let down when an important character dies without getting the proper sendoff.
10 The Influence of Lucius Fox Succeeded His Death In Batwoman
Any fan of Batman will be familiar with the character Lucius Fox. A member of Wayne Industries, he is instrumental in The Dark Knight and is prepared to help Batman stop crime in Gotham. In the CW's Batwoman, however, Lucius isn't given the chance to show how helpful he could be.
Lucius had an off-screen death before Batwoman even began, and the circumstances of his death remained a mystery until the latter half of the first season. With his influence being prominent within the show, from his impact on the characters to the inventions he created, it seems like a shame that the fans never got to see this version of Lucius in action.
9 Rita Farr Left Behind A Star In Young Justice
The animated show Young Justice gives a home to a host of many beloved DC characters. Unfortunately, the coveted Doom Patrol member Rita Farr is not a part of this line-up. Alongside some of her teammates, Rita loses her life on a mission in 2015. She ends up leaving behind her adopted son, Garfield Logan, who follows in her footsteps and becomes a TV star.
With Garfield being such a prominent character in Young Justice, it seems like a missed opportunity to not show the people who influenced him. Rita was a hero in her own right, and her adventures could have made for some great Young Justice episodes. Luckily, her fans can still catch a glimpse of her in the Doom Patrol series on HBO Max.
8 The Simple Life Of The Umbrella Academy's Agnes Rofa
Netflix's Umbrella Academy doesn't shy away from depictions of death, but it did let the character of Agnes Rofa have a quiet end. Agnes was one half of a leading romance in the show's first season, and she was an innocent bystander in the world's coming to an end. She was instrumental in convincing one of the show's antagonists - Hazel - to leave the life of an assassin behind.
While Agnes was not a superhero in her own right, she brought a softer touch to Umbrella Academy. Fans were relieved to learn of her happy life lived with Hazel, though she unfortunately died of cancer off-screen. Her death is only mentioned, but it seems a shame that fans were not given a proper farewell to her character.
7 The Quick Career of Young Justice's Tula
Young Justice is a show that spans many years, and many characters like Tula are lost in the intervening time jumps. Tula was introduced in the show's first season as a love interest to Kaldur. At the time she was only a friend from Atlantis, but she would eventually take the title of Aquagirl and join the team of young heroes.
When Young Justice Season Two aired, it was revealed that Tula died during a mission. As a result, fans were not able to see her career as Aquagirl. While Tula's stint on the show was brief, she'd made a big impact on her teammate's growth, as her death was the supposed catalyst for the events in the second season.
6 Justice League: Unlimited Took Away Ace's Chance At Redemption
In the Season Two episode "Epilogue," Justice League: Unlimited tells fans about Ace's death. Ace was a girl with telepathic powers who was used by both the Joker and Cadmus. She was a presumed enemy, but when the League is informed that she will be dying soon, Batman steps up to see her through the last moments of her life.
"Epilogue" remains in fans' minds due to the compassion shared between characters. Batman was sent to end Ace's life before she could cause more harm, but he chooses to talk with her instead. They do not share her death on screen, but when Batman approaches his fellow heroes with her body in his arms, fans are left with the realization that even though redemption was no longer possible for her, she at least wasn't alone in the end.
5 The Arrowverse Loses Another Captain Cold
The CW's Arrowverse is known for its abundant crossovers, and with one of them came the character known as Leo Snart. Leo was introduced in The Flash's episode of "Crisis on Earth-X." After the events of the crossover, he stole his way into fans' hearts by helping both the Legends of Tomorrow crew and Team Flash in individual episodes.
Despite his popularity, Leo does not stay for long. He returns to Earth-X, but is unable to escape the events of another crossover. Earth-X is destroyed during the Anti-Monitor crisis. While the multiverse is later rebooted, his character is never mentioned again, leaving fans of the character to lose yet another Captain Cold.
4 The Flash's Humble End To Harry Wells
The Flash is a long-running show that utilizes the multiverse, including multiple versions of Harrison Wells. Among them is Harry, the Wells from Earth-2. While his relationship with Team Flash wasn't always the best, he still managed to become a prominent part of the other characters' lives.
He would eventually return to his home on Earth-2, but like many of the multiverses of the Arrowverse, it would be destroyed during the Anti-Monitor crisis. This was a glossed-over death of a beloved character, and fans wondered if they'd ever see him again. Luckily, a form of him returns after the multiverse is rebooted.
3 Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D's Farewell To Peggy Carter
The MCU is home to many characters, and one of the best is Peggy Carter. Her death in the MCU was first announced in Captain America: Civil War off-screen, and the fans were given a chance to say their goodbyes during her funeral scene. Her death was also touched on in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, however, with nothing more than a brief mention.
This would have been a fantastic opportunity to have another flashback about Agent Carter, as she was a prominent founder of their organization. While this was the death of this iteration of Peggy's character, fans are still able to see her in Marvel's What If...? and in her own series, Agent Carter.
2 Jason Todd's Robin Career Wasn't Done Justice
Few shows highlight the Bat-family as well as Young Justice. Unfortunately, Jason Todd came and went as Robin between the first and second seasons. Fans of the show were unable to see him in the role, as a time-jump deemed Tim Drake to be the one to hold the mantle.
Jason Todd has always been a fan favorite. Along with characters like Barbara Gordon, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne, he forms an important cadre of younger-generation Bat-heroes. Unfortunately, this member of the team goes painfully unexplored in Young Justice.
1 Moon Knight Forgoes The Mercy Given To Arthur Harrow
Moon Knight Featured the former Avatar of Khonshu as its main villain. Arthur Harrow takes on an antagonistic role during the first season, and by the end, his actions have earned him a spared life in a psychiatric hospital. This seemed like a merciful way to end his story, but it wouldn't stay that way for long.
By the time the final credits roll for Moon Knight, Harrow has been assassinated by another alter of Marc Spector, Jake Lockley. The camera pans away from him just before his death by Lockley, taking an implied, yet off-screen approach to his death.